Back From IlocosI'm seeing the Philippines, little by little. That, and seeing the world, are two of the things in my life plan, because I love to travel. :)
(for the picstures, see the bottom part of this post)Last week, my Tita Julie, Tita Nilda, Kuya TJ and I went to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur for a vacay. We left last Jan.15 via bus to Laoag City. It was a 9-hour ride with 2 stopovers. Since I'm used to travelling via bus, my butt didn't numb as much as it did the first time (when I went to Bicol 5 years ago, also a 9-hour trip). Upon arriving in Laoag, we started calling the list of accomodations we searched in the net prior our trip and finally settled at Starlight Lodge. We rested for a while, ate lunch, then rode another bus bound to Pagudpud (another 1.5 hours ride). When I saw the beach, wow! Since it's not a peak season, it was empty and the beach was all ours! Too bad my mates wasn't interested in swimming, so we just spent our time taking pictures and picking seashells on shore. Then went back to our lodge.
Early next day, we rode/rented a jeep that will take us to Batac where the famous ex-president Marcos lived. We were not allowed to enter the main house, but there was a mini-museum beside it, plus, we were allowed to see the preserved body of the dictator (only no picture taking). Then we went to Paoay, where the "Malacañang of the North" is located. The house was sequestered from the Marcos family, and is currently maintained by an NGO. Though old, the furnitures are in good shape and the place still habitable. The guide said that no one lives there anymore, but sometimes they "glam it up" when VIPs came for a visit. The garden around it is really huge and green, and we were wondering, when Marcos was brought to Hawaii after the revolt, could what he said be really, "Take me to Paoay"? That's a joke of course. :P
After Paoay, we went back to the lodge to take our things and then head for the bus terminal: we're now going to Vigan! Vigan City, located in Ilocos Sur, is a famous heritage site not just here, but all over the world. The architectural design of the houses and the place were just like in the olden days, and every renovation must adhere to that design. There is specially this one street, called Calle Crisologo, that is made of bricks and only a Calesa could traverse. That was the street were former Vigan Mayor Crisologo was assassinated, hence the name.
We did the same thing in Vigan: we just called the hotels and inns upon arriving at the bus terminal, and finally selected El Julianna Hotel as the place to stay. Right after we left our luggage at our room, we rented a calesa that will tour us around the city. We traversed the whole Calle Crisologo, visited the Bantay Bell Tower, local market and the home of the famous pottery-maker (I forgot his name) and was able to watch how a pot is made by hand. It was good.
The next day, we went to Caoayan, a nearby town, to visit Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson's personal zoo: Baluarte. We were asked to log-in and we were also given copies of his life movie, "Chavit", starring Cesar Montano. The zoo has a vast land area but there aren't many species of animals (but it has plenty of the few they have). There were many ponies, tigers, monkeys; a few reptiles and birds; and a Butterfly Garden. Behind the zoo, there is an on-going construction of a casino and is off-limits to uninvited guests. Boohoo! As if we will go there; we don't have the money. :(
Before going home on that night, we toured churches, museums and shops in Vigan and bought pasalubongs. Vigan, as we observed, is a much more urban place than Laoag. It has more commercial areas, diners, tourist shops, etc. and I can safely say we enjoyed our stay there more than our stay at Laoag. I hope the local officials will find the vision to improve Laoag, Batac and Paoay because it has so much potential. My titas and I were discussing business opportunities there if only we have the money. Too bad we don't.
I will now summarize the places we visited for my personal memento. I will also include the prices for tricycle rides, bus fares, hotel accomodations, etc. in case anyone who reads this decides to visit these palces, too. :)
Day 1: Bus took off @ 8PM in Manila, arrived @ 5AM in Laoag (P730, deluxe AC). We stayed @ Starlight Lodge (P900/night, 4 people). Rode another bus to Pagudpud (1.5 hours, P70/head, air cool) and later a tricycle (15 mins, no traffic) that will take us to the beach.
Day 2: Rode a jeep to Batac (P25/head) to see the Marcos' ancestral home. Then rented the jeep for P500 to take us to Paoay to visit Malacañang of the North, Paoay Church and Fort Ilocandia. At 2PM, we rode another bus bound to Vigan City (1.5 hours, P121/head, AC). We stayed at El Julianna Hotel (w/ pool, P950 + P200/excess of 2 person for an overnight stay). Rode a calesa (P150/hour) and visited Bantay Bell tower, local market, and potter's house.
Day 3: Rode a tricycle going to Baluarte. Went to Crisologo Museum, churches, shops, etc. Went home @ 8PM (8-hour ride, P705 deluxe AC). Also bought Marscha's delicacies brownies, ube macapuno, cassava cake, pudding and bibingka. Masarap yung ube, pudding at bibingka. Yum. I'll remeber that the next time I visit.
And now for all the pictures, click here:
Ilocos.
I also posted previous pics of
Christmas with family,
New Year with family, and
Christmas with friends,
Christmas with SK, and
Avilon Zoo.
Labels: family, Ilocos, vacation
