Isle of Wight is a well-known local tourist destination in England. Of the popular places to go, The Needles in Alum Bay is among the most searched online as a testament of its beauty.
The place is very family friendly. You can also bring your dogs on lead.
There are a lot of activities in the area aside from visiting the tip of the island where the Needles are located. Among them are 4D Cinema, a chairlift to the sea side, glass demonstration, games, and a small jurassic adventure golf in Alum Bay. You can also walk to Tennyson Down, a very scenic foothpath, which leads to Freshwater Bay.
You can easily reach this destination with the public bus operating in the Island. You can visit the Northern Vectis website for updated information of bus schedule and fees. The place also has a good-sized car park if you want to travel in your own wheels. The Island’s official webpage for The Needles and Alum Bay is also a good place to start especially for guide fees and activities.
The following are images I took on my multiple visits to The Needles in Alum Bay.
The wooden stairs leading to the dirt road going to the seaside in Alum BayThis footpath leads to the sea side and the platform where the chairlift ends. From this vantage, you can see the Needles.One side of Alum Bay seen from the stairs connecting to the stairs.The Needles as seen from Alum Bay.Closer look of The Needles on the other side.The other side of The Needles.
In conclusion, the The Needles and Alum Bay is still a good place for family relaxation. It is best enjoyed though during late Spring, all throughout Summer, and early Autumn.
Pagudpud is located in a coastal town at the northwestern tip of Luzon. Its beaches have become one of the hottest white sand beaches in the country. In fact, tourists have been dubbing it as the “Boracay of the North”. However, it offers more than meets the eye.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experience as well as references to the date of publication. Changes may occur on contact details, transportation, fees, etc. With this, please do comment at the end of the article any updates as well as corrections on the content, anything amiss, or any information that you think is crucial to the readers. Thank you!
Pagudpud is located in a coastal town at the northwestern tip of Luzon. Its beaches have become one of the hottest white sand beaches in the country. In fact, tourists have been dubbing it as the “Boracay of the North”. However, it offers more than meets the eye.
When you want to get a rebreather away from the busy city life, lying in one of the Pagudpud beaches might be the answer. Pagudpud beaches are hidden gems up north in the country. It is a PARADISE! The sand is fine and white. The water is calm and crystal clear. And the water is shallow. These factors make it a very family friendly place. P.S., the locals are very nice.
There are a lot of activities in Pagudpud beaches. Aside from lazing under the sun and swimming in its pristine waters, the longest zipline over water is found in one of them. Some theme parks are also constructed in couple of beaches. Snorkeling in its calm waters is also one of the best options. Fresh fruits and seafoods are also abundant along nearby roads.
Lastly, I wouldn’t dare compare it to Boracay. Pagudpud beaches maybe covered with white sand but its atmosphere is totally different. It is not highly commercialized and definitely not jam-packed with tourists. On the other hand, do not expect a five-star hotel accommodation.
The Blue Lagoon is one of the heavily populated white sand beaches in Pagudpud.
Left: Dos Hermanos islands are two islets in the Blue Lagoon. Right: The northern part of the Blue Lagoon Beach is covered with limestone.Over the shallow, pristine, clear, blue waters of Blue Lagoon is the longest zipline over water in the world! I tried it and it was uh-may-zing!!!The wind turbines in in Bangui Bay are visible to the naked eye in Saud Beach.They say that Pagudpud beaches have that ‘boracay’ feel. I say ‘NO’. It is more than just white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Well, aside from the fact that it is less crowded.Pagudpud Beaches are very friendly to the family as it is calm and shallow.
In conclusion, Pagudpud beaches deserve to be at the top of your list when you want to “de-city-fy” and de-stress. It is one of the best place to get your family for a wholesome and quiet vacation.
Manila buses bound to Laoag City are Partas, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus, Viron Transit, Florida Bus Line, Fariñas Trans, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines and F. Franco Transit. Make sure it is bound to Laoag, though most of these buses also have Vigan to Laoag trips. There are tricycles and vans for hire which usually covers a group of tourist destinations in the province.
From Baguio City, you can take a Partas bus near SM City Baguio or the ordinary mini-buses in Bayanihan. Make sure it is bound to Laoag, though most of these buses also have Vigan to Laoag trips. There are tricycles and vans for hire which usually covers a group of tourist destinations in the province.
GMW Liner and Florida Liner have buses plying a vice versa Abra and Tuguegarao with a stop in Laoag City route. There are tricycles and vans for hire which usually covers a group of tourist destinations in the province.
By air. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to Laoag International Airport.
Ilocos Norte is known for its rich culture, wind farms, and beautiful, pristine beaches. And when you say beaches, they are of different characteristics, free and easily accessible. Of the miles and miles of continuous Western Philippine Sea beaches within Ilocos Norte, Bayog beach is yet to hit the eyes of beach-lovers.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experience as well as references to the date of publication. Changes may occur on contact details, transportation, fees, etc. With this, please do comment at the end of the article any updates as well as corrections on the content, anything amiss, or any information that you think is crucial to the readers. Thank you!
Under the Spell of Bayog Beach’s Blue Water and Dark Rocks
Ilocos Norte is known for its rich culture, wind farms, and beautiful, pristine beaches. And when you say beaches, they are of different characteristics, free and easily accessible. Of the miles and miles of continuous Western Philippine Sea beaches within Ilocos Norte, Bayog beach is yet to hit the eyes of beach-lovers.
Located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the beach along the stretch of Bayog community is easily accessible to travelers. It is just along the national highway in the 5th class municipality of Burgos. The town was initially known as Nagparitan, meaning, to prohibit, before it was fused to Bangui then back to an independent municipality.
The beach along Bayog is not your common sandy seaside. Interestingly, the beach is covered with dark rough stones with the turquoise water on the background. When I went to Pagudpud, I saw this stretch of beach and kept in mind to drop by when I go home.
On my way back to Laoag from Pagudpud, we finally stopped by to rest.
There were a couple of shanties, trees that gives shade to some areas, and livestock grazing at some grasses.
What caught my attention is the beautiful contrast of the turquiose water and the dark stones on the beach. It looks so unique from the usual sea-and-sand beaches. Initially, I thought that swimming might not be a good idea as the beach is rocky. However, I saw some kids and adults enjoying on one area.
Sharp and rugged stones cover majority of the beach. This makes swimming high risk. Thus, make sure that you only wade after getting information from the locals.
The beach is easily accessible from the main road.
In conclusion, this stretch of beach has a potential of getting more footfalls from tourists tired from long-hour ride. While it is free, you might as well want to have a look.
From Baguio City, you can take a Partas bus near SM City Baguio or the ordinary mini-buses in Bayanihan. Make sure it is bound to Laoag, though most of these buses also have Vigan to Laoag trips.
GMW Liner and Florida Liner have buses plying a vice versa Abra and Tuguegarao with a stop in Laoag City route.
By air. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to Laoag International Airport.
From Manila or Baguio City, take a bus bound to Laoag, Vigan or Abra. Drop at Balaoan, La Union. Take a tricycle near the Seven-Eleven Store to Luna town proper. Take another tricycle to Bahay na Bato.
From San Fernando City, La Union, you can take a Luna-bound jeepney. Otherwise, follow the travel plan for those coming from Manila or Baguio City.
Description:
Bahay na Bato (stone house) is situated in a 35,000-populated municipality of Luna (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2010). In reality, it is not a house made entirely from stones, although the concrete walls are plastered with stones and the floor is strewn with large, smooth, flat pebbles. Adornments of carved stones, woods and World War II items are seen inside the house. Of the two private rooms in the ground floor, the one facing the beach is sometimes open to the public. This room has a double-door access to the beach. Carved stones of different sizes and figures are strategically positioned along the hallways. The floor is also covered with smooth, pebbles and flat quarter-palm sized stones. Woods carved with faces are also mounted on the upper portion of the inner wall of the receiving hall. World War II items such as charcoal iron (de uling na plantsa), kerosene lamps (lampara), water canteens (kantina), carbide lamps (de kalburong lampara), wooden trunks (baul), and Stainless Steel mess kit dishes are also being showcased in the house. The second floor offers a panoramic view of the pebble-blanketed beach and stone carving-strewn lawn. Big stone carvings resembling lizard, heart, sea creatures, flowers, man, hand gestures, etc. are positioned to augment or create a landscape. Though there is a minipool for children on the southern part of the house, the main attraction is still the house and its stone carvings.
The house, built in 2000, was initially intended to be a resthouse for Dr. Edison and Dra. Purita Noble; however, Luna Mayor Marvin Marron, seeing the tourism potential of the property, persuaded them to open it to the public (Marbella, 2015). The property was then opened in 2014 attracting a multitude of tourists. The local tourism office has recorded a staggering number of visitors to the new attraction. In December 2014, it registered more than 10,000 visitors, and another 7,800 for January 2015 (Marbella, 2015).
If you visit this place, you have a big chance of meeting the sculptor of the stone-carvings, Mr. Vong Kim. He is a Korean married to the Luna native manager of the place. He usually stays at the registration booth.
Other notable tourist attraction of this municipality is the pebble-covered beaches, even coming in different colors. According to a resident near the beach, the pebbles are believed to be living and has the ability to grow. Baluarte ruin (Biyak na Bato) and Ukkalong Falls are also gaining popularity in the place.
GALLERY:
Here’s the admission fee and open house hours as of February 2016.
The receiving hall’s floor is covered with large flat pebbles.
The receiving hall window overlooking the beach.
The upper portion of the walls is also lined with woods carved with faces.
The hallway leading to the two private rooms and the stairs.
One of the private rooms. This rooms is sometimes opened to the public.
The eastern wall at the second floor is adorned with World War II utensils.
Close up of the WWII utensils.
A wooden trunk as a centerpiece at the second floor.
Stone carvings in the ground as seen from the second floor window.
Stone and wood carving in a hallway.
This carving obviously depicts the Oriental culture of the carver.
Stone-faced? Call what you want.
Your name might be in this table too.
I actually wondered how they did this.
Emotions etched upon stones.
Yes, its not slimy. Its smooth.
Homo erectus(?) with glasses.
One of the best places outside the house. Don’t just linger in the middle of the heat.
A monster fish, perhaps.
The beach without sand.
Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed at the beach near Bahay na Bato. The waves are strong and the beach is deep.
Pebbles and not sand. How is sunbathing done here?
Pebbles of different colors can be picked near the Baluarte ruins.
According to the locals,during the war, this structure is connected to a nearby building through a tunnel, making it a means of escape.
But I love the view!
The Baluarte ruins as seen from the beach. Concrete posts are used to fortify the structure preventing it from collapsing. This structure is becoming an icon of Luna.
Accordingly, the structure has split during a previous typhoon.
Loneprowler 