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.
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| 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..
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| 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.
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| Bantay Belfry |
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| Cemetery - view from Bantay Belfry |
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| 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. :)
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| 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.
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 )
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| This woman is a 92 year old weaver |
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| 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.
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