Best of Ilocos Norte: Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud

Being able to visit Blue Lagoon beach, I now understand the fuss over this once hidden beach located at the edge of Pagudpud. Coming down the swirling main road, we got an overview shot of how beautiful this cove really is.  From afar, its turquoise waters and long white sand beach already sends delight to the lenses of our cameras that we can't help but click away. 

Blue Lagoon beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Unwinding at Arena Island, Palawan

Instead of heading to Singapore, an unexpected turn of event led us to reroute our flights to Palawan, Philippines and bum around in a small island 4 hours South of its capital. 

I was not expecting for a "slow" vacation and was really looking forward exploring Singapore's busy streets but I must admit, after spending the whole day exploring, swimming and snorkeling the rich waters of this turtle and marine sanctuary, I was converted.

Arena Island, Palawan, Philippines

Stories from Bolobadiangan Islands

"Each affects the other, and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories,

but the stories are all one."

-- Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

10AM. The tides finally rolled back in. The motor boat that was once stranded on the sand had to be anchored properly now to keep it from floating away. Mang Sonny walked us to it and told us that Mang Mode (pronounced as Moh-dë) and another boatman (that I have regretfully forgotten the name) will take us to the other islands. The island tour will cost us PHP1,000. And, I am hoping that it will be worth it. We hopped onto the boat, more confidently now and more relaxed than the first time we were in it. While our two boatmen were busy maneuvering it away from the shore using long bamboo sticks as lever, I was giving my husband the "Yehey! this is it" look.... He knew I was excited...... I can't help it.... Watching these raised masses of earth scattered all around, I can't help but ask --

 "What's the story over there?"

Notes from Sandbar Island beach

...."I slept soundly hearing the crashing waves but woke up at 5:28AM because I couldn't hear them anymore.  Nervousness rushed over me because I knew that it is a bad sign when you don't hear anything, especially if you're in an island. And, experiencing a 6.9 earthquake a day before with continuous aftershocks surely didn't help calm my nerves quickly ---- 
my first thought of the day is a tsunami hitting this small island between Panay and Negros. 
Good thing, I was able to rattle around my half-asleep self and remembered what Mang Sonny, the caretaker, said last night --- low tides in the morning. And, true enough, when I opened the wooden window of our humble shanty, the water had receded so much that all I can see are some rocks and seaweeds left behind by the ocean we have swam at yesterday.

sweet, sweet hammock, Sandbar Island beach, Iloilo City

Batangas - Calatagan beach resort - Caisip Compound

We have traveled to Calatagan to visit one of oldest Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines, the Punta de Santiago Lighthouse. We were feeling spontaneous at the time so when we saw the pristine waters from afar, we were really tempted to go for a quick swim and if we can, spend a night in a nearby beach somewhere. We asked Mang Jun, the lighthouse keeper, if he knows a good & affordable place where we could stay. He pointed us out to Caisip compound.  A beach resort not far from the lighthouse and seems to be the "go to" place of the locals.

Batangas travel: Calatagan Lighthouse

Its geological location allows Batangas to be an efficient receiving port that can cater to hundreds of ships and ferries a day. But, unknown to many, these ferries and ships are constantly being guided to safety by the two light houses built at Batangas by the Spaniards more than one hundred years ago. One, is located at Cape Malabrigo Lobo, Batangas and the other one is located at Cape Santiago in Calatagan, Batangas.

It has been part of my to-do lists to visit lighthouses around the Philippines. I think they are important part of our history and every single one of them should be considered a National Treasure. So one Saturday morning, I woke my husband up and asked him if he wants to go to on a road trip to see a 120 year old lighthouse at Calatagan, Batangas.

Our reward below: The Punta de Santiago lighthouse

Travel Bohol part 2 - Dumaluan Bohol beach hotel resort, Panglao Island

Dumaluan beach resort is actually right beside Bohol beach club, it is located in Panglao Island, about 30 minutes from the port and main Bohol island.
It's one of the most recommended places to stay in when you are in Bohol and if you are after the white fine sand beach that Panglao Island offers. The beach hotel resort actually have a newer and much improved hotel buildings and has extended their amenities from cottages to pingpong tables and kayaks but seeing we're on a tight budget, we opted to get the quadruple sharing room (2 queen size bed with private toilet and bath) in the older guest rooms they rent out. It is also best to arrange a pick up transport service from the port. If you're travelling in a group, it will be much convenient and cheaper. 

parking slot outside the port reserved for Dumaluan