Friday, September 6, 2013

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Burgos, Ilocos, Norte


According to our tourist guide these place is a must-see when visiting Ilocos Norte. It is located in the rocky coasts, fronting the roaring waves of bangui Bay, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is about 3km from the Maharlika highway, we took a rough and bumpy ride towards the Kapurpurawan rock formations and another 5-10 minutes walk from the drop off area.

The best time to visit is during early morning when the heat of the sun is not that intense.

"Kapurpurawan" or "puraw" is an Ilocano term which means white. As you look around the rock formations are "puraw" or white in color. These are called sedimentary rocks, a beautiful works of nature, formed due to millions of years of combined forces of wind, water and waves from the ocean.

It was so captivating to see these work of nature for the very first time. Nature has its own way of shaping wonders.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Bangui Windmill, Ilocos Norte, Philippines





        The windmill is one of the places to be visited during our arranged tour. The Bangui windmill is located at the northern most part of the Philippines at the municipality of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, facing the South China Sea.
The first in Asia and the only windmill in the Philippines. The turbines are spaced 326 meters apart, each 70 meters high, with 41 meters long blades, with a rotor diameter of 82 meters and a wind swept area of 5,281 sq. meter. It is so amazing traveling the highway with the giant windmills on the side you can see how majestic things could be.

It is like a graceful arc reflecting the shoreline of Bangui.
The ingenuity of man combined with the power of nature can bring light to many homes of Ilocanos and nearby provinces.
Travelling across the Philippines has always bought new and amazing things to discover and be proud of.

Friday, August 16, 2013

VIGAN





Our visit to Vigan is such an amazing trip.  It was the northernmost city established in the Philippines by the Spanish. It is one of the the towns of the province of Ilocos Sur.

At the time of our visit we are staying at Plaza del Norte hotel at the city of Laoag. From the hotel we hire a tricycle for 200 pesos which sent us to the town of Batac of where the former President Ferdinand Marcos Mausoleum was located. From that town we ride a bus to the city of Vigan, it took as almost an hour and 30 minutes to reach Vigan, it cost us a 100 pesos each. At the Plaza, we hire a calesa (a horse-drawn carriage engaged in providing transport services) that brought us to the beautiful heritage town of Vigan. The calesa tour cost 150 pesos per hour.

Its like a journey back in time, established in the 16th century. It fells like I was bought back in the time when the Spaniards used to rule the Philippines or it looks like you are bought to the old streets of Europe.

Vigan is the best-preserved examples of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. It represents a fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning.

It is so fascinating that at these present time where things change so fast, that these place was preserve to its original state. the time when Spaniards build their houses patterned from their houses in Spain.


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Enchanted River: Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur Philippines




From the majestic Tinuy-an Falls. We headed to another remote place of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur the hidden treasure called the Enchanted River.

From the Hinatuan National Highway a 12 kilometer rough and very remote road has to be traversed before one can reach the Enchanted River.

When we arrived at the destination one would not think that their is something special around. But as you explore the long and pain-in-the-butt travel is all worthy.

It was around 12-noon when we arrived at the enchanted river, a loud music was being played and most of the visitors rushed their way towards the mouth of the river. It was fish feeding time. Many fish from the deep water is coming to the surface to take part of the food. The size of 1 ft- 1 1/2 ft fish are seen. It was so amazing.

After the fish feeding time we then dive into the greenish and then dark blue crystal clear water. One can swim with the fish in an 80-foot deep enchanted river. It looks like a  deep blue basin with clear and fresh water that then rushes into their beautiful sea.

Swimming at the enchanted river of Surigao del sur was indeed a very memorable experience that I will surely experience again in the future.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Tinuy-an Falls at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur


I had a rare opportunity of joining a group of teachers from Central Mindanao University heading to Surigao del sur. First on there itinerary is Tinuy-an Falls.

From the national highway of Bislig one has to travel 15 kilometers  towards the Tinuy-an Falls. Its almost a 30 minutes ride of rough and bumpy road. with wooden bridges, one of bridge is quite weak that passengers of our bus has to walk across the bridge to lessen the weight of the bus.

Tinuy-an Falls is located in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. It is the main tourist attraction in Bislig city.Tinuy-an Falls are 95 m wide and 55 meters (180 ft) high.


When we reached Tinuy-an, its almost 8:00 am. and we are greeted by the magnificent work of nature. It was all worth the travel for almost 15 hours from Musuan Bukidnon. This is one of the most extra ordinary waterfalls I've ever seen.

 It looks like a white curtain that flows in three levels and is said to be the widest waterfall in the Philippines. Its like a three layered stairs, covered with a flowing curtain. The water is so clean and crystal clear. A magnificent rainbow can be seen very morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

A wooden bridge is built so tourist can cross on the other side.
Here is a short video of the Tinuy-an falls.