It may be that wide and lonely bridge to some, but to those who come from the far south like me, it is an achievement to be at this northern most bridge that you could only find here in the town of Pagudpud. Nope, it is not just some bridge overlooking the very beautiful Pasaleng Bay but rather a viaduct - a bridge over a valley connecting the the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region.
This is my second visit on this very windy place called Patapat Viaduct, but despite of that, it never fails to amaze me by its merely serenity and picturesque scene. Made to to solve the problem of landslides causing many vehicular accidents in the area during the early times, Patapat Viaduct was officially opened to public in 1986 under the management of DPWH-PMO-PJHK.
Considered as the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines, its bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level and runs for about 1.3 kilometers. It rises along Pagudpud's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range and snakes through Northern Luzon.
Fourteen-hour drive from Manila, that's what you have to endure if you are planning to take a long road trip up north here in Ilocos Region. But don't worry, because after that skull-breaking and butt-sweating long drive, you'll get to see the prime beach of Luzon. As quiet as the summer wind, as serene as a sleeping baby, the Saud Beach.
One top tourist destination in Ilocos Norte are its beaches, which I'm so proud, by the way. Because with their pristine white sand and truly captivating view, they managed to stay so pure and truly relaxing. Dubbed as the "anti-Boracay of the North", this Saud Beach is just one of the beaches that you could find here in Ilocos Norte.
I had a wonderful time staying there a few months ago, and I must say that after two years since my last visit here, it is just so wonderful to see that nothing much has changed. It's mystifying peacefulness and breathtaking site of the Bangui Windmills were all kept together making it one of my favorite beaches in the country, really.
