Pagudpud and The Bangui Wind Farm

Pagudpud is the northenmost part of the Philippines that I have visited.  I have heard of many stories from people saying that it's beaches are really nice and that it can be called the Boracay of the North. To be honest --- I actually take offense to that title because my opinion is that each of the beaches that we have in the Philippines have their own characteristic.   I understand that Boracay is internationally known - but Boracay and Pagudpud are very different from each other.

Anyways - back to my trip to Pagudpud;  this is still part of the great North Luzon expedition that the queens embarked on last year.  First stop was Laoag and Paoay.  Second stop is Pagudpud.  We stayed at Saud.  I googled what Saud is - trying to figure out why the place is called Saud.  I can't find an answer to that question but I did find out that it's the name of the ruling family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Interesting - you really get to know a lot of facts - when you google.

The resort is nice.  It has that Filipiniana decor that most resorts have when it is still not spoiled by a commercialized tourist industry.   I remember Waling Waling in Boracay - before it became Estacio Uno.  I like the feel of Filipiniana - and I prefer it over the concrete resorts.  It give off that island feel.

The waves were very strong when we visited Pagudpud.   It was actually very noisy --- that at night - the loud crash of the wave sometimes woke me up.  Like most beaches - the best part of staying seaside is that of being able to wake up early to do a sunrise walk or for those who can't wake up early - they can always do the sunset walk.   Pagudpud faces the west - so the sunset scene is more spectacular.

When we left Pagudpud,  we checked off another site from Ilocos Norte:  the Bangui Wind Farm.  The wind farm was the first one installed in the Philippines.   It provides electricity to the town of Bangui.   I can understand why it makes sense to install these wind mills here.  The wind was so strong that there are times I felt that I was going to be blown away ( exaggeration ).

For people who want to visit this place - and are turned off by the long drive from Manila ( or even Baguio ) --- I suggest breaking off the trip midway.  For us - as I described in my earlier blog - we spent a night in Laoag going to Pagudpud.  Coming back we spent a night in Vigan.   It may be a long trip - but I assure you it's worth it.

Hongta Hotel

During my stay in Shanghai,  I was booked at the Hongta Hotel in Pudong.  I like the hotel.  The room was big, the staff were very helpful,  and the food from the room service tasted great.

I like the placement of the bed.  In other hotels that I stay in - I find it problematic that the bed faces a mirror.  In the Hongta room - the mirrors face away from the bed.   In Feng Shui - it is generally accepted that reflective surfaces must not be placed within the bedroom.  One - because it reflects back the negative energy that we dispel while we're sleeping and Two - since mirrors can be portals to parallel worlds - and while we're asleep - we don't want unwanted beings to cross over into our bedroom.

I never got to watch the TV while I was in Shanghai.  I love the fact that it was turned off all the time that I was there. I never liked other hotels where they have the TV on - playing the hotel's ad on it.  

Look at that tub!  And look - the tub is separate from the shower area!

Who is Daniel?

When I was reading - I'd sit on this futon.  Very comfortable.

This is my view from my room.

Across the street from the hotel - you will find this fitness/sports complex.   

The Hongta Hotel used to be the St. Regis.  It's part of the Starwood Chain of hotels.  I would recommend this hotel to anyone staying in the Shanghai/Pudong area.

Shanghai

Last week I was in Shanghai.  Last time that I was in Shanghai was in 2005.  So that's over 8 years ago.  To be honest - it's not the city that I remember visiting back.  It looked so modern.  The skyscrapers were tall and beautifully constructed.  They now have a maglev train from the Shanghai Pudong airport that will take you to the city.  

I was there for just three days so I wasn't able to go around much.  I just snuck in sometime on my second day to walk around downtown and take some pictures of the amazing structures.   I need to plan a visit back - so I can see more of the city.

Lago de Oro

The queens and some of my friends from high school went on a road trip to Calatagan Batangas for one  of my high school friend's wedding.  It was a lovely wedding - and the reception was fun.   We decided to book a room at Lago de Oro ( it was actually the only resort around the Calatagan area which was available ).   The resort mainly caters for Wakeboarding enthusiasts.  So the rooms have the bare necessities (bed, bathroom, TV).

If you are into wakeboarding, or sheep ( yes they have sheep on the resort grounds ), and fantastic sunrise and golden sunsets ( which is why it's called Lago de Oro ) then head out to Calatagan and check it out.

More pictures from Bangalore

I planned to go around Bangalore to show my readers more sights.  Unfortunately, I got hooked in my shopping and ended up with Cashmere shawls and a Persian rug and ended up not having time to go around Bangalore.  So I am going to share more pictures of the city from our hotel.

From our window we can see Ulsoor lake.

This Hindu temple is small but it reflects the many Gods of the Hindu faith.  I had a conversation with my colleague where I was asking them to help me remember the name of one of their Gods.  We were having a hard time identifying her since there are hundreds of Gods.  It wouldn't even help if I say that the God I'm thinking of is a She because that's half of them.

Near that temple is this Hindu structure similar to the Thai and Siem Reap structures.  

Lastly,  I would like to share the picture of this railroad track which runs through the city.  This is pretty new.  Apart from the airport, this is another product of the rapid development of Bangalore - a light rail transit.

Revisiting Bangalore

Today, I am in India.  Bangalore to be exact.  It has been ten years since my last visit.  They have a new airport which is a huge improvement from the old one.  The city has changed so much.  I remember Bangalore looked like Los Banos with many gardens and less crowded streets.  Today it reminds me of Cubao with its heavy traffic, chaotic driving, and polluted air.

What am I looking forward to in this visit?  Great Indian food,  Pashmina and Tea.

Easter Weekend - Acuaverde

It's that time of the year when all Filipinos take a break from their daily lives.  We at the house of queens spent our Easter weekend at our favorite resort: Acuaverde in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.  They remembered us from our last visit.  The resort is as good as we remembered - even if there were a lot more people ( and some dogs ) this time.  They were a bit more expensive due to the high demand on Easter but they had all meals included.

Here are some of our pictures from this visit.

We stayed in the same room - downstairs - facing the garden.

There were a lot of activities available to guests of Acuaverde and the neighboring resorts.

Lots of families this time.

The tree house has a bird cage with these colorful birds.

I love the way Acuaverde looks at night.

The loungers at night

The loungers during the day.

Another cluster of rooms. 

Midori and Char Siew enjoying the early morning sun.

Food is good.  Here is my afternoon snack of Pinoy spaghetti.

Every BODY can be found at Acuaverde.

Sunrise at Acuaverde.

Kids playing on the sand.

Standard and Toy Poodle - guests of Acuaverde

Fishermen casting their nets while guests watch.

A couple enjoying their early morning walk