Blue Lagoon, Maira-ira Point [My World]

After an overnight stay at the Heritage Village in Vigan, we were eager to hit the beach.  The allure of a secluded, white sandy beach was enough to wake us up at the crack of dawn and drive 154 kilometers to Pagudpud.  It was a refreshing experience to constantly see the changing views--the verdant countryside, lush mountains, rivers and sea; clean, fragrant air to rejuvenate city-bred lungs, and the simple rustic life by the roadsides. I have seen the pristine beaches of Pagudpud more than a decade ago at Saud Beach Resort.  Saud offers first class accommodations while our destination this time was the rustic Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon, locals say, used to be a secret hideaway. That maybe true, because when I visited this part of Ilocos Norte more than a decade ago, Pagudpud beach was synonymous to Saud Beach Resort.  But I guess the cerulean waters, this quiet haven behind the lush mountains was bound to be discovered by those who are seeking serenity and the simple joy of walking by the beach without being approached by vendors.


An uphill and winding single-lane road at the side of the mountain overlooking  Malingay Cove led us right to Blue Lagoon.  It's about 2.5 kilometers from the Maharlika Highway.   There are upscale resorts at the end of the road but we decided to stop at the bunch of huts we saw and decided to park here for the day.  

The placid, crystal clear water was a few meters away, the view was inviting, fresh water was abundant in the restrooms---we're in the right place.

No restaurants here, no ATM machines.  Good thing we bought our lunch along the way, at the town of Pasuquin---lechon manok (roasted chicken), pork adobo, sautéed ampalaya (bitter gourd) with egg, and dinengdeng (mixed vegetables with fish sauce soup base, a favorite dish in this region), steamed rice, some bananas and oranges, and bottled water.

A leisurely stroll by the beach relaxed my tired muscles.  The water and sand were pleasantly warm,  the breezes soft and fresh.

Aside from farming, locals make their living through fishing.  Tourism is also a growing industry.  But I hope the local government would maintain the idyllic and pristine beaches here, and not yield to the temptation of following Boracay's footsteps.

Pagudpud is a coastal town on the northernmost tip of Luzon, the last town of Ilocos Norte bounded to the east by Adams, the first town in the province of Cagayan.  It is 561 kilometers north of Manila, about 72 kilometers  north of Laoag City, the provincial capital.

It can be reached by land or by air (through Laoag International Airport).

This post is linked to My World-Tuesday

Quirino Bridge - old and new [Sunday Bridges]

I wish we stopped when we reached this bridge to enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains, river and sea.  But having been on the road for 10 hours, all we wanted was to reach our first destination, Vigan, which is a little more than a kilometer away from this bridge.  These are drive-by shots when we were crossing Quirino Bridge.

The 456-meter Quirino Bridge in Bantay, Ilocos Sur is named after the late Elpidio Quirino, the 6th president of the Philippines and a native of Ilocos Sur.  It's a new bridge and part of the Japan-funded construction program which plans to replace old bridges with new bridges on national roads that lead to urban centers all over the country. 

crossing Quirino Bridge to Vigan

From the railings of Quirino Bridge, the old  Banaoang Bridge can be seen.  Both bridges spread across the Abra River connecting the rocky mountain slopes of Ilocos Range in the towns of Santa and Bantay.

Banaoang Bridge is a truss bridge that survived the bombings during World War II.  It is famous for its excellent engineering, architectural design and magnificent views.  At the height of a strong typhoon in 2001, one of its steel spans was damaged and washed away.  I don't know if motorists still use this old bridge.

This bridge is about 406 kilometers north of Manila.

Posted for Sunday Bridges

School [Photo-Hunt]

Founded in 1861, University of Washington in Seattle is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. I was quite impressed when I walked around the campus a year ago with my friend who was taking her PhD here.  

I couldn't remember the names of the buildings I visited here--the school campus was huge!  It was my first visit to an American university and it was a great experience to be in the middle of a vibrant intellectual community.  I wanted to be where former students who have gone to the moon walked.  Where brilliant minds mapped the human genome, broken the sound barrier, created vaccines.

The bronze statue of George Washington, sculpted in 1909, at the Campus Parkway.

Suzallo Library, built in 1926, is the university's central library

Drumheller Fountain in the center of Frosh Pond

Posted for Photo Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Clouds over Blue Lagoon [SWF]

Dark, ominous clouds descended from the mountains down to Blue Lagoon beach at Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  I was expecting rain but it didn't come.  We enjoyed a slightly downcast sky all afternoon--no sunburn!  

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Tessie Tomas Salad

The moment I read the name of this salad on the menu, I ordered it.  Who wouldn't be curious to taste a salad named after Imeldific's occasional alter ego, Tessie Tomas?  It's a scrumptious combination of roasted prawns, marinated salmon, grilled shiitake mushrooms with mesclun salad in a creamy balsamic dressing.  An old-time favorite at Chef's Quarter.

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday