misstinapie

A short ride from Vigan Heritage Village lies a wide hectare of land known as the Baluarte. We have not seen that many signs along the way but it's not hard to ask for directions on where it is. When we arrived, what will greet you is a long line of cars on the parking. Next to that is a provision for kiosks of food and souvenirs, then a chapel, then the zoo. From the entrance, it suddenly felt like emerging from a long swim, where all the sounds and smells overwhelm you in a rush. (What's ironic is that I don't swim at all :-D. My knowledge is from TV that's why) I haven't been in a zoo for a very long time so I totally forgot how different animals fitted to one place smells like. It's not the best smell in the world and it's beginning to help raise my bushy eyebrows. It's like as if every barn smell is right at the edge of my nose. Also to notice other than the huge crowd of people is the small number of animals. Like really. There are a lot of cages t...

REFMAD Farms is another part of our itinerary that was not originally planned, nor was advertised elsewhere. But we are always eager to try out any place worth visiting. Since tourist markers are not anywhere near, we almost got lost. But we got there anyway, and the farm was not as I expected. The first time I learned about Dragon Fruit was when I read it on Reader's Digest. It looks weird and cool at the same time. But when we got to the farm, I realized I have no idea what it's tree looks like. Basically, dragon fruit is a fruit of a cactus. So what you see up there are just dead trunks aiding the cactus to grow up. What's also cool about it is the extremely long time it bears fruit. Other than the farm, they also have small sanctuary places where you can just stroll and meditate. What you are seeing above is a souvenir shop. Next to it is a small pool in case you missed swimming. Not a lot of people around so you have all the place for yourself too. Be aware though that...

A high class resort hotel & casino in the City of Laoag, we visited the hotel for lunch. We would have stayed there if I wasn't the only sponsor of our trip so I don't have any idea on the rest of their facilities other than Cafe Ilocandia :-D Anyway, it wasn't planned but the trip was so long we badly needed the pit stop. We were right on time for their buffet lunch. There is not much on the menu when we came and the choices are nothing out of the ordinary. As you can see below my plate is a myriad of different Pinoy viands. The taste of their food is just okay, nothing you would have missed if you haven't tried it here. Fort Ilocandia is also near one of the 2 Sand Dunes here in Laoag and anyone who would have stayed here should definitely try that out early in the morning. We haven't because the sun is at it's peak and no one dares to spend another more minute under the sun. Other attractions other than that I'm not sure, but the Fort Ilocandia is jus...

While Blue Lagoon gets more blog promotion when you search for Ilocos roadtrips, there is also a much nearer option, the Saud beach. It's just around 10-15 mins drive from Pagudpud Archway. When you reach the area, you will see a handful of houses and resorts offering accomodations even up to your entire baranggay. We chose Saud Beach Resort & Hotel and went in. I actually loved this photo because on the background my father is holding a small hermit crab and he's so gleeful I can't help but smile whenever I see this. Never mind my sister posing teehee We (well technically they) only want to dip in the water so we didn't get the chance to see their hotel. Their parking is right where the the coconut trees are so don't be suprised if one of them happens to fall into your car :-D It was already noon that we reached the resort so the cottages are all but taken. It's okay though because we (or I, I didn't swim) get to have a shaded spot for ourselves. The sa...

If you happen to have arrived at Laoag on the wee hours of the night can grab a bite on this 24 hour food court. I'm not sure if the place has more stalls open at day but it sure is lively even at night. They offer the typical fried meat & rice and egg meals you can get anywhere. My father had bulalo and claims it was really good. I didn't attempt to try it though because I am already perspiring. There are however two things I don't like about the place. One is the lack of aircon. We were dripping wet inside and it felt like the air presses on the lungs. You see, there are no windows and it's an enclosed area. The electric fans they set up is an argument waiting to happen, being there are only a few of them to supply for the ventilation needs of customers. The second one is how, well, due to the similarity of offerings, are the aggressive "marketing" strategy of being the loudest and most convincing once you step in. Maybe it will be better if not all vend...

Just next to the beautiful Ilocos Arch stands a large nipa hut that offers comfort to hungry travelers who has been in the road too long. The first time we just passed the stop but the next time we stopped for breakfast. Offerings are the typical silogs and pinoy meals. I got Ilocos longganisa and egg as seen below. My sisters got -silogs as well except for my father. He can't help but voice out his annoyance on how his chicken lugaw does not have any chicken on it. What I can commend is how nice the manager and the waitresses are. The design is also perfect because they don't need to invest in aircon, the restaurant being with no walls. Over all cost for our breakfast: 380 pesos. That's enough for 4 people having basic meals.

Author’s Note: Click on the names to direct you to either a blog or a photo album. I’ve tried compressing the entire trip like this so you can have the chance to create your IT easier :-D Earlier this year I promised to not let the Holy Week pass without travelling out of town since I reasoned I need the break from work. I consulted this to my father and we ended up deciding to go to Ilocos. I was stoked because it's one of the places I always dream to go to. I’m not much of a history buff but I do appreciate old structures and nature which Ilocos offers in abundance.  I started making calls last February and none of the hotels in Vigan was available. We ended up renting the only hotel that didn’t cost that much and can accommodate 4 people. Same thing happened in booking a room for Laoag. Officemate learned about this and you know what she told me? She reserved as early as December! Guess I’m still lucky getting rooms in the first place. It’s even risky since I can’t r...

From the name itself, it's White Rock and it was not disappointing. We were there on the a time when the sun has already risen and what do you know, It's as a huge lump of powder is right before your eyes. Tip: Going there before the sun is up has many benefits. For one, the trek to the actual formation can take a really long time and the heat can really make anyone quit.  The ride to the formation is quite long, may I tell you. It was so far that you can at a point wonder if you really are going anywhere. There is just one path but you can't help but imagine the worst of things, like being lost for example. One of my most favorite photo. Looks somewhere else does it? When you arrive at the area, you will not see anything special at all. You still have to to trek down and walk a really really long path of marsh (it will remind you of LOTR marsh I promise) that if you went there when it's a bit dark, bring your own flash light with you. No one likes stepping on something...

A stop that can be easily missed, the lighthouse is situated on a top of a hill (or so I think). You need to have your car traverse all the way up there, which makes it a good idea to have your car on the trip. On the way down we saw a tourist bus and since they road was narrow and a bit dangerous (so many turns) they may have to resort to other means of getting up. At the top we were surprised to see a small group of friends already parked there. But as you can see, I think it's obvious, that being there early means you get to take absolutely people free photos unlike when everyone is walking to and fro.  The steps toward the lighthouse is a bit dangerous as well, I wonder if it has experienced renovation at all, but some parts are really hard to step on.  The actual lighthouse is closed for public and left on it's own. Not sure if there are hidden secrets but I do hope that the lighthouse be restored to it's former glory.  Tip: Keep a very close eye on  your kids. ...

One of the popular attractions in the Ilocos region are the Bangui Windmills. Who knew that power generating structures could ever be an attraction to tourists? Obviously the windmills are located on the Ilocos shores. My dad was skeptical on how would the propellers would ever wind but yeah it does, even for a bit. On the area they also sell the ever popular windmill keychains, and if you're lucky you can find a lighthouse carving too! Not sure if anyone can really enjoy a full dip on the water but being the scaredy cat as I am, I didn't. Besides the waves are something to be reckon with. Don't come too near if you don't know how to swim like I am. I also liked the fine sand. Yes, it's black but somehow the feel on the feet feels like walking on scattered fine salt. I just hate how it sticks to the corners of the feet though One cool idea I could share is that the stretch of the windmills are so long (I think we saw) there at least 3 entrances travelling further no...

 I may not be a Catholic but I genuinely love visiting old and large churches (Italy here I come!). Workmanship, age, history and everything else in between is a combination that’s hard to resist.  The obvious advantage of travelling with your own car is being able to make all the stops you want, when you want, where you want. This is exactly what we did, all too plenty though, but worth every stop. Tip: Be alert! In almost every town you go to there is something to see: an old church or a grand plaza (makes you be ashamed you came from the city at times). If you’re the adventurous (and with real plenty of time too!), water falls abound the region. Sadly we didn’t get to visit any at this trip :-( Below is a collage of all the Churches we were able to visit: 1. Balaoan Church 2. Peach colored church I forgot the name T_T  3. Magsingal Church  4. San Nicolas Tolentino Church 5. St. William Cathedral  6. Bacarra Church  7. St. Augustine Church (Paoay) 8. St J...

Getting Lost Level: High Through the generic name alone, it is quite hard to research on the actual location of this tree. I can't even Google Map the place so there is no clue of ever finding it there too. At this time we were now heading out of Bacnotan and seeing the dot is along the way we've tried our luck by asking for the location of the Centennnial Tree. We asked around the school we saw by the road (near the Holcim plant) but none of them knew what it 'centennial' is so the location is even a harder question to answer. And then I remembered that I saved the name of the school while I was researching it. It was a relief when I finally found the name of the school that I was looking for: Carcarmay Elementary School. We drove around for miles until we finally asked a group of kids on where it is. And like as if it's fate, it is also their destination! They asked us to follow them (they're on a tricycle) and you could say I was so glad we found them because...

Getting Lost Level: Moderate An off road track but still in our itinerary, this was one of our early stops before driving back to Manila. We almost missed this point if we haven't attempted going to one of their ports in which we found nothing. To save face we just simply asked where Currimao is and they pointed us on the beach on the horizon. Since it was the beach, it is a bit far from the National Highway. Our map does not show where it is exactly (just a huge dot) that we still have to ask around for directions. Although advertised, it's not that yet developed for tourists. There were no signages except for the actual Currimao Beach Resort which is way up ahead on where we stopped. One of the most amazing things you will notice from afar is how inspite of the strong splash of waves and the distance of the locals from the beach, they are still standing knee deep! It may not look like much but being a non-swimmer that I am I took no chances of getting close to any of the wave...