The day was fresh as we start off from Tuguegarao via our Lakbay Norte 3 bus on our way to Ilocos Norte for the third day of our Northern Luzon invasion.
We passed verdant countrysides, half-asleep and half watching the onboard movie starring Justine Timberlake. For the life of me, I just can’t figure out how someone from N’Sync can turn into a good actor on a good movie. Oh well, I guess good for him.
The gang stopped for a few minutes at a viewpoint just before we crossed into Ilocos and took some pretty pictures of the sweeping vista of Pasaleng Bay in Cagayan Valley. The view was breathtaking; the azure sea going off into the edge of the world with Northern Ilocos framing its left flank.

I thought it would only be a few more minutes before we cross the Patapat Viaduct, the 4th longest bridge in the country, but boy was I wrong; it took us almost two full hours before we glimpsed the snaking bridge connecting Cagayan Valley and Ilocos.
Elevated 31 meters from sea level, the Patapat Viaduct hugs one of the endpoint of the Cordillera Mountain Range and its 1.3 kilometer long concrete road almost stray as far as the eye can see. One can definitely see why the bridge is part of the regular tour stops when visiting Pagudpud; the bridge is immense and the view of the South China Sea makes one realize how diminutive they are compared to the vastness of our world.
There were only a few vehicles passing through and we got to walk along and literally shoot the breeze without much trouble.

I would’ve liked to walk the Patapat Viaduct from end to end but that would probably not go well with my now very hungry travelmates. They’ve been waiting for lunch since two hours ago and my leisurely stroll would probably get me stoned hehe.

    Patatpat Viaduct
    Pasaleng Bay
    Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
    Click to view location on Google Maps

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