Ilocos: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

With the few and countable destinations I have visited in the Philippines, next came Ilocos.  In our travel from Laoag to Pagudpod, we rented a 4x4 SUV that drove us to different tourist spots.  The rent costed 3,500 pesos which was pretty affordable since that was already for the 7 of us.  Our first option was to ride the tricycle worth 2,400 pesos.  Good thing we found a second option because the whole trip from Laoag to Pagudpod lasted for more than 6 hours and there were a lot of rough roads.  One of the destinations we visited was the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

When we arrived in Kapurpurawan, we already had an idea what we went there for... to see the white rock.  But it didn't show itself right away.  From the top, we didn't see any of it even a shadow.  We just saw a trail going down.  The view from the top was already good and we can't help expecting for more when we reach down.

The way down was just short, around a minute or 2 only.  Then you will see the whole path going up to the rock a far that has already turned white due to weathering and sedimentation.  We passed through some flat grassy surface before reaching the path with rocks.  It was easy to walk on them, if only the sun hid some of its brightness among the clouds.

When we reached the rocky part of the walk, it got a little harder to climb.  Be careful and make sure that you are wearing slippers or any footwear that has a good grip on the sole.  There was one part where I slipped.  Nothing happened to me but my digital camera got slightly wounded of a scratch.  And better hold on to the rocks while climbing just to be safe.

As we were slowly climbing to the top where the big white rock was sitting, we felt that the blow of the winding getting stronger and stronger.  But we pushed through with the view of the rock getting clearer.  It was only a matter of minutes before we see what we came for... to see the much talked about rock at the closest we can.

This was nicest spot I saw to take the photo of the rock, with some of our friends already reaching the top and some of them still climbing.  We just reached the last layer before the level where the rock is.  We didn't dare stepping up to the top where our friend in the picture was standing, because the wind was more stronger there and we thought that there was risk already.

For those planning to visit Ilocos, don't miss Kapupurawan.  I will not regret dropping by this place even for just an hour.