Road Trip

[j_avonni]

here's my suggestion:

1st stop:
Manila-Baguio (6 hours)

2nd stop
Baguio - Vigan (5 hrs)
lots of things to do and see in Vigan. Might as well stay there for the night. good hotels are available around the area.

3rd stop:
Vigan - Laoag (1 to 2 hours)
more places to see and things to do. check out fort ilocandia, check sarrat (birthplace of marcos), check out batac town (where marcos body can be seen), check out malacanang of the north at paoay lake, etc. check out the local restaurant named 'dawang's' and have a taste of the local delicacy, also be sure to taste the famous empanada in batac. you need at least a whole day to do all of this, so stay in a hotel (lots of good hotels there) for the night.

4th stop:
Laoag - Pagudpud (1:30 - 2 hours away)
the renowned white beach of the north. on your way be sure to pass by the historic Cape Bojeador Light House built during the 1800's by the spanish, its located in Burgos town. You won't miss this since it's across the beach with a grand view of the south china sea (good place for photo op also). In Pagudpud, you have a lot of choices of resorts/hotels to choose from. if you're fond of fishing, then this is definitely the place to go trolling and catch yourself a mahi-mahi (i caught a 3 footer before weighing about 3-5 kilos!). The following day, going up further north (about 30 to 45 mins away) you will see a roadside 'talipapa' where they sell freshly caught fish and lobster (lobster is only P50/kilo!) where you can have it cooked on the restaurant across the talipapa. Going further north (about 30 mins away) you will see the majestic view of the china sea when you reach the area with the loooong bridge. forgot the name of this area already, but this is definitely a must see as the view is simply breath taking!

from here on, you could decide to further north crossing cagayan, nueva vizcaya, nueva ecija route on your way back to manila or go back to pagudpud and go back the same route you came from.

ok, hope this helps.

Very nice suggestion. Why go back the same way? Go around Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya & Ecija. I've done this last May, kaya lang counter clockwise ang way ko. Manila - NE - NV - Isabela - Cagayan - IN - IS - LU - Pangasinan - Bataan - Manila. It took us 10 days.

[diesoline]

I heard about the Beach owned by Chavit Singson somewhere in Candon/Vigan. Some of my friends says it's worth visiting. They even say it's better than Pagudpod. Anybody know this place?

maybe your friends are referring to santiago cove. it is located in the town of santiago, after candon northbound. the big guy there is eric singson, not the chavit. imo it is only good enough for an afternoon swim and a quick explore. no good food available in the vicinity unless you consider the sky flakes & coke combo in the sari-sari stores.

your friends must have been stoked in a major way when they said it is better than pagudpod!

[totoybato]

http://www.ilocosnorte.gq.nu/pages/Spots.htm. For a list of available acommodation, check http://www.ilocosnorte.gq.nu/pages/More2.htm.

Hey this is a very nice site