Blogs from Pagudpod, Ilocos, Philippines, Asia

Heading north from Vigan, we went to the bus station to catch a bus to Laoag. The first bus was full. The next bus standing room only. This is high season. We got on the second bus and stood, but not for long. Someone who was getting off in 5km gave up his seats to us. There are some very nice people. Actually, everybody is really nice. I'm confident saying that Filipinos are the nicest people in the world. I've not been everywhere and met everybody, but I will be hard pressed to find nicer people. Our experiences in the Philippines so far will be the measuring stick for nice people, and the rest of the world doesn't stand much of a chance... The bus slowly emptied as we moved north and soon everyone had a ... read more

We rode the local bus lines in Manila to go to Laoag. The trip from Manila to Laoag is around 9 - 11 hours. I've always wanted to have a trip to Ilocos because I wanted to see the Windmills at Bangui. I said to myself..as long as I get to see windmills..my trip to the northern part of the Philippines will be already complete... As the trip goes on...I realized that there's other interesting things and places in Ilocos... ...you can go to the beaches of Pagudpud.. ...see the different delicacies and specialties in Vigan... and also the ancestral houses.. ...try to experience Pottery making ...Sandboarding in Paoay Sand Dunes ...see the beautiful church in Paoay.. ...see the animals in Baluarte Visit http://www.ilocostours.com/ for more information on Ilocos tours It was a nice way to ... read more

A decision to head up further north, off to the beaches of Pagudpud. billed as the Boracay of the north, sounds appealing so since I am in the neighborhood I may as well check it out. It is also famous on the surfing circuit for the huge waves it gets at certain times of the year. I only have to wait half hour at the Partas bus station before a Laoag bound bus showed up, only thing is it is full and we have to stand in the aisle for awhile. The trip took about an hour 1/2, the bus fare is only 121 pesos barely $3! and it's an A/C bus. I asked around at the bus terminal how to get to the minibus stations for Pagudpud. i was told I need to take a ... read more