My Ilocandia
Adventure
1st destination: Vigan City, Ilocos Sur....before reaching Vigan City,
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Basilica Minore of
Our Lady of the Charity
Agoo, La Union |
we passed-by and attended a Christmas Mass in Agoo, La Union celebrating the birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, thanking him for the vasts of blessings He showered upon us...
...and after about 6hr drive from Manila, we finally
landed in this vintage & fascinated city. Hotels around the city are
almost all fully booked until we finally got Gordion Hotel located parallel to
famous Calle Crisologo within the very heart of the city – where its' service
crews/staffs are so accommodating and very generous – to rate: 09/10 par
excellence services. Cost wise: fair enough! Food – native fantasticly.
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| Baluarte Zoo |
Around the city on a limited time, we were able to get
a walkthrough at Gov. Chavit Singson’s mini
wonder zoo where my kids/family took turns in taking photos around each
animals. A couple of “tamed” Bengals who are within reach by tourist and
numbers of local animals around in this “no-fee” zoo (I guess, the one and only
no entrance zoo in the country) are so lovely to see.
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| Bantay Bell Tower |
A peaceful & scenic Bantay Church Bell Tower - is
just a few kilometers away – is also something you need to take a look when in
Vigan… surely, I bet you shouldn't miss.
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| Calle Crisologo |
At night, another place you don’t dare to miss… - there
you can see ruins of an old and very valuable rose of antique houses along
Calle Crisologo stretch will bring you back to Spanish era. This includes “kalesa”
roaming around with bunchful variety of local souvenirs and mementos before you
end up your day, even if you missed out the actual molding of pots manually in their pottery nook.
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| Vigan Pottery |
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| Batac Proper: Home of the Great Leaders |
Next to our itineraries is heading up northeast via Manila-North Road passing the stretch of an emerald green and golden rice fields along way by-passing Laoag City all through the “Home of the Great Leaders” as they describe it – at Batac, Ilocos Norte.
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| Marcos Monument |
We were guided by a local police officer and told us to have our service vehicle parked in Batac Church just across the Marcos Mausoleum or others called it Malacanan Palace of the North.
There you can see a gallery of various citations,
achievements & other keepsake of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos
including a replica of his detention cell where he took time in reviewing &
preparing for his bar exams, even topping it amongst his colleagues despite
being incarcerated.
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Presidential Center. Right beside is
where the remains of the Former President
currently lies atop his bier.
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Besides to this Mausoleum is a Presidential Center
where the remains of the former President lies in a bier surrounded by Marshall
in a “no-picture taking” policy, awaiting decree from whoever sitting President
may proclaim to eternally lay him at rest (possibly in Heroes Memorial Park).
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| working table of the former President |
After an educational walk-thru, we headed further
up northeast to Burgos, Ilocos Norte passing a thru the towns of San Nicolas,
Bacarra & Pasuquin – and headed to
Cape Bojeador, a remarkable century old landmark built during the Spanish era
sometime in 1887 as a guide or lighthouse to ships and seafarers.
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| Cape Bojeador |
Atop of this historical structure is a wide blue
water horizon shoreline with subtle waves overlooking the open sea of the West
Philippine Sea or formerly known as South China Sea. A cool breeze wind
embraces you while enjoying an indescribable magnificent one of a kind view.
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| Bangui Wind Mill |
Another interesting place to visit within this area
is the Kapurpurawan – a vast white rock formation surrounded by numbers of huge
fans or Wind Mills strategically erected facing the windy shoreline. Further up
northeast is Bangui Wind Mills - this is
the original Wind Power Plant from 15MW to 150MW and currently expanding. As
per local info, each “huge fan” can generate around 3MW optimum output.
Again, number of “huge fans” as my kids described
it… the wind velocity in this area will prove you of the feasibility of this
infrastructure, as it almost swayed me while we are having our quick photo
opportunity. It also boast our pride of having this kind of facility saying to
the whole world that this place has a lot more to give for further rural or
urban development and beyond.
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| Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte |
This day, we have visited so much of this wonder
places around… we are supposed to go directly Saud beach in Pagudpud just few
minutes away from Bangui, we decided to take a look of the long vast via duct
lovely bridge of Patapat – a connecting bridge for two adjacent provinces of
the north – Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Norte, before we knew it….my kids and my
family are enjoying the cool waters of Pagudgud white beach and ended this worth
long drive day journey.
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| Saud Beach Resort |
The following day, we decided to get back Laoag
City – there we took our lunch out together besides sinking bell tower and
proceeded to the Fort Ilocandia Resorts & Convention Center. Again, a
breath taking ambiance welcomes us as we did not miss any nice spots to take
our souvenir photos together.
Our ilocandia adventure doesn’t stop us wandering around
this rich Ilocano region as we moved fast Paoay Church – another historical
structure that captivates every visiting tourist tagged as one of UN Heritage awardee
being one of historical pieces of structure & a symbolic landmark that will
rekindle the nationalistic trait of each and every Filipino.
Ending the day is catching up time to drive back to
our sweet home to prepare for the celebration of the coming New Year 2015!
Such a tiring journey but immeasurable experiences
we will never forget. Just a friendly reminder – make an effort to know history
behind places in this Ilocandia Region for kids so as to make your vacation not
only relaxing for new places to see but to educate and reminds everyone that
these places remarkably fought by our ancestors and heroes for the next
generation to treasure and to cherish.
Thank you 2014 & welcome 2015…. Happy Holidays
and Happy New Year everyJuan.
