"Boracay of the North".

Saud Beach (Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte)

Saud Beach white-sand and crystal-blue water makes it a haven for tourists. Be entertained by the view and get a restful vacation on your check!  Go down the beach and witness the sunset. See the incomparable beauty of sunset in this side of the island.

It is said to be  Boracay due to its white sand beach stretching in a kilometer long. But this beach creates a huge difference especially on the experience that it can offer. Saud beach is one of the best beaches to go for a summer vacation or travels when you aim to experience the best taste of rustic Philippine water. Saud caters a long white beach with no colored stains of garbage from end to end, green blooming coconut trees aligned the entire coast, local home cooked food that will let you taste the culture and the local’s way of living, lesser crowd and an affordable accommodation that offers nothing but a tranquil traveler experience.

Truly there is a golden white sand beaches where you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, ride bancas, wind surf, play beach volleyball and badminton to your heart's content. Beach huts and beach lounges are provided in the area as well.

Go now!
By private car: It’s a 10 to 12 hour land trip from Manila to Ilocos Norte.
By bus: Hop on a bus from the main terminals at Cubao. Any bus liner will do—the ride from Manila to Pagudpud is pegged at P700.
By plane: It’s a 45-minute flight from Manila to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

References:
Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte. http://www.senyoritalakwachera.com/2013/03/saud-beach-pagudpud-ilocos-norte.html

Lover's Rock: Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock

Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock (Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)

Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock are also called as “Lover’s Rock”.

The Timmangtang Rock is the male rock and the Bantay-abot Cave the female.

A. Bantay Abot Caves

Eye of the needle. Bantay Abot Caves from afar. In Ilocano, bantay = mountain, abot = hole, so there you go - mountain hole. That hole's diameter is pretty wide, maybe 2 storeys tall, or a bit more. Bantay Abot is just by the road in Sitio Gaoa, Barangay Balaoi in Pagudpud.  It's about 1.5 kilometers away from the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira), when you're headed back to the highway.

From the inside of the hole one can see the blue waters of Maira-ira beach or Blue Lagoon and on the other side of the hole is the Timangtang Rock - a bell-shaped rocked in the coast of Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. More of,  one could also enjoy the melodious sound of the swallow birds chirping and the echoing waves as it hits the shore.

B. Timmangtang Rock

A bell-shaped rock located along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

How to meet the Lover's Rock?
Head to northwest on Laoag-Sarrat-Piddig-Solsona Road then to Magsaysay St then to Gen. Luna, turn left at Riza, right onto Pan-hilippine Highway then to Buran Bridge. Turn left then you now at Bantay Abot Cave.

"Lover's Rock"

Source:

Pagudpod Sightseeing. http://www.tsinelaschronicles.com/2013/01/pagudpud-sightseeing-bantay-abot.html#ixzz3GNpHRscg

Adventurous Trek to Kabigan Falls

Kabigan Falls (Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte)

Inside a majestic forest an area in Barangay Baloi, Pagudpod Ilocos Norte after an adventurous trek is Kabigan Falls. The falls has a drop  of 120-feet and its fall is to a very beautifully clear natural pool which is very ideal for you to dip.

Entrance Fee:  Php 10.00

Guide Fee:       Php 100.00

How to Get There:Kaibigan Falls can be found in the town of Pagudpud Ilocos Norte, from the national road its about 1.5km away you can walk or you can rent the off road vehicle found in the entrance of the route, by the way there is a 20 pesos preservation fee upon entering kaibigan falls which you will pay at the gate, ideally you should get a local guide which is actually required if you dont have one, you can pay them up to 100 pesos. If you would walk it will take you about 30 minutes to do so, along the way you will pass by farmlands, streams and finally the falls which is very beautiful, water is so clear and cold you can see the bottom of the waterfall basin.

Note: Don't forget to bring water and light snacks as you may get thirsty and hungry along the way. As there are open portion of the trail, it would also be wise to bring umbrella or sarong to shield you from the heat of the sun.

After less than 30 minutes, you could finally reached Kabigan Falls. It has a tall and gorgeous drop and is surrounded by a lush green forest. The water is simply too cool to resist so even without proper swimming attire, my wife and I jumped in for a reinvigorating swim. It was the perfect way to cool down after a sweaty hike.

Reference: 

Suroy Pilipinas. http://www.suroypilipinas.com/2013/06/kabigan-falls-pagudpud-ilocos-norte.html

Way Points Dot Ph. http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=kabgnf