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Take Chances (Holy Week 2014 Special)
posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 @ 5:40 PM
Sticking with your family is what makes it a "family". - Mitch Albom
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DISCLAIMER: All photos taken by my cousin, Kuya A.
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Honestly, I forget when was the last time I saw my paternal relatives. It had been ages, really. If my calculations were correct, I haven't seen a cousin face to face for a little over a decade. I only saw them in pictures gathered together - making me realize that I was missing quite a lot. Then, I remembered my Papa and what ultimately made him so happy before.
And so, I tried to find every reason to give in.
This was the very first time that I finally made it to a family gathering. Our whole family, except those who are in States, gathered to spend the Holy Week in Ilocos. From Pangasinan, where our province is, Ilocos Norte is approximately 7 to 8 hour drive. The very long drive brought us to the literal ends of the country and enabled us to explore what kind of beauty North has.
I suck at geography that I only knew just now that it was really the tip of the larger piece of Luzon. Because if I knew back when I was there, I would've suggested to my relatives to break all the plans and do backpacking in Batanes.
I now appreciate why Kuya Larry took us here. Having heard the nearshore currents, felt the hot and and cold breeze whirled together, smelled a different kind of fresh air, I knew I was in some place beautiful. The road wasn't all that new to me but it's worth coming back to.
The sun was at its hottest when we walked through plains, climbed uneven mountains, crossed wood and bamboo bridges - to see the beauty of Kabigan Falls.
After a seemingly perpetual trek, we had authentic Ilokano dishes for late lunch. Then, went straight to the famous Bangui Windmills. I wasn't able to see the windmills up close the first time I went there (back in 200x) so I got excited to finally touch my feet on the sands of Bangui.
We capped off our Day 1 with a rock formation I only see on tv. I never imagined such was real. It's just so beautiful that I think, even great pictures would never give justice. Though not all that developed for a full-blown tourist destination (as I wished pathways were more convenient). This was just too stunning in person, at least, to my own standards.
And then another sunrise brought in Day 2 of our family.On Day 2, we just went on Visita Iglesia. In between, we sneaked in Paoay Sand Dunes. It was Dubai brought-home. And, it was my first time to ride a 4x4 Jeepney for an ozzum sand dunes roller coaster (uhm, not really. I just like calling it that way).
My heart's filled with joy that I forgot to mention that I got a little sick on those days. Perhaps, I could point out over-fatigue plus extreme lack of sleep as bones of contention. Going back, Day 2 ended (and so did my energy) in Calle Crisologo in Vigan. We walked quite far to reach the street. We arrived at a street where all Filipinos registered in National Statistics Office were there (okay, that was just a creative illustration for "overcrowded"). Like what I mentioned, it was unusually crowded but still we were able to spot the preserved beauty of it. 
That's all there is. To wrap it, overall, of course, I enjoyed my vacation and I bet, no one from the group didn't. Definitely, this was just the first to many! Labels: travels
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