A long, long time ago in the middle of the galaxy Milky Way (don't trust me regarding the "middle" I am just, well, guessing), there lived family who got the mole on the soles of their feet itching and so they decided to map out to finally carry out a bucket list item of doing one crazy road trip starting from : Manila, Philippines, Earth going to La Union, Philippines, Earth and then to Bolinao, Philippines, Earth.
Earthlings. That they are.
Filipinas. That they are.
Travel junkies. That they are.
This was just one of their many road trips. So you could imagine that feeling of suddenly having shackles when the quarantines and lockdowns started. Anyway, I am not sure whose initial idea it was, but I was just the say "yes" person when they start telling me we're going somewhere as long as there's beach involved.
First stop: Urbiztondo
Going to La Union from Manila was a good five to six-hour drive then. The TPLEX or the expressway was not yet completed, so we have to pass through some areas and the build up of heavy traffic starts from there. We were almost doubting waze and google maps if we are going the right way because it kept displaying that we only need to drive one hour more and we will be in our destination already.
Two of our friends were already there and another one was coming from Manila also. He did not come with us and had to go there by bus because he had to finish some deliverables before going to La Union.
It was already dark when we got there. We met up with our friends, ate dinner. Bought drinks in the nearby 711 beer for them, coke for me (I was still a coke addict then .. the drink not the drug) plus some junk food and the card games began.
Surfing started in the morning next day. Yes, going to Elyu always involves this activity.
The usual orientation on how to get on the board.. 1.. 2..3..
and that non-stop heart pumping thrill of trying what they instructed us to do
It was not our first time surfing but if you're not doing it on a regular basis it will always feel like the first time. I doubt I will ever get rid of that mix of fear and excitement either. After all the trials, fails and succeeding on getting on the board, you may have done a lot of push ups by then and you would not even notice until it was time to wash up and change. You will not be able to lift your arms up and pull your clothes off for a time. Lols. Fun!
We were convincing them (three others) to join us in going to Bolinao but they were set to go up to Baguio after this trip. So it would just be the three of us going to Bolinao.
Next stop: Bolinao
So after that, we parted ways and we went to Bolinao while the other three stayed a bit. The ride to Bolinao took us really long. If I remember correctly, we did not book a place to stay either because we thought we will be arriving in the area with enough time to scout. But we were wrong.
The first resort we tried to stay in had mad guard dogs. They were really chasing after us even though we were in the car. But we still checked it out. We turned it down and decided to look for some other resorts because of budget constraint. Haha.
We landed in one of the good resorts. It was pricey initially but having these two playing on their negotiating skills, we nabbed a good price for over night stay with their hut that fits two but the three of us can squeeze in to. The bargain was we can only use washrooms outside and not the ones inside (if I remember correctly).
taken from my friend's cam
Next day, we lingered a bit as the resort is actually beautiful before we went out to explore. We went to Patar White Sand Beach. It was open for all and there were lots of people. The blue water is very enticing.
The rock formation area was one of our unforgettable part of the trip. Because we were mesmerized with the crashing waves that we did not mind the beating sun. That was where we really got toasted.
We ended our trip with a visit in the Enchanted Cave. After getting really burned under the sun in the rock formation area, the cold water in the cave was a very soothing and relaxing reward. Though the thought of probably bathing in bat piss is not quite relaxing. Haha.
Will end here. Will collate some other images and maybe go for a round 2. Just maybe.
