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| Sinking Bell tower in Laoag |
What will you do or perhaps where will you go if there is a long weekend, you have money to spare,
and company to bring? I’d say, go up north. Go to the farthest northwestern
part of Luzon. Land travel to Ilocos Norte is about 12hours straight and there are buses
namely Farinas that goes there on a regular basis. There are also flights to
Laoag for 40mins for about Php3-Php4k per trip. If you’re up to it, drive your
own car to explore most of the wonderful sightings in the Ilocos region.
It is usually
advisable to leave Manila very early in the morning so the
passengers (poor driver) can enjoy the sleep and come arrival will appreciate
the beauty of Ilocos better. Ilocos bound is just a straight driving, mostly
follow the highway and you’ll be on track. Take NLEX and SCTEX going to Tarlac.
Exit in Tarlac then bound to where Baguio is. In about five to six hours you’ll
be in La Union and in another 3-4 hours you’ll reach Vigan.
First stop in Ilocos is Vigan. Vigan is rustic, rich in heritage, and an amazing city. I’ll leave
the details of Vigan in the Wikipedia website. Vigan is where you’ll see the
cobbled-stone street of “Calle Crisologo”. There you’ll see a lot of souvenir shops ranging
from antique sculptures, mugs, hats, shirts, wood sets, and their famous
longganisa, chichacorn, sukang iloco (vinegar) and bagnet. Bring a couple of
thousands for your family souvenir, because for sure you won’t be able to
resist the charms of the local sellers here. You can also ride the kalesa
(horse ride) @ around Php300 for a historical tour around Vigan city. This may
take you around 1 – 2 hours depending on your trigger happy fingers allotted
for photo ops.
After which, if you get
hungry try to eat at the famous “Café Leona” just located near the Max restaurant
in the center of the plaza. Try their Bagnet, pinakbet
and their pizzas. Though I haven’t tried, I’ve heard that breakfast in “Coffee
break in Vigan” is also a delight just along Calle Crisologo. Hotels are
also available within the vicinity that ranges from Php1,200 to Php5,000.
Now we carry on to Laoag, which is another 2 ½ hour drive from Vigan. You definitely won’t miss it
because of the big sign welcoming tourists and locals warmly in the vicinity of
Laoag city. If you’d arrive at night, stop over at the fluorescent lit sinking
bell tower just about 600m from the sign of Laoag. Bring your tripod and take
photos of the one of the wonders of the Philippines.
Where to stay in Laoag, Java
hotel is the most popular place to stay in. Rates are slightly higher compared to other
provincial hotel rates starting at Php2, 500 for Java’s deluxe room. There
is cable TV, air-condition, and the food is good. Stroll around the city of
Laoag at night and people will be mostly travelling by tricycles. Try the
Ilocos empanada at Dap-ayan just around the corner in front of the plaza. Dine in
saramsam” where pizza and pasta recipes done by Ilocanos will make you want
some more @ very affordable prices. Then have your photo ops of the Museo, the plaza and other churches within the
city.
Next on our itinerary, which we allocated a whole day for, were Cape Bojeador light house, Kapurpurawan rock formation, Bangui
wind mills, and Paoay church. All the ones listed are farther north bound
except for the Paoay church. The light house is a 30min drive from Java hotel,
then another 20mins to Kapurpurawan rock formation. Last 30-40mins to Bangui
windmills to see one of the World heritage sites here in North Luzon.
Everything is amazing. The rock formation and the wind mills
are almost surreal. It is so grand and majestic from nature to man made. Being
there is a treat.
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| Kapurpurawan rock formation |
After taking many
photos of the places we’ve been, we went back to Paoay which is south bound of
Laoag. It’s a 1 ½ drive from Bangui windmills, but feast yourself to the
delightful sightings of Paoay church @ sunset and delicious menu of Herencia
restaurant just in front of the church. We were lucky enough that there were no
tourists / visitors that were roaming that much in the area.
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| Bangui windmills |
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| Paoay Church |
After our late lunch we tried to see the sand dune but
unfortunately, will be more fun if you’re in a group. So what we did, we just
visited the Malacanang of the north wherein Marcos has lived with his family
during the vacations of his presidency. It closes at 4pm but we’re fortunate
that the guard let us in after 5pm and captured the majestic sunset on the
house.
Last stop, last day Pagudpud bound. This is one of the last
towns of the North. It is a 13 hour straight drive to Manila. We just visited
the Patapat viaduct before sunset for our safety (there were no street lamps,
curvy road). We almost regretted that we did not stopped by in the blue lagoon,
but our place in Saud beach resort was also as good from the stories that I’ve heard.
Rates ranges from Php3,000 per night, food are also served and a visual treat
of rich blues and creamy white sand sits in front of you.
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| Patapat Viaduct |
During my first visit, I went to Marcos palace in Batac. It’s
a town after Laoag wherein you’ll see his works, his wardrobe, writings and
especially his preserved body. It’s a Php50 entrance fee where you’ll taste a
bit of Philippine history.
My Ilocos trip will always delight me and will always be
treasured. This is one of my trips where I saw so much beauty in the
Philippines. It is one way of celebrating your vacation, be of relaxation and rekindling
of one self. I'd truly say that, it is more fun in the Philippines.
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| Marcos Palace in Batac |
Lingayen Gulf is relatively shorter distanced than Bolinao.
It’s around 4.5hr drive straight from Manila. We stayed in a place called El
Puerto Marina. The resort was very welcoming. It has cottage rooms and cemented
rooms both fully air-conditioned with television. Activities are fishing,
kayaking, pool, badminton, billiards, ATV, and of course swimming. There’s an available
pool if you don’t want to swim in the beach. Besides, the beach is another 300m
walk from the resort. When you reach the beach front, large nipa huts are
awaiting rooted in the fine light brown sand of Lingayen Gulf. Winds are a
breeze and waves are gentler compared to beaches on the farther north. Food and
cold beer are also served in the resort. If you want to relax and veer away
with the hustles of the city and the parties I recommend this place.
Another beautiful but far place to go to in Pangasinan is
the Puerto del Sol in Bolinao. You’ll know you’re in Bolinao if you see welcome
signs of lighthouses. This resort is around 450km away from Manila. The resort has
rustic designs ranging from Spanish to Italian architectural taste. There are
also activity place such as darts, billiards and kayaking. The beach is not so
great but don’t worry because there’s a big pool if you don’t like to swim on
the beach. With not so much to talk about, you will enjoy the serene atmosphere
thru eating plenty of bangus dishes, take lovely sunset photos and relax with
the nature inspired ambiance of the place. 
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