Monday, February 9, 2015

ILOCOS NORTE | Throwing Back To A Little Piece Of Joy

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.


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