The PINK Ride

Me, two of my friends and a cousin were planning to travel North – Ilocos Sur and Norte that is! I am equipped with nothing but pure desire to visit Pagudpud, so I googled the place to get information on how to get there. I came across a blog on a certain trike driver named Kuya Lee which captures my interest due to high recommendations from other tourists. Since his contact no. was included in the blog, I tried to text him and a few minutes after he replied. I already have prepared my own itinerary from Manila up to Pagudpud, but he suggested that after visiting Vigan we should go straight to Pagudpud before we go to Paoay and Batac. And it was a helpful suggestion since we have maximized our time not to mention being able to visit the places we love to go. He was even kind enough to help us on finding our accommodation for the night since I told him that we are on a tight budget. We stayed at a transient house owned by his Ninong with rate P1000 (overnight stay).

It was also a good thing that we contacted him beforehand because we got duped while in Laoag. We told the trike drivers in Laoag to transport us to St. Joseph Bus terminal but instead were carried to the terminal of Lorie Jane. The bus is also bound for Pagudpud however it can only take us as far as Pagudpud town and not to the real destination which is Bingbong Restaurant located in Gao-oa where Kuya Lee is patiently waiting. He was worried and too concerned about our situation when I told him about our Laoag experience. We heed to his advice to disembark in Maoini (near the Pagudpud town marker) and ride a van or a bus bound for Cagayan / Claveria to directly transport us to bingbong restaurant. He welcomed and greeted us with zest and in a friendly manner when he saw us disembark from the van.

I highly recommend Kuya Lee because of his professionalism (easy to deal with, courteous and with utmost integrity), patience, knowledge on the tourist spots and extra mile service.
 

Pagudpud Town Marker

bantay abot cave

This cave has been once the rendezvous of Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez in the movie Hihintayin Kita sa Langit shown on 1991.

Timmangtang Rock

kabigan falls

Patapat Viaduct

Bangui Windmills

Bangui Windmills

KUYA LEE'S TOUR RATES and INFO
Tour Cycle Front liner
Tricycle #; 329
Driver/TOUR GUIDE: Lee’ Rycil Molina
CP #: 09298138352

NOURTHBOUND TOUR (P600 / Good for 2-3 persons)
1. Kabigan Waterfalls
2. Patapat Viaduct
3. Agua Grande
4. Paraiso ni Anton
5. Timmangtang Rock
6. Bantay Abot Cave
7. Blue Lagoon
8. Dos Hermanos Islands

SOUTHBOUND (P600 / Good for 2-3 persons)
1. Bangui Windmills
2. Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation
3. Café Bojeador Lighthouse

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Bus Fare:

Manila to Vigan (8 to 10 hrs) = P500 (via Florida Bus Line Lacson st. cor España near UST in Manila / CN# 731-4473, 781-5894 / no reservations allowed / be there ahead)

Vigan to Laoag (2 to 3 hrs) = P121 (via Partas Alcantara St., Vigan City)

Laoag to Pagudpud (approximately 2 hrs) = P70-P80 (via Lorie Jane mini bus going to Pagudpud town proper) or P60 (via St. Joseph bus going to Gao-oa / Bingbong restaurant); no aircon buses going to Pagudpud

Laoag to Paoay Terminal (5 to 10 mins.) = P10 (via tricycle)

Paoay Terminal to Paoay Church (approximately 30 to 35 mins.) = P33 (via jeepney / going to Paoay Church)

Paoay Church to Batac = P25 (via tricycle / going to Marcos Crypt, Mansion)

Batac to Laoag = P20-P30 (via bus / from Marcos’ Mansion you may ride a bus bound to Laoag near RCBC)

Laoag to Manila (10 to 12 hrs) = P550 (via Florida Bus Line / Buses with CR are only available for night trips)