October 28, 2011 Long Weekend in La Union
It was another long weekend for the year and since I was still Alabang based for the recent project that I am part of, I went home for the holidays with my colleague Dexter. Besides, the holidays coincided with the Surfing Break in La Union. I was so excited to finally check it out. Dexter is from Lanao del Norte but rather than booking a flight south, he decided to come with me and check out Northern Luzon. So right after work, we packed our things and had a quick dinner. From Alabang, we took the cab going to Pasay where the bus terminal going north is. By 10PM the bus was already enroute to Ilocos.
October 29, 2011 San Juan - Baguio vv.
We arrived in San Juan, La Union around 430AM. Based on our schedule, we still had time to check out the Surfing Break activities the next day so I decided to visit Baguio with Dexter and with my siblings. Anyways, it was still sembreak so no problem. We left our house after lunch and arrived in Baguio by 3PM.
From the bus terminal near Burnham Park, we hailed a cab going to Wright Park. I asked Dexter if he wanted to ride the horses but he declined so we just scaled the stairs up heading to The Mansion. There were lots of visitors also that day. We took some good shots and felt the coldness of the air. I told everyone that we just have our snacks at Camp John Hay Filling Station where we went next. After our snacks, we walked towards the exit gate. It was already getting dark but we can't get a cab at the Ayala Land Techno Hub where we were at. Since Loakan road is just a few more meters, we just walked towards that direction and waited for the jeepney. So the jeepney came and we rode our way back to the city. I showed Dexter Burnham Park first, then made our way to Melvin Jones Grandstand then Session road. From Session road, we walked up to SM Baguio to have a good view of Baguio by night. After spending quite some time, I told everyone that we catch the 8PM bus heading to Laoag. We were home by 10PM in San Juan.
From the bus terminal near Burnham Park, we hailed a cab going to Wright Park. I asked Dexter if he wanted to ride the horses but he declined so we just scaled the stairs up heading to The Mansion. There were lots of visitors also that day. We took some good shots and felt the coldness of the air. I told everyone that we just have our snacks at Camp John Hay Filling Station where we went next. After our snacks, we walked towards the exit gate. It was already getting dark but we can't get a cab at the Ayala Land Techno Hub where we were at. Since Loakan road is just a few more meters, we just walked towards that direction and waited for the jeepney. So the jeepney came and we rode our way back to the city. I showed Dexter Burnham Park first, then made our way to Melvin Jones Grandstand then Session road. From Session road, we walked up to SM Baguio to have a good view of Baguio by night. After spending quite some time, I told everyone that we catch the 8PM bus heading to Laoag. We were home by 10PM in San Juan.
October 30, 2011 Surfing Break Fun
It was the third day of the Surfing Break and surely we did not want to miss it. It was the 6th La Union Surfing Break and my first time to attend such event. Thanks to my work, I got closer to home.
So we checked out the activities by 10AM. The surfing area very much accessible from our house considering it's just roughly 15minutes jeepney ride. We went to the site with my younger brother and my cousins. We learned that there was a surfing competition by that time as being announced from the speaker. Aside from the contestants, there were several people learning to surf also. Some women were just getting a good tan by the beach. Activities were not limited to surfing but includes skim boarding, beach volleyball and Frisbee. Foreigners were also of sight aside from the locals that came from different parts of the country. Kids also enjoyed playing under the sun with the sea and sand.
So we checked out the activities by 10AM. The surfing area very much accessible from our house considering it's just roughly 15minutes jeepney ride. We went to the site with my younger brother and my cousins. We learned that there was a surfing competition by that time as being announced from the speaker. Aside from the contestants, there were several people learning to surf also. Some women were just getting a good tan by the beach. Activities were not limited to surfing but includes skim boarding, beach volleyball and Frisbee. Foreigners were also of sight aside from the locals that came from different parts of the country. Kids also enjoyed playing under the sun with the sea and sand.
Beach Party
We returned later in the evening for the beach party and to meet an ex-colleague of ours who hails also from La Union. The stage had local performers where the young and not so young partied to the beat of the music. Later the fireworks lit up the night sky.
October 31, 2011 More of La Union
Pugad Adventure
Since I had not been to this new adventure park in my province, I wanted to visit Pugo Adventure (Pugad). I wanted also to show Dexter what La Union can offer to visitors like him. So I arranged with my other cousin to drive us to Pugad with the kids at the house tagging along. Pugad is located in Pugo town, 7 towns south of San Juan and approximately 1.5hrs drive by private car. From Pugo, we drove our way to Marcos Highway and saw the sign that leads to the park. The road was still not pave and includes a downhill drive below the hill.
Soon we arrive, parked and got off the car. We just paid an entrance fee of PhP100/pax. From the reception area, we passed by their store then two swimming pools. From the pathway, the river on the other side flows by. A hanging bridge will lead to the picnic cottages, swimming pool, and the aviary. The swimming pool at the picnic area can be used for free upon payment of the entrance fee. The river is also accessible for those who want more fun with the cold water coming from the mountains. Zipline, target shooting, rappelling and ATV rides can de done at the park with affordable fees. The ladies went to zip while the guys opted for the ATV.
The aviary is best suited for children. Lots of birds and different species of pigeons and parrots make up the aviary. A yellow Burmese python is also on display.
It was already almost sundown so we left Pugad by 330PM. On our way home, we passed by the huge eagle sculpture that stood beside the highway at Tubao town.
Sunset at Thunderbird Resort
We dropped by Thunderbird Resort in San Fernando for the sunset view. Thunderbird Resort was designed with a Greek architecture, making one feel like it's Santorini. I told Dexter that it was the movie location of "No Other Woman" top billed by Anne Curtis. It was my second time to visit the place.
Short Stop at Macho Temple
Since Macho Temple was along the road, we had a short stop before finally going home. It was almost 6PM and the sun had set on the horizon. Dexter might have seen other Chinese temples already but this one was built overlooking the sea. At least, I had shown him a Chinese temple in La Union.
We had a day full of fun exploring several places in La Union. It was our last day in my province since the following day we traveled back to Manila. Much to our desire to visit Vigan, our schedule no longer permitted us since we still have to prepare for our business trip to Palawan by the second of November.
"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu