San Juan, La Union | Starting another year of travel where the heart beacons

A great way to start another year of travelling is to go where your heart beats. To the stokedtraveler that place is the calming sight of the ocean, the stimulating view of sunset and the clashing of the waves. Another trip back to San Juan, La Union for an "overnighter" with HP surf shack may have ignited this travel bug’s passion to go places.

Photo credits to HP Surf Shack and the Photographer

La Union Escapade | Summer Getaway - Part 2

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.

PoroPoint Thunderbird Resort, La Union | Summer Getaway - Part 1

The meditteranean architecture is reminiscent of Santorini, Greece

This is the first tour stop of the trip that the stokedtraveler and his friend setup for his officemates. It was a pleasant addition to the plan which was initially only to get to San Juan beach and surf all day.

This location is only a few minutes away from the town proper and was a very welcome sidetrip to have while waiting for the hotel check in at San Juan Surf Resort.

This view of the pool facility has got to be the best next to the buildings themselves

 Poropoint Thunderbird Resort has always been  one of the places the stokedtraveler wanted to check out since he first laid eyes on it online. True that this place stands out in La Union as a high class resort. Unfortunately, it seems to cater to the upper class who can avail a P6,000-P8,000/night for 2 pax with only very few amenities to offer.

San Juan, La Union | A stoked weekend in La Union!

Now more than ever the stokedtraveler is even more amped about surfing.

Straight from work our weekend warrior – the stokedtraveler – takes to another weekend escape into the sands and waves of San Juan, La Union.

This was supposed to be another solo travel for him. Fortunately, his surf buddy and former officemate decided to make a last minute registration with Travel Factor to join Surfvivor La Union.