Saturday, July 16, 2011

Pagudpuad --> Dau (Angeles)

We started the day early at 8AM for the South Tour. I love the Bangui Windmills!!!
The Bangui windmills are at the Banguii Brgy. There are 20 windmills, constructed in 1990. These are the very 1st windmills ever built in Asia! 






At Karpurpurawan, or White Rock. It was definitely a arduous journey up a rocky & steep trail! Especially when I was sitting on the pillion of the motorbike. By the time we reached the top of the hill, my right leg was TOTALLY numbed.






Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
 By noon, we caught the local bus along the highway back to Laoag Partas Bus Terminal, and changed a bus from Laoag to Manila. 



Waiting for bus

Friday, July 15, 2011

Laog --> Pagudpud

By the time we arrived at Pagudpud, it was about 12pm. Famished, we took our lunch at the Municipal centre before taking a tricycle to the homestay at Saud Beach. Saud Beach is filled with homestay and Resorts such as the popular Hannah’s Resort.

The tours are divided into South & North tour with the tricycle at 600Peso (SGD$18).

Tricycle Tours in Pagudpud

We started with the North tour for today which includes:

  •           Kabigan Waterfalls
  •           Aqua Grande
  •           Blue Lagoon
  •          Bantay Abot Cave

The highlight was definitely the Kabigan Falls! It was about 30minutes trek with a local tour guide to reach the Kabigan Falls. It was a great scenic trek, and we passed by some really beautiful rice terraces. It was a different experience passing by these rice terraces, as those in Banaue. There were pretty river streams along the way, and we had to cross the river streams on log-bridges. 


Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud

Tour Guide & I


Kabigan Falls

Scenery on trek to Kabigan Falls

Rice Terrace on trek to Kabigan Falls

Mountain near Kabigan Falls





BBQ-ed fish from Pagudpud

Bantay Abot Cave Entrance
Bantay Abot Cave

 Aqua Grande is a public picnic complex area for travelers & visitors to enjoy a nice break at one one their picnic huts & tables.
Aqua Grande Entrance

Aqua Grande

Merla & I at Marcos Bridge

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Laoag

We took a tour with our tricycle driver for 800Peso (SGD$22). I have a feeling we got ripped off. 

Our tour included the following places: 

  •           Fort Ilocano Resort
  •           Marcos Photo Gallery & Muesuem
  •           Paoay church
  •           Marcos Museum & Photo Gallery

Fort Ilocandia Resort

Paoay Lake


Paoay church is one of the oldest church in Laoag. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, it was surreal to see the church’s stone architecture. 

Paoay Church Side Entrance

Paoay Church Bell Tower

Inside Paoay Church

 This is a photo montage and commemoration of President Marco’s contribution to The Philippines as president for 20 years from 1976 – 1986. The museum is just next to the Marcos Residence, where his body lay. President Marcos and Lady Imelda were significant in The Philippines history in developing the country in their early years. They are highly revered and respected by the locals, for their contribution to the country.


“And if and when my commonwealth demands that blood, to cleanse her name of any crime, to free her hands for justice, and give her strength to face the world with pride, I will gladly shed that blood, burn in sacrifice and own whatever crime, even if its not mine.
When my motherhood calls for this holocaust, I shall lay down I shall lay down all hopes and dreams, all love and life, and for her, die a thousand deaths and more, and get live with her and in her pride.”
Ferdinand L. Marcos
1 December 1939

Marcos Photo Gallery

This picture of Marcos & Imelda struck me...


The Sinking Bell Tower has become a monument in the midst of the busy streets of Laoag. Although plagued from an earthquake, the tower stands tall and regal.

Sinking Bell Tower

Sinking Bell Tower Entrance

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Vigan --> Laoag

We took a calesa ride in the morning for 3 hours with our horse (Jasmine) for 150Peso (SGD$4) per hour.
Calesa at Vigan

Our Calesa Driver






After having lunch at UNO Cafe, we took the Partas Bus to Laoag for 141Peso (SGD$4), about 1 hour bus ride. 

I didn’t really like Laoag City, probably because it just looks like a dead city, with shopfront banners but the shops are never open. We checked in at the dodgy Texicano Hotel. Dodgy as it may look, its by far the cheapest accommodation ever at 370Peso (SGD$11) per night for a double room with attached bathroom. Warning to all who are looking for homestays at Laoag City because there are barely any. Texicano Hotel is one of the bigger accommodations in Laoag City. Cheap & convenient as it maybe, don't expect anything more than a roof over your head for the night. I would give the rooms at Texicano Hotel 0.5 out of a scale of 5. I guess you can understand how bad it was. Merla & I were so glad to have left the place the next morning! 

Texicano Hotel, Laoag City

I went out to reccee the place and found a Papa Pau’s Diner about 1 street away from the hotel, decent for our dinner! That was probably the only saving grace for Laoag City that day. We sat in the non air-con area and you will find it is very nicely decorated with photo shots on the wall, and nice spotlights.

Papa Pau's Diner, Laoag City

Papa Pau's Diner, Laoag City

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Angeles --> Vigan

We took a Dominion Bus from Dau to Abra, for 424Peso (SGD$12SGD) at 7AM. The bus ride took about 8 hours and we stopped at Abra at about 4PM to change to a local bus heading to Vigan City. The public local bus fare to Vigan was 30Peso (SGD$1) and we arrived in about an hour’s time. We headed to Grandpa’s Inn with a tricycle (30Peso / SGD$1) and checked-in for 1 night. Grandpa’s Inn is located 2 streets away from the Heritage Village and is highly recommended to stay at by blogger recommendations. You will find a few establishments owned by Grandpa’s Inn all located next to each other: UNO Cafe, UNO Grill, Grandpa’s Inn Souvenir shop.

Common Area at Grandpa's Inn

Grandpas' Inn

Grandpa's Inn
 I have a thing for stairways, especially when they're wooden!

Stairway at Grandpa's Inn