TRAVELS of The Chinita Lakwatsera: LA UNION

Tangadan Falls...is a province in the Philippines located in Ilocos Region of North Luzon. It's not just a beach for surfing but waterfalls too. La Union is one of the places to surf next to Siargao and Baler within 4 to 5 hours driving from Manila with TPLEX u can reach San Juan, La Union. I've been to Vigan Pagudpud and Laoag but I never been to La Union it's my first time setting foot in this majestic place of La Union and I was so surprised that this place has a lot to offer. It was a joy ride trip with my friends and explored the beauty of La Union.

We are 4 adults and 2 kids, some of my friends back out at the last minute. So we jump in my friend's Innova and head North . Our 1st stop in our Do it Yourself Itinerary is TANGADAN FALLS, a popular waterfalls located in San Gabriel La Union. We left Manila at around 3:30 in the morning of June 03, 2017 via TPLEX toll fee estimated cost is roughly around P1,200 or less Round Trip and we arrived in Tangadan Falls at around 9:20am, not bad because we save enough time to eat, swim and relax around Tangadan Falls with our ever reliable WAZE as our companion. Going to Tangadan Falls has two Option.

Option 1

1, Private Vehicle head to San Gabriel La Union, you can park your car and pay minimal fee to the house owner whose willing to let you use their backyard as a car park. Then do the 30-40 mins trekking. Depends on how your stamina can help you bring yourself in Tangadan Falls. Or you can ride Habal-Habal (motorcycle) P50.00 one way then a 15 mins or so trekking going to the falls. Then pay an Ecological Fee of 30/pax Adult and 15years below P20. We did'nt get a Tour Guide (kuripot) because the path ways are visible and at 9: 30am we had our fellow travels do the trekking too. But they say it's P500 for a small group. And there's two (2) entry point in Tangadan Falls, one is on Top entry as we did our trekking and took us 30 mins to reach the falls. The other one is crossing the Baroro River and i suggest get yourself a Tour Guide because its' one hour trail and you will cross the river. Wear comfortable shoes as you will do the trekking.

Option 2

2. To get to Tangadan Falls from Manila, take a bus bound for La Union (Cubao&Pasay), Farinas (Cubao), Viron (Cubao&Sampaloc) Dominion (Cubao), Philippine Rabbit (Edsa Balintawak and Manila). Fare is roughly PHP 425.00 travel time is 5-7 hours. You may also ride a bus bound for Vigan and Laoag. Get off at San Fernando or San Juan (Urbiztondo Beach) and ride a jeepney bound to San Gabriel. Jeepney Fare is Php19.00 estimated travel time is 25 minutes. Tell the driver that you are going to Tangadan Falls so that he can drop you off to the tricycle lane. Take a Tricycle to Tangadan Falls jumping point. Fare is Php50 (Php25.00/pax). You can asked anyone in San Gabriel and they are kind enough to guide you if you will get lost.

Note; You can bring your cooked food there, what we have is Adobong Pork, Hotdog, Rice, Bread and Boiled Eggs for our breakfast and lunch. There is a table that you can lay your foods and eat it there. Trekking and swimming is a bit tiring so better bring foods . And there's store that u can buy your instant noodles and chips if you will get hungry. Life Vest Rental is at Php.50.00

BALAY NA BATO and PEBBLES BEACH in Luna, Barangay Nalvo Norte Bacnotan, in Luna Balaoan Rd, La Union. A open Art Gallery and Art Museum and Beach as well.

The house was made from the stones and pebbles found along the beaches of the municipality of Luna the Pebble s Capital of the North. A former rest house of Chan-Noble. It showcases the work of art of Bong Kim, a Korean. Now a Art Gallery and Museum making a tourist attraction in Luna, La Union. Wonderful artistry of sculptures, collection of antiques and every corner is made of love and passion. Entrance fee is at Php30.00.

BALUARTE the WATCH TOWER

WATCH TOWER Located at Barangay Victoria, Luna municipality in the province of La Union. It's coast is facing the West Philippine Sea. They called it BALUARTE because it was used as watch tower and observation post by authorities for impending danger from the sea not by tsunamis or typhoons but from frequent ransanking of Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates at the old time.

Namacpacan is the original name of Luna. Baluarte restoration is I think still in progress. A piece from our History from the Spaniards, a ruins of an old Spanish watch tower historical landmark. Add this to your itinerary when you visit Bahay na Bato is at the outskirts town of Luna.

Where To stay In La Union

After our Tangadan Falls we go sight seeing first. Then upon reaching San Juan La Union at 5 pm we then started searching for a room to stay. We know some locals in the area are accepting transient that's why we give it a go. But I suggest that before going on a long drive try to book a room or a resort/hotel. Search online in www.agoda.com or if you wanted a whole house for yourself try www.airbnb.com It was weekend and all the hotel/resort are fully booked we are just lucky to find one actually. Thank God for social media upon posting where we are a friend of mine asked if i'm still in La Union. I told her yes "We are" and we're still looking for a place to stay the night. Then she given me the name of the resort, we then started to hit the road to find the resort. Ours is a spur at the moment decision . When we reach the resort they are fully booked but luckily a guest is checking out at 7:00 pm so we told the resort owner that we will just take it and willing to wait. The only disadvantage on this trip is you cannot choose a room. The room that to be vacant at 7 pm is Fan Room only good for 4 person. But it's alright as long as we have a roof in our head to spend the night it's just ok. And the good side is, they let us eat our baon in their shed while waiting. Then after eating our early Dinner we go to the beach and watch the sunset. By the way we stay in Monalisa Surf Resort the owner called Mona is kind and accommodating they have page in Facebook so if you want to book and make reservation give it a go. The room that we stayed charged us for Php1,600.00 good for 4 person they didn't charge the kids, so to us the kids are FREE accommodations, Thanks Monalisa Surf Resort...

Sunset in San Juan, La Union

Mona Lisa Pubs ...DreamCatcher

At 6:00 am the next day is swimming time, my friends enjoy the bed of waves, the weather turned out just fined as it is the 1st week of June. The water is making waves in La Union between October-March that's their peak season and it's the best time to surf, as it is summer start in the Philippines on March-May so it is also best time to visit the beach of Urbiztondo in San Juan, La Union. And if you only wish is to swim or just planning to relax by the beach April-May is Ideal. And if you want to learn how to Surf you can Rent their surfing board at the cost of P 200.00 with Instructor P 400.00 up.

MA-CHO TEMPLE

After the dip in bed of waves in San Juan, La Union we take a showered and headed in Ma-cho Temple, is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located on Quezon Avenue in Barangay 11, San Fernando La Union

LITTLE SANTORINI at THUNDERBIRD
As we are in San Fernando, a side trip to Thunderbird Resort Poro Point the little Santorini in the North. Room Reservation and inquiry go to their website. They are accepting Day Tour too just logged on to their site....