No, this is not a movie review. It involves a lake though, and crocs albeit on shirts.

Ran and I had been in Paoay, Ilocos Norte back in 2023. It was a mere side trip though as our destination that time was the northernmost part of mainland Luzon, the town of Pagudpud. Side trip as it was, it was memorable nonetheless, having been able to visit the famous Paoay Church which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Two years forward and we intended not just to make Paoay a side trip. We in fact spent the night in there, in an accommodation not far from the town’s namesake lake.

It took around 40 minutes from the town of Dingras to Nagbacalan in Paoay where our accommodation was. We stayed in Veranda Hotel which is conveniently located by the side of the road directly facing Paoay Lake. It is a boutique hotel designed with ornaments that speak of the history and traditions of Ilocandia. The hotel also features its own cafe and restaurant.

The staff of the hotel were very accommodating that they already led us to our room despite arriving an hour earlier than the typical check-in time. The room was cozy and comfortable, and after a prior sleepless night plus the ordeal we had in order to see Mt. Kilang, it was inviting our exhausted bodies.

We spent at least a couple of hours resting in the room until we decided to go out at 04:00 PM. Since we were literally a stone’s throw away from Paoay Lake, it would be such a pity if we would not pay it a visit. Initially we just crossed the road from Veranda with the idea of quickly taking photos from the banks.

Realizing how big the lake though, we were not satisfied with the photos we had taken and wanted to explore more. We hence took the car and went to the Paoay Lake National Park complex. We just drove through the roads of the complex until we reached the gate of the Malacañang of the North. It was the residence of the Marcos Family during the time of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. whenever they were in Ilocos Norte. It is now a museum, considered ill-gotten and forfeited in favor of the government. Since it was almost 05:00 PM already, the museum was about to close so we did not bother. We just continued driving along the roads until we found a spot on the banks of the lake where we may take some photos.

Kapag may lawa, may buwaya. We took care of the second part of that sentence with our shirts. Rage bait!

Bringing the crocodile in the lake.

We then went our way back through the roads of the lake complex and as soon as we reached the main road, we drove all the way to downtown Paoay. We bought some pasalubong then made our way back to the hotel just in time for dinner.

A beige dinner in Veranda Cafe.

Our accommodation in Veranda Hotel included breakfast, but since we would be leaving the hotel early the following morning, Ran asked the front desk if it was possible to have the breakfast for dinner instead. The staff of Veranda Hotel were not just accommodating, they were very considerate as well. They hence served us what we would otherwise have for breakfast, then we ordered other items in their menu. Among others, their cheesy quezadilla and Paoay de coco were mouth-watering delights.

Tocilog, tapsilog, cheesy quezadilla and Paoay de coco. Simply delightful.

After our dinner, we headed back to our room and prepared for the early morning trip before going to bed. If only we had the luxury of time, we would have stayed longer in Paoay. We had a very tight schedule though and would have to be on our way to our next destination by 05:00 AM the next day. Short and fleeting as it was, however, the experience was memorable enough for us to tell ourselves that we will definitely be back.

Our stay in Paoay would be our last actual stop in Ilocos Norte, but our year end adventure in Ilocandia was not yet over then. For us, each trip to the north is nostalgic. The Ilocos Region will always have a special place in our memories, as Renegade Junctures started in Ilocandia, in the province of La Union. Sentimentality aside, the region is rich in natural features, traditions, culture and history that makes the long trip up north always worthwhile.

Agyamanak unay, Ilocandia!