Viva Las Vigan! (an Ilocandia Adventure - Day 3)

Last day at Ilocos (22 November 2010)

Good morning, Pagudpud!☺



Lakwatsero y lakwatsera extraordinaires.Ü Photo by Twinee.


That morning also marked the fulfillment of Luvz's dream, ang magpalipad ng saranggola sa tabi ng dagat:

Sabi ni Juyjuy, ihagis ko daw, tapos sya tatakbo. Lumipad naman, kaya lang...



... nadapa siya... pero sabi nga, try and try until you succeed.



Kaya si Serah naman nag-try, pero ayaw lumipad kasi walang hangin. :(

Buti na lang, kasama namin si Nybabs na mabilis tumakbo, kaya lumipad ang saranggola!Ü

At naisakatuparan ang pangarap ni Luvlee. yey!

Au revoir, Pagudpud!

Then we're off to the south! First stop, Grandpa's Restaurant at Santiago St., Heritage Village, Vigan:

The food was delicioso!Ü (Si Kuya Raffy kung maka-fierce o! Siya yung naka black, driver slash tourguide namin.)

Best in costume na kami ni Luvz.Ü

An embossed painting of the Bantay Bell tower inside the restaurant. We didn't get to see the real thing, but this one's good enough.Ü 

Si Maria noon...

Si Marie ngayon. hihihi!Ü Photos by Serah

After the amazing lunch, we then headed to Syquia Mansion at Calle Quirino:

The corner of Syquia Mansion

Inside the mansion; behind us is the replica of Juan Luna’s Spolarium, which was painted by his assistant. And that vase Warner is pointing at? That's a bunggang bunggang vase from the Ming Dynasty.

Naalala ko dati si President Elpidio Quirino sa 2-peso coin, parang ang taba niya doon!Ü  

And of course, Calle Crisologo:

Kahit noon unang panahon pala, usong uso na talaga ang tsismisan. hihihi!Ü

Of course, our trip to Ilocos would not be complete without trying their famous empanada:

Too bad, I can't recall the name of the street where this is located, but they really have the best tasting empanada I've tried!

Haaay... I can't believe it has already been a year since we took a trip there. I'll certainly be back there someday.☺

Viva Las Vigan! (an Ilocandia Adventure - Day 2)

Day 2 of our Ilocandia Adventure (21 November 2010)

First stop for the day is the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte: 

Entrance to the Marcos Museum; I found the mausoleum a bit creepy because of the Gregorian chant music playing in the background where the preserved corpse of President Marcos is.

On our way to Cape Bojeador, we dropped by a Caltex gas station and had a photo taken at the entrance of Java Hotel:

 I didn't get to see the interior, but I find the exterior very nice (Balinese-Moroccan atmosphere).

Then Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte: 

Reflection of the stained glass window on our way up the light house, i love!

The real light house...



... and the replica.



Normally, they don't allow people to go up the light house, but we were so lucky that we got the chance to.

And then we're off to the ever-famous Bangui Windmills: 

The first “Wind Farm” in the Philippines that sells electricity to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).

Ang laking electric fan!Ü

Favorite part of the day, lunch! This time, at Blue Lagoon in Malingay, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte:

We didn't get to experience the beach, but the food was great; very fresh and cheap.Ü

Mom Robyn serving the freshly cooked sinigang na isda.

Last stop, Kabigan Falls in Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte: 

Reaching the falls requires a 30 to 45-minute trek.

It's approximately 1.5 kilometers from the mainroad to the falls, so a little stretching is suggested.Ü  

Passing through the river is really a challenge, i mean really. 

But then again, it's all very much worth it. *wink wink*

We then headed to our crib for the night, Apo Idon Beach Hotel still in Pagudpud:

The pool was still under construction last year when we went there.

I love the bed! Very Mediterranean!

After moon-bathing (since we can't swim that far; the wave was too strong and there are no lights around the shore), we spent some time relaxing at the beach front. Haaay. Nakaka-miss!

And that ends Day 2 of our Ilocandia Adventure!☺

Viva Las Vigan! (an Ilocandia Adventure - Day 1)

I'm glad I have lakwatserang friends na nangangaladkad kung saan saan. There's no other perfect time for me to blog about our Ilocandia Adventure than today because it has been exactly a year ago since we went there (Time really does fly by sooo fast.•_•). Travel time from Manila to Laoag is approximately 10 hours, so we opted to take the airbus instead (hihihi!☺) via Philippine Airlines, and an hour after boarding, we were there already. 

Ang makulit, ang masokista at ang kaladkarin.Ü

We arrived almost lunch time, so our Ilocandia Adventure started out with a very hearty meal at La Preciosa, located in Rizal St., Laoag. Their crispy dinuguan is definitely a must-try! 

the menu

Next stop is the Sarrat Church and Bell tower:

hanapin nyo 'ko! hihihi!Ü

Then off to the Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag: 

The 45-meter tall bell tower built by the Augustinian Friars in 1612.

The bunggang bunggang chandelier of Fort Ilocandia: 

parang ang gandang gawing earrings ng chandelier na yan.Ü

Still the amazing Fort Ilocandia:

I love those arches!

Next stop is the Malacañang Ti Amianan:

The Malacañang of the North

View of the Paoay Lake from President Marcos' room:

Ang ganda naman ng view ni Makoy.

Now, the Church of Paoay and Bell Tower:

Did you know, the tower was used as observation post by Katipuneros during the revolution?

 Last stop for the day, Playa Tropical Resort Hotel:

Strongly suggested! They have the best sunset view, plus they have this amazing infinity pool.

The moon looks so close:

I love the scroll! It reminds me of Naruto and the Village of Konoha.Ü

That concludes Day 1 of our Ilocandia Adventure.☺