Biyaheng Norte: Discovering, Exploring, and Loving the Beauty of Ilocos

Bangui Windmills

4x4 Adventure at Sand Dunes

 December 19-21, 2015

Last December 19-21, 2015 I fell in love with the beauty of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. At that time, I was just a "sabit", because it was really my tita's family's out of town. They spent their Christmas vacation here in the Philippines ('cause their from Italy), but of course, before Christmas 2015, we first enjoyed Ilocos...

So, here it goes...

Day 0: December 18, 2015
(Ugh. That's a friday and I'm on my work, I never slept the day before that because I had to finish my reports, etc from my work. (Okayyyy, so much side comments here. Haha) )

So, we started our journey at 10:30 pm. As I've said, I'm so sleepy at that time, so I sleep most of the time during the travel. Another thing is that, I was with Italians. Yes, my tita, tito, cousins, and their other relatives were also from Italy so they are speaking in Italian that made me nosebleed. HAHA.

Day 1: December 19, 2015
I think we arrived at 6 or 7 AM at Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Of course, at that time, all we're looking for is BREAKFAST... Then, the driver, which also served as our tour coordinator, suggested HIDDEN GARDEN RESTAURANT.

Yeah right?! So, this bench is for lovers, so basically, this is not for me. (#WalangForever. haha)
I just took a picture of this because I'm feeling bitter at that time. Joke. :P

Hidden Garden is a good restaurant, I think.  From the moment we enter their place, they offer a cup of salabat (It's just I don't like the taste, it's spicy and I really don't like teas). So, before we order, we went around the place, and it felt very relaxing because there were many plants, which they also sell. My order, at that time, was bagnet with rice. (Note: I know your wondering, "Bagnet for breakfast?" haha.) I think there's nothing special in their food, and I found the prices very costly (though I'm not the one who paid our breakfast. haha), but if you want to have relaxation and good accomodation by their staffs, you must visit this restaurant.

Then, we proceeded at PAGUDPOD, ILOCOS NORTE!!!

Our first iternerary was the Kabigan Falls.

Meeee. 

Here's the view of the falls... (Sa lahat ng PA-falls, eto yung di ka masasaktan.. Haha)

Here's our pictureee! Just don't mind my height over my companions' height. :)

I enjoyed the trekking cause I love nature. I also enjoyed our climb because it's raining. It's very challenging to climb because the path was slippery and you need to cross bridges made like the picture above. What's just sad was that, we're not able to swim at the falls because we were advised by the guide not to go down the falls, because of the heavy rain. :(

After the trekking, we had our lunch. Our lunch was "paluto" from the household near the falls. It was so good! We had Pakbet, Paksiw, Pritong Tilapya, at Bbq. It's so delicious, it's a must try. But, I don't know how much it costs because as I've said, "sabit" lang naman ako, so, it was my aunt who paid our lunch.

We, then proceed at the souvenir shop at Pagudpod were I bought these...

Tshirts, Bags, Keychains, and Windmill Figurines. It's so cuteeeee. Actually, I wanted to buy more, it's just I'm out of cash. hehe 

Yeah, I already bought souvenirs on our first day! Excited kasi ako masyado. haha.

Next, we drove to Bantay Abot Cave..

My companions trying to climb at the cave. Since I'm the one who's always "excited", I climb at the cave first.

According to our tour coordinator, it's not a cave originally, but a hill, but because of an earthquake, it was wrecked at the middle, leaving a great artwork.

Then, we proceed at Hana's Resort. What's sad is that I don't have a picture on that place. But it's very scenic and I love Ilocos empanada that you can bought at the store in front of Blue Lagoon Restaurant. "Kuya" Vale (he's the tallest from our group picture at the falls; the one beside me) tried the very long zipline. Actually, I also wanted to, it's just, it's so mahal! haha.

Then, we proceeded at Bangui Windmills...

Windmill Models?

After that, we proceed at our Hotel at Palalay Resort...

This is the eating area of Palalay Resort. 

Palalay Resort's staffs were accommodating. There's also a good wifi signal, and ehem... <3 (Okay, I'm cutting it here. haha) It's just, on my tita's room, there was a "timbubuli" at their comfort room. Nonetheless, I had a great night, and a beautiful morning at that resort. ahihihi

DAY 2: December 20, 2015

We, then, visited ...

• Cape Bojeador Lighthouse,
• Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, where we saw Ferdinand Marcos. Woah! 

Then, during our travel to San Agustin Church, our coordinator told a story about a Byuda who prayed for her love life, which in turn, was given to her. (Yeah, it's my chance to ask for my "FOREVER". HAHA)

The historical San Agustin Church at Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Because of my height, they made fun of me. mehehe

We also tried

The pizza was actually good!! I love pizza carbonara. <3 <3

Hiyaaaaa!
My favorite part in our Ilocos trip...

4 x 4 adventure and Sand boarding were the best!!! I really love the thrilling adventure and screaming factor that you can get during the trip. haha. It's a very must try!! 

It cost P2500 per 4x4 or 500 pesos per person plus unlimited picture taking and sand boarding. haha


Then, we visited Malacanan of the North...

If you will visit that place, oh, you can see how elegant that place was, and will make you wonder how much it costs. haha.

Then, we proceed with the Hotel..
UKl Hotel... it's nice naman. And near from the market. hihi.

During the night, we tried to go out and found this...

Ilocos was even beautiful at night. <3

DAY 3: December 21, 2015
We visited:

• Bantay Bell Tower

• Vigan Heriatge Houses

•  Baluarte ni Chavit Singson (I actually felt sad for the animals there...)

I really enjoyed exploring Ilocos. Sobrang hindi ka magsasawa na balik balikan. So, I wish that people from that place preserve the beauty of their place. And, hopefully, I can come back at this paradise next time with my family.