Lingayen is All About Letting Go of What Lies Ahead :)

For almost two months, I had to be on a travel hiatus.There was this test that I had to take and it required me to be under a tedious review routine. The mortality rate was high and failure was not part of the picture. I had to battle between post stress travel syndrome and achieving above average scores in my review. Plus the fact that it was summer and all the social networking sites were flooded with photos taken either on the beach,on a mountain peak etc and status updates were about how good their vacation was. All these made me dead envious.I felt like a kid,having to do chores while watching other kids play.

Dagupan Village Hotel

Sweet Escape to Cagbalete Island

Quezon province had been known to have secret white beaches and hidden coves though many of which are still waiting to be discovered. One of Quezon's pride is the charming Cagbalete Island off the coast of Mauban.

Lovely.

Magalawa Island : A Beach Bum's Paradise

Having used seven out of the fifteen vacation leaves alloted per year, I was anxiously browsing one blog after another to find a perfect weekend beach getaway. I was itching to get sun kissed and it was also hubby's birthday month.I can't afford to use another vacation leave and boy I was glad to have stumbled upon Pinay Travel Junkie's post about Magalawa Island. 

"Silence is argument carried out by other means." 
Lakas maka-Che Guevara ni Kuya :))

We headed to Victory Liner Terminal in Caloocan and was lucky to catch the Sta. Cruz bus trip that will pass by Brgy. Pangolingan in the town of Palauig , Zambales. As the bus cruised along the scenic countryside, I felt bad for the farmers that lost their crops because of the recent typhoon that devastated the province. Upon reaching the waiting shed, we hired a tricycle to take us to The Oslet Armada Compound in Brgy.Luan.
 We were greeted by one of the bangkeros sent by Armada Resort. It was a quick 10 minute boat ride to Magalawa Island. For rates , check out their Facebook page.

Fishing nets

Shaded campsite

"I think this will get us through the day. We'll try again tomorrow."

The cheerful Auntie Auring and the resident guard dog, Jojo welcomed us with big smiles.We were the only visitors during that time.We settled our bags in our little hut we chose that sat on the farthest part of the shore.

He nibbled on the bamboo fence at the middle of the night just to get inside the hut. Super cute!

Good night world! :)

Being a beach bum,I took a lot of photos.We strolled along the beach all afternoon and watched the local kids play. They played with long dry leaves and turned them into boats.Truly,money can't buy everything.They giggled,laughed and teasingly ran after each other. Their happiness was contagious.

Life is simple. We are complicated.

Whenever I travel, I never miss the sunrise or sunset. Though sunset was at the other side of the island,we had the chance to witness the beautiful sunrise. My camera ran out of battery because of the gazillion photos I took. It was madness. Magalawa Island's remoteness was glorified by the enchanting display of colors before sunrise.

Another day in paradise

How to get to Magalawa Island 

> Take a Victory Liner bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Zambales.  Visit their website for the updated  bus fares and schedules.
> Ask the conductor to drop you at Brgy. Pangolingan.
> Tricycles are available at Php150/2 person for a 15-20 minute ride to Oslet Armada Compound.
> From the port, Magalawa Island is just about 10 minutes away. Fare is Php 100 per head.  

Puerto Galera : 24 hours of Bliss

Puerto Galera had been the go to place for those people needing a quick getaway that's easy on the budget. Nestled in the beautiful Oriental Mindoro, it also boasts of its rich marine life since its geographically situated on the southwestern end of the Isla Verde Passage.

SUMMER!!!

Ilocos Norte Travel Budget

In between my Palaui Island and my happy beach , Calaguas trip, there was Ilocos Norte. This was not part of the plan at all. Not to mention the quick Bolinao escape with mi sibs that I need to organize, I didn't have enough time to plan our itinerary and worse, I had a meager budget. 
 

Paoay Church

With the limited time we had before our flight, choosing which place to visit was a pain in the a**. We wanted to walk around Laoag City, ride the 4X4 to the sand dunes of Paoay, pay homage to the late President Marcos etc. Among all these, we chose San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I have seen it in several magazines, postcards and pictures on the internet and we just wanted to see it for ourselves.

Okay. So enough of the blabber. Here's my 4N3D Ilocos Norte travel expenses :


Day 1

 - 9 PM Regular AC bus to Pagudpud ( Florida Bus Lines, Sampaloc ) - 1400**
 - chips and mineral water bought during stopover - 55

TOTAL :  1455


Day  2

- Tricycle fare from drop off point to homestay - 70 **
- Breakfast @ a random resto in front of Saud - 240** 
- Bangui Windmills Souvenir ( 3 ref magnets) - 75
- Drinks in Kapurpurawan ( Gatorade and mineral water) -  90***
-  Lunch @ the seaside eatery - 270***
- Bread, drinks and Pagudpud empanada - 260***
- Southern Tour  - 600**
- Tip - 200
- Homestay - 500**

TOTAL : Php 2305

Standing tall

Day 3

- Tricycle from homestay to Pagudpud town proper - FREE c/o Kuya Rene ( Kuya Arnel's younger brother)
- Bus to Claveria, drop off @ Panzzian Beach Resort - 60**
- Dinner @ Pannzian resto - 380

TOTAL : Php 440


Day 4

- Pagudpud to Laoag van fare -  140**
- Jeepney fare Robinson's to Paoay church - 50**
- Pinakbet Pizza and drinks @ Herencia Cafe - 360**
- Jeepney fare Paoay to  Laoag - 50**
- Tricycle Robinson's to airport  -  100**
- Terminal fee - 80**
- Cab to Mariveles St. -  240

TOTAL :  Php 950


TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE WHOLE TRIP : Php 5220 


** 2 pax
*** 3 pax 

I did not include the overnight stay in Pannzian Beach Resort since the booking was made thru Agoda  ( Php1500, 2 pax AC room.)  

 Airfare  from Laoag to Manila was FREE! :)) Story here.

View from our table

Herencia Cafe's Pinakbet Pizza

I remember arriving Laoag Airport past 6 PM and had to wait 'til  eternity for boarding time. I didn't have any regrets not being able to visit all the places Ilocos Norte has to offer. It gave me more reasons to come back. Next time I'd be more prepared. But that was least of my worries. The trip back to Manila was delayed and we only had a few hours to start packing again for our early AM flight to Naga to finally set foot on the blinding-white shores of Mahabang Buhangin.

Check out my Ilocos Norte Adventure Series:

> Ilocos Norte : Meeting Kuya Arnel

> Ilocos Norte : The Towering Bangui Windmills

> Ilocos Norte : The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

>Ilocos Norte : Head Over Heels for Cape Bojeador

> Overnight Stay @ Pannzian Beach Resort