North Tour: Day IV (PAGUDPUD)

Before we left Vigan, we bought pasalubong since according to my ate wala masyadong bilihan ng pasalubong sa Pagudpud. Bought 3 packs of Vigan Longganisa and 1 kilo of newly-fried Bagnet. Someone got lucky! We also had our second tour at Calle Crisologo. It's different during day time. 

So anyway, we left the hotel at 9:30 and headed to the nearest bus terminal. According to manong driver, walang bus na direcho ang byahe from Vigan to Pagudpud at kailangan talaga na bumalik ng Laoag and doon sumakay. And since wala naman kaming choice, sumakay na kami.

We were expecting that the travel time would only take an hour since nung nagpunta kami ng Vigan-Laoag ay wala pang 1 oras nakarating na kami ng Vigan. But I guess, isa yun sa mga kamalasan namin. Yung bus na nasakyan naman may pagkakupad din sa pagmamaneho at, inabot kami ng mahigit 2hrs and 30 minutes na byahe. How annoying is that? And another thing, hindi naman inabutan ang bus na sasakyan sana namin papuntang Pagudpud. Great!

So habang naghihintay at nakikipag-diskusyon yung isa kung kasama may lumapit sa amin tas inalok kami na sumali na lang sa tour nila. And so, sumama na kami. May kamahalan kasi ang offer ng trike driver na nakusap namin. And since medyo kapos na din kasi sa budget, pumayag na kami don sa 600per head na tour.

So, first stop. KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION.

Second Stop: BANGUI WINDMILL. It is truly magnificent and you'll ask yourself, how did they do this? What a brilliant idea.

Third Stop: PATAPAT BRIDGE: The longest bridge in the North. According to our tour guide, ginawa yung bridge dahil yung original na daanan (makikita sa bundok delikado so nilipat nila sa baba at yun na nga ang Patapat Bridge.

Di kami nakapunta sa halos lahat ng checklist namin since nakikisali lang naman kami sa tour, hinayaan na namin yung mag-asawa na magdecide kung saan pupunta. And since medyo kulang na nga din kami sa budget, di na namin napuntahan yung light house, di namin nasubukan yung zipline going water, di namin napuntahan yung Blue Lagoon and many others.

After namin mag-tour, nagpunta na kami sa pinareserved naming hotel. Papasok ang lugar pero okay lang kasi anlapit nya sa dagat. We also checked yung dagat and then decided na magswimming kahit saglit lang.

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Expenses:

Tour Guide/Driver: 1, 200/2 = 600php

Hote: Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex

Maganda yung room, malapit sa dagat. Accomodating naman ang mga tao. Fully airconditioned yung room, malakas ang tubig, yung wifi kelangan mo lang talaga lumabas tas tumabay sa balcony para masagap sya ng phone mo. 

Tour Guide/Driver:

Please contact Kuya Jose on this number provided below; (Please take note that prices may change depends on the number of pax)

Mobile number: 0947-785-3245

Or you may also contact Kuya Noel on this number provided below; (Please take note that prices may change depends on the number of pax)

Mobile number: 0909-971-6270

North Tour: Day III (VIGAN)

On our 3rd day Trip, we headed Vigan, Ilocos Norte. It is an hour bus drive from Laoag to Vigan and will only cost you 137php. 

We went to Vigan without eating so when we got there we asked Kuya Danilo para ihatid kami sa isang kainan. And he highly suggested to eat at Hidden Garden.

So when we got there, we were totally overwhelmed kasi it was also the first time na naka-kain kami ng totoong pagkain. Lol

So we ate, we ordered their famous Longganisa Poqui-Poqui Tempura, Egg drop with Vegetables and Bagnet Sisig. Ansarap ng soup nila, promise. Parang nabusog nga kami sa soup nila. After namin kumain, inikot namin yung Hidden Garden. Kung pwede nga lang magbitbit ng plants papuntang Airport, ginawa na namin. At siguro bumili na kami. Another good thing about the place bukod sa Food, and it's garden, nakakatuwa din yung idea na nangongolekta sila ng mga donations tas nakakatuwa kasi lahat ng naiipon nila, binibigay nila sa less fortunate ones para makatulong (like pambiling bigas).

So after Hidden Garden, we also went sa Baluarte. Honestly, di naman ako masyado natuwa. I don't know I was actually kind of disappointed kasi wala naman ako masyadong nakita bukod sa (Tigers, Deers, Snake, Birds). Tas pumunta din pala kasi sa Safari Gallery.

We also went to Crisologo Museum. According to the girl sa Museum (and trust me I also googled it). And On October 18, 1970, Bingbong's father, Floro, the then congressman of Ilocos Sur, was attending the Sunday mass at the Vigan Cathedral and was about to fall in line for the communion when a lone gunman shot him in the head. The incident caused panic in the church so the assassin was able to run and disappear. Up to this day, the murder has not been solved and it is believed  that it was politically motivated. Sa Museum, makikita mo yung mismong picture nya na naka black and white. Yung damit na sinuot nya when it happened.

We were also able to witnessed how pottery was made.

Last Stop. We went to Bantay Bell Tower. May nagpprenup pa that day and I realized, yes maganda syang venue para mag-pictorial. Katuwa! And umakyat kami sa pinakataas para makita yung buong view ng Vigan.

Dahil sa malapit lang yung hotel na nakuha namin galaan, At night we visited Calle Crisologo, it's much busier lalo na sa gabi. Andaming inuman, kainan at mas madaming tao. We also watched dancing fountain, sa Plaza Burgos.

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Expenses:

Tour Guide/Driver: 800/2 = 400php

Baluarte Ride: 40/2 = 20php

Food at Hidden Garden (Depends on what you order)

Donations at Crisologo Museum

Hote: Vigan Plaza Hotel

Maganda yung room, kaso yung mga tao sa hotel medyo rude. As a customer we will enjoy our stay sa hotel if may wi-fi so we could still reach out to our friends. Their wi-fi sucks, honestly!

Tour Guide/Driver:

Please contact Kuya Danilo on this number provided below; (Please take note that prices may change depends on the number of pax)
Mobile number: 0935-965-6063

North Tour; Day II. (LAOAG)

Again we woke up early and we have to wait hours before we can go outside and look for a place to eat.

At 7:24AM we went outside and asked manong driver to drop us off to another carenderia. Again after eating, we walked as we go back to the hotel.

By 8:30AM we started preparing, we took a bath, getting our stuff ready. An hour later, we asked Kuya Rommel to fetch us.

First Stop: The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag. It's located at the center and the busy City of Laoag. Based on Kuya Rommel, there are times that Mama Mary can be found on the top of the Tower.

So we walked a little and we went to St. Williams Parish, we weren't able to have a closer look and the details of the interior of the Church because of the wedding. And instead, we just lit some candles and prayed. Once thing I noticed about Ilocos, There are churches everywhere.

Also, we went to the park in front of Ilocos Norte Capitol and took a picture and rest for couple of minutes.

Second Stop: Sand Dunes of Paoay. This is the most exciting, happiest experience of my life. If you want to experience the 4x4, sand boarding and ATV, prepare 2, 000php and if I heard manong correctly, parang unlimited na sya. But it's not that expensive if you go there with your group. So we tried ATV, so cool. Never tried driving before and I was so happy driving it without falling from it. The route is from the start line and to the beach. We also tried the sand boarding by two and solo. Yay! And take note, sobrang sinwerte pa kami kasi pina-experience samin yung 4x4. Tas ang tarik nya. Katuwa. Pampalubag loob sa kanila, bumili na din ako ng kopya tas hiningi namin yung soft copy.

Next Stop: Malacanang of the North. This place was the second home of the famous Ferdinand Marcos. Sobrang laki, sobrang presko ng lugar since open sya. At the back of the house, you'll have a better view of Paoay Lake. 

And we went home.

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Expenses:
Tour Guide/Driver: 800/2 = 400php
Sand Dunes Activities: 1000/2 = 500php
Entrance Fee (Malacanang of the North): 40/2 = 20

Hotel: Farm Side Hotel

Sobrang bait ng mga tao don. Ang bilis ng wi-fi nila. Medyo papasok lang yung place pero safe naman at sobrang tahimik. If di nyo naman balak magtagal sa Laoag, yung standard room nila, pwede na at sulit na.

Tour Guide/Driver:
Please contact Kuya Rommel on this number provided below; (Please take note that prices may change depends on the number of pax)
Mobile number: 0999-746-4213

North Tour; Day I. (LAOAG)

At 5:32AM I decided to go outside. The cold, the noise of the birds, it was refreshing. This kind of moments I'd surelly miss when I go back to the busy city of Manila.

Sitting in front of our room.

Farm Side Hotel

We ate our breakfast sa isang Carenderia since wala naman ibang masyadong makainan malapit sa hotel. Since we are not familiar pa sa mga kainan, we asked one of the tricycle driver para ihatid kami don. And it wasn't that far. So we stopped in front of Dawang's Carenderia, the food selection wasn't that many so we asked and selected the tinuno (which in our own version is a grilled porkchop) and nateng (it's like pakbet). After we ate, we decided to walk. It's only 8-10 minutes walk, enough na para bumaba mga kinain namin. 

Tinuno and Nateng

At 9:00AM, We took a shower so were all set before our tour guide/driver came. At 9:30 we started our City Tour.

First Stop, Marcos Museum: Andaming tao, so medyo crowded ang place.Nakita namin don yung mga achievements ni Marcos, 11-days romance nila ni Imelda saka yung nakapreserve na katawan ni Marcos.

Ferdinand E Marcos Presidential Center

In front of Ferdinand Marcos House

And then dumaan na lang din kami sa Batac Church. And since medyo nagutom sa byahe we also tried the famous Empanada(longganisa, gulay, egg).

Batac Church

Empanada

Second Stop, Paoay Church. This is the most exciting part of the trip. So looking forward na mavisit yung place and today finally nakita ko sya. Yay! True beauty. The exterior and how it was built was amazing. Sayang lang hindi napreserve yung sa loob ng simbahan. Also outside ng Paoay Church may garden don, you may wanna check it out. It's called Jardin De San Agustin (Prayer Garden).

Paoay Churh

Renovated Interiors of Paoay Church

Gumamela at Jardin De San Agustin

Putting this picture here because this is a legit candid shot. HAHAHA

After that nagpunta din kami sa Paoay Lake, tas yung tour guide namin na si Kuya Rommel sinabihan kami about sa story ng Lake tas ansabi isang village daw lumubog don tas kapag inikot nyo yung lake, may makikita pa kayong houses na nakalubog don.

Paoay Lake

And then we also visited Fort Ilocandia, the most famous, the biggest and most well-known hotel/casino here in Ilocos. We also asked Kuya Rommel to drop us to the nearest beach and he did. We didn't swim, nope. Ang init kasi.

And since it was a long day and wala kaming baon na food. Googled some of the famous resto located in Laoag. And without second thought we both said yes to Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant. The place was cozy and quite. We ordered 2 types of Pasta and 1 pizza. Saramsam Pasta is their best seller so we ordered 1 since according to the waitress it's good for 2. Also for my choice I ordered Oriental Pasta it has the ingredients of Pansit and it was delicious. For the pizza we ordered Tropicale Pizza (Hawaian Pizza, thin crust). Yum, we didn't regret it eating there. It's worth it. Di pa nga namin naubos e.

And so it ends. More blog for tomorrow.

PS.
Happy birthday to my Nanay. Love youuuu.

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Expenses:

Tour Guide/Driver: 800/2 = 400php

Entrance Fee to Marcos Museum: 100/2 = 50php

Empanada: 40php

Hotel: Farm Side Hotel
Sobrang bait ng mga tao don. Ang bilis ng wi-fi nila. Medyo papasok lang yung place pero safe naman at sobrang tahimik. If di nyo naman balak magtagal sa Laoag, yung standard room nila, pwede na at sulit na.

Please do check Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant:

Googled a place to eat located in Laoag and I found Saramsam as the most suggested resto. So we tried. The place was quite, cozy, relaxing. The food wasn't so bad. (Saramsam, Pasta Oriental and Pizza Tropicale) is a must try.

Tour Guide/Driver:
Please contact Kuya Rommel on this number provided below; (Please take note that prices may change depends on the number of pax)
Mobile number: 0999-746-4213