Norvin, Trina, Mrs. Jhoey& Mayet
Receiving Area with TV
the bar
the bedroom
Free Breakfast for three days!
I chose the Junior Suite. The room is good for 4 people. It has hot and cold shower, mini ref, bar area, receiving area, tv with cable, electric fan and aircondition. Balay da blas offered us tours from Vigan to Pagudpod for 3 days. Mr Adel became our driver and he used his MB100 to bring us in the most famous spots in Ilocos Sur and Norte. He gave us a good price (Php9000 for 3 days including Pick up and drop off from airport). Bonus, he is kind, quite serious but jolly, and patient with us.
the spacious van
1st day- Sept 20, 2011 Vigan tour
Badoc Juna Luna Shrine – Juan Luna’s Birthplace
We saw his original bed and palettes used for painting. We saw his replicated paintings. His brother’s clothes (Antonio Luna, the General) during Philippine Revolution is on display too, very rare treasure!
Norvin enjoying the tour
Norvin, Mami Jhoey, Trina and Mayet
Juan Luna's original palettes
Original bed of the Luna's
Juan Luna's landmark
Crisologo St, World Heritage Village
This place is awesome! As if I was travelled back in time during the Spanish era. The brick walls, Capiz windows, rocky road and antique items being sold in this place are very visible. I can’t believe that these were all preserved and intact, though there are some that are about to collapse too. Souvenirs such as ref magnets, key chains, shirts, wallets etc are available in this place. Restaurants and fast food chains are accessible too.
The Spanish Era streets
Old fashion transportation
Antique Villager (joke!)
Well preserved buildings
Ancient-looking Max's
Baluarte ni Chavit Singson – a very big zoo
This is Chavit Singson’s Zoo where camels, deers and mini horses roam freely. There are colorful parrots, fierce tigers, big ostrich and frightening snakes too, but locked in their cages of course. I would have loved the place if it was taken care of properly. The place is big but the landscape was neglected. Thank goodness, no entrance fee.
wacky pose!
Trina and her meal :D
deers walk freely
Mami Jhoey and the colorful parrot
the roaming big camels
the old tiger
ganda's ostrich
Hidden Garden – for those who love plants
You will be greeted with pictures of celebrities who already visited the place like Gabby Concepcion,Eugene Domingo, cast of going bulilit, etc. If you love plants esp. bonsai, don’t miss this place. I even bought a small plant that can remove the toxins in the air (the bad smell). I also bought a bonsai for my mom.
my mom will love this!
a giant fern
Pagburnayan- pottery
A worker showed us how a simple, dull and dirty clay becomes a masterpiece! At first he was holding a handful of clay, then he mixed it with small amount of water. He placed it in his working table ( a round, heavy and turning table) then shaped it any way he wants it. He finished it as a very beautiful vase. I asked him how he improves in designing,he said "I am inspired that's why I have beautiful creations". :D
· Marsha’s Bibingka – Food you want to bring home
If you want to bring good food to those who are waiting for you to go home, don’t forget to drop by at Marsha’s Bibingka. The bibingkas are small but delicious and affordable. I bought 4 boxes and as soon as I have tasted one, I regretted buying those 4 boxes. I should have bought more! The bibingka is really good and the smell is appetizing. Yummy! They also sell brownies, bagnet, leche flan, cornick etc.
starting to make a vase
Ganda trying his hands on the vase
the finished creation!
If you want to bring good food to those who are waiting for you to go home, don’t forget to drop by at Marsha’s Bibingka. The bibingkas are small but delicious and affordable. I bought 4 boxes and as soon as I have tasted one, I regretted buying those 4 boxes. I should have bought more! The bibingka is really good and the smell is appetizing. Yummy! They also sell brownies, bagnet, leche flan, cornick etc.
find your pasalubong here!
2nd day Tour – Pagudpod Tour
Bacarra (Acrobatic bell Tower)
A very old tower that was called acrobatic because the big stones at the top, dance as if they are acrobats. They dance due to the movement of the soil.The stones now already fell in the ground. And according to Mr.Adel, the remaining stones still fall so don’t go near.
the acrobatic bell tower
the history
the Bacarra Church
· Pasuquin ( saltmaking)
This place is for salt making. The sacks of salt come from Australia. The rock salts will be heated melted, dried and cooled to become smaller pieces of salt. I didn’t find the place hygienic especially where they put the finished product. The place is not clean and safe for the production of salt.
the salts are melted here
the finished product
Ganda mixing the salt
Pasuquin Bakery
We got hungry so we dropped by the "Famous maker of Delicious Biscocho". We ate the biscocho while driving to the next destination. Biscocho refers to baked bread topped with butter and sugar or garlic. It originated in Ilocos.
Ganda and Trina
Biscocho of Pasuquin
· Dragon Fruit Plantation
We dropped by the plantation of Dragon Fruits. You will see how they grow the fruits. They even gave us free samples to try! It’s juicy and nutritious.It has white flesh and black seeds.
Trina and Ganda looking at each other (eeew!)
the Dragon Fruits (Cactus family)
the fruits ready to be picked
the pink fruits
the free sample! :D
· Cape Bojeador- Lighthouse during the 1800’s
The place has an overview of pristine blue sea which will be appreciated more when you view it on the top of the cape. Richard Guttierez and Angel Locsin shot their movie here, “ The Promise”.
the oldest lighthouse in the Philippines
the inviting sea as background
the Spanish Era walls of the lighthouse
a million stories to tell...
Ganda and Trina at the foot of the lighthouse
· Bangui Windmill
30% of the electricity of this town comes from the windmill. They are really gigantic and they stand beside the beach. We played with the sand and took lots of photos of one of the famous landmark in Ilocos.
the very famous windmills
Trina and Ganda's PreNup Pic
the high tide sea near the windmills
· Pagudpod (White sand Beach)
We were all excited to visit the Boracay of the North! The white sand are comparable to the sand of Boracay. I love the place! There’s no one swimming because of the high tide and only Norvin enjoyed the raging waves.
Power Four in Pagudpod!
I love the beach!
Ganda is unstoppable!
the couple's romantic get-away
Bergblik Restaurant
We ate in Mr. Detlev Cotte's Restaurant, the Bergblik. I don't know his nationality but he's married to a Filipina. They cooked sumptuos and mouth watering foods for us. We all enjoyed our lunch!
Old potteries
Vintage radio-it's working!
Ferdinand's baby clothes
We ate in Mr. Detlev Cotte's Restaurant, the Bergblik. I don't know his nationality but he's married to a Filipina. They cooked sumptuos and mouth watering foods for us. We all enjoyed our lunch!
the simple yet appetizing menu
Bergblik's delicious Pork Katsu
Bergblik's Caesar Salad
the unforgettable pasta :D
Mr. Detlev behind Trina
Patapat Viaduct
This is a snake like road. We really stopped here even if it’s raining. The driver took photos of us while jumping and playing around.
power four in Patapat
Paraiso ni Anton
Cold river but I didn’t see the paradise. At least it’s for free so we just grabbed our cameras, showed-off
our tireless smiles and brought home the memory of this quiet place.
all smiles in the paradise's entrance
Very refreshing!
FHM pose (For Horrible Men) joke!
Macy’s Diner – 1950-1960’s theme restaurant
I saw this dining place in the net. I love the ambiance! The walls are decorated with vintage pictures/posters of famous Hollywood stars. There are old Coca Cola trays and frames which I’d like to take home. We ordered our dinner and ate them in Balay. The resto reminds me of Jonny Rockets minus the dancing servers. The ambiance is very inviting but the food they serve won’t keep you from coming back. Sorry, the tastes are not that delicious.
our hungry looks
the vintage style
the old style counter
3rd day of tour -Sept 22 – Laoag City proper
Last day of our tour. We had our final breakfast and checked out from Balay da Blas Pension House.
Museo Ilocos Norte
This museum has old dining set, kitchen tools and clay pots way back 50’s, radio that looks like an oven because of its size and an old bed, etc . If the old pieces were given the chance to speak, they would tell hundreds of stories from their historical owners and places they have been.
Museum's facade
old bags
Trina&Ganda with an old lamp
Old tools for ironing clothes
Sinking Bell Tower
This old tower still sinks around half to one cm. everyday because of its poor hold in the ground. I guess its firm structure was affected by many earthquakes it encountered. The original size of the entrance could fit a horse on a cart. Now, the entrance is not passable! That was how tall the tower before. We are lucky enough to see it because soon, the whole tower will be buried.
the tower!
St. Williams Cathedral
One of the oldest church in Ilocos. They even have antique images of different saints.
the view of the church inside
Marcos Museum
This is the birthplace of the former President Ferdinand Marcos. You can see here his baby clothes and lots of pictures of his family. Some of his awards, certificates/recognition are also here. The old piano of his mother is also there and it still works!
the kitchen
staring blankly at the antique walls
facade
Sarat Sta. Monica Church-Historical Marker
Formerly named as Church of Sn. Miguel in commemoration of the arrival at Sarrat of the first missionaries on the feast of San Miguel, Sept 29, 1724; now named Sarrat by the Philippine Legislature on 1916.
Sta. Monica Church
the nearby tower
the ruins of the building beside the church
Batac Marcos Museleum
Now we’ve seen Mr. Marcos unburied. The Museleum is very cold and they even have gothic sound playing as background. Flowers from Mrs. Imelda and their children were displayed outside too. Cameras are not allowed so don’t attempt because you will be screamed at.
Before going to the museleum, another house beside it has the Marcos Collection of old tv, his old table for his office, elegant clothes of Mrs. Imelda and Mr. Marcos’s old shoes and caps.
Ganda sporting his new shades
the young&dashing Mr.Marcos
Mrs. Imelda's gown collection
Mr. Marcos' shoe collection
replica of his office
his golf cap collection
Paoay San Agustin Church (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)
Tower used as observation post by the katipuneros during the revolution and was also used by the Guerilleros during the Japanese Occupation. Founded by the missionaries (1593)
Pre-Nup pic again
the marker
historical church
La Paz Sand Dunes
This is the location of the movie “Temptation Island”. We even saw the bonfire used for the movie. We played with the sand. We walked and run in the desert. It was really hot there by the way! So don’t forget to bring umbrellas, water and even extra clothes.
Lost in the desert
bonfire
so hot in here!
Malacañang of the North
This is the rest house/office of the Marcoses when they are here in Ilocos. This 22 hectare Malacañang has a lake, Olympic size swimming pool and golf course. The house has lots of dining tables and receiving area most probably for the VIP guests of the family. The house has antique beds too for their children.
the entrance
receiving area
another receiving area
garden
snack&receiving area
stairs leading to the garden
Fort Ilocandia Hotel
The five star hotel in Ilocos. They even offer a suite for Php50,000/night! They better be sure that the service is really excellent, for the humungous amount their customers are going to pay is not a joke! The hotel has swimming pool, fishing area, zoo, shooting range, archery and sunset lounge. They offer horse- back riding, hot sand spa, driving range, ktv, etc.
Posing time at the entrance
FIR-Fort Ilocandia Resort
the hallway
dining area
We went to the airport late in the afternoon with scattered rain showers. We’re going back to Manila with so many stories to share. For those who love to check Ilocos for some R&R, I’m telling you, you will never regret going here! So plan your next barkada or family trip in Ilocandia’s “Sparkling Gem”( Laoag City) and the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city ( Vigan City). Have fun!
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