August 28-29,2016 - La Union Overnight Trip
"I keep coming back to you.. Elyu."
Yes, I'm back! I don't know but I just keep coming back to this place. 2 months ago, I already went here and aside from chillin' by the beach, we get to explore Tangadan Falls as well. Last May, I was also able to witness their Labor Union event. Well, that was last year since they didn't launched one this year. And here I am again.
We stayed at Fatwave Surf Resort. It's my 3rd time to La Union and I didn't know that there's this front beach resort which is affordable. Usually, the first thing that comes to our mind when we have found out that the resort is a front beach one, we assume that the rate of the place is expensive/pricey. But with fatwave resort, it's not. For only P700.00, that's only P350.00 each for me and my friend. It doesn't matter if it's just a fan room since we didn't went there just to sleep. What's important is we have a place to secure our stuffs and get a comfortable sleep. The resort has its own restau bar as well plus wifi access. Loved the front beach view. Food and drinks are good and is not pricey. Last order is until 12 in the midnight. Shower rooms/restrooms are common, but still, they were able to maintain its cleanliness. The resort has its access from the highway to their place as well that's why it has not been hard for us to locate where it is and is just near San Juan Surf Resort.
We arrived at Partas Bus Terminal before 6:00 AM so we can the 6AM trip but unfortunately, the bus for that trip had a problem that's why we have no choice but to wait for the next trip which is 7:00 AM. It took us almost 7 hours to get to San Juan, La Union since it took many stopover. Manna Mall at San Fernando was my landmark that we're already near Urbiztondo.
For our first day, we then had our merienda first at fatwave's restaurant upon settling the stuffs on our room. After having our merienda, we spent the next hour with taking pictures of us by the beach. Yeah, it's a girl thing. Then, it was already 5:00 PM. So, before the sun sets, my friend tried surfing. It's her first time though so I let her surf first so I can take a picture and video of her while surfing. Although its kind of a rainy weather, long weekend vacation mode is still on! We walked going to Flotsam's front beach part since it is where a good spot to catch the waves. Glad to have seen familiar local faces and they still recognize me. I feel so welcomed the moment we've seen each other. One of the best feeling about traveling is you get to meet new people. They are local surfers/instructors (certified) and some are also part time lifeguards.
We're supposed to have our dinner at Surf Shack but since it's raining and the available seats are not covered, we walked somewhere else. Found this instagram worthy place which is Planet G. Loved the ambiance plus a band on the background.
After having our dinner, we went back to the resort. Instead of drinking/chilling at their restau, we have decided to just buy drinks from them and stay by the beach while listening to the sound of the waves together with our chill music.
We stayed by the beach until 12 in the midnight. As much as we would want to stay longer by the beach and feel/enjoy the cold weather, the gate of the resort closes at 12. Good thing there's a kubo-like in front of the resort. It's the one you see where the surf instructors and surf boards are for rent during the day. Luckily, one can stay there and glad that we also have our local friend with us so when someone asks us.
The next day, woke up at around 6:00 AM and it's raining hard. We had our breakfast just inside our room since we have brought baon with us. Good thing that after having our breakfast, the rain somehow stopped but then, rained again. Not worrying about the rain/weather, we changed into our swimming attire and went to the beach. Swam like for an hour then for today, it's now my turn to do surfing. Really thankful to my local friend/surf instructor/lifeguard that he didn't asked me for a payment anymore with him teaching me. Instead, I just paid for the surf board rental. It has been 2 years since my last surf and I'm glad I still have what it takes. Lol. Was able to do long rides, even during my first attempt. Did surfing for almost 1 and a half hour. If only there were lesser guests, I would extend but Im too shy since I didn't even pay for the instructor which is a friend of mine already. Hehe. After surfing, we did swim again. Last minute swimming it is before our check-out at the resort.
Went back to the resort at around 10:30AM so we still have more time to prepare and pack our stuffs before its already 12:00NN. Upon check-out, we went to El Union Café and had coffee and s'mores. From El Union, we rode a jeep going to Ma-Cho Temple. Signage should be going to San Fernando. Ma-cho Temple is where you can see the view of San Fernando City. Headed to Mang Inasal for lunch after seeing the temple. We then proceed to Viron Bus Terminal to head back to Manila. Arrived at around 3:45 PM and the bus going to Cubao arrived by 4:00 PM. Really thankful to the tricycle driver I've met before for recommending Viron as our mode of transportation going back to Manila instead of waiting for hours on Partas' terminal. Most of the bakasionistas only knew Partas, without knowing that there is also another terminal who caters a trip going to Cubao and is not crowded. No need to wait for hours just to have a trip back to Manila. Arrived at Cubao at exactly 12:00 in the midnight.
Total of only P2,449.00 for a 2D1N trip to La Union. :)
