Hello friends, I miss pressing some words… oh, the woe of holidays and school. Ha! Anyhoo, I’m back and I’m finally, finally, finally blogging about my first (and definitely not the last) solo trip ever!!! Say hello to Ilocos, Philippines!
Ok, here’s a back story of this trip. It wasn’t suppose to be a solo trip. I was suppose to go with seven friends with this trip, yes, SEVEN! What happened? Well….. something devastating happened. Long before this trip which was October 21, 2013 we’ve already book a plane ticket going to Cebu. Days before our trip, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the cities of Cebu and it was such a heart breaking scenario. So me and some of my friends decide to not continue with our Cebu plans. However, I don’t want to waste my vacation staying at home so I decided, for the first time ever, to go away… SOLO!
After much debate with myself and a lot of internet research I’ve decided to go to Ilocos and my first stop would be… Pagudpud!
Since I was late in leaving Manila, like around 12am already I took Partas bus going to Laoag. I think, Florida bus line has a direct bus route going to Pagudpud but it is not 24-hours unlike Partas. From Manila to Laoag I’ve spent 797php and an additional 12hours bus ride, Touch down Laoag and another hour and a half, riding another bus, to reach Pagudpud.
Hello Pagudpud and Kuya Arnel (the best tricycle tour in town) was already waiting for me. First, he let me put down my things at the place where I’m going to stay which is Cathy’s Stay Inn. Then off we went to tour!!! Yeay!!!
Since I was late at arriving at Pagudpud which was around noon, I did my two tours for two days. You can do all in one day actually! Both tours will cost you 600 each, but be generous enough to tip since people there are so nice! As in! For tours you can check the internet for contact number or simply ask any tricycle drivers there. Good thing about this place is that the government train their people to be local tourist guides, from being guides to taking a good picture. Now, about accommodations well if you’re on the tipid side then opt for the beach front houses of Saud beach but if you can spulrge a little then better stay at the hotels of Blue Lagoon.
Aside from their empanadas and beautiful sites, one of the best things here in Pagudpud is their people. They are all so nice, from the mama who talked to me during my bus ride, Kuya Arnel, Ate Cathy, Ate Imelda at the falls, the kuyas at the tourist center, and even just the kids you meet!
After touring Pagudpud, instead of going home I’ve decided to tour Laoag and Vigan (since I was there already). Haha. I’m going to post about them on another pressed word page! Soon, promise!
I like travelling a lot. It feeds me, it makes me happy. Travelling is not escape, it is about going to…
p.s. all pictures are taken and edited by me 🙂
Travails and Trivialities of a High School Graduate 
I miss Philippines. It’s nice to be back home and enjoy it’s nature. Salamat for sharing.
Thank you niirmala! Hope you can enjoy a nice vacation here soon 😉
Wow Danna! I’m so proud of you! Sana magawa ko din yan someday! Nice photos as well ang galing :))
Arra
Style Reader
Kaya mo yan arra! Katakot pero it was fun haha 🙂 thanks
hi do you have the number of kuya arnel? thanks!
Hi karen, it’s 09265880666 and 09186890723, hope these could still help 🙂
wow,,thank you for this inspiration. Im also planning to have a solo trip at ngayon palang kinakabahan na aku, susmaryusep.
Yup! It was scary at first but you’ll eventually enjoy it. Just breathe and enjoy! Kayang kaya mo yan! 🙂
Hi! I will be traveling to
Ilocos solo. May I ask where did you find
Manong driver/guide? Thanks! 😊😊
Hi Grace, you can try these numbers 09265880666 or 09186890723. He offers both tricycle and a van. Hope you’ll enjoy your trip! 🙂