Did quick photos while working on a project. Shot in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and Currimao, Ilocos Norte. A blessed Lenten season to each and everyone. I hope you find inspiration in nature and God’s creation wherever you are vacationing.
Photographed by Reny and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015
Did a mini heritage and nature tour of the east today. Ilocos is not Ilocos without the uncorrupted places linking to the olden past. Hoping what our forefathers have rooted remain for centuries to come. Our identity, we’ve been known as an oasis away from the city.
Please stop turning the province into something we are not.
Found the sidedoor of the rustic 18th century Sta. Monica Church aka Sarrat Church open.
Nature walk.
Watched the sun fade at Vintar Dam.
Photographed by Reny and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015
Freedom, they say, is both a curse and a blessing. To the anxiety of my housemates, my instinctive ability to take to the road will never be tamed (like photographer Marianne Pasion says about me here, pretty embarassed).
As I recoil from crafty Frankenstein-like writing, seaming together a story about fresh ways to enjoy the Ilocos provinces, both here in Norte and Sur, for the October 2014 issue of Mabuhay Magazine (the Philippine Airlines’ in-flight read), was not a cinch.
I haven’t read the magazine, I saw snippets from a stewardess friend’s phone, so I’m starting anew with the story of my journey to Narvacan.
A rainbow on a cloud.
I didn’t know the whereabouts of NOAH, hence I picked the oldest manong tricycle driver waiting at the curb in the centro of Narvacan. All heart, he was heaven-sent. As we approached Bulanos Beach, Bantay Abot (not to be confused with the Bantay Abot Cave in Paqudpud) towered more and more upon my sight.
A container van structure facing the beach beckons. The sun was fast going down. While manong parked his tricycle, I entered the doors, my eyes wandered around the stark white room and as fast as I could, I introduced myself as a writer and photographer for the magazine.
The 250-meter via ferrata adventure at NOAH. Screengrab from Direk Arman on YouTube
The Narvacan Outdoor Adventure Hub or NOAH has made via ferrata its hallmark. Via ferrata is a passage through a steep rock wall, aided with harness and anchor cables that secure the climber from a fall, so it might be as well safe, unless, of course, the person has extreme fear of heights. As I had already rappelled from a chopper, a worm’s eye view from the foot of the hill was just the same intimidating. (Learn the ropes of via ferrata in the video below.)
I ran around the vicinity. I imagine, after letting out a hurrah and sucking in a bird’s eye view of Bulanos from the peak of Bantay Abot, one can rappel back down and enjoy the other thrills of NOAH as kayaking, paddle boarding, ziplining, and kitesurfing are within reach.
The lounge and cafe.
The appeal of Bulanos Beach is in its bucolic scenery and sedate locality. One of these days, I’m heading back to NOAH to get on that iron path.
Back at the center of Narvacan. UNESCO World Heritage Site Vigan is about 30-45 minutes north of Narvacan.
With special thanks to the Narvacan Outdoor Adventure Hub, Mayor Zuriel Zaragoza, Ace Corrales, Eastgate Publishing and the wonderful staff of NOAH.
NOAH (Narvacan Outdoor Adventure Hub) Bulanos, Bulanos Beach, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur CP No. 0905 3396624 Facebook page
Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014
BlauEarth 