We had a week off from work so my coworker slash flatmate and I decided to spend it in the north. It's a good thing the flatmate has relatives there. Free accommodation, ftw!
It was half a day's worth of travel time from Partas Terminal, Cubao up to Laoag. The travel was easy and comfortable because you'd be in the bus all the way. When we arrived, it was 1 in the morning. My dear flatmate's relatives fetched us from the terminal and drove us back to their humble home, which was, by the way, right smack in the middle of Laoag City! Talk about convenient.
We began our official Ilocos tour the following morning.
Day 1
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Burgos, Ilocos Norte
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| The lighthouse in all its glory |
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| The breathtaking view from the top |
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| The parking lot |
Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
Burgos, Ilocos Norte
Our trip to Kapurpurawan Rock Formations was a very pleasant one for me. The beauty of the white limestone formations itself is incomparable. Coupled with a beautiful view of the ocean and the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, this is surely an experience that makes a traveler fall in love. The walk to and from the rocks were made memorable by the strong wind and the view of the surrounding windmills. What fascinating mechanism.
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| It was really hot so I brought an umbrella. But the wind was so strong it kept forcing my umbrella inside out. |
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| Thank you concerned citizen |
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| Masmaganda nga naman sa likod |
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| pretty, pretty lime stones |
Bangui Wind Farm
Bangui, Ilocos Norte
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| No swimming allowed. Aww |
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| The wind farm from afar |
Patapat Viaduct
Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte
Patapat Viaduct is a bridge located some meters away from the Blue Lagoon beach. We quickly took our photos (because there were cars passing through) and went on our merry way.
Blue Lagoon
Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte
If you've read some blogs, you'll learn that the Blue Lagoon beach is now very crowded due to all sorts of resorts popping here and there. One of the famous ones is Hannah's Beach resort, which showcases not only a couple of pools but an assortment of plaster sculptures all over the place. As for the beach itself, I'd say it is still very much spectacular. I am loving how the waves are strong and playful.
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| These are the rates for entering Blue Lagoon |
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| The rates for Hannah's is php100 (entrance only) or php200 (swimming included) |
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| The whole gang is here |
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| The infinity pool |
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| You can try the zip line that starts from that hill to the beach |
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| The place is conveniently loaded with inns and stores |
Day 2
Marcos Museum
Batac, Ilocos Norte
When we arrived, we found that the staff were still out for lunch so we decided to have some famous Batac Empanada in a nearby carinderia. It was delicious! Afterward, we went back to the mansion to begin the educational tour.
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| We only had the ordinary one but there is a variety of empanadas if you're interested |
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| Yum |
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| In Batac city, we are |
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| Be mindful of the rates and schedule |
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| Oo, row 1 ako, bakit? |
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| Andyan na ang mga hapon! |
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| The photo gallery |
Baluarte Zoo
Vigan city, Ilocos Sur
The Baluarte Zoo is a small zoo that is free to the public. What surprised me a bit was that some of the animals are not entirely enclosed in a container. There aren't a lot of animals and the zoo is not as extravagant but hey, it's free.
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| This goose walked in front of me and went inside a containment where its buddies are at |
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| The fences are open but the animals are too busy grazing to care |
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| I am in love with these wallabies and how the carrots seem to take them somewhere out of this world |
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| Some of the animals are, of course, behind the fences |
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| You can take a tram for free |
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| There is a museum containing the tokens of Chavit's hunts |
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| My friend has found here long lost cousins |
Bantay Bell Tower
Bantay, Ilocos Sur
When we arrived at Vigan City, we rented a kalesa for php150. It was cheaper than what we read online but we think it's because my friend's relatives' were locals. The first destination of our kalesa ride was the Bantay Bell Tower. We got there just in time. Apparently, the Bell Tower grounds are closed by 6pm. Also, you have to give a donation of any amount to enter.
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| The Bantay Bell Tower |
Calle Crisologo
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Calle Crisologo, the next place on our kalesa ride, was one of the spots that I was itching to go to since this trip was conceived. I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get there before the sun was down but it turns out the famous historical street is just as spectacular at night.
The streets were lined with restaurants and souvenir shops and the road was flooded with tourists and kalesas. The crowd made it difficult to get a decent photo. Luckily for us, we got a photo or two in there that was profile picture worthy.
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| Calle Crisologo |
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| The brick road and the Spanish houses make for a good background |
Day 3
Fort Ilocandia Resort
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Fort Ilocandia is a 5-star hotel located in Laoag City that overlooks the South China Sea. Since we were but visiting tourists, we were only able to take some photos in the lobby up to the fountain. If you check their official site, you'd see that there are tons of activities you can do at this lavish hotel resort. Maybe someday I'd be able to afford a night here.
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| Such fancy lobby |
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| The fountain |
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| It's more fun indeed |
Malacanang of the North
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
The next on our agenda is a famous rest house that belonged to the late president Ferdinand Marcos, the Malacañang of the North. The two-storey mansion has an overlooking view of the Paoay lake. My friend's aunt tells us that it was illegal to take photos of the mansion back when Marcos and his family stayed there. Last 2011, it was open to the public.
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| Entrance is php20 |
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| The interior has this Spanish feel to it |
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| You can see Paoay lake from the veranda |
Paoay Sand Dunes
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
The Sand Dunes is another item on the agenda that I looked very much forward to. The package costs php2500 and includes both the 4x4 and sandboarding. A single package covers 5 persons. I did not expect the 4x4 ride to be that intense! It's definitely a treat for the thrill-seeker.The sandboarding is a bit of a disappointment as women aren't allowed to stand on the board. I still enjoyed it though, obviously.
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| Sandsliding rather |
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| The tour guides know their SLRs |
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| There is a beach |
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| You'll see a sculpture of FPJ and Ate Guy because this was where Panday and Walang Himala was filmed |
Paoay Church
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
St. Augustine Church or Paoay Church is one of the Philippines oldest church and an UNESCO World heritage site located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
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| Don't forget to step on the camera spot |
Herencia
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Across the street from Paoay church, you will find the birthplace of Pinakbet Pizza, Henrencia Restaurant. I was quite skeptic at first. I have no idea what a mash-up of pizza and pinakbet would taste like. But when the vegetable-topped oven-baked dough came, it was a heavenly treat for the palate. The fries and the pancit were very good too.
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| Pinakbet pizza is harthart |
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| Ordered some fries, which were very good |
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| The pancit is tasty as well. |
