Skip to main content

La Union Tourist Spots with Funny Names: Immuki, Bimmuto, Immubet

There's a place in Balaoan La Union where tourists flock to glide through winding lagoons and go to Immuki Island. This is not just another picturesque destination in La Union; it carries a name and lore that piques curiosity and invites a deeper exploration of its unique charm.



Funny Island and Lagoon Names and Their Evolution

The origin of its name is very cool. The name "Immuki" originates from the Ilocano word "uki," which refers to the female genitalia. This association comes from the island's main lagoon, which, to many, resembles this part of the anatomy. The shape of this lagoon has been the subject of fascination and amusement, earning the island its distinctive name.

Immuki literally means "it assumed the shape of a vagina."

The playful and imaginative minds of the island’s admirers didn't stop with the main lagoon. Over time, and through generations of word-of-mouth storytelling, the other lagoons on the island also received names inspired by human anatomy:

Bimmuto: This lagoon is named after the male genitalia, adding to the island's cheeky nomenclature. The word "bimmuto" literally means "became the shape of a penis" or "protruded like a penis."

Immubet: This lagoon, shaped like the cheeks of the human anus, completes the trio of uniquely named lagoons. It literally means "assumed the shape of the buttocks"

The Island’s Allure

While the names may initially draw giggles and raise eyebrows, they contribute to the island’s charm and the allure of its natural formations. Visitors are not just drawn by the whimsical names but by the stunning scenery and the serene ambiance of Immuki Island.

A Visit to Remember

When visiting Immuki Island, you’ll find:

Crystal Clear Waters: Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the vibrant marine life.

Scenic Views: The lagoons offer breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility.

A Unique Story: The history and the playful naming conventions of the lagoons add an element of intrigue and fun to your visit.

Immuki Island, with its playful and provocative names, offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural quirkiness. It shows how human imagination and natural formations can come together to create a destination that is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful. So, whether you’re drawn by the names or the scenery, Immuki Island promises an unforgettable experience.

How to Get There 

Tourist trap San Juan, a.k.a. Surf Town, will have tricycles lined up to bring you to Immuki and charging you 500 pesos her head. That's highway robbery, but some tourists don't mind paying for such a highlight of their trip.

Is there a cheaper way? Yes.


If coming from San Juan, ride a north-bound jeep or bus going to Bacnotan or Balaoan. Stop at the Jollibee (Bacnotan, there is only one) or at the pink Roman Catholic church by the highway (Balaoan). From there, take a tricycle (around 100-200 in fare, not the thousands that San Juan tricycle drivers ask) or ask around if there is a jeep going to immuki island.  

Another cheaper way to get there is to take a jeepney from the Tanqui Terminal in the San Fernando town proper bound for Balaoan, Luna, or Bacnotan. The same as the previous for Balaoan and Bacnotan. For the Luna way, disembark at the Antonio Luna statue and find a tricycle. Again, the fare shouldn't be in the thousands.  



Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Common and Oddball Niches to Pursue on Amazon KDP

 In my blogs about making money online, I mentioned selling journals and logbooks on Amazon KDP. In some cases, I make journals out of ideas and inspirations I get from my life as a librarian, mother of a young adult, and a restaurateur/party caterer. I may sell the journals myself (selling mined gold) or sell them to people who might want to develop them as their own products on Amazon KDP (selling shovels for others to mine gold with).  If you want to find out more about the latter, here is the link to my Creative Fabrica store:  https://www.creativefabrica.com/designer/ruby-cari-galvez/ref/2135193/ In my brainstorming, I thought of several oddball and common niches that I could develop products around. Here they are... First-Time Homeowner's Planner – Step-by-step guidance and to-do lists for managing house projects, budgeting, and maintenance. Solo Hiking Journal – A log for solo hikers to track routes, wildlife sightings, reflections, and survival tips. Eco-Conscio...
Read more

What is Special About a Coming-of-age Novel?

A  coming-of-age novel  has distinct traits that set it apart from other genres, primarily through its focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Here’s what makes it unique:        1.     Focus on Character Development        -     Core Theme:     The central theme of a coming-of-age novel is personal transformation. The protagonist, usually a young person, matures through experiences, gaining insight into themselves and the world.    -     Compared to Other Genres:     While many genres focus on external conflicts (e.g., fantasy battles or mystery puzzles), the coming-of-age novel centers on   internal   conflicts—struggles with identity, morality, and self-understanding.        2.     Transition from Youth to Adulthood        -     Rite of Passage:...
Read more

Playtime is Library Time: the Library as a Place of Adventure

When I was a kid, the word “library” meant one thing: boredom. It conjured up images of stuffy silence, stern librarians, and endless shelves of dusty books that seemed more interested in gathering cobwebs than capturing my imagination. Yet, I’ve since learned that this perception couldn’t be more wrong. The library is not a place where fun goes to die; it’s a playground for the mind. So why do we, as adults, so often pass it off as a dreary destination for last-minute study sessions or research marathons? I can’t help but think we’ve done our children a disservice by failing to frame it as what it really is: a place of adventure, discovery, and, yes, play. Imagine for a moment if the library wasn’t treated like a "last resort" when you've exhausted all other options for entertainment. What if, instead, it was seen as a treasure chest waiting to be opened? Each shelf a new map to a far-off land, every book a ticket to a new world where anything is possible? This shift in ...
Read more