February 27, 2014 Vigan City
We arrived in Vigan from Laoag just before 7PM. I led the way to Cordillera Family Inn for us to stay for the night. We passed through Plaza Salcedo and the St. Paul Cathedral (Vigan Cathedral) then crossed Plaza Burgos where the hotel is located. After getting a room, we took a shower ans freshened up before making a stroll along the heritage street, Crisologo street, which is just a few steps away from the hotel. We entered some shops to check some good finds. Kim and Rheza opted for a light dinner so we went to an empanada store along Crisologo street. Special empanadas start at PhP35 each depending on the ingredients ranging from pork, beef or chicken.
I love the sukang Iloko as partner for empanada. Kim and Rheza were just starting to appreciate Iloko food.
We continued our tour at the heritage street after eating our empanadas. We later had a walk around tour on the nearby locations like the Plaza Salcedo, St. Paul's Cathedral and Ilocos Sur provincial capitol. It must have been hot outside that Rheza suggested we checked out the Chillzone of the hotel. We ordered ice creams and nachos from the menu.
We went up to our room after eating where we continued our conversations and what we were watching on the tv.
February 28, 2014 Tour Around the City
We started the day by going to the Baluarte. It is a zoo owned by politician Chavit Singson. It is free to the public. Several species of birds, reptiles, Bengal tigers can be seen in zoo. Upon arrival, we registered on the visitors logbook and started right away with our exploration.
At 10AM, we were treated to an animal encounter where some of the animals were brought out of their cages and displayed to a crowd. The show host asked for volunteers to go on stage as different animals were shown. The last part was quite hilarious since a group of ladies volunteered and a yellow python was laid down on their hands. Some were screaming of fear by then.
There was this free pony ride of which we did not miss. We were like kids shouting "hee-yah".
Just before we exit the zoo complex, we had the opportunity to have a nice snapshot with a blue and yellow macaw.
Here are other animal photos.
Kim wanted more of Vigan's empanada so we ordered on one of the stalls outside the zoo. I really love the spiciness of the vinegar added to the empanada. Perfect partners.
Rheza on the other hand went to look for good finds on the other stall. Well, she found some good stuffs and she's good at haggling.
Rheza on the other hand went to look for good finds on the other stall. Well, she found some good stuffs and she's good at haggling.
More of Vigan
It was already 11AM when we head back to the city. We decided to checked out from our hotel but left out things on the receptionist. We later fetched our bags prior to our departure in Vigan.
We had lunch at Cafe Leona in Crisologo street. For the second time, my friends ordered bagnet. Bagnet, bagnet, bagnet! I told them to watch their health. Kim said that it's only for the time being since bagnet is Ilocos' specialty. it doesn't taste the same when ordered somewhere. After lunch, we strolled again the lengths of the street to look for more souvenir items. While Rheza was busy shopping, I was busy taking photos for instagram.
We had lunch at Cafe Leona in Crisologo street. For the second time, my friends ordered bagnet. Bagnet, bagnet, bagnet! I told them to watch their health. Kim said that it's only for the time being since bagnet is Ilocos' specialty. it doesn't taste the same when ordered somewhere. After lunch, we strolled again the lengths of the street to look for more souvenir items. While Rheza was busy shopping, I was busy taking photos for instagram.
Finally Rheza was done shopping and we rode the kalesa for a city tour. I did the talk to the kutchero for the rate and itinerary. We had to maximized our time since Kim and Rheza had to catch their flight back in Laoag City which is still 2 hours away.
Bantay Belltower
First stop of our kalesa tour was the Bantay belltower. This is located outside Vigan but very accessible. We registered our names on the logbook. There is no entrance fee but any donation is acceptable. We were accompanied by their tour guide who acted also as our photographer.
Our guide took some creative shots of us with the tower.
We ended our tour by going inside the church to light some candles and say our prayers. Candles can be bought for PhP10 and they come with earthen vase.
Syquia Mansion
From Bantay, we went to the Syquia Mansion. This is dubbed as the first Malacañang of the North. This is the house owned by the wife of then President Elpidio Quirino, the first Ilocano president. It is well preserved with all the giant paintings, old furniture and carriage.There is an entrance fee of PhP30 on this attraction. A tour guide from DOT is there to guide you around. We had a nice conversation with the tour guide that brought us back to our history classes with some terms like insulares and peninsulares. I got interested on some of the replica paintings by Respal. We spent an hour here not thinking of our limited time. When a new group of visitors came up the house, we thank and bid goodbye to the guide.
Pagburnayan (Jarmaking Factory)
We continued our tour to the local jarmaking factory, pagburnayan. We went to the Ruby jar factory. We were told to go to straight to the pottery area by a guy. He asked me if we wanted to try it and I answered with yes. All of us tried making our own earthen wares after we watched the guy do the demo. It was nice molding and creating your own. While he was shaping his jar, we asked questions about the local pottery. Unfortunately I cannot post my video here due to limitations of my blog account.
After trying pottery firsthand, we explored the kiln and storage area. We learned that after shaping the jars, they are left to dry on the shelter for one week. The jars will then be "cook" for 24hrs in the kiln.
Hidden Garden
This is a garden is a paradise itself. It is located a few kilometers from the city proper. The garden boasts of different plants used in its multi section garden. They have bamboos, bonsai, ferns and bromeliad nicely arranged in a landscape. Some plants can also be bought in the area.
The comfort room looks like you are in Big Brother's House. One feels like being watched because of the transparent glass used as a wall.
A restaurant is located inside the garden. The Lilong and Lilang restaurant serves famous Ilocano dishes like the bagnet sisig, warek warek, poqui poqui and empanada. And since we saw a bagnet sisig sign along the pathway, Kim and Rheza wanted to try one. They never had enough of bagnet since they arrived in Ilocos.
It was already 4PM and we need to get back to the city proper as soon as possible. We finished the bagnet sisig and left the place. The owner of the place, Mr. Francis Flores, was there to thank you personally for your visit as every guest leaves the compound. We rode back the kalesa to our hotel. Once we got our stuffs back, we rode a tricycle going to the Partas bus terminal. There were plenty of passengers that hour, 5PM. I asked the ticketing officer if there is a reservation and he gave me a number. I asked what time the bus will arrived and he answered around 7PM. I told him that I can't do it because we have a flight back to Manila via Laoag. I went outside the terminal to ask if there were vans or other buses that travel to Laoag. The person whom I asked said that I check GMW bus, these buses travel to Tuguegarao from Vigan. He also said that I could wait for Fariñas or Maria de Leon bus along the highway. So I waived at Kim and Rheza to approach me. i told them the idea that it will be risky waiting there so we have to do plan b. We took a tricycle to GMW bus but unfortunately the Tuguegarao bound bus had just left by 5PM. Plan c was up next. GMW bus terminal is just along the highway near the Vigan welcome arch so we need not take another tricycle. We just crossed the road and waited for a Fariñas or Maria de Leon bus. I gave Kim instructions where to drop by going to the airport. Time check: 530PM. ETD for Laoag-Manila flight via Cebu Pacific: 830PM. I joked them that their Ilocos trip was an adventure, amazing race style catching their flight. Soon a Fariñas bus came almost full of passengers, already in standing status. I told them it's just okay since some of the passengers will step out on thje nearby towns. I also informed them to keep me posted so I could give further instructions later. As for me, I took a tricycle to the bus terminal in Vigan where I rode a bus southbound. I left Vigan by 730PM. By then, I sent a text message to Kim how are they and he replied later that they managed to checked in on time and catched their flight. I was relieved then knowing they made it to the airport, if not they will have to rebook their flight. They arrived in Manila by 10PM, almost the same time I arrived at home. That was an insane trip, almost missing their flight and maximizing Ilocos itinerary for two days.
The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." ~Daniel J. Boorstin