My alarm quacked twice and I was up and hurrying about my scattered things for my cameras and tripod. This was gonna be our first time to wake up on a beach and I was not about to waste it sleeping on my comfy bed.

The Lakbay Norte team docked at Kahuna Beach Resort in San Juan, La Union the night before after pigging out at the posh Thunderbird Resort. The night ended at 2:30am and with only three hours of sleep, my head was still dangerously spinning.

The beach was deserted as the sky transformed from dark black to warm magentas. I couldn’t find a subject to compose my sunrise photo besides the unmanned lifeguard post. I decided to use the surging surf instead.

A few minutes later and my Lakbay Norte mates were up and breakfast was already being served. Kahuna’s traditional tapsi and tosilogs proved to be a good way to perk up our fifth day of travelling.

Our first stop for the day was just an hour’s drive from our current whereabouts, Holcim’s Ecotrail in Bacnotan, La Union. The trail was not that long, but it proved to be a good fatburner as the trek winds up and down through some steep hills.

We also did some tree-planting activity before passing a Harry Potteresque tent for refreshments and then we’re up through another trail again.

I was totally surprised by Holcim; a cement and mining company that’s dedicated to the environment. With all the bad press being shoveled on mining, I never thought I’d say those words in one sentence.
Our lunch was held at the La Union Provincial Capitol, a massive pink building located on the top of a hill. We did a quick tour of the capitol and checked out the panoramic view of the province through its verandas before stuffing ourselves again with Dinakdakan, Pinakbet, grilled fish and sweet fruits.
And our food spree did not end there. After zigzagging our way to Baguio for an hour or so, we donned our sweaters, boarded down and again entered another restaurant; this time Microtel’s new food place, Te Quiero.

The place looked very chic and sunny. We sat down and were automatically served with paninis, sweet strawberry shakes and calamares and chips which I totally dig.
With bellies exploding, we then headed to the Baguio Country Club to shoot each other.

We were met by the Baguio Airsoft Club and they started briefing us on the mechanics of our next activity. With our facemasks and heavy arms on, we then proceeded to the wooded area to fight it off.

We crouched, we crawled, we fell and we squeezed the life off all the ammos we had through the weedy underbrush and towering pines. I got blown off a couple of times but I think I managed to kill an enemy at least once. Playing airsoft totally rocks!
And through all the mayhem, I spotted some dandelions on the ground and asked H of The Yellow Adventures to pose through the setting Baguio sun for a classic postcard dandelion photo.

Unfortunately, blowing dandelions ain’t as easy at it seemed and after dozen and dozens of clicks, I totally didn’t get even one good frame of such.
The fifth day of Lakbay Norte ended at Camp John Hay’s The Manor. I cannot believe I’m gonna sleep at The Manor!

But before that, we of course ate again. This time a three-course meal consisting of ratatouille soup, U.S. beef short plate in red wine shallot sauce and strawberry flambé for dessert. My taste buds were totally confused as they’re not used to such swanky dishes!

But enough eating already, it’s time to bed down at The Manor! Yahoo!
 

   L A K B A Y   N O R T E   3   S E R I E S

   ON THE ROAD: LAKBAY NORTE 3 CAVING AT NORZAGARAY & BASS FISHING AT PANTABANGAN DAM
   TOPLOADING & WHITEWATER RAFTING AT KALINGA | SHOOTING LANDSCAPES & SURFING AT THE BLUE LAGOON
   PADDLE BOARDING & BIRDWATCHING AT PAOAY | HIKING AT HOLCIM’S ECOTRAIL & AIRSOFT AT BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB
   RIVER CRUISE AT DAGUPAN & GO KARTING AT TARLAC | JUNGLE SURVIVAL, SPA TIME & PINOY HENYO AT SUBIC
   PUNING’S HOT SPRINGS & LUBAO’S PRADO FARM
   HOW I JOINED LAKBAY NORTE 3 LAKBAY NORTE 3! | PICKED 4 LAKBAY NORTE 3!

   LAKBAY NORTE IS AN ANNUAL MEDIA FAMILIARIZATION TOUR AROUND NORTH LUZON
   ORGANIZED BY NORTH PHILIPPINES VISITORS BUREAU