After my vacation last week, I think this is just the right moment to make up for all the backlogs due to not updating my blog for a few months. In this blog post, I'm going to share one of the places I visited. This is the Immuki Island from Balaoan, La Union.
Me and my travel buddy, Camey, were on our way to Tangadan Falls when our tourist guide, Kuya Randy, mentioned if we were up to discovering the new spot in Balaoan, La Union. He called it Immuki Island.
I don't know if we were curious enough to google it and find out what La Union can offer more. As we looked up online, we found out that there was few information available, though there were some Facebook posts and blogs written about it, I just think that this blog post might help others to know the island more and of course, for reference purposes. (You're on the right page, go on... HAHA)
Let's get to know the island. According to the Municipality of Balaoan,
Kaparingitan as what barangay folks call it during the olden times is what we now call IMMUKI ISLAND.
IMMUKI is a word that was derived from a sea creature that can thrive only on the paringit (dead corals) – these are the SEA SLUGS or BABAO. BABAO or BAO is a Pangasinense term that refers to the female genitalia or in Ilocano, UKI. Since then, the word IMMUKI has been associated with the island also because the shape of its main lagoon is like the shape of a female genitalia.
Basically, the island is not yet developed which I think will be a good point for those who really want to feel nature without a trace of city living. Don't worry because you can do things apart from taking photos. You can do:
Freediving
Swimming
Bamboo Rafting
Relaxing
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Cubao (Manila)
Bus - Jeepney
- Ride a bus bound for Vigan, Abra, or Laoag and tell the conductor to drop you off at Bacnotan Public Market (See bus lines: Partas or Florida) = PHP 541
- From Bacnotan Public Market, ride a jeepney going to Luna and tell the driver to drop you off at the Paraoir Barangay Hall. = PHP 20
- From Paraoir Barangay Hall, walk along the narrow path that leads to Immuki Island.
Bus - Tricycle
- Ride a bus bound for Vigan, Abra, or Laoag and tell the conductor to drop you off at Bacnotan Public Market (See bus lines: Partas or Florida) = PHP 541
- From Bacnotan Public Market, ride a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you at the Paraoir Barangay Hall. = PHP 80+
HOW TO GET HOME?
From Paraoir Barangay Hall
Jeepney - Bus
- From Paraoir Barangay Hall, ride a jeepney bound for Bacnotan and tell the driver to drop you at San Fernando. = PHP 30
- From San Fernando, ride a bus bound for Cubao. = PHP 541
NOTES:
* Immuki Island is open to the public from 6am - 6pm
* There are no fees to be collected upon registration because visiting the island is FREE!
* Jeepneys and tricycles seldom ply the area after 5pm. If you want to make sure you can ride right away after visiting the island, you can ask the trike driver to wait for you until you're done, or might as well, hire a personal trike driver beforehand to drop by and fetch you. (I just don't know how much this will cost)
* The island is not yet developed so don't expect too much convenience.
* The island is open for amateur and professional photoshoots for FREE.
* You can rent a bamboo raft from the locals for only PHP20
* Wear thick shoes or slippers because you'll walk through dead corals and rocks.
* Leave no trace!
Thanks for reaching this point! Looking forward to your new summer destination!
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