Quick Ilocos Getaway

Last September 30-Oct 2, 2014. We had a short trip to Ilocos. We got into the PARTAS bus station at almost 5:45pm. Good thing we got there a little in time, because we according to our research, bus from the PARTAS station in Cubao going to Pagudpud leaves at 6pm. When we got there, the officer told us that there is no bus going to Pagudpud in that Partas bus station branch, the ones going to Pagudpud are in Sampaloc, Manila. We thought about it, if we are going to go to Sampaloc for it, but we though that we still won't make it in time. So we just bought the ticket going to Laoag. The bus fare going to cubao costs aroung P639 each (with student discount)

We got to Laoag at 3:30am. (Expect that you won't get a decent sleep in the bus in the 9hours of travel)

After we got there, we checked in Texicano Hotel to freshen up and take a bath. We asked the hotel if they have short stay accommodations since we don't have plans on staying there for too long, but they said that they do not have, so we still paid for the 12 hours stay in a non-aircondition room. The hotel to be honest was kinda creepy and looks unmaintained. But again as i've said, since we only checked-in to take a bath at least before going to Pagudpud, we just let that be. We left Texicano at 4:30 am. 

We rode a bus going to Pagudpud and got there at 6:20am.

The feels of the place is so tourist-like. Its beautiful, the morning breeze soothes our skin.

Tahdaah! Welcome to Pagudpud. :)

We started our day by touring North Pagudpud, then back to South because that is also were we'll ride a bus going back to Laoag. We visited Pagudpud Viaduct,Timmangtang Rock Formation, Bantay-Abot Cavte and the Blue Lagoon, Bangui Windmills.
Before heading to South, we decided to eat first at a carinderia in Bangui. And up to now, I still can't forget the taste of the Pinakbet na Bagnet, its sooooooo goood. 

This Pinkabet is already good for 3 people.

We went also to South Pagudpud, we had to transfer tricycle tour guides from North to South. In South we visited, Cape Bojeador, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. 

The tour for tricycle are usually P1, 200. P600 to north and P600 to south

We finished the tour in Pagudpud by 4pm. So we went back to Laoag, and rode again a bus going to Vigan this time. We ate first our merienda before we checked in at Casa Arcellana.

In Casa Arcellana, we had an overnight stay there, 800/night airconditioned. Its not so spacious but its clean and homey feels.

After checking in, we leave the lodging house for a while to have a stroll at Calle Crisologo, because we read that its best to visit at night. And yes it is, it makes us feel that we travelled back in the Spanish times.

We also decided to buy our souvenir shirts at this time because we know we wouldn't have any other time to buy the next day. And since its still early, we enjoyed first the place before heading back. We ate dinakdakang bagnet this time, which is also good and serves up to 2 people.

The next morning we left the lodging house by 7am, our service was already waiting outside. We contacted Kuya Norbert the night before to pick us up. We had a tour in Vigan starting at Crisologo Museum, Bantay bell tower, Pagburnayan jar factory, which is one thing that we loved because we get to experience making our own pots for real...buttt, we were also bitten by lots of mosquitos there, so better be there in pants or have an off lotion applied first. We also went to Baluarte, were we got to take a picture with the tiger of Gov. Chavit Singson, and the last stop in Vigan is the Hidden Garden were we ate Vigan's famous longganisa.

What's touring Vigan without riding the famous Kalesa? Hello there Rodman! :)

We finished by lunch time, we had to say goodbye to our very kind tour guide kuya norbert. He also suggested us a friend's name who can also tour us in Paoay or in Bagac then back to Laoag if we wanted, he already have it arranged for us at P600 only sending us to the airport afterwards. He even waited for us as we change and pack our things, and even accompanied us to the bus terminal.

We really thought we wouldn't be able to tour Paoay and Bagac anymore because Kuya Roland from Pagudpud told us that it's hard unless you have a service.

We got to Bagac at nearly 2pm. We first visited Marcos museum, but sad to say it's closed, even though it had announcements that its only close on Tuesdays. :( We ate their famous empanada, which for me is not as appealing as it may look like, but the taste is also barely fine.
We visited the Malacanang of the North and Paoay Lake, before we head back to Laoag. In there we visited the sinking bell tower, and the St. William Church, Fort Ilocandia which for me was one of the most beautiful churches I have seen. :) In there we bought pasalubongs too. We head to the airport by almost 5pm. We checked in there and waited for our flight back to Manila which is 8pm. The flight was delayed to 9pm.  We availed the promo of Cebu Pacific so we had our plane tickets at P2,500 for 2.

I really enjoyed the trip. It's actually my first to leave CALABARZON and NCR, so yeah, hello Ilocos! Another memorable experience for us. :) 

TIPS:
1. Research and plan your itineraries ahead of time. (Its best to have an idea on where you are going) It also wont be time consuming if you plan your route early.

2. Be disciplined enough not to spend too much if you are on budget.
3. Don't say yes all the time, especially in the tours. Try to think first what if there is a cheaper alternative.

4. Eat before you go to the airport. SInce food is not allowed, eat first outside if you still have time. Food in the airport are a bit costly.

5. Bottles are not allowed in hand-carry bags, you need to have it checked in as a luggage.

6. Enjoy :)

The Ilocanos were really very kind and accommodating to us all throughout the 2 days trip.

If you are looking for tour guides, here's what we recommend:

Kuya Roland Villaluz (Pagudpud)-  0927 559 0818

Kuya Norbert (Vigan)- 0910 917 8607

Kuya Rommel (Paoay, Laoag, Batac)- 0919 224 4499

Expenses good for 2 people:

1278- student fare to laoag

490- texicano

30- tricycle going to pagudpud bus terminal in laoag
120- laoag to pagudpud
1000- kuya roland (North tour)
300- South tour
445- lunch at Bangui

100- Pagudpud to Laoag
240- laoag to vigan

350- dinner
800- Overnight stay at Casa Arcellana

600- Kalesa (150/hr)

90- Vigan to Batac
600- Paoay, Batac, Laoag tour, then to Airport

2,500- plane ticket to manila

total

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