New Playground

Back in our younger years, the playground is one of the best place we kids would love spending our time on just to play and enjoy every single equipment it has. But as we grow older, we became aware that there are more attractions, tourist attractions everywhere were we can spend and have a break on our busy life. From Disneyland, Universal Studios around the world, even beaches on every country became playgrounds for the young at heart. 

Philippines indeed is blessed with such beautiful, amazing beaches. Tourists had been coming in and out of our country just to experience and enjoy the life here in the Philippines. The clear water, white sand beaches and different fun beach activities are the main attractions you'll find here. That has got to be the playground our country is really proud of. 

I once went in La Union when I was in grade school, but I wasn't still aware of what beauty it really has. Just when I get a little older, La Union beaches, specifically in Urbiztondo San Juan, there I became aware that their beaches are known for surfing. Aside from Baler in Aurora, San Juan La Union markets tourists to surf in their beaches. Small waves to high and bigger waves, surfers would really love going here. It became known as the Surfing Capital of the North. 

And as for our summer 2013 vacation, my friends decided on going to this playground. This is really new to me. Surfing was never on my bucket list. But as what they said, you will not go in La Union without even trying to surf because that is the main attraction, surfing. And so I did. I tried and really really enjoyed it. 

Here is a photo diary of my summer 2013 vacation in La Union.

Almost 5 hour ride from Pampanga to La Union, we decided first to have our lunch at Halo-Halo de Iloko. Found in San Fernando, La Union. They are best known for their halo-halo and local Ilocano cuisines. 

Ilocano's Sisig, Pinakbet and Bagnet. We also tried Binagoongang Baboy (not on the photo).

Hi! Meet my friends and our ever reliable driver.

And for dessert, their famous special Halo-Halo. There is this unusual taste of coffee jelly in this halo-halo and also tasted like it was blended with choco-nut.

It is actually a small house turned restaurant. The interior is pretty awesome specially when you go here during night time.

Surely a must try at San Fernando, La Union. Magpasarap ka muna!

Our home for 3 days. Costa Villa Beach Resort found in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

Since we had our check-in around 3 in the afternoon, and yes was late actually, it was suppose to be at 2pm, we decided first to go back again in San Fernando to have our grocery shopping since we didn't have any food for 3 days. With us was all just clothes and some snack during our travel to La Union.

We went back at the villa at around 5 and decided to go at the beach for us to experience San Juan, La Union's sunset.

Such a beautiful heaven.

A view of our resort.

Waiting for the sun to go down.

Annoying faces from La Union! Haha

Selfies.

Never go a day without seeing San Juan's beautiful sunset. 

Second day. The most productive day of our travel.

We had our trip at San Gabriel were they told us that we'll find there a hidden falls. This falls is called Tangadan Falls which is an Ilocano word meaning "tingin sa taas". We had a short brief regarding this falls that to be able to see and go there, you must be willing to walk for like an hour or more. And so we agreed and told them that we can do that.

First view of our walk.

Walking from small rocks to climbing on big rocks.

Looks pretty haggard right here haha!

The sun is up and bright and hooooot!

Oh sweat. A total outdoor work out. No need to hit the gym. Btw, thanks Sunnies by Charlie! You are indeed a great sun protector to my eyes and Beach Hut's Max, Belo and Nivea for our sunblock! :)

Walk on the water.

And after more than an hour, I can see the falls!

Finally! Hello Tangadan Falls!

From my colorful outfit, yes I did it! I finally got there!

This is the first time I saw a falls. And it is so breathtaking to see this kind of view.

Above that falls, there you will find a smaller falls. My friends decided to jump of the cliff and I was not included there. Too scared to fall like love haha kidding. I was just too scared that I might drown. The water was kinda too deep and I even don't know how to swim. I don't swim well, poor me.

The brave souls!

And there it ended our trip to the falls. Now, a walk back to our van. A one hour walk again. That was just really the tiring part of it. And here is a tip, when you and your friends decided to go to Tangadan Falls, never ever forget to bring loads of water and snacks. You surely gonna give up without these food.

Here is a photo of what I wore in going to Tangadan falls. My ombre shorts just gave up! That long walk of ups and downs made my shorts tear apart and it's color also faded. Thank God I wore my bikinis back then, it wasn't so awkward that everyone could see my behind. 

Could you imagine, we weren't able to eat our lunch because of that trip to the falls. We only had our breakfast and went back at the villa at around 4:30 in the afternoon. Since there was a lack of time and we were scheduled to have our surfing class on that sunday afternoon, we decided to eat our late lunch slash snack slash early dinner at Sebay Surf Central. It is also a resort that is near to San Juan Surf Resort and Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa.

My summer essentials plus my handy dandy old phone.

The food took a little while before it was served so we decided to already start the surfing tutorial. 

Sunset, again.

Beginner

Okay let's do this! Surfing 101.

Blurry photo

Surfing like a pro

Ess with Atoy, one of the surfing instructors.

It took me a little while before I realize that my face and skin turned red and tan. Oh Mr. Sun!

We were like kids playing with our shadows.

Surfing was too fun that we didn't even bother eating our food. 

Funny faces. Dinner time!

Surely it was a productive day for all of us. Since that night, I came to realize that I wanted to learn more about this surfing thing. I wanna take it seriously. And by that, I made friends with our instructors and made a deal that I'll come back to San Juan and will take more time on learning more about this sport. Push!!!

Third and last day.

I made a promise that since I saw what sunset looked like in San Juan, I must not skip on seeing it's sunrise too. I set the alarm at 5 in the morning for us to experience San Juan, La Union's sunrise.

A different view. Waiting for the sun to come out.

Sunlight on my face. Morning face.

Good morning from La Union!

A peaceful and quiet view of the resort in the morning.

Since there are no people at the beach that morning, Page and I took the opportunity to have my fun shoot. 

Here are some of the edited ones via Instagram:

I just love this photo. Thank you, Page!

We took a walk along the beach side and found out this beautiful rest house by the beach. I could just imagine how your morning would look like when you see the sunset of San Juan.

Page, Ess and I and our driver grabbed the chance while the three were still asleep and decided on going back to Sebay Surf Central to meet our two friendly surfing instructors, Atoy and Allan. I asked for a little help from them if they could take us to San Juan Surf Shop and look for some souvenir items.

Too bad they don't have small sizes of their shirts.

The famous Luke Landrigan's photos

Bought a baller band as my souvenir. Say hello to my tan lines!

Atoy and Allan insisted us to try the paddle board or kayak before we leave and because of their convincing powers, we said yes. We tried kayak that morning.

There we met Alon. The dog swimmer. He's a well trained dog.

We went back at the villa at lunch time and took the shower and packed back our things.

It was a great, epic and awesome adventure for me. Exploring La Union was really fun and memorable. From their food, to their hospitality and the beach, this surely is a place to come back. October to April is the best season when going there. Got to try surfing on higher waves. Yeah, push a little harder!

Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union is my new playground. Surfing is my new love. 

La Union Summer 2013