Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Ilocos Norte, a
province in Ilocos Region, pulls tourists for its first-class panorama and full
of flavor cuisine. It has a room for anyone who goes for a tan or wants to feel
reflective all at once.
Due to its several attractions, an over the weekend time
table may not be suitable. It is best to come in groups for two reasons:
·
It is a
lot cheaper – Most of the tourist attractions are not in close proximity;
travel time from one place to the other suggests 30 minutes to an hour at most.
These places are well accessible via public transports; however, vehicles for rent
are the most convenient choices with reasonable charge. If you are travelling alone, that would mean you
have to take on the whole expense. If budget is not much of a concern, then you
can give it a go.
·
It is
twice the fun – The main concept of travelling is to have fun, whatever that
means. I feel that the excitement is different when I am with my comfortable
crowd. It is like familiar faces are drawn together to hoard new stories. If you are a professional introvert, do skip reason #2.
HOW TO GET TO ILOCOS NORTE
It is just an hour
away from Manila via air and approximately 12 hours via land transport.
Via Air
Cebu Pacific and Air Phils., offer daily trips bound for Laoag. The four
of us were booked via Cebu Pac, unfortunately my friend, Nev, and I were a
little too late. We had to avail another plane ticket via Air Phils., just to
make it to Laog on the same day.
Fare : depends if you
have an advanced booking; on the same day booking often costs two thousand
pesos and up (php 2,000).
Via Land
If you do not mind a twelve-hour land travel, then land transfer suits
you. Several bus companies serve direct tour bound for Laoag on a on a daily
basis. You may refer to the listings below.
Fariñas Transit
Laong-Laan St., corner M. dela Fuente,
Sampaloc, Manila
Contact: +63 2 731 4507/ +63 2 731 4375/ +63
2 723 8580 loc. 103-15
Auto Bus
Dimasalang corner Laong Laan ST., Sampaloc,
Manila
Contact: +63 2 743 3227
Philippine Rabbit
Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila
Contact: +63 2 734 9836
Partas Transit
Aurora Blvd., corner Bernardo St., Cubao,
Q.C.
Contact: +63 2 727 8278
Florida Lines
A.H. Lacson Ave., corner España,
Sampaloc, Manila
Contact:
+63 2 743 3809/+63 2 781 5894
WHERE TO EAT
La Preciosa
“Do not
leave Ilocos without having to try bagnet or longganisa”, a stern reminder by
my friend before I left for Laoag. After two hours of travel, combined air, land
plus the waiting time, the only thing that kept my sanity was the anticipation of food! Cheng, our friend/hostess, brought us to a plain looking restaurant for
our dinner/reunion. La Preciosa, placed on a quaint corner street in Laoag, is
one of the oldest restaurants that offers diners Ilocos’s finest. La Preciosa,
formerly called as Peppermint Café, was a domestic place owned by Preciosa
Palma until it was modified to a restaurant. It has fixed wooden interiors with
glass doors and huge windows enclosing the unit. The verandah is intended for
buffet and also where smokers are ushered. The quality of food is exceptional
and reasonable as per my standard. Bagnet with KBL, Poqui-Poqui, Igado,
Dinendeng and how could I forget their sinful Carrot Cake – made everyone happy
and sleepy!
menu
interior
I know. happy and yes, sleepy
giant clock in Laoag Plaza
We passed by LaoagPlaza after our dinner and we were able to check on this CLOCK! mind you, it's really working.
Day 2
We started our tour by visiting the sinking Bell Tower located in A. Bonifacio, Brgy. 14, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
sinking bell tower
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
This is the tallest lighthouse in the Philippines approximately 160 meters above sea level.
on our way to Kapurpurawan Rock
Formation
Aileen, me, Nev and our guide
Kapurpurawan Rock
Formation
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, an astonishing beauty in Burgos Ilocos, is peacefully nestled vertically facing the South China Sea (now West Philippine Sea). A 30 minute walk is required before you get to see this beauty. A tour guide awaits tourists at the topmost part of the area to escort them around. I remember paying twenty pesos (php 20) for the environmental fee and use of rest room.
FYI: A reliable sunblock is a must!
Lapaz Sand Dunes
LaPaz Sand Dunes, located in LaPaz Ilocos, is a scenery to behold which consists of 52 square miles of sandy desert. It became a venue for quite a few local and international commercial and movie shoots. Sand boarding and 4 x 4 ride are the typical activities in the area.
Paoay Church
Paoay Church, part
of UNESCO World Heritage Listings in 1993, reflects the resourcefulness of
humanity. Christianity is still one of the principal religions in the area,
thus making it on top of the list for pilgrimage.
Two museums to visit once you are in Laoag - Ferdinand Marcos Museum and Museo Ilocos Norte.
Ferdinand Marcos's Museum
museo Ilocos Norte
Bangui Windmill
Another Ilocano's innovation! Each windmill stands 23 stories high. Collectively, it produce 25 megawatts of electricity in a day. AWESOME!
random street food in Laoag
This is one of the very few group trips I have ever joined in the last three years
I was just asked to hop in just a few days before the scheduled date and was not even part of the planning!
Nevertheless, it was unexpectedly c-o-o-l.
Sakto.
I was just asked to hop in just a few days before the scheduled date and was not even part of the planning!
Nevertheless, it was unexpectedly c-o-o-l.
Sakto.
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