Thank You 2012

I still have 19 pages more to turn and I realize I barely shared to you my daily pursuits. I have always thought of taking down everything into words that’s why I thought of starting it this year but I am the lazy scribbler and I have the gift of sharp and organized memory so I just keep it all in the mind.

The past 346 days has been extraordinary. I am so much grateful of everything and thankful to God for his sublime gift of life. The whole year will never be remarkable without experiencing those tiny knots along the way and figuring out a way of untangling those challenges.

Thank you 2012 for the wonderful life and I am ecstatic to embrace a more prosperous 2013.

Vigan, Paoay, Pagudpud-DIY Budget Trip

NOVEMBER 28-30, 2012

It took me about a week to plan this do-it-yourself trip. It took that long since I had other choices in mind on where to spend my 3 days off and I needed time to get to know Ilocos more. I have been in the Northern side of the Philippines but only within the areas of Subic and Zambales, and yes this is one hell of an adventure for me, well  not because I haven’t been in Ilocos but it's  because I went S-O-L-O in this trip. YES!

here's how I did it:

from the diy blogs I've read, bloggers recommend to take Partas bus over other buses that are travelling to Vigan due to many sensible reasons (Partas bus is owned by Gov, Chavit Singzon, comfort, new and clean bus).

(Departure from Manila: 10:30pm/7-8 hrs travel/P665 bus fare)

                      (Photo courtesy of Henady Inn facebook acct)

                                                               
  (Arrival in Vigan: 6:00am) 
I set a reservation at Henady Inn (Bantay, Ilocos Sur) in a  good for 1-2person per night room at P800 (with ac, tv, toilet & bath)I tried my haggling skills and they offered me the econo/sharing room that’s good for 4 pax at P250 per night, and I took it. Lucky enough I had no one to share the room with, Yey! They have free WIFI access btw.

                                                                           (New and clean interiors of Henady Inn)

                                                                 (just get the contact number if you like the place)

They are also serving budget meals and I had my breakfast at the veranda where you can see The Bell Tower.

                                                      (View of St. Augustine Church & Bell Tower from the veranda)

Day 1 of Vigan Tour

St. Augustine Church, Bell tower & Chapel by the ruins is just a walking distance from the hotel where I stayed.

                                                                                      (Back view of Bell Tower)

(Chapel by the ruins)

                        

                               

I took the tricycle ride to get to the other ancestral places that highlights why Vigan is proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and other interesting spots to visit.

Plaza Burgos

Burgos Museum (the ancestral home of Padre Burgos)

The famous Calle Crisologo

The famous Café Leona restaurant

Vigan Burnayan (Jar factory)

Hidden garden

Baluarte

Plaza Burgos

  

Café Leona

Calle Crisologo

Burnayan (jar making factory)

Perfect way of completing the tour is by tasting the local Vigan delicacies.

Vigan longganisa

bagnet

empanada

Day 2 Paoay Church and Pagudpud (windmill, Saud Beach)

I checked out early at around 8:00 am took the bus heading to Laoag, I asked the bus conductor to drop me off at Batac Ilocos Sur (P115 bus fare from Bantay to Batac/2hrs bus ride). There are famous tourist attractions to visit in Batac (Malacanang of the North, ancestral house of the Marcos’s, Paoay Church). I only visited Paoay church to save time and I am much eager to see Paoay church. from Batac highway after getting off the bus to Laoag, you can take the tricycle ride (P50) to Paoay church or take the jeepney ride.

While in Paoay church I met some friendly local Batac children playing in the shades. They asked if I could take a jumpshot photo of them (failed jumpshot photo).

I was directed by a local to a jeepney terminal heading to Laoag in preparation for my next destination, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte. From Laoag I took a non- air conditioned bus heading to Pagudpud, a 1-2 hour bus ride from Laoag. Along the way you will get to pass Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and the Bangui windmills.

I was told by kuya Rochen (tricycle driver to Bangui windmills) that best time to visit the windmill is at around 9 am or late afternoon because we went there at around 1:00pm and it was scorching hot.

By tricycle it will take you around 20 mins to get to Saud beach, from there you have options on where to spend the night. There are homestays (P250 per night) that are way cheaper instead of staying at a resort that ranges to around P800 for a good for 2 persons room with ac with toilet and bath.

I stayed overnight at Polaris Beach resort. The resort is just by the beach, there were vendors selling Pagudpud souvenirs, and there were also local fishermen preparing their fishnets. A tourist can buy fresh catch from the fishermen by the shore at a cheaper price.

Saud beach, Pagudpud IN

Waiting for sunset by the beach while chatting with a local.

 A Candid photo taken by Cleto Rebamontan my kababayan who I met by surprise along Saud beach.

“I cry very easily. It can be a movie, a phone conversation, a sunset-tears are words waiting to be written”

 Paulo Coelho

TOTAL EXPENSES: P3,636

P665   (PARTAS bus from Cubao-Vigan)

P60       (trike from Partas terminal Vigan-to Henady Inn)

P350   (kalesa tour Calle Crisologo, Padre Burgos, Hidden Garden, Burnayan, Baluarte)

P115   (bus from Bantay to Batac)

P50      (bus from Laoag to Bangui)

P350   (trike from Bangui to Saud)

P50      (trike from Saud to Florida bus terminal Pagudpud)

P700   (bus fare from Pagudpud to Manila)

I only highlighted my transportation expenses in this trip.

CONTACTS:

Henady Inn:

Tel # (077) 722-8001

CP # 0917-515-8001

Kuya Rochen Martinez (tricycle in Bangui)

CP # 0926-598-0624

POLARIS BEACH SAUD

CP # 0917-548-8102

Thank you to all travel bloggers for sharing all your DIY trips.

Moses

(photo taken at Ao's residence Santolan Pasig city)