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  Laoag, Luzon, Philippines
Thursday, January 21, 2010

A Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud Tour.

It was 8:45 in the evening, Thursday, January 21, 2010 when we arrived in Laoag International Airport via Cebu Pacific Air (5J-404). All of us are fascinated with the place since everyone is traveling for the first time to Ilocos. And that's where our journey finally started...

We took a small jeepney going to Laoag Centro. It was driven by Manong Cely, a 69 year-old man whom we trusted our most unforgettable trip to Ilocos Norte and Vigan, Ilocos Sur. We stayed at Hotel Tiffany and after setting all our things inside the  room, my friends and I decided to walk around the city. We ate a sumptuous orange empanada for 20Php only but we still didn't satisfy our cravings so we have decided to eat in McDonalds. After eating, we took some pictures of the sinking bell tower at night and then, we rode a tricycle and brought us to a bar named "cockhouse." It is awkward to hear but a nice band with nice genre of music will come into your way. But we decided not to stay longer for us to prepare the following day.

6:30 am, January 22, 2010. We woke up and started to fix ourselves for our Laoag-Vigan tour. We also hired the same jeepney that brought us to the hotel for Php2000 only. Nevertheless, that has been our first official tour in the place. We had our breakfast at jamiroze eatery, it's a carenderia offering local cuisines like sinanglaw (papaitan- it's popular name), pinakbet, bagnet and even inihaw na hito (catfish) at very affordable prices. After breakfast, we've been to our first destination - Marcos Mausoleum in Batac. We've seen the preserved cadaver of late Ferdinand E. Marcos whom other claim that it is not the real body of the ex-president. Taking pictures with the late president is extremely prohibited but we never missed the opportunity to capture our moments in the mausoleum.

Our next destination is the Paoay Church. It is an enormous church built by Augustinian friars in 1694. It is listed as one of UNESCO's world heritage. It is a good place to take pictures because of its unique and impressive architecture. We also had the chance to pray, meditate and enjoy the solemnity of the church. 

However, we then back to road and passed along Currimao Rock Formation in Currimao and stopped at Cabugao Beach which is already situated in Ilocos Sur. After an hour, we then reached the city of Vigan. Our energy boosted and everyone got excited again. But since everyone got hungry, we ate in Jollibee (a very known fast food chain in the country). Right after that, we rode a "kalesa" - a horse-drawn carriage and tour around the city. We first stop at Nuestra Senora ti Ilocandia church and its bell tower. The patron saint said to be miraculous and grant wishes. Moreover, right beside the church is the bell tower. There are four huge bells hanging inside the tower and according to a local guide, the tower has been used by katipuneros to oversee their enemies. At the top of the said tower, you can see the South China Sea, the mountainous region of Cordillera and of course the entire city of Vigan. On the other hand, vandalism is unfortunately being tolerated which suppose to be hindered in respect of our heritage and history.

We headed next to "pagburnayan." It's a place where beautiful pots are made. The workers are very accommodating and they let me tried making my own pot in a wheel like table that is manually spanned by a human. Pottery is a tough job and it really takes a lot of effort to create your own pot yet no one can replace the hands-on experience and joy of making it. Right after that, we bought some souvenirs like t-shirts, key chains, blankets and packs of Ilocos chichacorn (commonly known as cornick).

Though we're already satisfied with our first two stop, we set out next to the Hidden Garden. It may look small outside but you will be amazed inside. You will see various plants of different species, it was very fascinating and relaxing. Being inside is like you are in a paradise, you will be greeted by sweet smiles of the crews and the lushes of surroundings. You can also order their local food like cascaron, empanada and a fresh buko juice or our favorite Halo-Halo. Afterwards, we set off to BALUARTE and headed next to the heritage place where old houses are well-preserved. Calle Crisologo is the most popular street in Heritage Village and those houses reflects a unique architectural fusion of Spanish-European and Chinese culture. They also celebrate Longanizza festival from Jan. 16-26 while the 22nd of the same month marks the anniversary of Vigan. Luckily, we have witnessed the street dancing competition and all the contingents gave their best to amaze the crowd with their longganizas.

On the following day, we woke up early in the morning for our third-day trip going to Pagudpud. We still hired the same  jeepney for 1800Php only. We first stopped in Cape Bojeador Lighthouse which is considered as the highest elevated lighthouse in the Philippines. This was built to guide the ships away from the rocky coast of the town. Afterwards, we headed next to Bangui where high and enormous windmills are spotted. These  Bangui windmills supplies an electricity for some town of Ilocos. Waves are huge due to strong winds yet it was still a lot of fun taking pictures with the windmills that looks like giant electric fans that will blow you away! Wooh!

After a very long trip to northern part of Ilocos Norte, we then reached the town of Saud where the famous Pagudpud or the boracay of the south is situated. Pagudpud has a long coastline and big waves will come in your way. We stayed at Evangeline Resort and rented a cozy room for four (4) for only 1000Php per night. We ate in Emohrou bar and restaurant and ordered a stuffed calamari and pinakbet with bagnet on top. It was worth your money, satisfaction and serving despite of the price which is a little expensive. After eating, we bought some souvenirs and pasalubong like bracelet, anklet, cell phone accessory and even refrigerator magnet. The souvenirs were all made and designed by locals to earn their living. We also had our henna tattoo for 150Php and later, we drink cold beer while watching the sunset and waves. During the night, we walk along the shoreline and had our dinner. We ordered chicken tinola (boiled chicken with papaya and lasona popularly known as spring onion) and chopsuey (mixed vegetables). It was again mouthwatering and satisfying. 
 
A day after, we had our breakfast with mushroom soup and a cup of coffee. We rented a tricycle for 800Php (good for 4 pax)  right after, for another overwhelming tour. We went to Kabigan falls in Barangay Balaoi and it is around 1.8km away from the national highway. You need to walk for about an hour before you reach the famous Kabigan Falls. The water pours down heavily. We have not tried submerging because of its cold water.  After a very long walk, back and forth, it's nice for everyone to drink fresh buko juice for only 20Php and also eat its fresh buko meat to energize your body and prepare yourself to another spot, the Bantay Abot Cave. It is not a typical cave where you enter a hole and needs a flashlight to appreciate the surroundings. Make it different when it comes to Bantay Abot.  It is so easy to get in to the cave, you'll get down to a manmade stairs and voila! The big hole of the cave will welcome you. Getting in is not an effort but be careful of slippery stones. The wind is so cold and the sceneries are so inviting. It's nice to take some shots for good framing and taking a bit of rest is advisable.

Afterwards, we set off next to Blue Lagoon or Maira aira. The blue sea is very astounding yet the waves will carry you away. We enjoyed our visit to the place and we held our hands while playing with waves along the shore. However, we went back on the road and passed by Patapat Viaduct- it's a long concrete winding road in view of the Pasaleng Bay. This was constructed to resolve landslides and accidents in the place.

Aqua Grande is our next stop, one good thing about Pagudpud is it's not only about beach but it's about other interesting places where you can unwind and avoid the stress of the Metro. Aqua Grande is a place where the river meets the sea. The water flows from the mountain down to the huge boulders down to the sea. It is good place for picture taking and even for picnics. Lastly, we've been to Paraiso ni Anton which is a few meters away from Aqua Grande. This place is said to be miraculous and according to some resources, most motorist stop by on the area to drink some water that comes naturally from the mountain. Other than that, they also use the water for their vehicles for a safer journey.

It's been a very long day but despite of the long and tiring trip. We still had the time to buy food in the market for our dinner and had an afternoon swimming. Our last night has been very memorable. We drink Pagudpud Sling which is a mixture of rum, grenadine syrup, orange juice and buko meat (buko meat depends on availability and during our time it was replaced by apple chunks).

On the next day, we went back to Loaog Centro and visited Malacanang of the North and Fort Ilocandia. However, our last day has been so remarkable especially for me because my nephew and I met for the first time after 20 years. I don't know how he looks but thanks God! I was able to recognize him. He also introduced me to his wife and 1-year old son. We talked a lot of things and we make sure every single minute was not wasted (sigh). This trip was not only meant for us to celebrate and keep away from the stress of the metro yet, it was destined for someone we've yearned for. Furthermore, this has been our own way to feel the wonders of nature and appreciate God's creation and for us to testify how beautiful the world we live in.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed our very last day before our departure at 8:30 in the evening with Cebu Pacific 5J-405. We're back in Manila at exactly 9:30 in the evening (January 25, 2010) and our journey finally ended and soon will start again.


Travel Tips:
-search for important facts of the place before traveling
-you can also visit Sand dunes of Ilocos for more adventure
-don't forget to bring your underwater cameras or DSLR (if any) and extra pack of batteries
-make sure to book the correct flight to avoid delay
-it is best to travel by group of 4-6

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Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

sunset	bantay abot cave with friends running	cape bojeadour lighthouse	Blue Jeepney
morning rush	take a rest	marcos mausoleum	jump all you can!
our shadows	paoay church	inside the church	paoay church
shadow and silhouette	shot at the window	front of paoay church	the travellers with manong cely
silhouettes of the crowd	full view of the church	look at the window!	cabugao beach
my friends chattering	kalesa- horse drawn carriage	nuestra senora church	senora ti Ilocandia
inside nuestra senora	smokey effect	the bell tower	play around
hidden garden	baluarte	going to pagudpud	lighthouse
cape bojeadour	bangui mills	pakbet with bagnet on top	Pagudpud coastline
sunset	chicken tinola and chopsuey	kabigan falls	hole in wall
splash	jumpstart	holding hands	again..
holding hands forever	blue lagoon	patapat viaduct with abandoned ship	patapat viaduct
patapat viaduct	patapat viaduct	paraiso ni anton	last i\night in Pagudpud
our travel companion	sinking bell tower	sinking bell tower	fort ilocandia
way up to malacanang of the North