Other Things Under the Sun: July 2012

My friends and I had a short but memorable vacation in Ilocos last month to celebrate Kc and Cb's birthday as well as a welcome back for Kc.

(photo grabbed from www.ironwulf.net)

We took the night bus going to Laoag, 700php/person via Florida, (for more comfort, the sleeper bus leaves at 10pm and the fare is 800php/person) the terminal is located along S. Loyola Street Sampaloc Manila. The schedule was very convenient since the bus leaves every 30 minutes, they wouldn't wait for the bus to be filled, so if you missed your scheduled departure you can just wait for the next one. We left the terminal June 26 at exactly 9PM and arrived Laoag at around six in the morning.

We preferred to take the night bus to avoid traffic around manila area and so when we arrive Laoag we could start the tour the same day. The travel time from Sampaloc terminal to Laoag terminal was around 9 hours including the stop overs. If you are on tour, I suggest that you travel by night. And please bring jacket or blanket; the aircon is so cold. =)

Prior to our departing date, we spoke to Tour Ilocos Travel and Tours and Car Rentals Services 09494201482/ 09334772055, a travel agency we saw online. We paid 12,540php for the whole package that includes the hotel (3D/2N) and tour around Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpod.

We stayed at UKL Ever Hotel (2-day breakfast included) located at Abadilla, Lungsod ng Laoag, just walking distance from the Market. Since we arrived early and wanted to fix ourselves we decided to check in, they asked us additional 600php for early check in.

(photo grabbed from UKL Ever Hotel)

Day 1

We met up with the tour guide at the hotel at 8am. Our first day tour would be Vigan and Laoag. Along the way, we dropped by the Marcos' House, Museumand Mausoleum. The Museum has an entrance fee of 50PHP.

Ferdinand Marcos' Mausoleum. Taking pictures inside are not allowed.

Just across the street is the Batac Empanadaan,where we had empanadas as our breakfast. Ilocos is well known for their orange emapanada that has egg, ilocos longganisa, veggies in it. Each delicious empanada costs 35PHP.

VIGAN

As we arrived Vigan, we started our tour with a kalesaride.

Our Kalesa Ride

Vintage McDonalds

Even the fast food's building structures took us back as if it was our great-grandparent's time.

Padre Burgos House

The museum is the ancestral house and birthplace of Fr. Jose Burgos. It contains antiques and memorabilia of the Burgos family; they even have the replica ofthe garrote. The Museum has a 20php entrance fee.

Inside Padre Burgo's House

St. Agustine Parish Church

This church is considered tobe one of the oldest church in Ilocos Sur

Bantay Church Bell Tower

These bells are made out of brass

It has great over looking view since it is sitting on top of a hill. The tower is said to be a look out for any invading enemy forces during the Spanish era.

Pottery Making

Big oven for clay pots

Calle Crisologo

Bloggers at Calle Crisologo

Then we had our Lunch at Cafe Leona.. Happy tummy! =)

Bangus - Pinakbet - Bagnet

After we had our Lunch, we headed back to Laoag.

Paoay Church

Malacanang of the North

Entrance fee 20PHP

view of the Paoay Lake

Last Stop of the day Fort Ilocandia Resorts

We were able to tour Vigan and Laoag just in one day.

For our second day of our tour we were off to Pagudpod. On the way, we stopped by where they made salt from sea salt.

Cape Bojeador Burgos Lighthouse

Kapupurawan Rock Formation

Long walk to the Rock, but worth it!

Bangui Windmills

This served as the highlight of our trip since we weren't able to go to Pagudpud because the typhoon damaged the bridge that connects the road to Pagudpud.

Ilocos is the only place in the Philippines that has these pretty Windmills =)

Souvernir Shops

On our way back to Laoag, we had our lunch at the Dragon fruit Garden where they are known for mixing dragon fruits with the food they serve like lumpia, ice cream, etc.