Traveling from Baguio City to Laoag City to Pagudpud
Last Thursday morning, we traveled from #Baguio-City to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte where we had to meet a friend first. #Baguio-City to Laoag City is 8 hours by bus. There are different buses that you can choose from but we rode Partas because it is the earliest travel time available which is 4 a.m. These air-conditioned buses are located in Governor Pack Road where other buses bound outside #Baguio-City are stationed too.
We had to stop by Laoag City before going to Pagudpud because our friend who lives there will meet us. Me and my partner arrived at Laoag City around lunch time and our friend fetched us at Partas terminal. We then had our lunch nearby before heading to their house to pick up what we needed then headed to Pagudpud. She was kind enough to serve as our hostess, driver and tour guide.
From Laoag City to Pagudpud is another one-and-a-half hours drive. There are also different buses available in the city that can take you to Pagudpud. You may also want to avail the tours available in that can take you to other tourist attractions. According to our friend, it is the local government's aim that at least every town should have a destination to offer. Therefore, new destinations have been rediscovered that people can go to. However, our time there is limited so we cannot visit those places. Probably next time.
Where we stayed
There are lots of resort now available in Pagudpud. The first time I was here was 2012. Since then, resorts lined up the shores. We stayed in Arinaya Beach Resort. Our friend from Laoag knows the owner of the place. This is also the same place we stayed before. However, this is not recommended anymore. The facilities are not maintained. Our friend, who is an architect, has been asking the owner to renovate the place. She is offering her service for free but in return she can stay there for free whenever she visits. Unfortunately, the owner declined. The staff is complaining that the owner seems to be unconcerned that the place is deteriorating.
This area where Arinaya is situated has one of the better shores. The manager and owner should step up their game and improve their place before they will be left behind with all the upcoming establishments who offer better facilities and available services.
All is Good in Pagudpud
There are lots of things you can do in Pagudpud. Some resorts offer kayaking, surf lessons, tattoo and piercing and there is also a massage service available. You can also play beach volleyball because several resorts have put up nets in front of their establishments.
Because we were there on a weekday, the bars closed early. By 8:00 p.m. there is only one bar open and we have no choice but stayed there. Below is the picture of where we went to that night. Food and drink choices are limited.
All is not good in Pagudpud. You just have to make the best out of it to make it an overall good experience.
Fresh catch are the best. If you are there, ask the locals about the catch of the day if there are available. They usually come to shore at nighttime and you can choose what fish you want. You can then cook that for dinner which is what we did. We took two big fishes and asked the staff where we stayed to cook it for us.
Walk the Beach
We stayed there overnight and had to leave early the next day because our friend had an appointment. I then woke up earlier and walked the shores and took some pictures for a few minutes. We had our swim the night before so I just took a walk. It is good to feel with your feet the very fine creamy sandy beaches.
If you can see the windmills in the background, those were recently installed because these were not there the first time we were there.
There were lots of crabs along the rocks. This is a dead one though. I thought it was alive at first but as I got closer it did not even move.
All photos were taken by Samsung phone because we left our other camera. I was not able to take that many pictures because I was really enjoying the moment more. I cannot believe I miss this place that much that I just want to do nothing but enjoy it. Going to and from Pagudpud, I just feasted my eyes with the rolling views and fields around me.
If all permitting, we will be back there this Holy Week weekend. Lots of people will be flocking the shores and I want to see how this place will come to life.