The beauteous of Ilocos

I remember when I was in high school, I wrote in my journal that someday I'll visit Ilocos and explore the authenticity of Sur and Norte. My mother told me everything she experienced when she had a trip there with her co-teachers many years back. I wasn't able to join them because I have a class then and I guess, it was just exclusive for the COOP members of P. Guevara only. So, kayo na! :D A piece of throwback for me, eh! :)

Just two weeks ago, my friends, a special chubby chef and I toured around Ilocos Sur/ Norte for three fun-filled days. Kuya Danny of Peter Pan Tours kindly assisted us throughout our tour and he was jaunty enough on answering our questions, even the stupid ones. :D

For a price of 3,150php/ head (3D2N hotel accommodation stay- brunch and dinner not included), it wasn't bad for a budget traveler like us. :) We just brought our pocket lucre and our travel things for our much-awaited trip. ;)

Day 1:

The Bantay Bell Tower (built in 1951.)

(People's Watchtower as the Ilocanos' called it because it was part of the city's defense in alerting people against possible foes before.

While we were at the top of the belfry, we saw how huge some parts of Ilocos Sur and the view was solely breathtaking. The natives of Ilocos knows how to preserve the historical and cultural significance of this tower. The Bantay Belfry was also seen as one of the locations in a well-known Filipino film, Panday. :)

 

Bantay Church (built in 1590.)

Few meters from the belfry is the neo-gothic structure of Bantay Church and one of the oldest surviving churches in Ilocos Sur. Visitors can freely go inside, pray and make a wish especially for the first timers like us.

Baluarte

Baluarte is my least-liked place in our Ilocos trip because it is just like a usual type of zoo, I saw in my field trips during elementary days. No offence meant, that is just my opinion about the place. I don't know if my fellow buddies think the same way though. :D And yes, I'm a Chavit Singson hater, haters gonna hate! Lol and peace! :D

Hidden Garden

If you're a plant and jar lover, Hidden Garden is one place you would definitely love to bits! They sell different kinds of plants and burnay jars. They have a Chinese restaurant and coffee shop, too, that add on the relaxing and environmental vibe of the place. Hidden Garden also offers authentic Ilocano dishes. 

 The hardworking people of Pagburnayan

The Pagburnayan is a jar making factory and also one of the famous attractions in Ilocos Sur. Jars made from this place is truly popular by local and foreign tourists. It is owned by a Chinese blood senior but Filipino by heart, Mr. Fidel A. Go. Kuya Danny shared a trivia that Mr. Go is hailed as a National Folk Artist by the National Commission on Culture and Arts in 1990. :) 

 Jars of Clay! :D 

 I tried my luck in making a pot, and yes, I failed! :D

But it was FUN!! ;)

Our photo-opp with THE National Artist. Sir, ikaw na! ;)

We also visited the Vigan Cathedral and I can't find on my folder now the pictures. I don't know if I didn't take a picture of it or I just unintentionally forgot my cam on our urvan. Dang! Then we went also to Marcos Mausoleum in Ilocos Norte. Kuya Danny advised us that cameras are strictly not allowed inside, so, we have no choice but to abode the rules of mausoleum. While we were inside, we can't help but to share our sentiments about the former president of the Philippines, Sir Ferdinand Marcos. His 21 years in the presidency and how good looking guy this once powerful man despite being waxy and laid on his glass coffin. 

 Empanadahan

Our trip wouldn't be completed without trying one of Ilocos' authentic empanada and Iloco vinegar. :) Yum!!! I'm now craving while writing this entry and even remembers how we gobbled up this delicious empanada!! ;)

Calle Crisologo

Calle Crisologo is also one of the historical sites in Vigan and famously known for its Spanish milieu that you'll feel that you are also present during Spaniards time. Spanish-style houses and structures are eye candies! :) Beautifully preserved for more than a hundred years. Wow! ;)

    Cape Bojeador (Burgos Lighthouse)

I always feel creepy every time I see lighthouses and it all started in the first lighthouse I saw in Capones, Zambales. Though there are no ghosts or howling sounds that will surely set my scary tempo, there's just something about lighthouses that can raise my hair in every parts of my body. :/ That was exactly I felt the moment I was in Cape Bojeador. But hell no, it won't stop me in exploring lighthouses in the Philippines! ;) More hair raisers to come! :D

And the last destination to wrapped up our tiring but memorable day one in Ilocos is the...

Bangui Windmills

We were ecstatically noisy the moment we saw these kind-of-post-card windmills. I can't believe that the windmills I just saw in a 2006 campaign ad of DOT entitled Biyahe Tayo were finally right in front of me!! :) FYI according again to Kuya Danny, each wind turbines are capable of producing electricity in the province of Ilocos. Cool!!! ;) 

Day 2

Though we were still have a hangover on our day 1 escapades, it doesn't ceased us in exploring more of Sur/ Norte the following day.

Kabigan Falls

A 30 minute-closed to an hour trekking was our first challenge in reaching Kabigan Falls. I haven't seen a falls before that's why I was excited to see the pristine beauty of Kabigan. All sweats and complaints about our endless walking paid off when we finally reached the picturesque falls. :)

 Patapat Viaduct

Based on Kuya Danny, Patapat Viaduct is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. This concrete coastal bridge is 1.3 km. long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region.

This picture was taken from Calvario de Patapat by Kuya Danny. Because I was thirsty that time, I forgot to take a picture of the whole place. Oh, excuses! :D The water from Calvario is potable and everyone is welcome to drink this refreshing water. :)

Bantay Abot Cave (image credits)

 

Timangtang Rock Formation (image credits)

Kuya Danny said that Aparri or Batanes aren't really the top provinces in our Philippine map. It's Timangtang and it can be proven when you use GPS tracker of your cellphone. So, Eat Bulaga should change the first phrase of their opening song to; Mula Timangtang hanggang Jolo, saan ka man ay halina kayo! :D

Blue Lagoon or locally called as Boracay of the North was our last trip in day 2. Because of its bluish water and pure white sands (not entirely white but close enough), we weren't surprised why others compared it to the world's number 1 island, Boracay in Aklan. Though huge waves were evident that day, it didn't bothered us to enjoyed more the large-like blue swimming pool. :D 

Last Day

Time flies friggin' fast when you're enjoying the day, right? Sigh! But before we go back to our busy and stressful lives in Manila, our day 3 started by visiting the other stunning places of Ilocos Norte. :)

Astounding as I describe the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation because it was perfectly sculpted by the forces of pelagic and weather alike for years and years and years. Nature has its own creativity in making the rocks creamy white and the rock at the top looks like a beautiful gem. :) Puraw is an Ilocano term for white as per Kuya Danny. 

The Sinking Bell Tower was built on a sandy foundation and literally sinking yearly by an inch. So, imagine this tower 10 to 20 years from now. The local government of the province made an ordinance that this tower is no longer open to the public to preserve this historical belfry. We were just contented by taking pictures outside and uttered that the beauty of this tower will never be sink. :) 

                                             

Visiting one of the important landmarks of the whole province was the one we didn't missed! The Malacanang of the North or locally called as 'Malacanang ti Amianan'. This is one of the rest houses of the late Ferdinand Marcos and his family. As per the rest house tour guide (I forgot his name, sorry!), this rest house was a gift on his 60th birthday from her imeldific wife, Madam Imelda Marcos. The rest house also considered as their official residence in Ilocos Norte during Macoy's governance. 

Exploring the house more...

                                                               

          

 Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines for 21 years. (1965 - 1986) *Wasn't born yet!- Author

The First Lady, Imelda Marcos

 Macoy's projects and whereabouts.

Paoay Lake

Given a chance, I would still love to visit the Marcoses rest house again and hear their intriguing stories and secrets more. It feels like I see a piece of history and why the first family before and up to now are unarguably controversial. 

Not in my wildest dreams that I'll be able to set my foot where exactly Pinoy Superstar Nora Aunor's iconic movie, Himala, entirely shot. I got a little goosebumps imagining that Ate Guy shouted here her famous line, "Walang Himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat!" blah blah blah! :D Even the original and adaptation of Temptation Island experienced the excruciating heat yet beautiful Paoay Sand Dunes. 

Our sand dunes adventure is definitely a rare experience I will never ever forget because we bravely rode a 4x4 rough riding wheel and an epic one, the Sand-boarding! ;) 

Look!!! :)

My first attempt at sandboarding... :)

Happy Kiddo! :)

BALANCE and FOCUS to make your attempt successful! Luckily that time, two were my best friends!! :D 

Tired and exhausted because of the heat but we can't stopped jumping and aiming for that one picture-perfect jump shot!! :) (insert: sweaty body pain after!)

We also dropped by in San Agustin Church or commonly known as Paoay Church. This baroque style church is one of the most common choices as a perfect backdrop for romance movies, local and international commercials. :)

Paoay Church - Hailed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. (info credits)

After all the places we've been throughout the day, it's time to eat good Ilocano foods and only in this province I tasted their original pinakbet pizza at Herencia Restaurant. :) I've never imagined that pinakbet is not just good as a dish partnered with rice but can be a pizza treat, too. :) 

Pinakbet Pizza! Surprisingly delicious! Indeed, a must-try!! ;) 

Marsha's Delicacies was our last point to end our three wonderful days in equally wonderful place of Ilocos Sur/ Norte, Philippines. Their pastries are so good especially the brownies and ube macapuno! ;)

Truly, madly and deeply that my Ilocos trip is one of the best experiences I have so far for the first quarter of this year. :) I can finally crossed out Ilocos in my list of provinces that I really want and dying to visit before the white light escorts me. OA! :D If my destiny permits me to visit this province once again, I would definitely love to! Though three days are just enough, I am still craving for more. It is doubtless more fun in our country! More travel, love, light, peace and blessings ahead of us. :)



(Note: Most pictures are author's property, other images were properly given credits!) 

Camera used: iPhone 4, Lenovo tab and Nikon Coolpix 300