"The ride was full of adventure. I spotted a lot of waterfalls, hanging bridges, and the endless charm of the towering mountains with the Amburayan River flowing in between them."
Motorbike rides have always been a part of this blog but this time, I was riding on a habal-habal motorbike because it is the easiest way to reach my destination this day. The funny thing here is, I thought habal-habal is only present in Visayas and Mindanao. And oh yeah, this is in Luzon.
But the term "habal-habal" is not known in this part of Luzon. They simply call it "motor." I was in fact exploring the 34 towns/cities of Ilocos Sur
Province of Ilocos Sur | Philippines
FAST FACTS: Ilocos Sur is a province in the Philippines with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its capital is Vigan, the country's only world heritage city.About the photo: Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road is a breathtaking road trip in the Ilocos Sur highlands. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about Ilocos Sur. located from the coastline up to the mountains and I wanted to complete the list before the year ends. I only learned about this scenario when I started to plan my 34-town explorations in Ilocos Sur
Province of Ilocos Sur | Philippines
FAST FACTS: Ilocos Sur is a province in the Philippines with two UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its capital is Vigan, the country's only world heritage city.About the photo: Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road is a breathtaking road trip in the Ilocos Sur highlands. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about Ilocos Sur.. It was more than fulfilling to discover things I have never known before.
For my first habal-habal ride, I am going to my 28th town in Ilocos Sur -- the town of Alilem
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. Yes, it is 6 more towns to go before I can say "I have explored, Ilocos Sur"
A#lilem | Province of Ilocos Sur | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: The town is rich in water resources. It is the home of Bakun Hydropower plant that powers a big part of Luzon.About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. Yes, it is 6 more towns to go before I can say "I have explored, Ilocos Sur"
The experience was again, unplanned. I always tell this line, "I have no idea" how to go to the town of Alilem
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem.. My original plan is to explore the northern towns of La Union
About the photo: Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point is a luxurious accommodation in the province. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about La Union. but it was 2:30 pm and I was standing in front of Sudipen
About the photo: Intake Dam is built by the Japanese during World War II" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Sudipen., La Union's Public Market while browsing my maps where to go next for the remaining time until I saw a jeepney with marks of Alilem-Sudipen-Bacnotan.
#Alilem | Province of Ilocos Sur | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: The town is rich in water resources. It is the home of Bakun Hydropower plant that powers a big part of Luzon.About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem.. My original plan is to explore the northern towns of La Union
La Union
FAST FACTS: The province is dubbed as the Surfing Mecca of the Philippines.About the photo: Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point is a luxurious accommodation in the province. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about La Union. but it was 2:30 pm and I was standing in front of Sudipen
#Sudipen | Province of La Union | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: This town is home to one of the footprints of a mythical Ilocano giant Angalo.About the photo: Intake Dam is built by the Japanese during World War II" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Sudipen., La Union's Public Market while browsing my maps where to go next for the remaining time until I saw a jeepney with marks of Alilem-Sudipen-Bacnotan.
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| Sudipen, La Union Public Market, where I browsed my map, "where shall I go next?" |
I approached the jeepney driver but getting a jeepney ride going to Alilem
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. is by chance so he suggested me to ride on a motorbike (habal-habal) because it is the only remaining way in reaching the town (since it's about 3:00 pm).
And looking at their "parking area," I thought they were just private motorbike riders but I learned later that they drive for passengers who ride on their motorcycles. Wow! This was something new for me and never have I thought that transportation mode like this is present in this part of the country!
After negotiations for the "fare," I picked one of the drivers who will drive me to Alilem
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem., my 38th town in Ilocos Sur
About the photo: Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road is a breathtaking road trip in the Ilocos Sur highlands. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about Ilocos Sur..
The ride was full of adventure. I spotted a lot of waterfalls, hanging bridges, and the endless charm of the towering mountains with the Amburayan River flowing in between them.
So where did this on-the-spot habal-habal ride to Alilem
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. lead me? The photo and video below will give you an idea.
#Alilem | Province of Ilocos Sur | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: The town is rich in water resources. It is the home of Bakun Hydropower plant that powers a big part of Luzon.About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. is by chance so he suggested me to ride on a motorbike (habal-habal) because it is the only remaining way in reaching the town (since it's about 3:00 pm).
And looking at their "parking area," I thought they were just private motorbike riders but I learned later that they drive for passengers who ride on their motorcycles. Wow! This was something new for me and never have I thought that transportation mode like this is present in this part of the country!
After negotiations for the "fare," I picked one of the drivers who will drive me to Alilem
#Alilem | Province of Ilocos Sur | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: The town is rich in water resources. It is the home of Bakun Hydropower plant that powers a big part of Luzon.About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem., my 38th town in Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur | Philippines
FAST FACTS: Ilocos Sur is a province in the Philippines with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its capital is Vigan, the country's only world heritage city.About the photo: Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road is a breathtaking road trip in the Ilocos Sur highlands. / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about Ilocos Sur..
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| One of the numerous hanging bridges I spotted along the way |
The ride was full of adventure. I spotted a lot of waterfalls, hanging bridges, and the endless charm of the towering mountains with the Amburayan River flowing in between them.
So where did this on-the-spot habal-habal ride to Alilem
#Alilem | Province of Ilocos Sur | PHILIPPINES
FAST FACTS: The town is rich in water resources. It is the home of Bakun Hydropower plant that powers a big part of Luzon.About the photo: Balay Anito Falls or literally translated as "House of the Spirits" / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view articles about #Alilem. lead me? The photo and video below will give you an idea.
Together with Kuya Royel (the driver), we trekked the jungles of Alilem and crossed its wild river and rapids to find the Balay Anito (house of gods and goddesses). /To be continued...
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Balay Anito Falls sub-series:
You are viewing Part 1 | Part 2
ARTICLE PREVIEW: "Only the two of us, me as a stranger and a local resident familiar of his lovely mountain town. If trusting a stranger is a crime, then I am guilty."
About the photo: Trekking to the Jungle of #Alilem / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view this article. | Part 3
ARTICLE PREVIEW: "I was lost for words, I have nothing to say but amazing!"
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls is a reached via trekking to wet trails for 45 minutes to 1 hour / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view this article.
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Balay Anito Falls sub-series:
You are viewing Part 1 | Part 2
Alilem, Ilocos Sur | Trekking the Jungle, Barefooted and Wet
ARTICLE PREVIEW: "Only the two of us, me as a stranger and a local resident familiar of his lovely mountain town. If trusting a stranger is a crime, then I am guilty."
About the photo: Trekking to the Jungle of #Alilem / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view this article. | Part 3
Balay Anito Falls | of Motorcycle Ride and Trekking Barefoot
ARTICLE PREVIEW: "I was lost for words, I have nothing to say but amazing!"
About the photo: Balay Anito Falls is a reached via trekking to wet trails for 45 minutes to 1 hour / Copyright: Edmar Guquib / Click the link provided to view this article.
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Alilem #TownExploration Series
Map Showing the Location of #Alilem
Excellent writing for the touring of Alilem.
ReplyDeleteCharlie ChongM | Thanks Charlie!
ReplyDelete