The town of
Pagudpud in the province of Ilocos Norte is gaining popularity as a beach vacation destination. However, its coastline is quite extensive and we found out, too late, that it is best to find out which direction the wind is blowing before choosing which beach to go to.
Saud Beach is the most developed (relative only to the rest of the town, of course) and generates the most results when doing a Google search for "Pagudpud resorts." It faces west and, because we arrived just when the Southwest Monsoon
(habagat) was about to start, the wind was blowing sand all over the place and the current was a little too strong for beach bums like us who only stay near the shore. The
habagat season in the Philippines is from May to October (or thereabouts).
During those months, it is better to stay at Blue Lagoon, which faces east. We drove the extra half hour needed to get there from Saud, and it was worth it. The water had the barest of ripples. During the Northeast Monsoon
(amihan)—the other half of the year—this part of Pagudpud gets windy and the waters more turbulent, and it is better to stay in Saud.
I wish we could have experienced Blue Lagoon in the middle of summer when it would not have been overcast. There is a
reason why it got that name, after all.
Saud Beach is the most developed (relative only to the rest of the town, of course) and generates the most results when doing a Google search for "Pagudpud resorts." It faces west and, because we arrived just when the Southwest Monsoon (habagat) was about to start, the wind was blowing sand all over the place and the current was a little too strong for beach bums like us who only stay near the shore. The habagat season in the Philippines is from May to October (or thereabouts).
During those months, it is better to stay at Blue Lagoon, which faces east. We drove the extra half hour needed to get there from Saud, and it was worth it. The water had the barest of ripples. During the Northeast Monsoon (amihan)—the other half of the year—this part of Pagudpud gets windy and the waters more turbulent, and it is better to stay in Saud.
I wish we could have experienced Blue Lagoon in the middle of summer when it would not have been overcast. There is a reason why it got that name, after all.
It's still beautifully tranquil ... I'm sure you'll be able to give us the 'Blue' version some other time!!!
ReplyDeleteYour country is so beautiful. How wonderful that we have you to share through your photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely beach scenes, Hilda! Our local beach is closed and the water might be partially frozen now...
ReplyDeleteAdvent regards from Eagan
I also much prefer calm waters and no wind. But east or west - they are both beautiful. Perhaps you can show us the Blue Lagoon some other time?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beach and it look like a perfect place for a sunny vacation. Too bad about the overcast skies!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have thought about checking wind direction before heading to the beach myself. I hope you get the opportunity to go back to Blue Lagoon in the summer.
ReplyDeleteWish I was there now! Winter is about to officially start here and the weather is already so lousy.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I often fly to her hometown in Ilocos if we are in Manila. You should contact Rayboy if you would like to see Sitio Remedios in Currimao (near Laoag)
ReplyDelete