Meet my sister.
Showing posts with label Ilocos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ilocos. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day 4: Ilocos Trip - "Where Have You Been?" At Kaibigan Falls
First thing in the morning, I knew our next destination, Kaibigan Falls, would be a bit far. It would be a 1-hour drive from where we've been staying, and with distances like that, I just couldn't help but question. Geeez, for a waterfall? I was afraid that we'll just check out the area, take some pictures and head on. Thinking about that made me want to jump this part of the itinerary. But I forgot about the fun part: take a plunge in it.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 3: Ilocos Trip - Laoag to Pagudpod - Paoay Church
 |
| Paoay Church |
This Paoay church just gives me an ancient feel. Being made from huge bricks, and having a certain special architecture to it.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 3: Ilocos Trip - To Pagudpod - La Paz Sand Dunes
Desert?
No.
Just La Paz Sand Dunes...
Yes.
In the Philippines.
And it was AWESOME!
 |
| La Paz Sand Dunes, Ilocos |
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Because I Can Lip Sync
I had to seriously contemplate whether to post this one or not... because... I just looked too silly here. But yeah whatever. It's all for entertainment baby! :)
It was 7-ish in the morning and was waiting for our tour guide to pick us up. And then... I got bored.
This is the result of my happiness. It didn't rain during our Ilocos trip. Great weather ahead. Yes!
This one below is the product of my boredom.
And you know this video screams AWKWARD!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Day 3: Ilocos Trip - Juan Luna Museum
Right outside the museum you would see printed works of this famous artist, filling in 2 walls with ... Oh what the heck. Look at the picture! :P
Day 1: Ilocos Trip - Casa Teofila
In choosing our accommodation, my top concern was the price. Knowing that we would just be needing a place to sleep over, it wasn't really necessary to get something fancy. Anything that's comfortable and cheap is perfect for us. So I found Casa Teofila.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Day 2: Ilocos Trip: Vigan - Calle Crisologo
Calle Crisologo (Crisologo Street) in Vigan, Ilocos
When history is now.
You'll know when you reached the right place just by looking at the ground.
 |
| Calle Crisologo |
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Day 2: Ilocos Trip: Vigan - Hidden Garden
Wonder why it's called Hidden Garden? Well it took us a long time to reach this place. I think we had passed through small subdivisions, farms and 30minutes has passed, and no sign of Hidden Garden.
Believe me, after having gone through all that, you'll realize why. And you'll get pissed why it's Hidden and why now when you're hungry!
But you know, getting there was worth it.
The place gives you a Bali-feel to it. Thanks to tribal decors nipa huts and, wood furnitures.
First thing we did?
We ordered.
 |
| Empanada (Php40) |
 |
| Poque Poque (Php 130) |
 |
| Bagnet (Php 225) |
 |
| Dinengdeng (Php150) |
We were really happy we chose Hidden Garden. I mean, we were eating famous traditional Ilocano dishes whilst in a "Bali-inspired" garden. Happy much! :)
Day 2: Ilocos Trip: Vigan Tour - Baluarte ni Chavit
Baluarte ni Chavit is owned by the infamous Singson's family. Chavit is the first name of the former mayor who served in that position for decades. Currently his son, is the mayor.
Day 2: Ilocos Trip : Vigan Tour - Syquia Mansion
 |
| My brother with the portrait of Former President Elpidio Quirino. |
Syquia Mansion is the mansion owned by Former President Elpidio Quirino. Now it has been donated to the local government and is currently converted to a museum. Tourism is one of the biggest source of income of people in Ilocos, so they're preserving this as a national treasure, sharing it to tourists through offering tours.
The Tour Guide
When we got in the mansion, I saw an old guy who was seated and hurriedly went in another door, closing it behind him. We were staying there for few seconds wondering who is in charge. As more tourists came crowding in our space, the same guy who went inside the room was trying to gather us in one pack. Oh, so he was the tour guide. He was pretty feminine with his actions and speech so I figured he was gay. Not that there was nothing wrong with that. Anyways the way he managed the tour was pretty good. He was strict with the house rules: no taking pictures while the tour is ongoing, and the visitors should stick in one group.
According to him, the arrangement of the furnitures hasn't been change ever since the house was transferred to the local government. Reason behind is to easily pinpoint if something was missing in the house or not.
The golden jar right here was claimed to be given by the Emperor of china to the former president. It was said to be priceless since this one is original as proven by the emperor's seal at the base of the jar.
 |
| The peeping hole. |
Peeping holes were used to check the visitors at the ground floor. If they're approved, then they would be allowed to climb up the second floor, if not, then they'll remain downstairs. There's also another peeping hole carved through the master's bedroom. So the master could check whoever it is in the living area, if they're VIP's of some sort then they'll be allowed to enter the VIP room which is adjacent to this room above.
 |
| The VIP Room. |
The room is practically adorned by expensive furnitures that came from Europe and other parts of the country as a gift to the former president. Example of which is the golden mirror that was shipped from Europe.
 |
| A replica of the Spolarium painted by Gen. Luna's apprentice. |
Another feature in this room is a replica of the Spolarium, painted by the apprentice of Gen. Juan Luna. Although this one's a replica, the fact that it was a work of his apprentice, makes it really valuable. The original Spolarium is now hanged in our National museum and is so humongous that it eat up an entire wall in the huge museum.
Entrance Fee: Php 20/head
Tip: Php80
The old guy needs to get some extra tip for not only giving us information about our history, but also sharing some juicy facts on some showbiz issues related to the descendants of the former president. I wasn't really able to catch up since I don't meddle in the other people's business, but since the crowd was well entertained, and since he took a lot of pictures of us in different angles. Then boom! Hefty tip for you. :)
Woow, so much for museums. I need a breather, like getting my hands to work on some jars! :)
Day 2: Ilocos Trip: Vigan Tour - Bantay Church and Bell
 |
| My Family heading to Bantay church and Bell. Ilocos Trip in Vigan series. |
Churches during the spanish times usually have bell towers next to it, sometimes standing close, sometimes far. In this case, the bell tower is yards away from the Bantay Church.
 |
| Bantay Bell Tower |
Magnificent Spanish Church and Bell Tower
Spanish churches are almost always spectacular. Though they vary in height, color and design, the special uniqueness is always there. Added to it, it's role back in the days, where religion was more like a religion, but a way of life.
Although the church is magnificent, we were more drawn to its bell tower which is perched on a small hill landscaped with beautiful array of flowers. So we found ourselves taking more picture with the bell tower than with the church. On normal occasions we would probably climb up at the top of the tower, but since the heat was blazing hot, we figured not to. Taking pictures from the outside was already satisfying. No entrance fees here, just donation. However we had to sign up on a ledger that we visited the place.
A Japanese Seller
I remembered before entering the church's perimeter, there was a friendly japanese seated at a corner. He welcomed us to the place. Right beside him was a cart with an array of rosaries, small prayer books and carved altars of mother mary. It didn't really occur to me that he was selling those. I was more taken by his presence as oppose to what he was selling. I just noticed it when we were about to leave the place. I noticed him calling friend and asked us if we were interested to buy something from him. We kindly decline though.
I don't know. He just struck a chord in me. What is a Japanese guy doing in a small town in Vigan, selling religious trinkets. It was an odd sight. But yeah, it was amazing of him to make such sacrifices for his belief.
Makes me regret for not buying anything from him. Well reason behind it is that I'm not Catholic, but more of Baptist. Actually I don't really wish to be exclusive in one religion. I'm pretty more open, but keeping in mind to further develop my spirituality as my priority.
But yeah, if ever you chance upon him, try to buy at least one item from that fella.
Thanks! :)
Day 2 : Ilocos Trip: Vigan Tour - Burgos Museum
Our calesa driver first dropped us off at Padre Burgos' ancestral house which the local government of Vigan turned into a museum. So basically it doesn't only contains the old articles of Padre Burgos but also portraits of famous people that had a big role in Philippine's history. It also contains old materials for fishing, printing press, coffins, some articles used for war and replicas of ships.
 |
| Padre Jose Burgos, ancestral home. |
 |
| Source |
So for those of you who may not know who Padre Jose Burgos is, he was one of the first filipino who became a priest, a role usually spanish conquestidors had taken the role of for years. He was executed in 1872 for writing codified essays which empowered native clergymen. Along with 2 other clergymen, namely Padre Gomez and Zamora, he was garroted in Bagumbayan field (Wikipedia 2012).
 |
| Burial ritual. |
 |
| A coffin with skeletons and pot. |
Coffins of our ancestral people are usually small since Filipinos before were really short, reaching up until 150cm to 159cm for men, and it could be shorter for women. Modern Filipinos had gone taller through time due to interracial marriages with other taller races such as Spanish, Indians, Americans, and Arabs to name a few.
 |
| Old printing press. |
 |
| Replicas of spanish ships. |
 |
| My sister watching intently some old portraits of historically famous people. |
 |
| A portrait of Ferdinand Marcos' family. Young Marcos (leftmost). |
 |
| Sala (living room) at the 2nd floor of Padre Burgos' House. |
A traditional spanish house in the Philippines usually used big panelled wooden floors. Salas are usually big to accommodate visitors and converting it into dancefloors on special occasions. Sliding windows are made of flattened shells called capiz, and furnitures are usually made of the finest wood such as narra and mahogany.
 |
| Kitchen area opening up to the balcony outside. |
 |
| Bunch of Anahaw Leaves tied up and used as a raincoat before. |
After a lot of ahhs and oohhss, we were all warmed up and ready for more. So off we went to our next destination!
Day 1: Ilocos Trip: Davao to Manila, Manila to Vigan
 |
| On our way to our plane going to Manila. |
From Davao City, we arrived in Manila at around 5:15pm. First thing we did was look for where to ride the shuttle going to Taft Rotonda station. Good thing there was a Tourist Information Corner found in the lobby. She pointed us to go outside and turn right, whereby buses are coming in every 10 minutes or so to pick up passengers already lined up in queue.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
3D/2N Ilocos Family Trip: Itinerary and Expenses
Itinerary:
Day 0
|
Friday
|
10PM
|
|
Day 1 |
Saturday |
5AM
|
Bus arrived at Bantay Bus Terminal; Took a tricycle to Casa Teofila Lodge. (rest)
|
8
|
Took Tricycle to go to Calle Crisologo, since most restos will be open at 9am, had a deal with a calesa driver for a tour around Vigan, but before that he brought us to a carinderya for breakfast (for free)
|
9
|
Start of calesa tour
|
9:15
|
|
9:30
|
|
10
|
|
10:30
|
|
10:45
|
|
11:45
|
Hidden Garden (lunch)
|
1: 45PM
|
|
2
|
Back to Casa (siesta)
|
4:15
|
Back to Calle Crisologo to eat at Cafe Leona for Snacks
|
4:30
|
Bought souvenirs along stores in Calle Crisologo and ate empanada
|
6:30
|
Went to Plaza Burgos, Vigan Cathedral and Plaza Salcedo
|
7
|
Stayed at Plaza Salcedo to await the lighting of the lanterns
|
7:30
7:45
Day 2
|
Got back to Calle Crisologo to check it at night, pictures taken
Headed back to Casa Teofila (tricycle ride)
Sunday
|
6AM
|
Wake up. Prepared for check out in
Casa Teofila
|
8
|
Kuya Arnel's van arrival for pick
up
|
8:30
|
Proceed to Marsha's Delicacies for
brownies and bibingka cake
|
10
|
Arrival in Juan Luna Museum
|
10:30
|
Marcos Museum/ Gallery
|
11:30
12:30
|
Paoay Church; Lunch at Cafe Herencia
Paoay Lake
|
1PM
|
La Paz Sand Dunes
|
2:30PM
|
St. William's Church And Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
|
2:45PM
|
Ilocos Capitol
|
3:45PM
|
Burgos Lighthouse
|
4:40PM
|
Bangui windmills
|
5:30
|
Arrived at Pagudpud Bayan to buy ingredients for dinner and breakfast
|
5:55PM
|
Arrival in Saud beach -- Cathy's Homestay
|
8PM
|
Had dinner cooked by ate Cathy
|
Day 3
|
Monday
|
5:30AM
|
Wake up. Check out the beach
|
7:30AM
|
Breakfast at Cathy's Homestay
|
8:00
|
Kuya Arnel's van arrival for pick
up and start of Pagudpud North Tour
|
9
|
Kabigan Falls
|
10
|
Patapat Viaduct
|
10:30
|
Paraiso ni Anton
|
11PM
|
Timmangtang Rock
|
11:30PM
|
Bantay Abot Cave
|
12PM
|
Blue Lagoon Beach (swimming/lunch)
|
2PM
|
Back to Laoag
|
2:30PM
|
Robinsons (watched movie)
|
5:30PM
|
Off to Laoag Airport
|
6PM
|
Arrival at the airport
|
Number of Bakasyonistas: 6 people
Expenses:
Day 1
|
Group Expenses
|
Per Head
|
Partas
|
Php 535
|
|
Tricycle Fare: Bantay to Casa
Teofila
|
Php 60/tricycle; 2 tricycles
|
Php 20
|
Tricycle Fare: Casa Teofila to
Calle Crisologo
|
Php 45/ticycle; 2 tricycles
|
Php 15
|
Foodtrip: Carinderya
|
Php300 |
Php 50
|
Calesa Tour
|
Php 750/4.5 hours;Php150/hour 2 calesas
|
Php 250
|
Lunch: Hidden Garden
Foodtrip: Cafe Leona Snack
|
1050
Php 787
|
Php 175 Php 131 |
Tricycle Fare: Calle
Crisologo/Cafe Leona to Casa Teofila
|
Php 40/tricycle; 2 tricycles
|
Php13
|
Casa Teofila Lodge
|
Php 2700
|
Php 450
|
(Php2100 for 2 rooms + Php300/room for early check in)
|
||
Fees
|
||
Syquia Mansion
|
Php120 + 80 for tip |
Php 33
|
Burgos Museum
|
Php 60 + 50 for tip |
Php 18
|
Miscellaneous Expenses
|
||
Tip: guy in pagburnayan jar
|
Php 50
|
|
Tip: guy in Baluarte (picture
taking w/ tiger)
|
Php 100
|
|
Tip : guy in Baluarte (pony ride)
Tip: guard in Bantay Bell Tower
|
Php 50
Php 50
|
|
Day 2
|
Group Expenses
|
Per Head
|
2 Days Van Rental
|
Php8,200
|
Php 1366
|
(pick up in Vigan + Laoag-Pagudpud
Tour +Pagudpud to Laoag+ tip)
|
||
Lunch (Cafe Herencia)
|
Php 899 |
Php 149
|
Our tour drivers lunch
|
Php 365
|
|
Dinner (Adobo, salad)
|
200 | |
Cathy's Homestay
|
Php 2000
|
Php 333
|
| La Paz Sand dunes 4WD (30minutes for 6 people) |
Php 2000 | Php 333 |
Fees
|
||
Malacañang of the North
|
Php 180
|
Php 30
|
Miscellaneous Expenses
|
||
Empanada in Pagudpud
|
Php 40
|
|
Day 3
|
Group Expenses
|
Per Head
|
Kabigan Falls tourguide
|
Php 120 |
Php 20
|
Lunch
|
Php 450 |
Php 75
|
Dinner at Airport
| ||
Terminal fee Laoag airport
|
Php 40
|
|
Breakfast(eggs/itlog na maalat, saging/bulad)/Dinner(rice)
|
Php 150
|
Php 25
|
Fees
|
||
Kabigan Falls
|
Php 10
| |
Blue Lagoon beach
|
Php 20
|
|
(passed by a private property)
|
||
Miscellaneous Expenses
|
||
Buko juice at Kabigan Falls
|
Php 20
| |
Windmill souvenir ref
magnets/keychain
|
3 for Php 100
|
|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
