* Ilocos Experience June 5 -7, 2010

A friend of mine asked me during the Jennifer Lee shoot if I wanted to come along to their Ilocos Trip, since the Singapore trip was cancelled I told myself that it would be a good idea to join, so i told my friend Alex that I'll join the trip to Ilocos (Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpod). A month before the trip I already filed my vacation leave and swap.

Friday 06.05.10
Went to Farmers Cubao to meet Alex and his officemate Mark who is also going to join the trip around 9pm, dropped by at Mcdo for our dinner and went to Partas Bus Terminal for our first stop which is Vigan. Decided to ride the deluxe bus which is 685 bucks and seats are way better than the regular bus to Vigan. The bus left the terminal 10:30 pm and we arrived at Vigan around 5:20am.

Saturday 06.06.10 *Vigan*

Vigan Church

It was raining and all stores and restaurants are still close so we decided to go to the Church to stay and pray. Saw a group of people who are doing aerobics at the Plaza area and even saw Manong who is at the church at that time dancing in the tune of Poker Face :)

at Calle Crisologo

The rain stopped and the sun showed up fo a bit so we are able to take photos of the church. After taking photos we have decided to have breakfast and since it was only around 6:00am we had goto and mami at the place where they serve empanada during the afternoon. After breakfast we went to Calle Crisologo to take photos there. Around 9am we decided to rent a kalesa (150/hr) and visit the spots in Vigan. First stop is at the Bantayan Bell Church and Tower then to Burgos Musuem and last is stop at Pagburnayan (Pottery Making).

Bantay Bell Tower | Burgos Museum | Pagburnayan

Had lunch at McDonald's *again* and rest for a while. Around 1pm we decide to go to Baluarte and took photos of the place and the animals.

Camel :) (at Baluarte)

Around 4pm we went back to town, rest and ate the famous Vigan Empanada and waited till around 6pm. Then we went to Calle Crisologo to buy some souvenirs and wait took photos of the street at night. After taking photos we left Vigan and went to Laoag where we stayed at Texicano Hotel.

Calle Crisologo at Night :)

Sunday 06.07.10 *Laoag-Pagudpud*
Had breakfast at Laoag then went to Burgos because the original part was for us to take photos of the Windmills and the Lighthouse but the weather is not cooperating so we decided to go Pagudpud.

Around 12:30pm we decided to ride a tricycle (600/tour). Our tour guide (Kuya Melvin) was really friendly he called us "Jump Shot Boys" cause we always took photos of ourselves jumping and that's per spot. First stop was at Kabigan falls and a tour guide will guide us and fee is 100 bucks for the tour guide. To reach the falls it would take a 10-15mins trek. The river and the falls is really beautiful, my first time to see a waterfalls.

Kabigan Falls

After Kabigan next stop was at the Patapat Viaduct where the view is really really good, after taking photos we went to Timmangtang Rock.

(above) Patapat Viaduct | (below) Timmangtang Rock

After taking photos at Timmangtang Rock next stop was at Bantay Abot Cave

*photo by Lex Mempin (left) | Bantay Abot Cave

and our last stop for the day was at Blue Lagoon. We stayed at Bella Azul beach house, the owner was really friendly and the room was clean. We took photos of the beach in the afternoon until around 7pm. The sand is really fine compare to the other beach that I have been and the water is really clear. We swim at night *1st time* because I don't usually swim at the beach during night. Too bad Alex lost the other pair of his brand new slippers.

Blue Lagoon beach around 6:30pm

Sunday 06.08.10 *Pagudpud - Burgos and Bangui*

We woke up around 5:30am to catch the Sunrise at Blue Lagoon, even though we are still sleepy waking up early that morning is really worth it :)

jump shot boys :)

beautiful sunrise at Blue Lagoon beach

After taking photos it's time to check out and move to our next destination after having breakfast.

Around 9am we left and next stop was at Bangui Ilocos Norte for the Windmill. Bus usually from Pagudpud to Bangui or Burgos is not air-conditioned and it's damn fast and fare is only 20 or 25 pesos *not sure* . Good thing the weather is okay and it's not raining but it's really really hot.

Rent a tricycle and went to Bangui Windmill, we took photos and it was so hot but it's worth it. The giant windmills really looks cool. Was able to buy a souvenir as well, a mini windmill for 70pesos.

at Bangui Windmill

After Bangui Windmills we had lunch and rest for an hour. Then ride a bus again to Burgos, Ilocos Norte. We rent a tricycle for a trip to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. Like what most people says to us, it's really hard to go to the place because of the rough road but the spot is really nice especially the view.

Panoramic Shot of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

one of the best view for me :)

Last stop was at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse located at Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It was built in 1892 and is still functioning to date, serving ships passing by the northern part of South China Sea.

This is one of the famous historical landmark in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines aboce sea level on top of a hill named Vigia de Nagparitan and is located in the town of Burgos.

I can say inside the lighthouse it was really hot but it was a nice place and the entrance is free .

Around 4:30 we decide to go back to Laoag to have dinner, my company went to the airport to catch their flight while the poor me looked for a internet cafe at Laoag to kill time until 9pm then I went to Partas (bus station) and bought a ticket to Manila and I can say it was a long trip from 9:30pm to 7am. It was one of a memorable experience for me because everything is really worth it. The place, the food, the fun, the people we meet and the photos we took. Till next trip :)