Last Day :(

It’s my last day today in The Philippines with Merla and the family. I feel a tinge of sadness leaving. Merla has always been able to crack me up with crazy actions and random comments, as it was 15 years ago. 

Outing to SM Mall

Some picture time with Jumong before we head out to SM Mall to get some Goldilocks and groceries.

Mong & I

Rain, Rain Go Away

Was walking back home from the internet shop but it was raining! As usual, the street gets flooded. My havaianas wading in the water!

Pandesal!!!

This is officially my favourite bread in the whole world! Pandesal is a local bread, its heavenly when eaten hot! It has a slight tense of saltiness from the butter, but at the same time, it tastes sweet with some crunch from the top crust! I’m literally salivating as I’m writing this post. I could easily pop 10 pieces of these little adorable buns in 10 minutes... No kidding. 

Adapted from Wikipedia: 

pan de sal is the most popular yeast-raised bread in the Philippines. Individual loaves are shaped like garrison caps due to its unique method of forming. The dough is rolled into long logs (baston) that are rolled in fine bread crumbs before being cut into individual portions with a dull dough cutter and then allowed to rise and baked on sheet pans. Its taste and texture closely resemble those of the very popular rolls of Puerto Rico called Pan de Agua and Mexico’s most popular type of bread Bolillos. These breads all use a lean type of dough and follow similar techniques that were learned from Spanish or Spanish-trained bakers early in their history. As in most commercially produced food items, they vary in quality to meet taste requirements and economic standards of various communities.

Pandesal



Half eaten Pandesal by me!



Pagudpuad --> Dau (Angeles)

We started the day early at 8AM for the South Tour. I love the Bangui Windmills!!!

The Bangui windmills are at the Banguii Brgy. There are 20 windmills, constructed in 1990. These are the very 1st windmills ever built in Asia! 

At Karpurpurawan, or White Rock. It was definitely a arduous journey up a rocky & steep trail! Especially when I was sitting on the pillion of the motorbike. By the time we reached the top of the hill, my right leg was TOTALLY numbed.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

 By noon, we caught the local bus along the highway back to Laoag Partas Bus Terminal, and changed a bus from Laoag to Manila. 

Waiting for bus

Laog --> Pagudpud

By the time we arrived at Pagudpud, it was about 12pm. Famished, we took our lunch at the Municipal centre before taking a tricycle to the homestay at Saud Beach. Saud Beach is filled with homestay and Resorts such as the popular Hannah’s Resort.

The tours are divided into South & North tour with the tricycle at 600Peso (SGD$18).

Tricycle Tours in Pagudpud

We started with the North tour for today which includes:

•           Kabigan Waterfalls
•           Aqua Grande
•           Blue Lagoon
•          Bantay Abot Cave

The highlight was definitely the Kabigan Falls! It was about 30minutes trek with a local tour guide to reach the Kabigan Falls. It was a great scenic trek, and we passed by some really beautiful rice terraces. It was a different experience passing by these rice terraces, as those in Banaue. There were pretty river streams along the way, and we had to cross the river streams on log-bridges. 

Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud

Tour Guide & I

Kabigan Falls

Scenery on trek to Kabigan Falls

Rice Terrace on trek to Kabigan Falls

Mountain near Kabigan Falls

BBQ-ed fish from Pagudpud

Bantay Abot Cave Entrance

Bantay Abot Cave

 Aqua Grande is a public picnic complex area for travelers & visitors to enjoy a nice break at one one their picnic huts & tables.

Aqua Grande Entrance

Aqua Grande

Merla & I at Marcos Bridge

Laoag

We took a tour with our tricycle driver for 800Peso (SGD$22). I have a feeling we got ripped off. 

Our tour included the following places: 

•           Fort Ilocano Resort
•           Marcos Photo Gallery & Muesuem
•           Paoay church
•           Marcos Museum & Photo Gallery

Fort Ilocandia Resort

Paoay Lake

Paoay church is one of the oldest church in Laoag. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, it was surreal to see the church’s stone architecture. 

Paoay Church Side Entrance

Paoay Church Bell Tower

Inside Paoay Church

 This is a photo montage and commemoration of President Marco’s contribution to The Philippines as president for 20 years from 1976 – 1986. The museum is just next to the Marcos Residence, where his body lay. President Marcos and Lady Imelda were significant in The Philippines history in developing the country in their early years. They are highly revered and respected by the locals, for their contribution to the country.

“And if and when my commonwealth demands that blood, to cleanse her name of any crime, to free her hands for justice, and give her strength to face the world with pride, I will gladly shed that blood, burn in sacrifice and own whatever crime, even if its not mine.

When my motherhood calls for this holocaust, I shall lay down I shall lay down all hopes and dreams, all love and life, and for her, die a thousand deaths and more, and get live with her and in her pride.”

Ferdinand L. Marcos

1 December 1939

Marcos Photo Gallery

This picture of Marcos & Imelda struck me...

The Sinking Bell Tower has become a monument in the midst of the busy streets of Laoag. Although plagued from an earthquake, the tower stands tall and regal.

Sinking Bell Tower

Sinking Bell Tower Entrance