i heart Ilocos DAY 4: Viva Vigan!

Viva Vigan

Here's a rundown of what we've done on our 4th day in Ilocos.

Vigan Longganisa

Got a chance to taste Vigan’s famous longganisa during breakfast. It has a powerful taste of garlic in it compared to the normal sweet tasting longganisa in Manila. 

Kalesa tour

We availed of the Kalesa Tour which brought us to different Vigan sites.

St. Augustine Church and Bell Tower

Crisologo and Syquia Museum

The Crisologo is one of Ilocos Norte’s famous political family. The museum showcased the assassination of the elder Crisologo.

Syquia museum shows the late President Elpidio Quirino’s home and life. Some interesting piece I saw was the replica of  Juan Luna’s Spolarium, old expresso bottles, antique furnitures and a very old fashion ref which functions without electricity.

Baluarte

Chavit Singson’s private zoo where his pets are kept. It is open to public for free. There were different kinds of birds, zebras, camel, monkeys, snakes, tigers and more , and a butterfly farm. We were also able to watch animal show.

Hidden Garden

A private owned garden cafe where we can buy plants; or can just chill with nature; of maybe you can do both.

Power Lunch

After the Kalesa Tour, we went back to the hotel to pack our things and do some last minute pasalubong shopping. Our plan was to leave Vigan at 6pm, so before leaving we need to fill our hungry stomachs. Ate at Café Leona, we wanted to dine outside on the streets to experience the al-fresco dining like eating along Paris’ side streets but it was too hot to stay outside. We just ate inside and imagine we were somewhere else since everyone inside are foreigners. We tried sisig bagnet; can't have enough of bagnet. hehe!

Goodbye!
@630pm, we bade Vigan goodbye and endured the 8-hour bus ride going home.

I think Vigan is good for an overnight tour, though colonial houses are must see. it's just 3-6 blocks of cobble-stoned streets and Spanish styled houses which you can explore in a day. Vigan maybe your staring point to see Ilocos region, or maybe your last stop, just like what we did. Either way, you'll definitely enjoy Ilocos region. See yah!

5000PHP or less

several people asked me how much my Ilocos tour cost. I'll give you the breakdown of my expenses...

day1     manila-pagudpud bus via RCJ        500
            brunch (saud beach resort)           150
            dinner (terra rika)                        150
            entrance fees/tips/ misc expenses  100     
Total for day1= 900

day2    brunch (saud beach resort)              150
           dinner (emohour restaurant)           150
           polaris resort (2400/2 nyts/ 3pax)   800   
 Total for day2=1100

day3   lunch                                              150
          dinner (max's restaurant)                150
          guide/van transpo (5500/5pax)      1100
          laoag-vigan bus                               120     
Total for day3=1520

day4 grandpa's inn (2100/1nyt/3pax)        700
         lunch (cafe leona)                            150
         kalesa tour (600/3pax)                    200
         bus to MNL                                     370     
Total for day4= 1420

GRAND TOTAL = 4940PHP
*this does not include pasalubong expenses

this would be even cheaper if you bring your own food for breakfast like cup noodles, biscuits and breads, and if you have a larger group to share the expenses with.

Ilocos smitten us; hope you can visit it too!

tired but enjoyed Ilocos!

i heart Ilocos DAY 3: rest of Ilocos Norte

14. february. 2010

We have an early morning start; it's a whole day tour. Laoag, Paoay and Batac, here we come!

one last glimpse of Pagudpud's shore

Sand Dunes

Seeing the sand dunes is like being transported to another place, somewhere in Middle East. All we can see are sands, fine gray sands. Living in a tropical country such as ours I cannot imagine we have something like this in the Philippines! And because of its unique terrain, as Kuya Nath told us, several movies were shot here like the Panday series of FPJ and Bong Revilla; and also a Tom Cruise movie. (no kidding!) I just forgot the title though.

Fort Ilocandia

This is a Marcos family owned casino-resort hotel. We made a brief stop here to take photos on the facade and up to the lobby.

Paoay Church

A visit to Ilocos would not be complete without seeing a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paoay Church. Like most Ilocos churches, Paoay's bell tower is not connected to the church. It also serves as an observation post of the Katipuneros during WW2. We enjoyed taking photos (infront of the church); from jumping shots to continuous/burst shots, to class picture-in-the-bleachers type shots that we all got tired and hungry. And right across the church there's a restaurant, so dropped by and have our lunch there.

a UNESCO World Heritage Church

And we couldn't resist ordering the heart-stopping bagnet. I'm not really a fan of lechon kawali, but the bagnet they serve is delicious that I became a convert. Now, I'm craving for bagnet. I haven't eaten bagnet since I came from Ilocos.

Batac Empanada

It's not you usual empanada. What makes this empanada different aside from the color; are the ingredients, it is made from bean (mongo) sprouts, fresh eggs and bits of Ilocos longganisa. We bought an empanada, and Steph devoured it. :)

Marcos Museum / Mausoleum

It is prohibited to take photos inside the mausoleum. Marcos looks like a wax figure encased in a glass coffin. Is it possible for a human not to decay? Well, I guess to you gotta see it for yourself. hehe!

Laoag Town Proper

As we reached Laoag's Town Proper, our guide, Kuya Nath was kind enough to accompany us to Laoag public market to buy bagnet and chichacorn for pasalubong. We also had a short detour to Ilocos Norte's City Hall. After buying all the needed pasalubong, Kuya Nath dropped us off at Partas terminal. Boarded Partas bus going to Vigan by 430pm. An hour and half later we’re in Vigan Town Proper.

on our way to Vigan

Grandpa’s Inn

Upon check-in we found out that they only reserve only 1 room for us despite Bogart confirming it twice to them that we are booking 2 rooms. The Front Desk Officer was helpful enough and was able to resolve the problem. I think the owner was there (as I recognized her face on the picture gallery hanged at the lobby) but offered no help. Good thing, the rest of the staff are helpful and friendly that made our stay pleasant. The rooms are quite creepy though.

Colonial Houses

Our first glimpse at the Spanish Colonial Houses. It’s like being transported to another time. I can imagine the Spaniards and the Illustrados riding caruajes along these streets. Even scenes from Noli Me Tangere would popped on my mind.

Running shots? Don’t we ever get tired? I don’t think so. Hehe!

Dinner time

Exhausted from all those places visited and activities done (that includes the running shots on almost every tourist spot we went to), it’s time to re-energize. Dinnertime! It was Valentines Day and Chinese New Year, incidentally last year same date 14Feb the 5 of us were together at Clark for the Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. We were thinking of doing this a yearly thing, traveling together. Hmmm… not a bad idea. : Let's do this again next year?!

Huling Hirit

Back at the hotel, we had this brilliant idea to do teleserye shots. I don’t where we get our energy but we still have enough to goof around, and even to change clothes, for costumes kuno. Effort kung effort!

the cast

Dona Vi got sick and her faithful servant Bambi was the one who took care of her. Ryk, Dona Vi's daughter visited her ailing mom to see her for the last time. Dona Vi passed away,and the faithful servant was thrown off the mansion by the evil children of Dona Vi. But before Bambi left, she got even and splashed water in G's face while Ryk try to defend her sister and Stefano prays that the fighting ends.

THE END

i heart ilocos DAY 2: tour of the south

13. feb.2010

Started our second day by swimming since our tour of the south will commence after lunch.

Swimming

Pagudpud's sand (Saud Beach) is not as powdery in texture as Boracay's but still the sand is fine and white. The waves that day were strong maybe because it rained earlier that morning, but it didn't stop us from swimming. None of us are good swimmers so as a safety precaution we just stayed near the shore. And aside from strong waves , there are also sudden 'drops' in the sand, so be extra careful and alert.

big waves

group jumping shot

after an hour or 2 of swimming,its time for our tour.

let the tour of the south begin...

the girls

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

The lighthouse is believed to be the highest lighthouse in the Philippines. We went up the lighthouse. Steph, Vina and I climb up to the top but didn't stayed long ( maybe just for 1 minute, then we got down), it was scary because the wind was so strong. We were afraid we're gonna be blown away and be carried off to South China Sea. hehe!

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Puraw in Ilokano dialect means white; kapurpurawan when translated in Tagalog means Kaputi-putian. A bit of walking is required to view these amazing rock formations. From afar, I can see that these unbelievable rock structures are impressive . but when I saw it up-close, I was awed by its beauty. These rock formation are a stunner. I do hope the local government of Ilocos would take good care of these natural wonder.

a real stunner

having fun

awesome wonder

enjoying God's wonderful creation

Bangui Windmills

We enjoyed the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation so much that we didn't notice the time. It's nearly sunset and we might not be able to see the windmills. Thankfully, we made it just in time to take pictures before it becomes completely dark. Our guide said that, the windmills faces the South China Sea from where the wind blows; it provides the much needed power requirement of Ilocos Norte.

just before sunset

before darkness envelopes the place

Bondat!

To capped our awesome adventure that day, we had a hearty dinner at Emohruo RestoBar. The food was great and really affordable.

Emohruo (our home) read backwards

steph solb

gone fast!

as evidenced in the photos above, the barbecue platter was a hit! and Steph was bondat! :D

What a way of storing up energy for our Day3 tour. hehe! Laoag, Paoay and Batac tour, up next!

i heart ilocos DAY 1: tour of the north

12.feb.10

Arrived at Pagudpud around 0800 and proceeded to check in at Polaris. The deep blue beach water and fine white sands greeted us. after settling in our room. Bogart, Vina and I, explored the surroundings, the water was calm and inviting. I wanted to swim but decided against it.

polaris beach resort

@1300, our guide fetched us for our Tour of the North.

Kaibigan Falls

admission: free; but you're expected (not obliged) to give a donation to the tour guide cooperatives.

a local guide must accompany you to get to the falls. again, there's no fee but you can give a donation to the guide. although we have Kuya Nath as our guide, the cooperative requires separate guide for the trek.

the trek took us about an hour (30 minutes going there and another 30 going back). our guide said that a couple of days back, he accompanied a group of yuppies and their trek was about 2 hour (1 hr per way) so it really depends on your group's pace. we crossed 2 streams and walk under the heat of the sun. but when we reached the falls, it was worth it! as per our guide, when its peak season, there's sort of time limit in your stay in the falls, around 30 mins, i think. but since it's off peak, we can stay as much as we want. The water was clean and cold, one can actually swim it you want, but it was only Steph, who braved the inviting water.

Patapat via duct

The Patapat Viaduct was built on slope of the mountains, it's the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. From the bridge you have a clear view the South China Sea. You just have to find a good location to park and be alert because buses pass by this route. If you look closely the Via duct looks like a white snake winding through the mountains.

Paraiso ni Anton

Continuing through the bridge... we stopped by Paraiso ni Anton.

The water that runs through the side of the stairs claims to have miraculous healing power. And just across the street is some shops.

miraculous water

wanna buy?

Agua Grande Picnic Park

A few block across the Paraiso ni Anton was Agua Grande Picnic Park. We stopped here for a few minutes to take some photos. There's an entrance fee to the park but since we didn't make use of the park, we just gave a donation (again).

Bantay Abot/ Timmangtang Rock

'bantay' in Ilocano literally means mountains and 'abot' in Tagalog means reach; mountains reached the sea hence the name Bantay-Abot.

Bantay-Abot is a mountain with a hole , in which the hole is found right smack at the middle of it. Kuya Nath told us to climb through the hole, it was a steep and slippery climb. You have to be extra careful when climbing. Upon reaching the top, we had an awesome view of the South China Sea and the waters crashing through the mountain. If the waves are strong enough, you can get wet.

Timmangtang Rock; a bell-shaped rock, just nearby Bantay-Abot Cave.

Maira-Ira / Blue Lagoon

This is our last stop. We didn't go for a swim because the sun is about to set and we don't want to swim in the dark. Kuya Nath brought us to one of the resorts being developed near Blue Lagoon. The Kapuluan Vista, the place was nice and they offer reasonable prices during off-peak season. (maybe I'll stay there in case my family would want to visit Ilocos).

cottage infront of Kapuluan Vista

By 630pm, we we're back at the resort.

Darkness

So, it's time for dinner. Polaris' food are a bit expensive that's why venture out to the shore in search of restaurants. The walk along the shore was scary and tiring, scary because we were walking in the dark, we couldn't see anything. since all of us are hungry, and being 'kuripot', we bravely embarked the pitch black shore. Ever the girl scout, Bogart had a flashlight with her; while the rest of us use our cellphones to the light our path. We continued walking in the dark, the sand was kinda wet because of low tide, so our feet sank easily which makes it even difficult to walk. Finally, after 15-20 minutes of walking, laughing and screaming ('coz we try to scare each other).

clever idea: use the camera's flash to light our way.

Dinner

Finally, we had our dinner at TerraRika. The food was okay, the price was just right. now, after filling our stomach and satisfying our hunger, we have another problem. How do we go back to the resort?! We don't want to go back where we walked, all that food will go to waste, we'll be hungry again when reached the resort if decide to walk on the shore again.

solb!

Sharmaine, the one in-charge at TerraRika was kind enough to help to text her trike friends. Out of 4 that she texted, only 1 responded because some are already asleep at 8pm. They sleep that early in the province. 20 minutes later, our trike arrived. The 5 of us fit in 1 trike, as we were driving i can't helped but notice there are no street lamps. The only light we see comes from the trike's headlight.

Imagine!
Imagine: the trike has 'open' back so if you turn around you'll never know what you might see. scary! we asked Manong Trike if he's not scared driving in the dark. He said, he's used to driving at this condition, and the townspeople are generally nice. it's a small town, so everyone know each other. We asked him had seen ghosts while driving through these dark streets, and he just gave us a silent smile. I wonder what was going through his mind.

The 5-minute scary dark trike ride is over. Paid Kuya, 70php. not bad considering we woke him up from sleep. Home at last. Thank God for the safe ride. End of very tiring DAY 1!

ready for next (mis) adventure tomorrow!