Ilocos Road Trip

It was a tiring journey to the upper end of Luzon. A 12-hour trip can be both tiring and boring if you're just sitting, doing nothing but stare out the window. Tiring because I couldn't sleep well inside the car [Yes. I feel tired if I can't sleep well, even without doing anything], and boring because I've got nothing better to do but sit or sleep. HAHA!

We were with another group of people. Friends of my mom with their families. We were ahead of them because they had this schedule which we cannot fully follow.

Here are some of the places we visited including churches, beaches, museums, and other historical areas of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. [Philippines]

First stop: Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It was pretty much filled with old houses. But honestly, I've seen more in Bulacan. Here's the Heritage with its pasalubong or souvenir shops. :)

We took a Kalesa ride with a Php150 ($3.50) per hour rate while we visit several tourist spots of Vigan.

Loom Weaving

It was a good thing we were a bit earlier than other tourists. When we were heading to the next destination, a bus filled with students[?] came. >_<

Tobacco field

I took this pic on the way while riding the kalesa. 

Baluarte

It was around noon when we came here. It was SOOO HOT! But it was worth it. We took a lot of pictures with the animals. We love the tiger part! And the parrot! HAHA! 

RAWR!

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Ilocos Norte

Paoay Church

Someone was getting married so we didn't go inside the church.

Burgos Light House

It's not that far but I still had a hard time getting to the top. I blame the steep stairs! Ugh. [HAHA!] 

Windmill

Pagudpud

My father couldn't contact the hotel for reservation so it was a risk on our part when we arrived at Pagudpud. It was quite an uproar. My mom's friends had their reservations but three of the rooms didn't have AC and there's no room for us. Our family was in a bit of panic. The other party also has some problems they had to deal with. For us, it's "Where are we going to spend the night?!"

Okay... honestly, I didn't panic. HAHA! I was busy taking pictures all over. HAHA! Well... they did find a room or two, but it's not the same "hotel". There's no TV, no heater, no bouncy bed. And it cost us [specifically my dad] how much?! Well...other places were fully booked. It's "Take it or Leave it". :(

We also went to museums in Ilocos. Museums such as Elpidio Quirino's House, Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center as well as that of the Crisologo. There's also the Hidden Garden and Jar Making in Ilocos Sur but we didn't stay long.