ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Ilocos: Day Three

Our Day Three would be to visit Ilocos Sur. Before proceeding, we went around Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to view the site it offers.

Blue Lagoon. (01May2005)

First stop is the Blue Lagoon. It has cool, clear water. The place is not yet that known for it is yet to be developed. But its pristine beauty added to its charm.

Patapat Viaduct. (01May2005)

Next, we drove through Patapat Viaduct. "The town of Pagudpud offers breathtaking land and sea scapes which include Patapat, a scenic viaduct that hugs the coast and mountains."

Aqua Grande. (01May2005)

At the end of the Patapat Viaduct is the Aqua Grande, where you can find a mini-waterfall.

Windmills. (01May2005)


Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. (01May2005)

From Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, we are on our way to Vigan, Ilogos Sur. On the road, we stopped for a few minutes to take pictures of the windmills at Bangui and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse at Burgos. (We finally located the whereabouts of the "missing" lighthouse. hehehe!)

Paoay Church. (01May2005)

Then, we proceeded to Paoay Church. Normally, this church is closed. But since Imee Marcos was there for a visit, its doors were opened. Lucky for us, we were able to go inside the church. (After visiting the Paoay Church, there was a banter at the van that I called Imee to be at Paoay Church to open the door for us. hehehe!)

The Paoay Church is "built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks, the architecture is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental. Construction of the church was started in 1704 and completed in 1894. A few meters away is the coralstone belltower which served as observation post of the 'Katipuneros' during the Philippine Revolution. Paoay Church is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List."

Malacanang of the North. (01May2005)

Next is the Malacanang of the North. "Built as the official residence of then President Marcos in Ilocos Norte, overlooking the legendary Paoay Lake, this imposing structure is now a museum. A minimal entrance fee is collected." The fee collected from us PhP20.00.

Our first stop in Ilocos Sur is the house of our officemate's relative (where we had breakfast the previous day) to pick-up our order of Vigan longganiza.

Horse Parade at Vigan. (01May2005)


Calle Crisologo. (01May2005)

Finally, we have reached our final destination of our Ilocos tour: Vigan, Ilocos Sur. We arrived just in time to witness a parade, wherein horses were adorned with clothes, flowers, etc.

St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral. (01May2005)

The St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral, "the massive structure was built by the Augustinians in the distinctive Ilocano earthquake-baroque architecture. The cathedral is the setting of many religious festivities attended by devotees from outside the province."

Plaza Burgos. (01May2005)

Across the Cathedral is the Plaza Burgos. The plaza is "in honor of the Ilocano-martyr priest Father Jose Burgos. Nearby are food stalls selling native delicacies such as the 'empanada.'"

From the Plaza, we rode a tricycle to go to their public market where we can buy their famous bagnet. (BTW, I also bought chichacorn and kumot at Vigan.)

The Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad. (01May2005)


The Shrine's Bell Tower. (01May2005)

Then, we stopped by another church: the Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad.

On the way to Manila, we stopped at Marsha's Delicacies and at The Sisters to buy the famous Ilocos royal bibingka. We would be having dinner along the way.

Grillo's Diner. (01May2005)

After several hours of travel, we finally found a place to eat dinner... at Candon. It has been a long search for billboards stating a Jollibee or a McDonald's or a Chowking is within a few kilometers away. The trip from Vigan to Candon is a string of trees and bridges and winding roads. (Some of us ate at McDonald's, the others had their dinner at Grillo's Diner, which is beside McDonald's.)

When we were at La Union, it is then that the van's aircon failed. We stopped at a gas station in order for the driver to check what is wrong with the van. Good thing that we are travelling in the evening as we won't be too much bothered with the summer heat.

Just a few minutes away from the gas station, we saw a Pajero that turned-turtle. That triggered us (especially the driver) to be alert and fight drowsiness.

posted by ~GFA~ @ 5/01/2005 11:48:00 PM