Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Power of Laoag

After our 27 hours in Vigan, we are off to Laoag.  We took the same bus (Partas) since their bus terminal is accessible and is just right in front of the public market.  The bus fare was Php 133.00 per head.  The trip took 2 hours drive.



We arrived in Laoag around 11 in the morning.  The bus station was packed with tricycle drivers and calling out to arriving passengers.  One driver approached us and asked us if we have an arranged tour of Laoag.  His name is Julius, and he quoted us Php 600.00 for all the sites to visit in the area.  We closed the deal and agreed to meet around 1 pm.    He dropped us off at Laoag Renzo Hotel.









Laoag Renzo Hotel was a cozy accommodation located within the city area of Laoag.  The only room left was the superior type which costs Php 1,800.00 per night with buffet breakfast and wifi inside the room.  The room was spacious and clean.  The bathroom is also nice.



It was not hard to look for fastfood and restaurants in the area, everything is just walking distance.  But in case you don't want to tire your feet, you can always take a tricycle to take you around or the kalesa.  The horse-drawn carriages are still being used in this part of the country, which I think is nice.  Very colonial.

So here are our pit stops:

Malacanang of the North:




Paoay Church



Paoay Lake National Park



Sinking Bell Tower



Marcos Mausoleum and Museum





Laoag is an eclectic mix of the past and present.  Though they still have the small town feel, the opening of shops and fastfoods on every corner is a sign that the present is already gaining popularity.  Laoag is home of plenty of famous politicians.  This is the perfect place to know them more closely. (more pictures here)

Note:
Laoag Renzo Hotel
Rizal St., cor Guerrero ST., Laoag City
Mobile: +63 009082144488
Phone:  +63 077 770 4898+63 077 770 4898
Email:  laoagrenzohotel@yahoo.com
Wesbite: www.laoagrenzohotel.com

more pictures here...





Friday, April 20, 2012

Vigan: The Allure of the Past

If the words like old baroque churches and heritage houses make your heart beat fast with excitement, then you must visit Vigan of Ilocos Sur.

I have always been fascinated by these old structures that goes way back to Spanish Era.  Owned by the same family and handed over from one generation to another.  Painstakingly preserved for the next generation and for the viewing public.

Going there was a gruelling 9 hours bus ride.  We took the Partas bus in Aurora Blvd. in Pasay City..  We decided to visit Vigan on a Monday to avoid tourist crowds, so we went to the bus terminal Sunday evening as the bus schedule for Vigan leaves 9:00 pm.  We went to the bus terminal a bit earlier since they don't do reservations.  The fare costs Php 661.00 per person.



We arrived at Vigan around 5:30 a.m.  When the bus entered the town it was like a ghost town.  Good thing when we got to the terminal, there was a little buzz because of the tricycle drivers waiting to pick up some passengers.  We took a short trike ride going to Grandpa's Inn.  It's right in the heart of the old Vigan town.  And yes, you guess it right, it is also an old building.  The trike ride costs Php 50.00.  Since our reservation was for 9:00 am. we have to pay an additional Php 150.00 per hour for early check in.  All in all, we have to pay Php 2230.00 for an overnight stay with breakfast.  So we creeped into our room since the building is mostly wood and it creaks big time.  Our room was modest with an ensuite bathroom.  They have totally upped the historical feel in this place and its definitely giving me the heebie-jeebies.  The tv was hiked up so you have to lie down to enjoy the tube.  Good thing the room is with wifi.









We woke up around 10:00 am, showered and went down to take our breakfast.  Husbandry had tapsilog while I had chicken longganisa.  It was a good breakfast, the place is quaint in daylight.  We had our tour arranged by the hotel.  They have hired a kalesa for us to take around the city/town.  Kalesa, for those who are not in the know, is a horse-drawn carriage.  So really, we did the most tourist-y thing to do.  We roam the city riding the Kalesa.



Here's all of our pit stops:
      St. Augustine Church and the Bantay Belfry Tower



Syquia Mansion


 Crisologo Museum


Pagburnayan Pottery


Baluarte



Calle Crisologo



Vigan Church


We had to cut the tour short because it was getting hot.  We went back to the hotel and found out that Cafe Uno is part of the hotel we are staying at.  We ordered Bagnet, Miki and Garlic Fried Rice.  Total wallet damage was Php 800.00.



Before the sun truly set, we decided to explore the city and found out that the city center is small and a walking distance to everything.  We went to Plaza Salcedo to buy the infamous empanada.  I must say it was absolutely yummy.  One piece costs Php  35.00.  The colonial feel of the town center reminds you of the streets of Itay (not that I have been there, but I so want to).  Small motorcycles are their means of transportation.

The next day, we already packed our stuff and headed to the bus station going to Laoag.  Before we went back to Manila, we stopped at Vigan again to buy pasalubong like Marsha's Royal Bibngka and tupig.

It was fun roaming the city.  What I love most about Vigan is their food.  Something to lure me back into this place.

more pictures...

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Discover the Hot Springs of Laguna

The first time I stepped foot in Laguna was way back in May 2005.  My siblings, my husband (boyfriend then) and me visited Enchanted Kingdom.  One of the most visited theme parks in Luzon, Enchanted Kingdom is just a bus a way from the buzzling city of Metro Manila.  The entrance back then was around Php 500.00 kinda stiff and I think the price didn't change that much until now.

My next visit was when I met with hubby's family.  Though I've heard a lot of good things to visit in this province, I never got the chance to explore it.  And for my 2012 Amazing Race vacation, I finally have something about Laguna to talk about.

Since we arrived mid of March, school is still on going so outing should be scheduled on a weekend.  And since we have too many commitments for this 30-day vacation, we are lucky to squeeze in an overnight bonding with my husband's family in Pansol Calamba Laguna.

We are lucky to get a good resort what with a short notice.  We got the Dona Salud Resort.  This resort is composed of three private resorts within the coompound.  Each house as its own swimming pool.  We got the place for Php 6,000.00 for 12 hours (6 pm to 6 am).  Unfortunately we were not able to utilize the place exactly 12 hours because we got held up with traffic going to Calamba from Sta. Rosa, plus the village was quite difficult to locate.  We were informed that most of the houses in the subdivision are for rent and all have swimming pool because of the hot spring near the area.

Our private resort comes with a open kitchen, huge fridge and gas stove.  You have to pay extra Php 200.00 for the gas cylinder (LPG).  There's also a karaoke machine by the dining area.  A grilling area.  The three-airconditioned room can accommodate at least 4 person and has an ensuite bathroom, which I must say is nice.  It's like taking a dump in the middle of the forest.  It's open.  

Anyway, it was one good over night.  Everybody had fun dipping  into the pool without the worry of getting sun burned.  While some of the guys sang their heart out while waiting for dinner to be cooked.  This went on until the wee hours of the morning.  When hangover, the pool is always warm to wash it out.

Dona Salud Resort
Ms. ruth C. Reyes
www.donasalud.weebly.com
+639209052766
+63 049 502 2533
+63 049 840 1302









more pictures...

Thursday, April 12, 2012

After 407 Days

As the title goes, after 407 days, I am finally getting on a plane to kick start my 30-day vacation. I manage to survive the last few days without jumping with excitement every end of the day. I was calm, compose and felt like I'm just going to the mall.

Our flight was scheduled in the wee hours of the morning. 3:55 am to be exact. We already had our baggages checked-in earlier at the city check in center, so no more fuss with carrying stuff to the airport. While waiting for our flight, I was still ok. Boarding then take off. The long flight was comfortable. I didn't get enought sleep because I was watching too many movies and savoring the plane ride. It's been a while since I had one. I love plane rides.

An hour before we landed, the slight turbulence woke me. The screen was already showing the landing of the plane until it touched the ground. Honestly, I was so overwhelmed. When I heard the tires hit the ground while the pilot put on the brakes, I so wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. My husband noticed my reaction, he smiled and whisphered welcome to the life of the OFW.

 I'll tell more about my 30-day adventure in my homeland for the next few posts. But for now, I'm busy trying to control my tear ducts. The whole missing-my-family thing is still eating up most of my head right now. *sigh*