Chronicles of a Stoked Traveler: La Union Escapade

click to read Part 1

After taking some photos at Poropoint Thunderbird Resorts, the stokedtraveler and the rest of the group made another detour for a quick stop at the Filipino-Chinese friendship pagoda

This pagoda is located on top of a hill. It symbolizes the friendship between Filipinos and Chinese. It was ironic to be at such a place when tension is rising between both countries fighting over islands west of the Philippines.

Nonetheless, the place provided a panoramic view of San Fernando City, La Union and worth a few minutes of staying at – to take more photos. It is said that the view is so much better during sunset when one expects to see the scene with a full view.

After all the pre-event photo sessions, the group decided to drop by CSI supermarket to stock up on snacks and booze to consume at the resort. If planning to have a drinking session better buy your drinks outside of the resort because the price can be steep for the ordinary budget traveler. Buy some food for merienda and some drinking water to avoid the unnecessary spending at the resort café.

A little past the regular check in time, the group arrives at San Juan Surf Resort. The rooms are spacious and worth it at P2, 750/room. The group had 2 villas and 1 condo room. Each of them looked different from the other but still is considerably cheap since the room can accommodate 4 persons with the standard rate. Extra mattresses would cost P500/each and there would be an extra person charge of P500/head in excess of 4 persons per room. But at the size of the rooms, you can even slip in an extra person without actually paying the extra chargeJ. Each room comes with 2 free complimentary breakfasts.

Regular lunch/dinner items can be anywhere between P180 and P300/head. It’s a little too expensive for a plated meal. So the group decided to head off to town and have dinner at Midtown food palace.

Photo by Gello

Dinner was well worth it. At approximately P200/head, the food was sumptuous and filling. The group initially had to cut down on the food orders fearing that they might over order food. Fortunately the food was good and there were no left overs after the food battle.

If you’d rather relax and have breakfast while listening to the crashing waves and taking in the sea breeze instead of taking an early morning drive back to town then the resort breakfast is ok to have. Breakfast meals at the resort cost P160/head.

The waves weren’t very kind to the stokedtraveler and his friends during this trip. Expectedly so because these are the only 3 months of the year when La Union waves are resting. Some waves showed up late Saturday afternoon but the group was so tired from the trip that only few of them managed to ride it off on the board.

Some just settled for a good warm swim under the La Union sunset. Sunsets at La Union never fail the stokedtraveler. It is always a sight to behold even on a cloudy afternoon.

Photo by Bong

On the way back home, the group had a choice of whether to go to Agoo or Manaoag church. The decision went in favor of the latter.

The way to Manaoag church itself was very difficult. Steep narrow roads surrounded the church. The peddlers occupied the roads where vehicles should be passing. As soon as the stokedtraveler went out of the van, he was approached by so many kids selling trinkets and novena booklets. He would've given a few pesos to kids but instead they wanted P50. A tourist trap to watch out for. Don't entertain these kids if you are not willing to buy more than a few of the items they are selling.

Unfortunately, the room at the back of the altar where visitors can get a chance to touch the Lady of Manaoag's gown closes at 5 o'clock. They arrived only a few minutes late.