DIY La Union

November 8, 2013

We were supposed to go to CDO unfortunately, we had to cancel out due to super typhoon Yolanda. Instead of moping around, we seized the day and spontaneously hopped to a bus bound for La Union.

It was 1pm when we arrived at the Partas Terminal in Cubao. Fare was 499php. We were lucky that there was already a bus going to Vigan which will pass by San Juan, La Union. Based on the schedule posted in their terminal, bus leaves every hour. The inside of the bus was pretty normal, nothing special about it. Just your typical provincial bus. Btw, don't forget to tell the conductor to drop you off at Sebay or Brgy. Urbiztondo.

This is the spot were you should drop off. Surf Sebay sign is at the right side of the road.

If you see this sign at the right side of the road, tell the bus driver to stop

It took us a total of 8 butt-aching hours and 3 bus stops to reach La Union.  It was 10pm when we arrived there and luckily, our contact, Kuya Jojo, was able to accommodate us. He let us sleep at one of the rooms of his house. The next day, we woke up at 7AM and walked towards the surfing area. We found Kuya Jojo's katiwala and we asked where we could eat for breakfast. he told us there was a carinderia that offers authentic Ilocano foods but we have to walk a little. It was along the main highway almost near the NFA and boundary sign for San Fernando. We ordered papaitan and nilagang baka. The ulam only costs 30php and rice was 8php. It was super sulit because the food tasted good.

If you see this sign, you are near the carinderia :)

We saw this interesting old airplane model on the way to the carinderia and I wonder why is it there?

After our breakfast, we walked a little in the beach then rented our board at Kuya Jo's. He priced it at 600 for one whole day. I had a hard time standing at the 6'8 board because I guess I'm used to using longer and bigger board. Plus the waves were like bouncing at each other so it was hard riding it.

Kuya Jo's surf board rental

When it was about lunch time, we stopped surfing and went to Patubos store. It's amazing that after a year, they were able to finish the shady place that we slept in. It was now a fully functional room for rent establishment. We bought some popsicle sticks at the store and rested for a while. After resting, we went back to Kuya Jojo's place and i took a shower then changed my clothes. When I was done, we decided to go to San Fernando to withdraw money(btw, there was no atm in the surfing vicinity) and to have a decent lunch.



We rode a jeepney going to San Fernando and alighted at Puregold. Travel time was around 20mins. We looked for an atm there but to our dismay, there was only one atm and it wasnt our preferred bank.  We ended up eating at a stall in the food court which sells Ilocos Empanada. The empanada was sold for 45php and it was sooo good! I was able to eat 2 whole empanadas but the "special" kind tasted better than the one without egg. We also went to McDonald's because my boyfriend preferred burgers than the special empanadas.

After filling our tummies, we went back to the main highway and rode a jeep to Bacnotan. It was almost 3PM when we alighted at the surfing area of San Juan. My boyfriend went back to surfing while I just hang out with myself in the beach. Haha.

I noticed that the waves at that time were way better than it was earlier this morning. There was now a specific direction and the waves were not crashing to each other so it was easier to ride. I suddenly wanted to go and surf again but the thought of changing my clothes then rinsing off again? Nah. I was so lazy so I just brushed off the idea.  And I felt like enjoying this view of the sunset by the beach.

There were a lot of people around but the sleepyhead in me won so I dozed off amidst all the noise of the people around. I guess the crashing of the waves were lullaby to my ears and drowned down the noise from humans.

It was sundown when boyfriend decided to stop his surfing madness. We gave back the rented board and headed home. We fixed ourselves and things, paid the rent for the room and went on our way.

We hailed a Dominion Bus bound for Cubao along the highway at around 8pm. We knew we hailed the wrong bus because as it came nearer to us we realized that it was the executive kind which means it is more expensive. However, we were surprised when the conductor gave us our tickets. It was only 387php! Remember our Partas Bus cost 449php. Dominion was a lot cheaper but it was way more comfortable riding it. The seats were big and can also be reclined. Now I know, I would never ride a Partas bus again due to the 52php difference and the comfort.

We arrived at Manila at around 2AM then headed home :)
 

 EXPENSES

ITINERARY