I've always wanted to go to Ilocos because I want to feel the Spanish vibe even for a short period of time, besides I've been craving for Bagnet (crispy Pork belly). Most of my friends have been there already so I was left with the option to go there alone. I started planning the trip, the itinerary, the details of it, then while talking to some of my other friends, they've mentioned they are also planning to go to Ilocos, then boom! That's the start of our Ilocos Expedition- (with Pat, Ward and Yosh) ;)
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| photo credits to Patsyu |
We thought of availing a travel package but for me, the time for most travel packages is too tight, I wanted a more personalized, laid back adventure trip so we decided to make it a 5N/5D which I think is reasonable enough to enjoy everything. We finally came up with the idea of meeting before 9pm on June 11th at PARTAS Cubao Station We were supposed to take the 9pm bus but we took the 10pm trip instead. The bus fare is P665 and it'll be an 8 hour bus ride. oh yeah!!! So, we left Manila at 10pm and as soon as I get myself comfortable with my seat, I started to doze off. I was awakened on the first stop over in Capaz, Tarlac and that was about 12 am already. It was too cold, (well, I guess all provincial buses are!) me and Pat decided to do some leg stretching at the same time go to the restroom. The second stop over was in Sison Pangasinan, here, i decided to have a chicken noodle soup which costs 35php. There were another stop over but I lost track already because I was too busy sleeping. :p When i woke up, we're already in Vigan and we get off at Partas Bus station-Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It was around 6:00am. We took a tricycle and asked the driver to bring us to Arcellana's Lodging. The driver asked us for 60php.
A few minutes after we arrived in Arcellana's Lodging, Kuya Pablo was the one who greeted us and led us to our room. We put down our stuff and sat down for a while then we decided to head to Calle Crisologo, it was around 7am, cloudy, drizzly and a bit windy early morning.
W'e're really here!!! This is already ILOCOS!!! I thought. :)
We took our way to Calle Crisologo, it's a bout 10 - 15 minute walk from Arcellana's.
We looked around, took pictures, joke around We've noticed that stores in Calle Crisologo opens quite late, we were told they will open at around 10 or 11am.
And we were surprised!!! There's a superclub here!! :o
We continuously walked and finally we reached the last part of Calle Crisologo, we started looking for a place to eat. We came across these mini stores that sell food in front of Plaza Burgos.
Of course we ordered BAGNET, Sinanglaw, and Igado.
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| BAGNET |
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| SINANGLAW |
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| IGADO |
After eating we decided to walk around again. we were able to ticked on our list these places:
- Vigan Cathedral
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| UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE |
- Plaza Salcedo
- Arzobispado Nueva Segovia
Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol
- UNESCO World Heritage landmark
- Burgos Museum
(Unfortunately, The Burgos Museum was being renovated when we got there.)
Then after having great shots of these places we decided to rent out a tricycle. Kuya Adrian is our driver and he said the tour would be 150/hour. So we started our tour at:
- Bantay Bell Tower
- Camangaan Abel Weaving
I salute the people who still do this traditional way of weaving.. I tried it.. it's very detailed. :)
I admit, it's difficult and i think requires a lot of patience. :p
I admit, it's difficult and i think requires a lot of patience. :p
- Baluarte
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| **photo credits to Yosh :) |
- Hidden Garden
- Mindoro Beach Resort
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| It was really cloudy that day, and it started to drizzle. |
- Pagburnayan
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| *photo credits to Yosh :) |
I've tried it! It was not that easy.. but it's absolutely FUN!!!!! :)
Then we head back home, washed up then we decided to take a nap.Then Kuya Pablo left a bag of freshly picked Indian mangoes in front of our door.
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| WOW! mouth-watering mangoes!!! <3 |
After we had our dinner at Mang Inasal (since most local restaurants are full) we decided to dance and play in the rain! Wow!!! I was never that happy in the rain. :D Thanks to my friends who share the same crazy mind as mine. ;) After we kept on walking, running, singing and playing in the rain at Calle Crisologo we decided to go home at around 9pm. We walked back to Arcellana Lodging washed up, packed our stuff and decided on what time to leave the next day. After we all agreed to leave the house at 6:30am we dozed off and called it a night. We woke up at around 6:00 am, fixed our things and said our goodbye and thank you to Kuya Pablo.
Then we hailed a tricycle and asked him to bring us to Partas Bus terminal, he asked for 40 php this time.
** Here's our Itinerary:
Day 0:
- take the night Partas bus at Aurora Blvd. Cubao Station
Day 1:
- Arrival in Vigan
- Take a tricycle to Arcellana's lodging
- Look around Calle Crisologo
- Have a Lunch at Plaza Burgos
- Visit the following sites: - Vigan Cathedral, Plaza Salcedo, Arzobispado Nueva Segovia, Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol, UNESCO World heritage Landmark, Burgos Museum
- Hire a tricycle to show you around other tourist destinations that are quite far from each other. Places like - Bantay Bell Tower, Camangaan Abel Weaving, Baluarte, Hidden Garden, Mindoro Beach resort, Pagburnayan
- Wash up
- Take a nap
- Go back to Calle Crisologo for a night view
- Have Dinner
- Sleep :)
**Estimated Expenses:
Partas Bus (Cubao to Vigan) - First Class -665php /pax
Tricycle fare (Vigan Terminal to Arcellana's Lodging) 60php -- 15php /pax
Arcellana's lodging - 800 php /night -- 200php/pax
Lunch:
- rice - 10/order
- Sinanglaw - 60/order
- Igado - 40/order
- BAGNET -150/order
- softdrinks - 20/order
Tricycle Fare (TOUR) 150/hr
- *it took us 4 1/2 hours so total is - 675php -- 168 php/pax
Donation -Pagburnayan & Hidden Garden (any amount will do ;) )
Dinner
- Mang Inasal - 99php/pax
Tricycle fare (Arcellana's lodging to Vigan terminal) 40php ---10php/pax
**Contact Numbers: Arcellana Lodging - 0917 -852-2547
