Ilocos is not one of those places on my bucket list until this Filipino film titled “Suddenly It’s Magic” was released in cinemas. Okay fine, I know it’s baduy [lol] but the location where they shot the movie caught my attention. Making my travel soul go. . .ohhhhh those windmills!
From the Vigan Bus Terminal, take any bus bound for Laoag. Those buses are either coming from Manila or Baguio. It will be a 2-hour ride. Fare’s around PhP200. I negotiated with this tricycle driver to give me a city day tour for PhP700. IT’s really not a bad deal. I am also recommending this tricycle driver for your future Ilocos tour. You may reach Mr. Wawie Bartolome through his mobile 0906 972 9377. I was expecting a Laoag City Tour, but actually it turned out as a tour to neighboring municipalities! And it even had a theme: getting to know the Marcoses ! But of course, you may skip this leg if you’re not interested. But I guess any tourist going up north of the Philippines would like to see the Marcos Museum, right? So as I’ve expected, we cannot take photos there, it’s prohibited. But here’s some images from one of the museums in Batac.
From the Vigan Bus Terminal, take any bus bound for Laoag. Those buses are either coming from Manila or Baguio. It will be a 2-hour ride. Fare’s around PhP200. I negotiated with this tricycle driver to give me a city day tour for PhP700. IT’s really not a bad deal. I am also recommending this tricycle driver for your future Ilocos tour. You may reach Mr. Wawie Bartolome through his mobile 0906 972 9377. I was expecting a Laoag City Tour, but actually it turned out as a tour to neighboring municipalities! And it even had a theme: getting to know the Marcoses ! But of course, you may skip this leg if you’re not interested. But I guess any tourist going up north of the Philippines would like to see the Marcos Museum, right? So as I’ve expected, we cannot take photos there, it’s prohibited. But here’s some images from one of the museums in Batac.
hhhmmm..Imelda and Ferdinand’s 11 day romance??? I still have a chance :)))
Yep, it’s all about them, Marcoses!
car plate numbers of the late President Marcos
One should never fail to visit Paoay Church of course, because it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest churches in the country.
At St. Augustine Church or popularly known as Paoay Church
Suddenly it’s Magic behind the scene…promise this would be the last pic I will be posting from the movie lol!!!
And your Ilocos Norte tour won’t be complete without experiencing the adventure at the Sand Dunes! Perhaps this is our version of the Dessert Safari in Dubai. This activity offers so much excitement and fun.
Sand Boarding and 4×4 ride is in La Paz. The rate for such activity is PhP2,500 for groups of 4.
You might also want to visit Malacanang of the North to complete that “getting-to-know the Marcoses tour.” :)
The room of Sen. Bongbong Marcos
The room of the sisters Irene and Aimee Marcos
The master’s bedroom
In my own opinion, there’s no need to stay overnight in Laoag. There’s nothing more there for sightseeing; might as well take a 2-hr mini-bus ride bound for Pagudpud. Fare’s PhP60 only.
Stay at the Saud Beach especially if you’re a first timer. It’s nearer the bus terminal and there are a lot of resorts you can choose from depending on your budget. Cathy’s Homestay is known for budget accommodation but unfortunately it was fully booked. I opted to stay 1 night at Britanya Resort (http://www.britanyalodge.com) with a room rate of PhP1500. But if I will have another opportunity to go back in Pagudpud, I will stay at Kapuluan Resort (http://kapuluanvistaresortandrestaurant.com) because it would be a perfect accommodation for my dramas [lol]. I cancelled my reservation there because somebody told me that it’s far from the bus terminal and I also considered that my arrival would be in the evening. The following morning I told the tricycle driver to take me there, and yes, it is indeed far, but still I will recommend the resort.
Stay at the Saud Beach especially if you’re a first timer. It’s nearer the bus terminal and there are a lot of resorts you can choose from depending on your budget. Cathy’s Homestay is known for budget accommodation but unfortunately it was fully booked. I opted to stay 1 night at Britanya Resort (http://www.britanyalodge.com) with a room rate of PhP1500. But if I will have another opportunity to go back in Pagudpud, I will stay at Kapuluan Resort (http://kapuluanvistaresortandrestaurant.com) because it would be a perfect accommodation for my dramas [lol]. I cancelled my reservation there because somebody told me that it’s far from the bus terminal and I also considered that my arrival would be in the evening. The following morning I told the tricycle driver to take me there, and yes, it is indeed far, but still I will recommend the resort.
Kapuluan Resort beachfront
And this is Pagudpud Beach! They call this the Boracay of the North.
I again hired a tricycle driver for a rate of 1200 to see the windmills and other nice spots of Pagudpud, Bangui, and Burgos. I got lucky to meet Mr. Arnel, who turned out to be a dakilang tricycle driver slash tour guide. His number is 0926 588 0666 just for your reference. Here’s what Ilocos Norte can offer:
1) Kabigan Falls
a very early morning trek at Kabigan Falls
2) Patapat Viaduct
3) Bantay Abot Cave
4) Blue Lagoon
Kapuluan Resort is somewhere there!
5) Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Kapurpurawan means white in Ilocano which describes the shade of the rock formation. It’s a white limestone formed by the force of the wind and waves from the ocean.
6) Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos
a structure built during the Spanish colonial period set high on Vigi de Nagparitan Hill
7) Bangui Windmills
The first and largest windmill in Southeast Asia consisting of 20 wind turbines facing the West Philippine Sea (NOT South China Sea anymore lol!)
This leg of my trip was purely sightseeing! There are still a lot of things to do in the province for sure. If it was not because of my “period”, I could have had a good long run at their Patapat Viaduct and at the Windmills area. Experienced horseback riding at the Rock Formation, enjoyed the white beach, and tried their zipline.! Truly it’s more fun in Region 1! Up next..Region 2? Oh my goosh, Batanes must be the first on my list! We’ll see. :)
And by the way, take a 12-hr bus ride from Pagudpud Bus Terminal to Sampaloc Manila via Florida Bus Line. Or you may go back to Laoag City a one-hour plane ride bound for Manila.
And it is still always nice to travel in group so you have other people to share the expenses with. But if you’ll have some episodes of drama101 like me, then nevermind [lol].
And by the way, take a 12-hr bus ride from Pagudpud Bus Terminal to Sampaloc Manila via Florida Bus Line. Or you may go back to Laoag City a one-hour plane ride bound for Manila.
And it is still always nice to travel in group so you have other people to share the expenses with. But if you’ll have some episodes of drama101 like me, then nevermind [lol].
I should have dropped by Pangasinan to complete the Region 1 Tour.
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