Ilocos Trip 2008: Bangui Windmills

Finally!

Ilocos Trip 2008: Hidden Treasure Resort, Pagudpud

The very first time I had been to Pagudpud was in 1999. With me are fellow authors MC and RT, male friend Jose Paolo who is now an author, too, and two lovely gals Cherry Lou and Sandra.

We stayed at the resort which at this time, I couldn't recall the name, yaiks! but that is the resort beside Villa Del Mar.

I was very excited then. It was the first time I came too close with the fine, white sand. Very much convinced that Saud Beach is indeed the Boracay of the North.

The second time was in September 2004 when our family had a trip before I got married. Pabalate family, our host during that time brought us to Blue Lagoon, another part of the Pagudpud beach which is also breathtakingly beautiful. there was no resort in that area, just a little hut where we could put our things while we were enjoying the water all by ourselves! It felt like we had a piece of our very own paradise.

This year, Yzel and Tyrone brought us to the Hidden Treasure Resort. Hidden, indeed, for I never thought there would be a resort after thrity minutes of driving on the rough road similar to the road in Kapurpurawan, nyehehehe!

But when we got to the resort, we forgot the rough road automatically. It was another surprise for me. Pagudpud really has its pride in having beautiful beaches.

Hidden Treasure Resort cottage... really nice

Father and daughter... their first time together in beach

Mica... in her element!

Mica and Ashtie Mela

Lola Pining

Yzel: "Let's go to our next stop!"

Ilocos Trip 2008: Where is Kapurpurawan?

On our way to Pagudpud, we saw this sign: KAPURPURAWAN, white rock formation.

We all got curious, so Tyrone immediately took a turn following the signage.




For the next minutes, we were amazed with the trees and grass that we saw.



We even joked, this is the road less traveled...

The road seemed endless...


We didn't see any human being. Just a group of goats that we had mistaken as a man riding in a bike from afar. but when we got near, we found out they were goats. Or ghost? that night, we discussed our trip there. We got goosebumps while arguing whether they were goats or man riding on a bike, nyay!




So, where is Kapurpurawan? We were looking for it for more than ten minutes and we hardly have an idea where we were heading to?



Is this the Kapurpurawan?

We really couldn't tell. Tyrone made a U-turn and we all decided to leave the place. It was getting scary.

Ilocos Trip 2008: Aqua Paradiso

We took a brief stop at Aqua Paradiso Resort, the place I more know as Paraiso ni Anton. I have been here some years back with my fellow writers Mc and RT, Jose Paolo, Cherrylou and Sandra. There was no resort then. Just the breathtaking view of rocks and sea water that remind me of little rapids.

Paraiso ni Anton

Jordan & me and Y & Ty

Mica was not yet in the mood for picture-taking, but, Mommy and Mela were!

Ilocos Trip 2008: Cape Bojeador

Our first stop was at the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Mica and Lola Pining

This was my second time to be in this place. And I was very excited because the first time I was there, we just pose for some souvenir pictures at the view deck and that wa sit. This time we got the chance to come inside and even took the stairs to reach the top of the lighthouse.

Yzel and Ty, my sis Mela (in blue), Mica and Lola
if you could see that gorgeous man in red, he's Jordan :)

Yzel was very afraid. She stopped in the middle of the stairs and caught her breath. Jordan took Mica in his arms and continued to go up. Tyrone was the very first in line, excited like a little boy to find out what's on top.

I was giggling. My tummy was shaking becuase my cellulite has to work out involuntarily. He-he. I could not allow myself to miss the chance of seeing everything below while I was on top. And sorry, pardon my precious cellulites, I took flight and never stopped until I reached the peak.

the breathtaking view from the lighthouse. too bad, my lens got some dirt. :(

Ilocos

Places And Souvenirs

Distinct or intertwined romance stories set against the single backdrop of an exotic Philippine setting.

The very first series I wrote for this particular book imprint was Ilocos.

The first time I went to Ilocos was in 1994. From Vigan to Laoag, to different tourist destinations in that province, I felt that the place would be significant for me. and it's true, ten years after, November 2004 to be exact, for the nth time, I was in Ilocos province again, this time not with friends nor classmates but with a very special someone. Yes, we spent our honeymoon up north.

But that is another story...

Three special, intelligent ladies got their own little trouble. It was a blessing in disguise for they met wonderful men that capture their hearts.

I wrote P&S Ilocos in 1999, after I had a week-long vacation there with fellow writer Martha Cecilia and other friends.