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| @ mirandablue |
Before leaving Pagudpud and going back to Laoag City, we drove to Patapat Viaduct, a 1.3-kilometer concrete coastal bridge at the foot of the cliff of the north Cordillera mountain range. Driving through the winding mountain road without traffic was a delightful experience. This viaduct rises 31 meters above sea level, offering scenic views of the lush Cordillera mountains and the enchanting Pasaleng Bay. It connects Maharlika Highway from Laoag City to the Cagayan Valley region.
Maharlika Highway is a 2500-kilometer network of roads, bridges and ferry services that connects the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It starts in Laoag City and ends in Zamboanga City.
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| @ mirandablue |
Before the viaduct was constructed [during the Marcos administration], landslides were a common occurrence in this area during rainy season making this stretch a dreaded one-way road. In the 1960's, a footbridge perched on the mountain slope was the only link between the provinces of Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. The etched footbridge can still be seen at the upper part of the cliff.
This was the farthest point of our Ilocos road trip---about 580 kilometers from Manila.
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| @ mirandablue |
I am amazed at the progress in the Pagudpud area! I passed by this area in the late 60's on my way to Ballesteros when I was still working for the government - it was a nightmare of a trip best forgotten. The nightmare was not Pagudpud but how I made it to my destination in Ballesteros passed midnight under a heavy dowpour with an empty stomach.
ReplyDeleteThat roadway was quite and ambitious project. The steep hillside, curves and greenery at the water's edge remind me of the Oregon and California coast along the Pacific.
ReplyDeleteLook at the curves and the steep hillside! OMG, was it a scary drive?
ReplyDeleteI see progress in our infrastructures. It is a beautiful bridge.
I can imagine that it would be very nice to drive there. Better still get someone else to drive... so that I can enjoy the view. :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, now that is impressive, I would love this!
ReplyDeleteIt's really impressive road and challenging! I love your photos.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday:)
That is an impressive bridge... why is there no traffic?
ReplyDelete@ Sidney, there were a few buses and cargo trucks. it was also a Sunday, probably the reason why traffic was almost non-existent.
ReplyDelete@ bertN, now there are Jollibee and McDonalds along the hi-way.:p well, not in this part of Pagudpud but there are sari-sari stores along the way. i hate to travel with an empty stomach.:p
ReplyDeleteThose mountains are impressive. I assume they are difficult to climb. Quite a scene you present.
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots! I'm glad the road has those railings. I'd be nervous to drive there without them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful landscape! :)
ReplyDeleteThis viaduct is massive, I love all pictures but the last one is fabulous indeed!
Hugs
Léia
I love this bridge. and it looks safer than driving along the edge of the cliffs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roadway bridge. I would love to drive along there. Beautiful views everywhere. MB
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an engineering feat, this area has really come a long way from a footbridge!
ReplyDeleteThe curve of the land and bridge is quite serpentine...nice.
ReplyDeleteHow superb, this coastal viaduct. I want to go on another road trip now!
ReplyDeleteone of the best views one can get in ilocos. you can as well imagine how it survives the strong waves coming from the ocean.
ReplyDeletefantastic northern scenery there!
ReplyDeletemissing ilocos again... =)
Cagayan Valley is one of the places I would like to one day visit. For that matter, I would like to visit your part of the world again. Till then, I've been living vicariously through your photos. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePlease drop by my blog one day to pick up your "One Lovely Blog" award. :-)
Su-sieee! Mac
This and That. Here and There. Now, Sometimes Then.
Such a very beautiful landscape! An the mountains are very steep!! I hope you don't have stones falling down there!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice time! :)
That is an impressive! Wow! I do love your photos! Looks like a fantastic place to drive and enjoy the view! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
breathtaking views!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful drive. Especially, as you mentioned, without traffic!!
ReplyDeleteKay, Alberta
What a scenic road!
ReplyDeleteOn a clear day, you can almost see Batanes and Taiwan from this bridge. Awesome, huh! One thing that Marcos did good in this part of the Philippines is the infrastructure. You'll really know that you're in the Ilocos region because of the infra and you'll know that you've gone out of its boundary when you start encountering macadam roads hehehe!
ReplyDeleteI love your header picture...^^
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how delightful it must have been driving through the winding mountain roads.
Lovely scenery. I would love to drive this road.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful My World posting
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
My Word Tuesday post
Seen on My World Tuesday
I woudn't mind that kind of road trip, it looks fun and beautiful scenery. You did well capturing the winding road it's fantastic photo you got there.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive viaduct. I would have fun driving on this road. The scenery is gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteSis, I have not seen this yet in real. It interesting place to see and experience.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I followed you in google connect. Hope you do the same. Thanks!
What a beautiful scenic road this is! Simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteImpressive - and such gorgeous views.
ReplyDeleteWow, impressive and beautiful - big improvement on the footbridge.
ReplyDeleteGreat views. Looks like you enjoyed your drive with the beautiful scenery around and no traffic at all.
ReplyDeleteI truly love this stretch of Pagudpud. It was so dramatic driving through this road. Love your photos. I didn't get any photos when I was there last year... for some reason. I think I was just too mesmerized. Great shots!!!
ReplyDeleteang ganda nman,ilang beses ko ding binasa, sa Pilipinas nga:) sana lahat ng kakalsadahan d2 sa ating bansa ay ganito kaganda at sana'y ganito rin na walang trapiko:)
ReplyDelete