Vigan

Ilocos Adventure - Vigan

It was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience exploring Ilocos. It was our first time to visit this historical and beautiful province! Ilocos is located in the northwestern region portion of Luzon. It is bounded by the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to the east, Central Luzon to the south and by the South China Sea to the west.

March 31st 2010 at around 11 o'clock in the evening we embarked our journey to the province in the north... Ilocos. It was an 8-9hr bus ride from Manila to Vigan. We arrived at Vigan at around 8am, Thursday and then met up with our very jolly and friendly tour guide "Kuya Harold".

Vigan Cathedral

   

After we had breakfast, we began the tour starting with the Vigan Cathedral also known as St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral, it is an earthquake Baroque-styled church with a separate belltower.  We went inside and prayed. :)

Baluarte ni Chavit

Then we went to Gov. Chavit Singson's BALUARTE or "fortress", another popular tourist destination in Vigan. Chavit has a collection of exotic animal which include tigers and lions that are playful and bred in captivity, ostriches, deers, snakes, birds, horses, fishes, camels, and a butterly garden of over 500 varieties. It’s open to the public and there are no entrance fees. All you need do is to tip the guides generously for the time and trouble it takes to bring you around.

The Hidden Garden

Next is the Hidden Garden, a gorgeous haven owned by an architect famous for his landscaping projects. They actually sell the plants and garden settings there and offers landscaping.

One of the rooms of Syquia Mansion

Syquia Mansion of Former President Elpidio Quirino is next in the list, a historical ancestral house.

Bantay Belltower

Bantay Church

Bantay Belltower

  

Bantay Church also known as St. Augustine Church and Belltower, named after its Patron St. Augustine, one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur.

Calle Crisologo

Calle Crisologo is the most famous cobblestone street of Vigan and stepping on it is like being transported into the Philippines' past.

Front of Sinait Church

Lastly is the Sinait Church, home of the Miraculous Black Nazarene also known as Apo Lakay. Of course we didn't leave Vigan without trying their delicacies such as bagnet, biscocho, longganisa, chicha-corn, and rice cake (bibingka). Next stop -- Laoag City! :)

   

4ecc0257-1863-4184-87d5-c0bf58104f7a

1.03.01

Laoag

Ilocos Adventure - Laoag City

The Sinking Belltower in Laoag City

Laoag is a first class city in the province of Ilocos Norte. We arrived at Laoag on thursday afternoon. We went off to see the Sinking bell tower, it is one of the first things you may spot upon entering the city proper. It’s a massive 45-meter bell tower said to be one of the tallest bell towers in the Philippines and was built by the Augustinians in 1612. The tower has earned its “sinking” reputation because it is so heavy and it was build on sandy foundations that it has consistently sunk into the ground. 

Marcos Ancestral House

Then we visited the Marcos Ancestral House and Museum that is located in Batac.

Paoay Church

Paoay Church, the best known earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This uniquely beautiful church amazes tourists with its majestic structure of Oriental,Gothic and Baroque influences.

Sarrat Church

Sarrat Church is one of the most popular destinations in Ilocos Norte not just for its heritage and cultural significance but it was this same church that one of the most lavish weddings in the country happened (Imee Marcos and Greggy Araneta wedding). 

After a tiring but fun-filled tour, we proceed to the Grand Octagon Hotel wherein we chilled for a while and then took a dip at their pool to unwind before we take a rest. We stayed there for the night and we'll continue our journey the next day morning.

Burgos Lighthouse

After a very delightful breakfast at the hotel, we go on with our Ilocos Norte tour starting with the Burgos Lighthouse or Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, the most elevated lighthouse in the Philippines, you have to climb to the hill from the main road.

View from the top

Lighthouse Entrance

Burgos Lighthouse

But all those calorie-burning climb is well paid off with the view that awaits you at the foot of the lighthouse. It consits of 3 levels – the courtyard with the living quarters, the main pavilion and the tower. It is also made of kiln-baked bricks which adds to its appeal and charm. 

The Illustrious Bangui Windmills is our most favorite destination in Ilocos Norte during our trip. Looking at these windmills at far made us say “WOW.” They are huge, powerful, and modern-looking. This 20 white gigantic fans each at 70 feet high are considered to be the biggest in Southeast Asia and provides 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte.

Kabigan Falls

After visiting those beautiful structures, we trekked for a 1.8 km trail going to Kabigan Falls, it was an 80 ft waterfall that is surrounded by thick forest and well-known for its concaved basin. Next stop - Pagudpud!♥

4ecc0257-1863-4184-87d5-c0bf58104f7a

1.03.01

Pagudpud

Ilocos Adventure - Pagudpud

Pagudpud is the last leg of our Ilocos Tour. It is around 78 kilometers, one-way, from Laoag. 

The snake-like Patapat Road/Viaduct

Going to Pagudpud, our tour guide Kuya Harold said we will going to see first the Patapat Road, an elevated concrete highway constructed along a winding and rocky headlands near the northernmost part of Ilocos Norte, beyond it is the boundary to Cagayan Province.

Paraiso ni Anton's Waterfalls

We also visited Paraiso ni Anton where there are three waterfalls believed to have healing powers. 

Bantay Abot Cave

On the way to Blue Lagoon we stopped at Bantay Abot Cave, it means a sea mountain with a hole, it also has a breathtaking view of the sea with unique rock formations. 

Blue Lagoon

Our last destination that day was the Blue Lagoon, a serene and peaceful white-sand beach, the ambiance is very relaxing and very romantic as well ♥♥♥, it's like Boracay of the North!

After exploring the beautiful spots of Ilocos Norte, we went off to Pagudpud, which has a beach reputed to have the longest contiguous white sand with mighty waves and strong winds.

Perfect Jump Shot! ♥

♥ Moment of Love ♥

Pagudpud's Mighty Waves!

We spent our last two days eating (empanada and shawarma), resting and swimming at Saud Beach Resort.

Ready to go back to Manila

The 4-day fun-filled tour of Ilocos has come to an end, as much as we want to stay longer, we can't. Honestly the first day we stepped on that place it feels like home, it's like we used to live there. We will surely come back and visit this astonishing and historical province. :)

   

    

4ecc0257-1863-4184-87d5-c0bf58104f7a

1.03.01

Bangui Wind Mills

The Bangui Wind Mills were built by the North Wind Power Development Corporation to take its share in reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) causing global warming and to accelerate the rural electrification of the government. It is located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. To optimize the full benefit of the winds, turbines are installed along the shore facing the sea effectively removing wind breaks.

One of the gigantic white wind mills, perfect contrast with the blue sky.

Bangui Wind Mills is our most favorite destination in Ilocos Norte during our trip. Looking at these windmills at far made us say “WOW.” We can't believe our eyes seeing these 23 storey high windmills along the 3km Bangui Bay. We were so amazed by these 20 enormously beautiful structures at far and even up close. When we stepped on the beach where these windmills are located, we can't help but stare in disbelief, when up close you can hear the blades' sound whistling through the wind , it was a breath taking view of one of the wonders of Ilocos.

They are so beautiful and we can't help ourselves but to shoot with awe and jump for joy! :) 

Weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I can hold this in two hands

 But I can hold it with only one hand. hahaha!

Bangui Wind Mills - a one worth site, a one worth stop in the North Luzon island! :D

                       

4ecc0257-1863-4184-87d5-c0bf58104f7a

1.03.01

Ilocos Empanada

Ilocos Empanada or Batac/Laoag Empanada is one of our favorite foods that we tried on our wonderful adventure. During our stay in Pagudpud we indulged on this unique Ilocos delicacy, it is composed of rice flour for the crust with achuete to give it a bright orange  color, filling of egg and mongo sprouts also known as "toge" , grated green papaya and Laoag Longanisa (yum!) which adds more flavor to it. You can dip it with either Ilocos vinegar or catsup which enhances the taste of the empanada.

Yummy Empanada!

Ilocos actually has two kinds of empanada, the Vigan Empanada and the Laoag/Batac Empanada. Unfortunately we were not able to taste  Vigan's Empanada,  though there's not much difference on the ingredients except for the Longanisa, Vigan's Empanada is  crispier, thinner and also light colored.  The next time we go to Ilocos we will surely try it! 

4ecc0257-1863-4184-87d5-c0bf58104f7a

1.03.01