Golden sands of the north
A cozy hammock in the golden afternoon sun
It was around 3 in the afternoon when the bus departed from the Laoag plaza to head to the far north region of Pagudpud. Seems now we’re getting used to a lot of bus transfers and stop overs. But what we were looking forward to was the beach! The road was scenic, nonetheless, with the view of the sea at your left and the mountains at your right. But it was quite anoying to hear some old 80’s hits covered in a karaoke style by some low rate artist play again and again in the driver’s cassette radio. Good thing there’s portable mp3 players now to save the day or it owuld be a mental brainwash after this long ride. In about 2 hours, we reached the town center of Pagudpud.
Golden stretch of sands
From the town center, it’s another 10-15 minutes tricycle ride towards Saud Beach where a round of resorts line up the beach. We ended up at Jun and Carol lodge where we got a room for 4 at the top floor with a verandah facing the beach for. Really cool! The amenities were ok, but our cable was busted. It was ok though, since we didn’t go there to watch TV. Most of the resorts here are quite expensive. Even the food, so if you plan to go here on a budget, bring food. Which we forgot to do.
An Ilocano kid enjoying the hammock
It was fortunate that we arrived there before the sunset and the warm glow of the sun illuminated the beach’s long stretch of golden sands. Thank god I wasn’t disappointed! The place looks great. A lot of people somehow made Boracay a standard when it comes to beaches in the Philippines. Ok I don’t deny that Boracay indeed have a nice stretch of white sands and child friendly azure waters, but I certainly didn’t like the crowded environment and the noise. Pagudpud has a very rugged characteristics with it’s waves and golden sands. I heard people say it could get crowded here as well. I guess we just came there at the right time where the beach isn’t much crowded. But at that time it was just relaxing to sit on a hammock or read a good book without the noise worry about.
Rocky end of the beach
The sky was gloomy the next day, we wanted to go to Maira-ira but our budget fell short, so we just spent the morning exploring the long stretch of the beach. We were able to see some of the resorts, from the exquisite Bali inspired to the ordinary house turned lodging. Fishermen with their fresh catch. At the end stretch of the cove, the beach turns rocky yet scenic still. After the exploration, we spent time enjoying the waves.
Time to head home.
Our Northern adventure is about to end that day. But still, we have two more major destination to pass by before we head home to Manila.
View from our lodge
Tags: Beach, Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Sleep
Posted on
Thursday, January 19th, 2006 at 5:07 pm 
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January 20th, 2006 at 2:14 am
really beautiful beach, smooth sand , cystal clear water and blue sky..u capture so well..look like a great place to relax:-) great capture
January 20th, 2006 at 8:22 am
ayos ah… at ndi pa tapos? ang saya!
January 20th, 2006 at 9:24 am
sh#t grabe ganda ng beach galing ng shots
January 20th, 2006 at 11:02 am
oist..kaninong paa yon?
hahaha!! parang kahapon lang yon ah….
January 20th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
oist Ferdz, sama ako sa susunod na lakad!!! na iinggit na talaga ko… sobra!
i’ve been there once sa pagudpud, kaso wala pa kong digicam nun, parang gusto kong balikan lahat mga dati kong napuntahan para lang makapag picture ulet. kaya ko lang mas nagustuhan ang boracay compared sa pagudpud is the quality of sand, mas pino yung sa boracay….
ganda ng mga pics!
January 20th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
AHH! Inggit ako!
January 20th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
you’re so lucky with the good weather! kasi kami dati inulan hehehe! at inagos pa papuntang dagat, sinagip lang kami ng locals using their rafts. but i agree, pagudpod is comparable to boracay miski ata sa presyo ng bilihin. we brought pinakbet and bibingka last time, para tipid sa pagkain
i’d love to visit ilocos sur and norte again, ngayon na may digicam na ako hahaha!
January 20th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
OutdoorExp, Alex, Mr_d, Marco: Salamat!
Denver: Ke Jim carry look alike yang paa na yan.
Lino: Yup mas ino talaga Boracay! Hayaan mo, I’m still figuring out a nice destination na magandang mag photoshoot. Booked na kasi yung last few weekends ng January. Pero I’ll email you guys pati ni Cruise or announce another trip here. I MAY shoot Binondo after the Pacquiao battle for their New Year this Sunday pero plan p lng. I’ll keep you in touch po.
Eye: Kakatuwa naman storya mo. Hehehe. Pero buti na lng di kayo napaano.
January 20th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Ferdz, pagudpod seems to be my holy grail for now. i keep missing it whenever i go up north. hanggang laoag lang talaga ako palagi. Glad to see your images here.
By the way, have you tried Carlos Celdran’s walkabouts in Manila? Seems like a safe way to shoot Quiapo, Escolta, Binondo and the like. He just emailed me his latest schedules. I could send you a copy if you’re interested.
Lastly, pwede kayang makisali if ever may photoshoot kayo?
January 20th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Nako ang ganda. first time i went to pagudpud was an hour’s tricycle ride!
I’ve been having itchy talampakan and i think i’ll be off for a long trip soon too..god take me anywhere but manila.
January 21st, 2006 at 2:27 pm
yey! aabangan ko yan ferdz!
January 21st, 2006 at 10:39 pm
i wanna be in that hammock….getting a nice tan!
February 10th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Hi!
great shots! just a few questions though - how many hours going to Pagupud? what liner did you use? what advise would you give as we plan to go there by march.
thanks!