FROM LAOAG ON, the road winds to Pagudpud, passing through towns with outstanding coastline. Burgos, in particular has a couple of sites that have made the town a usual stopover on many road trips to the northernmost town of mainland Luzon.

Surrounded by picturesque views and perched on the Nagpatian Hill, the Burgos Lighthouse is one of Ilocos Norte’s most photographed structures. It’s also known by another name – the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Jutting out to the South China Sea, the Cape Bojeador was an integral part of the galleon trade, as it was the first land sighted by ships sailing from the north. The lighthouse functioned as a beacon for those ships, and, in fact, continues to be active today. Standing at 66 feet, the octagonal tower of the lighthouse can be seen as far as the neighboring towns of Pasuquin and Bangui.

Going further east, we find an isolated rock outcrop along the town’s shores. The Kapurpurawan rock has been a favorite subject among photographers for its white and streamlined limestone formations. Its appearance is the result of millions of years of sculpting by oceanic and weather forces. The front part of the rock is cordoned off due to recent vandalism, but visitors can go around the back and still get up close to what seems to be a scene in the Middle East.

Pressing on towards Pagudpud, we see a row of wind turbines stand beside the shore, their slender body and large blades towering above us. These gigantic structures were built by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation after a study discovered various places in the Philippines that were suitable for generating wind power.

Fifteen turbines were erected by 2005 as part of the first phase, and five more were added in 2008 as part of the second phase.

Other than the wind farm, there’s not much to see in Bangui, whose beaches are deep and have currents too strong to be conducive to swimming