Kapurpurawan rock [Photo Hunt: Natural]

According to my Ilocano friend, "Kapurpurawan" means "white" when loosely translated.  The rock formations here are all natural---formed, washed and shaped by nature.  A hill of white limestone (or sandstone), a sedimentary rock that seems out of place in this blackish rocky coast facing the South China Sea.  The rock surface felt like fine grit sandpaper, and it's not dusty.

We were the last people who arrived here that late Sunday afternoon.  According to a tricycle driver whom we met along the way, Kapurpurawan is about 3 kilometers from the highway.  But with the very rough terrain, it felt like 10 agonizing kilometers.  I wish we had a 4 x 4!

Afraid that the car would give out, we decided to park on the side of the dirt road and walk the rest of the way.  The place was isolated---no houses in sight, tall grasses and trees on both sides of the road, we were virtually in the middle of nowhere!  We eventually caught up with 2 guys, who like us, looked lost even with the tricycle driver as their guide.  At the end of the dirt road is a tidal marsh and towards the coast is Kapurpurawan. 

This place is amazing. We expected to see the sunset here but the weather suddenly changed and before we knew it, clouds turned dark and rain started to fall.  Worried to get stranded here in a rain storm without shelter, we ran all the way to the dirt road, across the marsh, and climbed the 18 or so steps to a makeshift hut.  I wish I got a video of the running! We ran like crazy---Sally was so pale and couldn't speak, I thought she was having a heart-attack;  Franzia was screaming like a banshee; I could hear Zhallyn giggling and running like I've never seen before. I was out of breath (from running and laughing at the same time) and felt the jiggling all over!  I am in stitches just thinking about it!

Oh, what an experience.  Definitely the best part of our Ilocos trip.

  Sally, Franzia and Zhallyn--before the 100-meter dash

Kapurpurawan rock formation is located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 536 kilometers north of Manila.

view from Kapurpurawan

This post is linked to Photo Hunt