Somewhere Only We Know

Region 1 boasts of beautiful beaches and amazing tourists spots. As I get more up close and personal with this place, I've develop a liking to visiting churches. The churches here offer a glimpse into the past and also it serves as a way for me to give thanks for the many blessings that have come my way. I have also been praying for a very special intention. 

I got a chance to visit the charming church of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc. 

Badok (as it is called today)  is a small town in Ilocos Norte. Its main feature is its agriculture, fishing and salt- culture. It also boasts of a rich history. The legend of the patroness La Virgen Milagrosa adds mystique to this charming town. 

The church itself is very modest in design. The pews are made out of drift wood. Its wide open spaces allow for both ventilation and admiration of the scenery. It sits by the sea and as you pray you can hear the waves coming in. Truly ,a place where you can find you inner peace and have a good chat with God. 

Surrounding the church are beautifully crafted stone carvings of Jesus' life. A sight that helps set the tone for a nice afternoon (or morning) of prayer and contemplation. 

But of course we cannot forget this amazing sculpture of the patroness that reminds the people of Badok of God's grace and mercy. 

Surfing in the 'Elyu'

I've realized that I've yet to make an entry about my new 'hometown' La Union. Ive decided to talk about what La Union (LU) is most popular for... surfing! But first, let's talk about the basics... 

La Union is a good 3-4 hour drive from Metro Manila. This is if you start the clock once you enter North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). To me, this is the safest way to estimate travel time because the traffic in Metro Manila is so heavy, it has become unreliable to use it as your point of origin. 

We spend Php538 on toll (one way) every time we travel to LU or go home to Manila. If you're planning a trip and you want to be more economical and efficient with your energy, a good option would be to take the bus. A “sleeper” bus fare is about Php800 pesos one way and will take you about a little over 6hours. It'll save you from having to pay for the toll, gas and being tired from the long drive. 

La Union's capital is San Fernando. All the known food franchises from Manila have found their way there. So, if you aren't willing to try Ilokano food (Which you should), you need not worry. Malls in LU are very modest compared to what Manila has but they have all the essentials and at the same time, commodities are priced fairly. 

Now, lets talk about surfing. San Juan is LU's most popular town. It is a haven for tourists who want to try their luck with surfing. It is also a home away from home for more seasoned surfers. In fact, some of them have already settled or found their home there and have set up businesses. 

There are a variety of resorts, hotels and hostels in San Juan. I will be featuring those that I frequent in later blog entries. There are also a lot of food establishments in the area. My friends and I frequent the Surf Shack as we love the variety of the menu and the performers there are really good as well. Ill talk about the Surf Shack next week! It was actually in Surf Shack that I first came across the locals # for LU: #elyu 

Surf boards and instructors litter the beach in San Juan. You need not canvass for  varying rates as it is all the same. Rent of a surfboard is Php200/hr. An instructor will cost you Php200 as well. The hour isn't strictly implemented though because there's a lot of wait time when you surf. 

I've taken about 2 surf lessons. I'm not a good surfer (yet) but I'm proud to say I took to it quickly. My husband likes to brag about it but I think I should attribute it to physics. Im lighter on the board than he is, so the board has no choice but to float when I'm on it. But hey, a compliment from the hubby is most welcome anytime. 

While waiting for waves, I was able to gather the following information about surfing in general:

1. Swimming is not a prerequisite to surfing: If you just want to try it out for fun, you don't need to be a swimmer. Lessons are conducted close to the shore, often in waist deep water. If you fall off the board, you just need to stand up to save yourself from drowning. 

2. My dad always says this about any sport "If you do not have form, just japorm" It’s his way of saying have the proper attire for the activity. Rash guards and board shorts are essential in surfing. They protect you from friction burns and embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions (especially for the ladies). 

3. Surf season: Surfers usually make there way to San Juan after a typhoon. That is when the swells are good. But if you're just starting out (like me!), you can make the trip on weekends as you only need small waves. They said the waves become more frequent starting September until December. 

4. Document the moment. Have someone who is patient to help you document your time with the waves. It's the best way to keep fun memories! Plus, your Instagram and Facebook followers would love to see pictures of your #Elyu experience. 

I hope this entry inspires you to visit the Elyu! 

As they say "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

Clay Bowls

I got my inspiration for my next post from Pinterest. There was a user who 'pinned' the idea of giving away jewellery bowls as gifts for the holidays. I knew where to purchase some air dry clay and so I thought I'd give it a try. 

You will need some air dry clay as previously mentioned. I bought mine at Hey Kessy http://heykessy.com for Php 165.00. You will also need bowls of different sizes, a rolling pin, sand paper and paint/sharpies. 

First, flatten the clay out to your desired thickness. Then use the bowls to help you cut out the shape. 

 Then, use the bowls as your mold. Leave them in there for 10-15 minutes. Don't worry if the edges aren't smooth. You can fix that with sand paper later. 

 After 10-15 minutes you can take out the bowls from the mold. Repeat the process until you've finish the pack of clay. I was advised by the staff of Hey Kessy that once opened, the clay can only be in storage for 24 hours. So best use it up in one go. 

I was actually able to make 7 small bowls. 

Let the bowls air dry for 24 hours or more. It doesn't have to be under direct sunlight. What's important is that they come in contact with air and are left to dry in peace. 

After 'air drying', use sand paper to smoothen the edges and other imperfections. I used acrylic paint and sharpies to add color to the bowls. 

They now have a special place in my makeshift dresser as container for my beloved accessories. 

I also used some of them to hold my stamps, candies for visitors and our car key. 
As my husband said, "Now, we have a container for everything!"

Looking back at this craft project, I do wish I didn't get so excited to paint them. I'm thinking of trying the ceramic paint that I saw at a craft store. I also discovered another brand of air dry clay in National Bookstore. I will update you on how that works out! 

Bossa Candon: The best porkchop and fried rice you'll ever have in your life

If ever you find yourself in Ilocos Sur and you want to stop over and eat, try going to Cafe Bossa in the town of Candon. Cafe Bossa is located in San Juan St. which is parallel to Manila North Road. You may google the name for more specific directions. 

 Like most of the tourist spots in Ilocos, Cafe Bossa finds its home in an old Spanish-Filipino house. The interiors are quite old but the place has a lot of personality. 

 There are a lot things that you can order in Cafe Bossa but Gio and I strongly recommend trying the lemon porkchop and bacalao rice. It is the best porkchop and fried rice you'll ever have in your life! 

Bacalao is actually codfish. The cafe has its own brand of bottled bacalao that you can purchase. I have to warn you though, its quite spicy and salty. 

All of the items in the menu is affordable so eating here won't break the bank. 

The staff enjoys afternoon siesta,so note the hours of operation: the cafe is open for lunch at 11:00-2:00 pm and they resume operations for dinner at 6:00 - 9:00 pm.