SPENDING WEEKENDS AT ILOCANDIA
After several times of rescheduling our trips, we are finally down to our trip to Ilocos. It is not new to us to be part of a group as a joiner traveler. And so we came into this package tour with Itravel Philippines for 3D 2N with jampacked of activities and also with nice accommodations and food.
Let’s start our awesome ILOCOS Adventures!
Our assembly time was 2 am; Oct 7, 2016 at ortigas and depart at around 3am. Our first stop is a breakfast at La Union (not quite sure with the location), then we headed first at Ilocos Sur and drop by a scenic view on the way. Here’s a beautiful morning view for us to take some pictures.
Then we headed to the Bantay Bridge (the old Banaoang Bridge and Quirino Bridge) The two bridges are 350 meters apart,the old truss type Banaoang Bridge was damaged last 2011 and a new bridge was built to replace it and was named Quirino Bridge. Then the old bridge was reconstructed and became also passable but not as the main bridge, it also become as one of the tourist attraction before heading to Vigan and was an iconic symbol of Ilocos Sur.
And yeah! it feels like we owned the bridge!!
Next in our itinerary is the Bell tower and Bantay Church, it is about 15 minutes Kalesa ride from the Calle Crisologo of Vigan City. The Bantay Church is also known as the St. Augustine Parish Church. And it is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Province of Ilocos Sur.
Before taking our Lunch we headed to Baluarte Vigan City’s Zoo. The time we went there was quite hot and we don’t feel like roaming around even though the place was beautiful and fun to explore. we just got to the nearest spot and stay there and we are also hungry that time :). Maybe I’ll go back here when I went back to Vigan again.
Also i just want to share that ohhh I saw a camel!!! and dinosaurs even if it’s not real, it’s awesome cause it feels like real!
And then we headed to our lunch in Hidden Garden. Me and my sister are not so foodie and so we ended up just ordering bagnet sisig and fresh buko juice. And the verdict? well yeah its yummy!
After our lunch, we headed to two more stops before checking in to our hotel. We went to Vigan pottery (RG Pottery Factory), where you can experience making some pots.
Then another place is the Crisologo Museum, it has memorabilia for the late Congressman Floro S. Crisologo. The antique car there was said to be the car used by Carmeling Crisologo when she was ambushed but survived on May 10, 1961 at Bacsil, San Juan, Ilocos Sur. And there are more interesting stories and details you can check in this museum.
After the long and tiring, but fun day, we sure need some rest before strolling at the famous Kalye Crisologo. Our tour coordinator accompanied us to our hotel - Mojica Residencia Hotel.
Their place was nice and quiet. Our room was also nice and just right for us to take some rest. Their location was also the best because they are just one street away from Kalye Crisologo.
At around 5pm we started to stroll around the Kalye Crisologo, and tried riding a Kalesa for 150.00, Manong gave us a tour around Vigan and it was fun. And we have observed that they gave much respect to the kalesa drivers there and it was good to know.
Then we bought some Vigan Empanada from one of the famous store there -Irene’s Empanada recommended by my boss which is also from Ilocos, And some Vigan longganisa for our dinner. Then we visited the Vigan Church and the Famous Plaza where they have show, but that time they don’t have a schedule for the fountain show, so we are not able see it tho. There are also lots of souvenir shops there and restaurants/fast food chains in vintage look. I wasn’t able to take some pictures cause there are really lots of tourist wandering around. :) We just appreciated the views.
That sums up our first day at Ilocos Sur. We surely will have more bunch of activities for the second day which will be heading to Ilocos Norte. :)
I’ll be making the next part of this ILOCANDIA Adventures :)