ILOCOS NORTE: PARADISE OF THE ILOCANOS AND HAVEN OF THE TOURISTS

    

 In the tip of the north west of Luzon, there is a paradise that blessed its people their source of living and attractions to the eyes who witnessed its spectacular views. This recent years, Ilocos Norte is visible is the map due to its beautiful sceneries and breathtaking views that the Mother Nature has bestowed to my beloved province. Now, Ilocos Norte is competitive when it comes to the field of tourism.
     I know that it is the dream of everyone to visit beautiful places the looks like the Garden of Eve or travel abroad to visit the world renowned sceneries and I share with you the same dream. However, I must say that before you  look the beauty of foreign countries, one must first explore the beauty of your home town or your country so that you can be proud of yourself and your hometown/country when you get to other places.
    You can reach Ilocos Norte by air or by land. It is approximately 45 minutes of travel from Manila to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte if you take the plane or 9 to 10 hours if you choose the bus or SUVs as a means of transportation. The following sceneries are found in the northern part of the province.
    From Laoag City, you can start your adventure by visiting the Sinking Bell Tower located at the heart of the city of Laoag City. If you are traversing the Gilbert Bridge in Laoag City that passes the Padsan, you can see this famous Bell Tower. Last December 2012, there were rumors that allegedly the image of Virgin Mary appeared in its wall. Many people flocks to the said place to witness the said miracle and some speculations were spread but one thing is for sure, this event showed the devotions of the Ilocanos to Virgin Mary.

    Likewise in this city, you can relax and enjoy the fresh breeze of the air and the beautiful sunset in Fort Ilocandia. The best time to be there is during sunrise or sunset. Well, it is also in this where the movie “Panday” was shot and some foreign movies.

    Furthermore, among the well-liked beaches in our province are the white sand beaches in Saud and Balaoi, respectively, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

    In Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, you can find there some high class resorts yet it offers affordable and economical budget for the tourists. The most popular is the Saud Beach Resort that was being maintained by the municipal government of Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. There are also private resorts nearby. In those resorts, they serve mouth watery Ilocano cuisines like pinakbet, bagnet, longanisa, etc.

     Another, is Blue Lagoon where you can find the Hannah’s Beach Resort in Brgy. Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. It is this resort where you can try the exciting banana boat ride or experience the ecstasy of riding in the longest zip line in the country or chase with the big waves in the seashore. There are also dampa in the said place where to can buy and request for any cuisine of the freshly caught sea foods. 

    Do not forget to go to Patapat Brigde where you can view the Patapat Viaduct. It is perfect to here to take pre-nup photos.

   

    After you enjoyed the sun while viewing the blissful nature in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and chasing with the waves, you may take an almost one hour ride going south, the municipality of Bangui, Ilocos Norte to glimpse the huge Bangui Windmills  in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, to witness the amazing limestone Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and the century-old Burgos Lighthouse both in Burgos, Ilocos Norte

    The surfaces of the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation wERE formed and carved by the winds and waves of the sea that flashes to its surfaces, reason for which, it exhibits a salt-like color or very white. Originally, the rocks were just like ordinary rocks but through the years, it becomes white. This place is found in a remote area in   Burgos, Ilocos Norte and when you reached that place, you still have to walk of about one kilometre to arrive at the site of the Rock Formation. You may opt to ride a donkey and pay for the little amount at around P100.00 and in that way you help the people there because that is also there source of income. It is advisable that the best time to visit the place is in the morning during the sunrise until 9:00 in the morning or in the afternoon at about 4:00 until the setting of the sun to avoid the scorching heat of the sun. If you go there at the middle of the day, you will not enjoy the view because of the heat you are going to experience.

    Let us continue the adventure by going to the Dragon Cactus Farm (Dragon fruit) located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. There is also a small restaurant here that serves dragonfruit ice cream, dragon fruit pandesal and other products made out of their dragon cactus. The story why the owner of this farm opted to plant thousands of this of this plant is because his child before serious disease and by serving his sick child fruits of this plant, the sickness of the latter was cured.

    After having a pleasure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, do not forget its nearby town Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte who also exhibits the extra-ordinary ways of living of its people. Along the highways in Brgy. Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, you will pass by the vendors of grilled fishes that was freshly caught by the fisher folks and in the interior barangays of the same municipality you will find the salt making industry. You can also buy in this town the manufacturer of a “bread” that can only found in this municipality, the Biscocho bread. The secret ingredient of this bread is the so called anise that gives the exceptional aroma. You can buy this bread as your pasalubong to your friends and families.
    Of course, Pasuquin is not the last place. Its nearby municipality in its southern part is Bacarra, Ilocos Notre. In this municipality, we can see the Church Ruins of the bell tower of the catholic church. The bell tower fell down during the strong earthquake that hit the province.
    Next to Bacarra, Ilocos Norte is Laoag City where we dine or have a snack after a day of adventure.
    Aside from these beautiful sceneries of Ilocos Norte, our province also parades its mouth watery cuisines that will surely delights your tummy lie the bagnet or chicharon, longganisa, pinakbet, empanada and many other. Likewise, the towns of the province also celebrates their colorful festivities that highlights their cultures and genuine products.
To further promote the beauty of the Ilocos Norte, its provincial government created its flagship Paoay Kumakaway for such purpose.

I hope you had a pleasure in travelling in our town.