Summer getaway at Marites Homestay Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud

Just before summer comes to its close, I had an opportunity to visit Pagudpud for a weekend getaway with my daughter and her friend. This is the second time I visited Pagudpud, the first time was in 2013, when we had our Three day tour of Ilocos, and Pagudpud was just part of a day tour in our three day itinerary so we didn’t enjoy much the beach.  And so this time, I planned on beach bumming in Pagudpud.

Staying in Marites Homestay and Restaurant Blue Lagoon

As a busy mom, an overnight stay with me beside the beach would just be enough for me to relax and unwind from my busy daily schedule. I wasn’t looking for any fancy things in a place to stay just a homey ambiance, peaceful and quiet. 

It wasn’t difficult for us to locate Marites Homestay Blue Lagoon in Balaois, Pagudpud, fortunately the drivers who took us there knew their establishment.  From the van driver of Laoag to Pagudpud bound and the tricycle driver who directly brought us to Marites Homestay.

At around 2 p.m. we arrived at our destination.  While unloading from our tricycle Mrs. Marites Ubasa, the owner of the Homestay, greeted us warmly and I was surprised that she was already there anticipating our arrival.  Her crew was very quick to assist us in carrying our backpacks to lead us to our room.

Interior of the room

The room was already cold with the air conditioning unit was already turned on.  There are two large beds in the room, just perfect for the three of us.  I occupied the smaller one beside the window and the bigger one for my daughter and her friend. The room has the basic things we need for an overnight stay, a comfortable bed with pillows and blankets, comfort room with a water supply and toilet, table with chairs, roll of tissue and a soap.  The room is quite big, it could still accommodate closet cabinet or vanity cabinet for those who wanted to stay for a longer period of days.  Wi-Fi and television are available at the restaurant which is steps away from the rooms.  Absence of those two in our room is not an issue for me, it was actually good as I was able to take a nap in the afternoon and an early night’s sleep, I was able to read a few pages of the book I took with me.  And not to mention, of course, the beach is located in front, with the nice view of blue green water, vast white sand shoreline, that swimming and enjoying the cool water definitely took most of my time soaking in the water.     

Nipa Hut Design Rooms

Each room has Nipa hut style exterior design, using dried Cogon grass roofing, wooden structures and bamboo pole wall cladding.  Their restaurant and dining areas have also the same Filipino design structure which would appeal to foreigners and locals who wants a taste of provincial style abode.

Restaurant & Dining Area

Aside from offering rooms for rent, they also have a restaurant that is 24 hours open to cater to diners. They serve snacks and meals, they also offer “paluto” style food order, Ilocano dishes and other Filipino food. The owners are genuine Ilocanos so you will be assured that you can taste in their restaurant an authentic Ilocano dish like Dinengdeng, Pakbet, Poqui Poqui, Dinakdakan, to name a few.   

Other Services offered by Marites Homestay & Restaurant

They have a mini store at the entrance of the restaurant, souvenir shop at the parking area and they are the first to offer in Pagudpud the 4 x 4 ride, a mountain trail seaside adventure. Cottage rental near the beach.

  

For Reservation and Pricing inquiry:

You can check them out at their Facebook fan page - 

https://www.facebook.com/Marites-Homestay-and-Restaurant-Blue-Lagoon-Pagudpud-663990893738100/


Contact Person – Walter Ubasa – Marketing Manager 0909 950 4417

   

Burgos Ilocos Norte's Kapurpurawan rock formation

 

Kapurpurawan rock formation

     Another tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte is this extraordinary wonder of nature called Kapurpurawan rock formation. Its name “Kapurpurawan” was derived from an Ilocano word which means whiteness as depicted from its color. 

Pagudpud Casa Victoria Beach Resort

Welcome to Pagudpud!

     When we reached the Arc of Pagudpud our excitement heightened even more because we are already near the beach and this was the most expected part of our trip, especially the kids, they kept on talking about swimming and playing on the beach since the time we left Manila, that every time we go to our destination which was often located near a beach they kept on asking if we were already in Pagudpud.

Electrifying images of Windmills in Bangui Ilocos Norte

Bangui windmills

      I wasn't electrocuted here in these photos which caused my hair to raise like crazy, it was the strong winds that caused my hair to go unruly and fly in every direction which the wind leads them to.  I came near one of those 20 windmills in Bangui, which is 70 meters high that resembles a gigantic electric fan.  They are situated near a shoreline that's why getting near its foot is already a struggle because a mixture of sea splash and wind will hit your skin, that's why even though the sun is already at its peak, you can't feel the heat when you are beside the windmill.

A towering view of Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

         Our last destination in our first day Ilocos itinerary is this old lighthouse in Burgos which is one hour drive from where we came, at Malacanang Palace of the North located in Paoay.    

Grandiose Malacanang Palace of the North

The colossal house of the former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte

     This has been the second home of the First family of the Philippines during the reign of former Ferdinand Marcos, who was known as an Ilocano, born and raised in Ilocos Norte and reigned as president for twenty years from 1965 until such time that his government has toppled down in 1986 by the new administrator former President Corazon C. Aquino.  When the new government took place, some of the wealth of the Marcoses has been sequestered, which was deemed as an ill gotten wealth and was turned over to the government for administration, and one of which is this grandiose palace as called in Ilocano as "Malacanang ti Amianan", in English it means "Malacanang of the North".  

In the desert of Paoay Ilocos Norte

Paoay Sand Dunes  

     Ilocos already have it all. From heritage sites, nice beaches, good food and also a desert, yes that’s right!

Magnificent Paoay Church

      Looking from a distance, the melancholic image of St. Augustine church or better known as Paoay Church cannot hide the fact that any tourist will get awed with its magnificence, in its archaic design derived from Europe as common to Catholic churches which is called Baroque architecture that has been significantly used in Catholic church design. 

Museum of the Marcoses in Ilocos Norte

   From Vigan City and right after Laoag City, Batac is another two hour land travel where the old house of the Marcoses has been transformed into  a museum and mausoleum of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. 

3 days Ilocos tour – Vigan, Paoay, Burgos and Pagudpud

An itinerary guide for a 3 day tour in Ilocos which starts off with Vigan tour    

 
  This is the memorable vacation I had this year, because not only I have with me my family, but together with my friends with their families also.  This trip has been long been planned since last quarter of last year that every time we have a get together this Ilocos trip has been brought over our discussions as our next itinerary until we were able to finalize the date when everyone can join, and so the set date was last February 22 to February 25.