Day 00
5:30 PM --> We are all set to depart from the office to the Florida Bus terminal in Sta Mesa. Since we had a hard time looking for a cab, thank God my officemate's house is on the way and told us that she can drop us to the terminal. Since we are 8 from the office, the other 5 fortunately got the cab on time.
7:00 PM --> We arrived on the terminal. We are 11 pax. Me, Louie, Dexter, Chum, Rose, Em, Shobe, Atchi, Katkat, Cari, Vjoy
8:10 PM --> The bus left the terminal. The bus is freezing cold so we had to take off some of our towels from our bags to use it as blanket. Along the way to Pagudpud, the bus on board video is "Taken" which I don't feel to watch so I took a nap and woke up around 1am to our 1st Stop over in La Union. We ate a not so good arroz caldo c/o Vjoy there.
The 2nd stop over is in the Marcia's Delicacies in Laoag. I like to buy the Royal Bibingka and Brownies but thought that I might just buy on the way back as pasalubong. I slept again after that and woke up around 6am and never close my eyes again because I'm really used to wake up 6am. The bus started playing Jologs songs like Kailanman by Maso, Luha & Basang basa sa ulan by Aegis, Miss na miss kita by Father and Son...repeatedly (maybe the driver liked them so much!) ÜDay 01
8:00 AM --> Arrival at Panzzian Beach and Mountain Resort. We took a delicious Tapa with Egg breakfast. We rested for a while and prepared for the trekking at the Spring.
9:30 AM --> Gosh it's raining and the way to the Spring is not so pleasant at all. Just look at the pictures... Even if it's raining, I managed to grab my camera and took some pictures. Interestingly, I really find the trekking kinda easy considering that I am carrying my camera. It's just that the mud is very slippery at times. I think my gyming twice a day everyday helps me a lot to have the endurance and be strong (hahaha!)
10:00 AM --> We reached the mountain spring, took some pictures, and got bitten by big mosquitos. I hate it. Personally, I think we should never went to the Spring because it's not worth it. I thought there is a big falls after the trekking but the tour guide said that if we want falls, we should go to Kabigan Falls which is an hour trakking. With the state of the weather, we decided skip the Kabigan Falls trip.
11:30 AM --> We enjoyed the beautiful scenery at our resort and took many many jumpshots haha!
12:30 NN --> We all took shower. Had our lunch at the resort. Waited at our rooms before the Pagudpud tour.
1:30 NN --> Start of Tour.
Cagayan-Ilocos Norte Boundary Viewdeck - Since it's cloudy because of a bad weather, we didn't see much of the said to be wonderful view up here. Rose slipped here (maybe tired? haha)
Patapat Bridge - Wish come true. The Pagudpud Viaduct is just an amazing elevated highway on a mountainside.Bantay Abot Cave - Here we experienced a mild sandstorm hahaha! Super major challenge going up because of the very windy situation up there. It is a cave that has a hole in the center. It's good for picture taking.
Saud Beach White Resort - I just realized that our 12 hour trip is worth it just seeing the fine white sand of Saud. Entrance fee is just P20 but we didn't swim here though. Just took "energy" pictures.
Blue Lagoon or Maira-Ira Beach - Gigantic waves. That's all I can say. Not a good place to swim because even if I'm just sitting on the shore, I got banged up by the "super" waves. Still, we still got fascinated by it and made it as our nice background for the photo ops. The beach is not crowded, just perfect to chill and relax.6:00 PM --> Got back to the resort for shower and dinner.
7:00 PM --> Dinner.
8:00 PM --> Bonfire
9:00 PM --> Lights Out. Whew! What a day! Ü
Day 02
8:00 AM --> Breakfast
9:00 AM --> Start of Tour.
Bangui Windmill - Another dream come true. Wind situation is milder than in Bantay Abot Cave but still we didn't have the good shots here because of the wind. Too bad we stayed just short minutes and didn't capture the sunset because of the gloomy weather. I was planning to take pictures more but the place is crowded.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse - A must see place dream come true too. We didn't have the time to go to the lighthouse itself because there are so many people lined up. We just stayed below and enjoy the scenery from there.
Sta. Monica Church & Belltower (Sarrat Church) - Flanking the Church is the Casa del Palacio Real which is a brick-wall convent. Bats are flying below the ceiling of it.
Malacanang of the North - A huge huge resthouse of the Marcoses during his regime. Place is a bit creepy for me maybe because of the old beddings and chairs. Entrance fee is P20/pax.
Marcos Museum - I saw the waxed replica in a glass casket of Marcos. No cameras allowed inside but I sneaked in mine but didn't take a picture. I have no plans at all.
Fort Ilocandia Resort - Wow. One of the most sophisticated resorts I've ever seen.
Paoay Church - Amazing architecture of the Church. I believe this one's the most famous of all churches in Ilocos. My shots are postcard-like. Just too beautiful.
Baluarte - Chavit Singson's mini zoo. We are a bit late since we arrived around 4:45 PM here closing is 5:00 PM. The butterfly garden is already closed. But assorted animals like camel, mini ponies, tigers, deers, ostrichs, reindeers and others are still very photogenic for the photo sessions. Entrance is free. Ü
6:30 PM --> Check in @ Granpa’s Inn.
7:00 PM --> Dinner @ Café Uno in Front of Granpa’s Inn.
8:30 PM --> We went to Partas Terminal to check the bus ticket schedule to Manila. We also checked out Dominion Bus Lines. After that, we visit the famous heritage street of Vigan – Calle Crisologo.
Calle Crisologo - OMG. My most must-see place. Didn't thought it was more beautiful at night. When I took the pictures, it's like in Sepia effect but it's not. Looking at the Spanish buildings and houses made me feel like I'm back 100 years in time. Too bad I didn't have the time to ride the Calesa.
12:00 MN --> Sleeping time.
3:00 AM --> Some of us already left to Manila – Em, Shobe, Atchi, Cari, Vjoy, Louie. The rest of us – me, Katkat, Dexter, Chum, and Rose will ride the 2PM bus the next day because we still want to explore more of Vigan.
Day 03
8:00 AM --> Breakfast @ Kusina Felicitas.
9:00 AM --> We went to Public Market to avail some of Pasalubongs.
10:00 AM --> Went back to Calle Crisologo to avail some Vigan souvenirs.
11:00 AM --> Early lunch @ McDo near the Plaza since Café Leona is still closed
12:00 NN --> Check out @ Granpa’s Inn.
12:30 PM --> We went to Dominion Bus Lines early because there is no ticket reservation but unfortunately, the next trip is 5Pm instead of 2Pm so we went straight ahead to Partas and luckily, there’s a bus to Pasay waiting and so we are are way to Manila ahead of time. We are so fortunate whew!
10:00 PM --> Because of the traffic we experienced in Tarlac and Pangasinan area, we arrived late but I still don’t feel tired. My family’s waiting in SM North Area to pick me up and we went straight to my apartment.
12:30 MN --> After unpacking my things and taking pictures of some souvenirs, it’s sleeping time for me. What an experience! All my dream places to visit came true. Very memorable and I really had fun. Ilocos is a very beautiful place and given a chance, I will still come back next time.
