ILOCOS TOUR | ILOCOS NORTE, Part 2

It was almost lunch time when we arrived in Laoag after the First Part of our Ilocos Norte Tour.  We had lunch in Laoag first before continuing on our Ilocos Norte tour.

MALACAÑANG OF THE NORTH

Also known as Malacañang Ti Amianan. The two storey mansion is said to be a gift to the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos from his wife Imelda on his 60th birthday. Locacated in Bario Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte overlooking the panoramic view of Paoay Lake, this mansion serves as official residence of the former President Ferdinand Marcos whenever he is in Ilocos. Today, it now serves as a museum with some of its rooms converted as a gallery of the former first family's memorabilla.

Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North overlooking Paoay Lake

The Grand Staircase, my favorite part of the house

PAOAY CHURCH

San Agustin Church commonly known as Paoay Church, located in the town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte  was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best example of Baroque Churches in the Philippines in 1993.

The church is among the major tourist attraction in the province of Ilocos Norte because of its distinct architecture.

Paoay Church

4X4 ADVENTURE IN LA PAZ SAND DUNES

My left hand is holding tight on the steel bar at the back of 4X4 jeep while my right hand is taking a video of the ride using my phone until the jeep moves its way down the high ridge, I forgot about the phone and my attempt to take a video of the ride and just hold on tight ( I mean, hug the steel bar haha...) to keep me from flying out as our jeep descends. Did i mention, I let off a scream too?

After a quick landing, as we try to compose ourselves the jeep moves its way up the ridge, on the side of the ridge, moves down and so on. And I would say,  this is the best part of my Ilocos Trip.

We conquered La Paz Sand Dunes

ILOCOS TOUR | ILOCOS NORTE, Part 1

After we Explored Vigan in 4 Hours, we continue our Ilocos Tour all the way up to Ilocos Norte. We leave Vigan at exactly 12:00 noon expecting to arrive in Pagudpud late in the afternoon. We stayed at Jun & Carol Beach Cottages located along the white beach of Saud. The location is nice and the rate is cheap but the water that comes out of the shower and faucet is like fresh from the beach. I had to buy a bottled water for brushing my teeth (#feelingdiva hahaha...), other than that the room is fine enough to rest my tired body from long hour of traveling.

I wake up the following morning to this beautiful sunrise... 

Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

For our Ilocos Norte tour, we hired a private car with driver who also serves as our tour guide. We have to fit in all the tourist attraction and activities in Ilocos Norte the whole day because we have an evening flight back to Manila. 

PATAPAT VIADUCT

A viaduct in the municipality of Pagupud, Ilocos Norte. The 1.3 km viaduct that connects the Maharlika Highway in Laog to the Cagayan Valley is elevated over 30 meters above sea level. The viaduct is deserted most of the time.

Patapat viaduct

TIMANGTANG ROCK AND BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Located along the shore of the town of Baloi, Ilocos Norte. Timangtang and Bantay Abot Cave is believed by the locals as "Lovers Rock", the former being male and the latter as female. 

Timangtang Rock - the male 

In Ilocano, "Bantay" means mountain and  "Abot" means hole, so its mountain with a hole.

Bantay Abot Cave - the female 

BANGUI WIND FARM

This is the tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte I am excited to see. I've read that this mega structure facing the West Philippine Sea provides 40% of the province's energy requirements.

Bangui Windmills

another shot of the windmills

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

Standing beautiful in white in the coast of the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Kapurpurawan rock formation is also one of the top tourist attraction in the province. This rock formation is so famous that it made appearance in movies like "Suddenly its Magic" with Mario Maurer and Erich Gonzales and "Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako" with Vic Sotto, Bong Revilla and Judy Ann Santos. (Sikat sya diba?)

The name Kapurpuwawan came from Ilocano root word, "Puraw" which means white.

Kapurpurawan Rock formation

Bertong Bayawak

another shot of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

Also know as Burgos light house, this still operational Spanish Lighthouse in the Philippines sits on top of Nagparitan Hill for over a hundred years now.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

ILOCOS TOUR | Exploring Vigan in just 4 Hours

We only have a few hours to tour Vigan, a UNESCO - declared World Heritage Site in 1999 as the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Vigan is a small city and you can visit most of the tourist spot even if you only have 4 hours to spend like us.

Calle Crisologo

We arrived in Vigan at 5:30 in the morning, to my surprise the 8 hours of travel time from Manila is NOT "Bum-Numbing" thanks to Partas Bus. The seat can be recline to the extreme so you can sleep like a baby. How I wish bus to work is like this.haha..

Inside Partas Bus 

At the bus station we immediately hire a tricycle driver/tour guide for this trip, and this is where he brings us.

1.  BANTAY BELL TOWER AND ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH CHURCH

Sitting on a hilltop, Bantay (Guard) Bell Tower has witness significant event in the history of Ilocos Sur. It has served as a watch tower during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II.

Bantay Belfry

Cemetery - view from Bantay Belfry

Sun Rise in Vigan

.. few meters walk from the belfry is the St. Augustine Church also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (Nuestra Señora de La Caridad). The church is built in 1590 and is considered one of the oldest in Ilocos Sur.

2. BALUARTE

One of the most visited tourist spot in Vigan Ilocos Sur is Balauarte. Baluarte is owned by Mr. Chavit Singson, it is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structure of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care. (Source: chavitsingson.net ) 

Baluarte is open daily and admission is free.

3. PAGBURNAYAN

"Burnay" is an earthenware jar crafted by a potter's hand with the aid of a potter's wheel. Here, we got to see how the locals made pot, which they called "burnay".

There is no entrance or or admission fee but a donation is appreciated. You can also make your own pots or pretend to be making one, like me here for your facebook or instagram selfie. :)

This is me trying to destroy the potter's masterpiece

4. BREAKFAST AT HIDDEN GARDEN

Craving for Authentic Ilocano Dish, our next stop is the Hidden Garden to have our breakfast. While waiting for our breakfast to be served, we had a relaxing tour of their beautiful garden. They also sell some plants from the garden.

5. SEE ABEL WEAVERS IN ACTION

Abel is the traditional woven product of Vigan and the Ilocos region. The Abel cloth is known for being a strong, colorful material. The fabric is so strong and beautiful that some families have them as heirlooms that last as long as their antique furnishings. (Source: vigan.ph ) 

This woman is a 92 year old weaver

Excuse me, but this one is for my instagram :)

6. STROLL ON CALLE CRISOLOGO

You have not been to Vigan if you haven't set foot at Calle Crisologo.  Walking along the the cobble-stoned street of Calle Crisologo is like walking back during the Spanish colonial era.

Motorized vehicle is not allowed along Calle Crisologo and there is no better way to explore the city than on a Calesa. 

Its 10:00 in the morning and we are now leaving Vigan to continue our  ILOCOS TOUR. Our next stop is Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.