Cabugao

Overnight, we went about 300 miles to the Port of Salomague, the more northern part of the Ilocos region of the Philippines, still in the Northwest coast of Luzon Island. Some people went from this port to Vigan, a 16th Century Spanish town but we decided it was time for a little adventure. This area is known for its beaches but we went further North to Paoay known as a Jumping-off Point for their Sand Dunes.

We drove for an hour through some very interesting areas, some with beautiful homes and places we could live (if we were going to live in the Philippines). We got to Suba Paoay Sand Dune Adventures and after visiting their “comfort area”, picked out our 4x4 (that took a while to find one we all wanted with the right seat configuration, color and was in one piece).

This was an exciting place to enjoy 4x4 riding and sand boarding while getting a beautiful view of China Sea. It was quite “exhilarating” with some incredible dunes that not only went up and down but where we drove on the sides and on the edges, quite close to where we could have stumbled down the dune. It was a great adventure with a breathtaking view of pine trees, sand formations along with a thrilling roller coaster ride down the bumpy trails.

Sand Dunes are hills made up of loose sands often occurring due to the wind and water flow. Strategically located near the Suba Beach, the sand dunes of Paoay have different heights, shapes, and sizes and are not static forms as they change depending on the strength and direction of the prevailing wind coming from the West Philippine Sea.

Karen would tell you it was quite scream-worthy at times, in particular when we were standing up and riding in the back of the jeep down some of these steep dunes.

As for the sandboarding, this was a “new” activity and sport for me. From someone who never snow skied or snow boarded, this was pretty thrilling (although it did remind me a bit of sledding down Connecticut hills in the winter, in and out of a car). By the way, this is the site of Himala sa Buhanginan Annual Festival where there is an avant-garde art installation and interactive sculptures each year (see photos for some of the sculptures still there).

After that adventure it was time for a little Church time … although some of us felt we should have gone to pray BEFORE the dunes ride. We visited the Saint Augustine Church (known as the Paoay Church) which is a Catholic Church in Paoay built out of stones, shells and egg whites. It was completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building (see photos). It is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993.

After we relaxed here for an hour we had a calm bus ride back South to the ship.Read more