Life in a shell: North Luzon

Ilocos Norte is one of the provinces we visited in our North Luzon Escapades. Like Vigan, Ilocos Norte is one of the most beautiful and historic places in the Philippines. Paoay Church, formally called St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church, is the must-see tourist spot in Ilocos Norte. It is truly a national treasure of Ilocos and is considered as one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Paoay Church was awarded in 1993 as UNESCO world heritage site. It is a prime example of a baroque church, in which, the bell tower is physically separated from the church. The church was built by the Augustinian friars in 1694 and was completed in 1894. It is made of coral blocks and bricks that incorporates gothic, baroque and oriental designs that add up to its striking appeal. Like St. Paul Cathedral of Vigan, it is built to withstand earthquakes. It has 24 carved buttresses that support the church's structure during earthquakes.

It is made of coral blocks and brick that incorporates Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs that add up to its striking appeal.
- See more at: http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2011/06/paoay-church-unesco-world-heritage-site.html#sthash.xvQLZluh.dpuf

Paoay Church, also known as the St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church

Paoay Church and the bell tower on its left side

It was raining when we visited there

The whole gang with a big smile on our faces despite the rain

.....and more big smile

A close shot of one of the oldest church in the Philippines

Another close shot...from different angle

The carved buttresses that support the church during earthquakes

Side view of the church, taken from the Jardin de San Augustin

The bell tower, which is separated from the church

In front of the church

A shot taken from the street

The altar

Picture taken from the front door

Another shot of the altar


Stolen shot...my brother, Bowie

The church by night

The church by night...from different angle

The bell tower by night

Right behind it, is the “Jardin de San Agustin”, a prayer garden for churchgoers and visitors. I’ve got goosebumps when I walked in this garden, probably because of the atmosphere – it was raining a little, nobody was there but me and the statues of saints and all those green plants and flowers and man-made fountains - I should have waited my brother and sisters - and not left them in the church. As I was walking along the garden path, I read all the biblical quotes scattered along the beautiful landscaped garden and somehow I was into it and I felt like I was stepping into the old times when the monks and nuns were in the same place praying and meditating. It was so quiet and so solemn. I felt like I was disturbing them with the sounds / clicks of my camera. Whatever it was that got into me, it scared me that I almost run but then, I saw my brother coming.

Signboard...to the prayer garden

On the right side of the pathway

A garden pathway

The prayer garden is just next to the Paoay Church, on the left side just behind the detached bell tower

A prayer garden path

The buttresses of the church is so visible in this pic

The side window and wall of the Paoay Church

The buttresses of the church is so visible in this pic

...and also from here

Plants...and plants...and plants

The buttresses of the church is so visible in this pic


Statue of a little boy or saint?

Statue of a saint

The cross with a hanging plants around it

The bell tower and the side of the church is visible in this pic

A pathway going to the side door of Paoay Church

One of the biblical quotes

Garden landscape

The side wall of the church

A pathway going to the side door of Paoay Church

Taken near the gift shop

Taken near the gift shop...from different angle

Greens

....and more greener

They just came to the garden when I have already finished my rounds of the entire garden

For more info, please check this link.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paoay_Church

Pagudpud is a municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is the northernmost town on Luzon island in the Philippines. The town rolls over mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal land. It is about 560 km from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, to the north. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 21,877 people. The town is bounded to the south by the town of Bangui, famous for its Bangui Windmills, and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Range.


From Batangas to Pagudpud Pagudpud landmark Posing.....

.....and another posing with the gang!

Facing the West Philippine Sea (internationally knowned as South China Sea), Pagudpud is known for its white sand beaches lined with coconut trees and crystal blue water. It is widely considered to be the Boracay of the North.

Source: beautifulplacesinasia.blogspot.com

Source:tsinelaschronicles.com

Picture taken from our room

Another picture taken from our room

....and this, from the same spot!

Pagudpud was one of our destinations when we had a North of Luzon escapades last June with my sisters, brother, Nicholas (my youngest son) + Veera (his friend) and three of our nieces. We left Batangas at around seven in the evening and drove to the North all night long. Our first stop, not to mention our stop in Manila area, was in Vigan, where we ate a heavy breakfast at Chowking.

Packed and ready to go

First stop in the north: Vigan

After a long road trip...there's still a smile on their faces!

Waiting for our turn to order our breakfast.

Waiting for our food.....

After breakfast.....ready to conquer the town

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral in Vigan

After an early breakfast, our “North of Luzon Escapades” began. I will not discuss about Vigan or other places in the north in this blog but perhaps write about it later as another blogposts. Instead, I will discuss one of the best beaches in Pagudpud….it is called the “Blue Lagoon”.

Source: www.beachresortphilippines.net

It is said that the Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful beaches of the north. It is called so because of its waters’ bluish tint. Actually, it is hard to tell which is bluer, the sky or the sea. It was once a secret beach but becoming popular lately. It is considered one of the many attractions that the province of Ilocos Norte has to offer. Its waters are pretty calm as well as the entire area; and unlike other beaches that I have visited, it is not crowded and exploited allowing you to enjoy every minute of your stay without any distractions. It is one of the most captivating beaches that I have ever visited so far.

An early morning shot, before sunrise.

From here, you'll see the white buildings (resorts, restaurant, etc.)

My hubby in an early morning walk.

I could still hear the sounds of the seawaves.

Nicholas, running on the shore.

And more splash.....

Beach front

.....taken from other angle.

.....another one!

The beach....

Lil' islands


Nicholas exploring the beach.

Jogging!

After a whole day exploring in the town and other tourist spots along the way, we headed to the Blue Lagoon for an overnight stay. The views along the way was so beautiful – imagine the greens of the mountains on our right against the crystal blue seawater on our left – so relaxing and magnificent. And as we drove down the beach, I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer. Before going down to the beach, our van made a stop at an overlooking spot where we viewed the stunning beauty of the beach with crystal blue water and pristine white sands at the foot of the mountains. From what I saw from the elevated ground, the Blue Lagoon looks like a sleeping lagoon….so quiet, calm and serene and yet, so inviting. From there, we could see the 1.2 km zip line over water, which goes directly to the sea from the opposite, mountainside of the beach. I am not a zip line lover because I am suffering from acrophobia or fear of heights, but I am sure that going up there would be fun. You will experience not only an adrenaline pumping ride with the zip line but also see from above the magnificent views of the place from all angles and perspectives.

Source: justmypersonalopinions.blogspot.com

www.motorcyclephilippines.com


www.motorcyclephilippines.com

I always love and enjoy the sun and sea. I could be in the beach for hours - walking, jogging, dancing, exercising, gathering shells, exploring the beach and of course, swimming, when I long for it. Walking barefoot in the white, fine, powdery sand is what I like most followed by a dip in a warm, clear, blue water. I couldn’t ask for more….it’s heaven!

An early in the morning swim after the run on the beach.

Trying to push-up.

My nieces, Irish and Iryll, playing in the sand.

My brother, Bowie, enjoying the warm water.

My sisters and nieces in a late afternoon swim!

My hubby enjoying the waves.

A fine sand.

And Iryll....posing!

Blue Lagoon has a lot to offer. Although we didn’t book a hotel, we easily find an accommodation. For the sun worshippers, you can surfboard, jet ski, snorkel, kayak, and ride in a banana boat or rent a speed boat to explore the area. For nature lovers, the place offers mountain trekking and the use of all-terrain vehicles. However, unlike Boracay, the Blue Lagoon doesn't have a long bar strips close to the sea nor offered a variety of five star hotels either. It is the best place to go if you really want to unwind. The place is so clean and green and apparently in a different world. The Blue Lagoon and the entire Pagudpud area is indeed blessed with beauty by nature.

In front of Hannah's Beach Resort.

Driveway

Finally got a room to stay.

Merienda time :-)

Posing with my sisters and niece, Kaye Anne.

Hmmm, so fresh and so yummy.

Due to a tight schedule and still so many places to visit in the North, we decided to leave the place the following afternoon. It was a short visit but well worth a trip. I really recommend this place. Awesome. If you want to feel a sense of being at peace with nature - the sprawling mountains, the breath-taking views of the sea, the sand as fine as powder and the shallow beach as clear and blue as the skies above - the Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud is the right place to visit. Indeed, it is a secluded tropical paradise.