Ilocos Norte: The Heartof Batac at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum

Even though I didn't really experience the tyranny of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos during the Martial Law era in our country, seeing all of these things that are quiet contrary on what the history books have told me kinda made me think is it really that scary during that time?

Located at the quiet and peaceful City of Batac, before seeing the natural wonders of Ilocos Norte, I suggest that one must take a step back in time and visit one of the many places that praises President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum.

I've been hearing a lot of things about this place on the television and despite of that creepy feel that it gives on me thinking that the real dead body of the late president is STILL lying there, I still braved it to see this place and see what it has to offer to the tourist of this beautiful region.

Ilocos Norte: The Not So Blue Lagoon

Before I came here, I read about a dozen of blogs saying about how pristine and beautiful the place is. Some tagged it as the Boracay of the North because of its pure white sand that are made perfectly by the nature itself. But when we got, honestly, I thought I was in a wrong place, until our guide told us that we were not in the right time to see Blue Lagoon on its finest and bluest moment.

One of the many popular summer destinations in the country, Pagudpud's Blue Lagoon, which houses most of the well-known resorts in the northern part was our last destination in this Ilocos Norte trip. Ideal for Holy Week retreat and relaxation, Blue Lagoon offers a captivating view of the top most part of the country.

A perfect spot for surfing too, Blue Lagoon is said to be one of the favorite destinations for those who are starting to try out the sport. Though, the pure white sand is captivating, the water wasn't as blue as its name says when we were there. Along the shoreline were some fishermen's shacks that speak of the kind of town it has.

Ilocos Norte: Revisiting Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

There are really places in this world that seeing once is not enough , and I'm really thankful for the opportunities given to me - opportunities that do not just bring me to different places but also makes me do the thing that I love the most, appreciate the beauty of this world at its finest moment. All that including the howling wind and tarnish rust, I got to do all over again in Ilocos Norte's Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

We were just in the nick of time when we arrived at this towering beauty of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Though, it may seem that nothing has changed in it, the moment I passed by its newly painted gates, I know that there is something new - something different - about this place that only my sixth sense can tell.

Unlike my previous visit here in Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, the place was so empty when we arrived. The guard was the only man left and he was about to leave then. Thankfully, he was so kind to let us in to see the whole lot.

Ilocos Norte: The Glistening Beauty of Kapurpurawan Rocks

If you want to know when is the best time to visit this glistening beauty of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, I'd say the rainy season. Because with its flowing silk-like beauty, it created a better illusion with water dripping all over it. And together with my friends, I was lucky to witness all of that when visited the Kapurpurawan Rocks.

It was a treacherous path towards to the what seemed to be a gem created by nature. With rocks, mosses and even small living creatures around, we braved the rain taking the chance to just even gaze at the white rock formation. But the moment we saw it, it felt like there's someone from it that's calling us, and in less than an hour, we found ourselves staring at this humongous white rock glistening while the rain water dripping from it. It was such a beautiful gem!

Kapurpurawan Rocks was a dream destination to me then. With its unusual look and real and pure color, who wouldn't wanna see that up close, right? It is a dream come true to me now. But honestly, when you get here, just "seeing it " is not enough. To purely feel the love from the nature, you must climbed up there to its peak and just be like a a free bird with arms spread wide open. It was a great feeling to be up there, standing in a pure white rock that in a few more years will be goner.