P R O J E C T W E N T Y S O M E T H I N G: Green Therapy: Ilocos, Philippines

If you prefer long road trips, then journeying up north to Ilocos, Luzon is for you. By car, it normally takes 13 hours (via the route we took back in 2008) but our designated driver was able to get the time in 10.5 hours if my memory serves me right.

It reminds me of Cebu a lot because of the rich Spanish colonial history surrounding Vigan (In Ilocos Sur) and also because you can also head further up north to Ilocos Norte to visit Pagudpud Beach and the famous Bangui Wind Farm. Since I visited Ilocos back in 2008, I think there are sand dunes recreational areas now and an extensive array of resorts to choose from, and I imagine the place to be more developed than it was back then.

It is advisable to travel in the wee hours of the morning to avoid the hustle and bustle of everyday life when you pass through the small towns to get to Ilocos. That way, when you reach your destination, the sun is still out and you can head straight to the beach to swim or to take a well deserved nap after a tedious but worth it journey.

More than the destination I just remember seeing acres and acres of greens and blues - stretching for hours as we headed to the peak of Luzon Island (though by plane Batanes holds this title - a place I have yet to visit). When you look out your window you'd see that you're at the edge of the road and surrounded by rocks and waves. Then, after a couple of minutes, you'd find yourself surrounded by lush trees uncorrupted by development. Its a perfect example of applying the saying "it's the journey and not (only) the destination" that makes it worth it.

How I wish Ilocos is still the same green paradise today.

Date: 2008