WikiPilipinas: Hanging around Patapat Bridge

Painted blue sky seems a road to heaven

After our lunch, I requested to visit Patapat Viaduct before we proceed to Laoag City. From Pagudpud, its about 16 km zigzag road before you reach the famous bridge going to Isabela.

Upon reaching Patapat, we have seen lineup of vehicles parked on sideways and for a brief right turn, the 1.2 kilometers long Patapat bridge that I saw in my friends photos was finally witnessed by my naked eyes. This elevated bridge can be found at the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Ranges. Residence here and some tourist often referred this as the “French Riviera of the North”.

The Patapat road from our car's windshield

I have seen tourist like us who are also very busy taking group pictures and the picturesque view that encompass the whole scenery. Just like them, we also have our photo-op without noticing those vehicles who passed by our location. Motorist were already familiar with this particular scene so they manage to drive for about 40 kph.

group pix again...

After a brief photo shoot, we decided to go back. When we reached the end of the bridge, behold, we have found out the Mabugabog Falls. It is said that it serves as a source of power for the mini hydroelectric plant. Residence there said that, it's only during the rainy days when you can see its splendor with its water dropping rhythmically to precipice on the rocky shore of the sea facing north bay.

While standing at the middle of the bridge, me and George watch the amazing view of the sea and the luxuriant mountains that is 200 meters above sea level. The bridge itself is a superb craft of men and the fabulous scenery that surrounds it makes it really a breathtaking to behold. According to Jerry, who once passed by this area during his heydays of deliveries said that they use the old road that is 20 feet above us. Drivers who passed here use to sing to enliven them while passing this very tricky and hazardous roads that is compared to the roads going to Sagada.

The exit-entrance point of the old road of Patatapat

This viaduct was constructed to solve the problem of landslides in the area which have caused so many vehicular accidents in the past. Footed on the rocky seashore just several meters from the mountain side it gives motorists a spectacular view of Pasaleng Bay.

Next..Bantay Abot cave

WikiPilipinas: Pagudpud Treat

Warm turquoise water of Pagudpud

WikiPilipinas and FilNet Team was treated by Gus Vibal, executive director of Vibal Foundation to the northernmost tip of the Philippines. It is a yearly adventure trip he gave to his staff as his token gift after the hurdles of projects he initiated for the foundation which he tagged as "knowledge sharing initiative".

PinoyExplorer was there and a witness to their merry making and island adventure in the comparatively perfect charms of Ilocandia. Gus who lived in New York for 25 years was amazed by the luxuriant hills, mountains and the very productive valleys when we're on Pagudpud. For your information, this marvelous tip of Ilocandia lies 45 miles north of Laoag City, its provincial capital and about 350 miles north of Manila -- about the equal distance between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Cinematic sunrise of Pagudpud

From the Laoag International Airport, we drove one and a half hour last night. Immediately, after our dinner we have some sort of recreation and treating his staffs with bottomless beers and delicious pulutan while some of them have befriended other visitors and treated the night with hip-hop music.

Gus with FilNet/Wiki team

The following morning (our hut is by the beach) we are treated by the powdery-like white sand, the tranquil blue water and the beautiful sunrise landscape of blue sky-tinted with warm pinkish color. After a toast of coffee, Gus and George proceeded to the beach and hang-up with the early fisherman's catch. They curiously tickle those big fishes that I can't recall its name.

Hoping to get more clues on what's on the other side of the island, I decided to walk by the shore lines with my Canon DSLR and took some photos. Facing the northwest, I saw the famous Bangui Wind Mills aligned like aliens patrolling the beach. The scene is very unique if compared to Boracay. Along its coastline you can see the coral rock formation over a turquoise water. The scene is very dramatic that if I am a cinematographer, this particular spot would be perfect for a romantic love scene :)

Another cinematic view in Pagudpud. Perfect for relaxation.

When I came back, the staff decided to walk the southern part of the island and to take a peek of other fine beaches of Pagudpud. From there, the staff and Gus who joined us for a walk goes swimming while George and myself decided to hire a boat to take us to the other side of the island. The boatman told us about the blue lagoon which excite us. So, we fetch the team from their 2 kilometer walk and we proceeded to our next destination. The water gets rough so we decided to drop by in a nearby beach shore and and coral garden mesmerize our eyes with its clear water and live seaweeds.

A walk in the beach :)

We return to our quarters around 12 noon and eat our lunch. Serve with their house specialty- pinakbet with bagnet plus other native Ilocano foods, our stomach can no longer find its way to digest our crave. After a while, we pack our things and we headed for Laoag.

lunch time with native Ilocano foods

Pagudpud is still unspoiled and tourist like me are treating it as a place for complete relaxation. It has a wide shore lines, the place is peaceful and not yet invaded by commercial establishments. Unlike Boracay, the beach is not overcrowded and you can really enjoy the water. Its powdery-like sands are its main attraction. The water are calm even during high tides.This is my second time to reach Pagudpud and if permitted, I will be coming back here for a more extended vacation. This time, I hope, with my own family.

Next...Patapat Viaduct

Related Post

* WikiPilipinas: The Road to Ilocadia
* WikiPilipinas:Summer Getaway

WikiPilipinas: The Road to Ilocandia

Everyone was excited to this year's summer adventure and before we left, Team WikiPilipinas were in a hurry finishing their chores to prepare for their week long vacation. And as planned, the first group already left by 7:30 pm while my group stays a night at Gus' residence, planned our tour, a bit of WikiPilipinas projects assessments and a decision to wake up early in the morning.

Gus will be taking the plane in the afternoon with George while Christine, Cris and myself will have a long drive from Manila and meet with them in Laoag International Airport. His personal driver, Jerry would be our pilot with his jet-powered Fortuner :) Since, we recessed the night at 2 am, we woke up late and left by 9 am already. Jerry promised us that we will be on time and he had already estimated the travel time.

Late breakfast...late lunch

The 9 am drive to the north is easy and there's no traffic in EDSA. Rush hour seems to start by 7 am going to Makati and glad that we are on the opposite lane. Realizing that we have not have eaten our breakfast yet, we decided for a stop-over at Shell station along NLEX where every motorist drop by for an early breakfast. I have noticed group of teens and for sure they are also going to the beach. I'm not sure in which part of the north but probably they would prefer beaches of the nearby Subic and Zambales.

Soon after we finished our Jollibee breakfast meal, we drove again and passed by Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac and Pangasinan. It's amazing to see the lush green surrounding , fresh air, unique designs and color of tricycles and the fiestas we passed by in different towns.

Lunch in San Fernando, La Union. (L-R) Tin, Butch, Me,Jerry and Christian

After 5 hours, we reach San Fernando, La Union. I remember a former colleague who leave on the place and decided to give him a ring. Surprisingly, he never change his number and we've able to talk and managed to join us for a lunch. He's happy now as teacher in a public school in La Union and at present is on a training when we fetch him at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. The foods are great and we have tasted seafoods cooked in traditional La Union way.

Sidetrip Surfing at San Juan

While on the way, I have seen beaches on our left flank. Jerry told us that if we want, we can have a 20 min stop over in San Juan, La Union to see the surfing and buri capital of the north. And of course, who doesn't want to see the action. San Juan became famous because of its waves that can be at par with the other surfing destinations abroad. This place became one of the venue for an international surfing event next to Siargao. This place is also a favorite hangout of actor Jericho Rosales who loves surfboarding and consider the place as his next home.

May be the waves was ashamed when we reach the beach and it was not so perfect. Trainors there told me that summer is not perfect for surfing exhibition and waves are very minimal during summer but perfect for new comers. You have to wait the months of July to September where monsoon winds push up waves for surfer's fantacy. I have taken few shots then we go.

Touchdown Laoag International Airport

Around 7:20 pm we were in Laoag International Airport to fetch Gus and George. They will be with us on the way to Pagudpud where we will stay for a night. This is my first time to reach this airport but I have no idea what's inside it 'coz it was already dark. The vicinity has no ample light to illuminate the entire airport that's why I can't appreciate the place.

Anyway, the way to Pagudpud according to Jerry could be reach in one and a half hour. We drove around 8:25 pm and we passed by the well-lit entrance bridge of Padsan River in Laoag City- the first class city in the province of IlocosNorte . While we traverse the city and its nearby barangays, I can see the foothill of Cordillera mountain range to my left while the South China Sea on my right.

by 10 pm, our dinner are ready, welcome drinks were served and for sure Vista del Mar resort of Saud beach can provide us a night to remember.

Next..Pagudpud experience