This escapade is part of my team's Team Planning for 2016. I am lucky to have teammates who are as adventurous and globetrotters like and they volunteered to do the itinerary and arranged the tours for this event. So, this is work + leisure combined but don't worry, I'll ditch anything that's work related in this blog entry.
They have chosen Ilocos because most of them haven't been there and I haven't been there, so why not. It's a 3-night/3-day work and fun-filled travel with my team. Also, we do it all by land so we are expecting a pain-in-the-ass experience; literally. We're supposed to start our itinerary from:
Day 1 - Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Day 2 - Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Day 3 - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Our driver suggested that we do Pagudpud first since it's the farthest destination. He said it will save time if we do it starting from the North going South. We agreed and rearranged our itineraries into this:
Day 1 - Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Day 2 - Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Day 3 - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
(Note: Detailed itinerary will be posted below)
Day 1 - Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
It took us almost 10 hours of travel from Manila to Pagudpud in a van that sits 14 including the driver and his assistant. We are only 9 in the team, thus, it gave us enough room including our luggage inside the van. Our first stop is the Sta Monica Church in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about the places we've visited because our guide only drives for us but don't give us any trivia. He doesn't even join us or assist in taking our photos. In short, we hired a driver and not a tourist guide.
The belfry and entrance of Sta Monica Church
What I like about it's location though is the river across it. It's shallow but clean and there are nipa huts for picnic. Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos of the river. It's just a quick stop so I didn't bother crossing the streets and have a closer look of it.
View from Cape Bojeador
After that, we drive again and went to check Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. At first, I thought there's nothing special about it base on its facade but when you go up, the view of the sea is stunning. I can spend my all afternoon there enjoying the view of the ocean as it reconnects with the skies and the sea breeze that cradles you to fall asleep.
It could have been even better if our guide did a simple research about the history or story of the place. Again, he's just our driver and he's in his van just waiting for us to be done (can you sense the bitterness in me? lol).
Watch out, don't let these stairs fool you. Yes, I was panting for my breath after a few steps. By the way, you have to walk starting from the drop off or you can hire a tricycle to help you ascend the uphill road.
We only spent 20-30 minutes for the first 2 destinations. I believe we spent more driving than each destination we visited. It's alright though because Ilocos is jam-packed with must-visit attractions.
Our next destination was the Kapurpurwan Rock Formation. I thought at first we're now heading to Bangui windmills because we can already see windmills from afar. Kapurpurawan has their series of windmills too; actually there are several barangays with windmills but Bangui is more popular because they're being arrayed in a long shoreline. Above is the statue of Biag ni Lam-ang, a popular epic-poem of the Ilokanos.
So Kapurpurawan is well-known for its limestone rock formations carved by the strong waves of the West Philippine Sea and by natural weather forces. It's cream-like and looks so soft and smooth from afar.
Take the time to capture the waves hitting the rocks. Unfortunately, it is prohibited to stand on the rocks directly facing the seas. I guess it's for safety purposes and I heard this is also to prevent the weathering of the rocks.
Don't be saddened though because on the other side of the boulder, there's a part where tourists are allowed to stand in the carved limestone.
It's a little awkward because there are a lot of people waiting for their turn to be photographed.
Just pretend that nobody's watching. Pak! Aura!
Above are the windmills in Kapurpurawan. I kept on asking, "where are the windmills that I usually see in postcards?".
I was really in awe seeing the array of windmills in Bagui. I really love the abundance of wind in this place. I think the beach is not for swimming due to strong currents. There are restaurants in the area and we had our lunch there.
After lunch, we are on our now on the last part of our destination, Pagudpud. Don't forget to stop at the arch entrance. Everybody does. :)
The Patapat Viaduct is also a must-visit here. I felt like I was in a different country; somewhere in Europe. It rained and it's foggy from a distance which adds a great effect for it to be photographed.
Last is the Blue Lagoon. I'm excited because we'll have a chance to go swimming this time. Knowing me, I'm a beach bum and ready to try the salty waters of Ilocos. Sad to say, it rained and it was cold and windy. I don't think we'll enjoy the cold waters and the big waves. Since we're all tired and without sleep yet, we chose to end our first day here and head back to Vigan where our accommodations were booked.
One thing's for sure. I will be back. This time, I'll just spent my entire stay at a resort in Blue Lagoon.
These are the places included in our package that we could visit. It's a 2 nights/3 days tour for P2,600 minimum of 12 persons. Package does not include meals (except for the 2 breakfast at the hotel).
DAY 1 - PAGUDPUD TOUR (you can always skipped some attractions of you lack time or you find it not interesting)
DAY 1 - PAGUDPUD TOUR (you can always skipped some attractions of you lack time or you find it not interesting)
Sta Monica Church
bacarra Domeless Belfry - skipped
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Bangui Windmills
Pagudpud Welcome Arch
Patapat Viaduct
Bantay Abot Cave - skipped
Blue Lagoon
We stayed at WestLoch Park Hotel in Vigan. I was surprised that we had a good accommodation for this package.
I am not advertising the hotel but I just want to share the room we've got. The room is for quad-sharing but since we're only 10, the girls get to use other 2 rooms and only 2 of us for this room.
It has a large balcony, mini-fridge, good air-conditioning, cable TV, chairs and table, free-wifi, desk, mini-fridge, full-sized cabinets, phone, and a tub in the bath room. Isn't it amazing?! And we stayed here for 2 nights.
Contacts:
Agency: Travel Galore
Telephone: (+63) 77 677 1477
Mobile: (+63) 946 9462541 | (+63) 916 4837063
Email: travelgalore07@gmail.com
I suggest you request a driver/tour guide who can give trivia or information of the attractions you are visiting. Other than that, I don't have any issues with the driver.
For the total expenses, go to ILOCOS: FROM NORTE TO SUR (DAY 3 - VIGAN)
For the total expenses, go to ILOCOS: FROM NORTE TO SUR (DAY 3 - VIGAN)
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