Vigan Break-in

Filipinos during holy week / Lenten season often find themselves in a holiday. Mostly go out of towns, hit the nearest islands, some even fly abroad just to savor one of the much awaited days off in a year. We seldom go out of town on holy week, but because “Eon” arrived..it tempted our itchy feet to do a spontaneous road trip up north. “Kaja let’s go to Vigan!”

Going up north was my driver / Dear’s achievement since he wanted to test his driving limits and give our Eon another break-in. Out of town trips during holy week is not a good idea haha, it was the worst / longest / irritating traffic that we endured just to get to our destination. It took us whopping 15 hours of travel time from Manila to Vigan, and the traffic going even further north to Laoag and Pagudpud is another issue. If you search it on Waze during that time, it will take 3 hours from Vigan to Laoag (usual is 2 hours) and 4-5 hours from Vigan to Pagudpud (usual is 3 hours). We left Bacoor, Cavite at 3:00 am, arrived at Vigan around 6:30 pm, whooo road trip! 🙂

Getting there (commuting)

Our last Vigan post on year 2012 will guide you on commuting to Vigan, but usually it’s just an 8 hour bus ride from Manila, get off along Bantay National Highway where the Saint Augustine Parish Church “Bantay Church” is also located. From there, you can ride tricycles going to your chosen accommodation.

Getting there (private car)

This would be your best route:

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) > Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) > Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX) > drive through Manila North Road, you won’t get lost since there were mostly town arch that you will pass by.

SCTEX

TPLEX

Manaoag Shrine, Pangasinan

Agoo, La Union

Going to Bantay, Ilocos Sur

 

What to do / Activities

Food trip and shop for delicacies

Walk along & enjoy the rustic charm of Calle Crisologo, a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit Bantay Church and Bantay Bell Tower, do photo-ops.

Visit the town’s plaza and other touristic places, you may find our guide in this post and here too.

Accommodation

Since it’s a spontaneous trip we had, we did not even bother to book for our room haha. This an added lesson we learned especially for holiday out of towns. You must always book a room prior or you can also do this while you’re still driving to your destination, there’s plenty of online sites to help you like Agoda. Going back, when we arrive at Vigan, the place was just flocked with tourists and we got hopeless since all the hotels were fully booked. We thought we’re just gonna sleep inside the car or just get some rest and head home.We did hotel search while driving around and found Green R Hotel. It’s located in front of Vigan Public Market, it’s near Jollibee, and a grocery store. All rooms provide a/c, cable tv, private toilet & bathroom. Rates starts at Php 1,125.00 (2 pax) and Php 2,025.00 (4 pax) no breakfast included. It can work if you’re not so choosy with your accommodation and you’re just in Vigan for a short period of time. We liked that the hotel’s location is near to several establishments and you can also walk to Calle Crisologo, around 3-4 blocks away. But you can always ride a tricycle since they often pass by the hotel too.

Estimated Budget

• Gasoline – Php 2,000.00 round trip
• Toll Fees – Php 1,100 round trip
• Accommodation – Php 1,125.00
• Food, Pasalubong – Php 1,500.00

Contact Info

Green R Hotel – 09430014290, +63 (77) 6321149

• Address: Alcantara Street Extension, Barangay VIII, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
• Check in time: 2:00 PM; Check out time: 12:00 NN
• Website – www.greenrhotel.com

Initially our plan was to spend an over night at Vigan then head on for Laoag day tour, and then spend an over night at Pagudpud. That all changed because of the heavy traffic we experienced and so we decided to leave for Manila upon check-out. It was a good choice, no traffic at all and we just drove 6 hours from Vigan to Bacoor, Cavite.

Hope you find this post helpful, please rate. Thanks!

 

 

Nostalgic Ilocos Sur – Part 2

The continuation of our calesa tour in the heritage city moves forward to these itineraries that truly made us like kids playing and laughing happily!

4. Bantay Bell Tower – no entrance fees just donations. This is Vigan’s pretty neighbor and Bantay’s landmark. They say that aside from Calle Crisologo, your trip to Vigan is incomplete if you missed out this place. We just love this place to the point that my blog post will get longer if I were to describe in details how much we enjoyed visiting it, starting from it’s ground up to the top of the tower!

puuuussssh!

2nd level to the tower. . .

gate on the way to the top. . .

hooray..the Bantay Bell!

5. Cristy’s Loom Weaving – no entrance fees,but they have a souvenir shop so it’s a bit awkward if you don’t buy even just a small amount of item haha. I only get to watch this before in travel shows, but now, I was able to see it real and get to experience how to do it as well.

i got shy to pose here..awkward 🙂

6. Hidden Garden – no entrance fees. With it’s motto “Discover the Place”, this place really is a hidden garden right after the long and winding road! It’s a small garden wherein you can dine, relax, etc.  It’s also an events place especially for wedding, literally on our visit, there was a couple whose about to be wed.

make a wish spot

7. Baluarte – thanks to Mr.Chavit Singson no entrance fees. This zoo is cool, you can get up close w/ the animals they have, plus the breath taking view makes it cooler. We were like kids who wandered around this wide property of Mr. Singson and got amused with the animals haha.

seeing a tiger this close is cute and scary at the same time haha

the breath taking view behind us is the province of Abra

The calesa tour finished at 2:30pm, we haven’t had lunch and we’re so hungry, McDonald’s was the 1st food serving place that we saw as soon as we got off the carriage on the plaza. And as you know it, we had our lunch/merienda at that joint then headed back to Grandpa’s Inn for some siesta nap.

Woke up around 5:45pm and of course we should not miss Calle Crisologo and Vigan’s beauty at night.

i can finish 10 of this..haha

As usual all this strolling and picture taking made us hungry, scouting for a place to eat, we headed to the plaza. We were able to passed by some fast food joints,cafes, mid-range restos but Trellis Food Court by far matched our tourist mood at that night and our budget as well haha. It’s a nice place..well ventilated, laid-back ambiance, serves delicious menus and offer alcoholic drinks too. This place comes with a live-band still with a laid back style, not so over rated performance, you can make song requests..fits the night life Vigan style and also gives you a romantic hint of mood for those love birds like us 🙂

dine . . .

and drunk!haha

We left Trellis Food Court at 9:00pm, full..a bit drunk..tired, we said hello to dream land!

Then we woke up 6:00am, what we did on our 2nd day at Vigan. . .

After filling our stomachs w/ Grandpa’s Inn free breakfast, we had a morning stroll at Calle Crisologo,munched on Vigan empanadas,some souvenir shopping. . .

Vigan plazas stroll,of course let’s not forget our dear God so we prayed inside Vigan Cathedral..

With other Vigan travel blogs that I’ve read, I find it cool and envy how they were able to spot those Vigan tiles..haha tiles w/ a Vigan embossed mark on it. I was a bit sad because we’re about to check out still I wasn’t able to see it. But I said to myself, I won’t go home till I see this Vigan tile. Then on our way back to the inn, we walked on the mini side walk, as I looked down, there you have it..I even shouted when I saw it..a Vigan tile..hahaha..now I can go home!*what a story*

right side>>that’s an explorer’s feet..dirty..lol

Going Home (commuting)

12:00pm is the check out time at Grandpa’s Inn but we wanted to reach Manila in an earlier time so we checked out at 10:30am. Fyi, Farinas Transit’s not present at Vigan *only in Laoag*so they suggested that we take Partas bus on our way home, but we don’t really prefer it since we were not satisfied w/ their expensive rates and the bus itself *DeLuxe bus daw pero parang di naman*.  So we went to Dominion Bus Line terminal..they only have afternoon trips *starts at 2:30pm*, then we went to Maria De Leon bus terminal..boohoo the 10:30am bus already left..next trip is 1:00pm. We had no choice but to take Partas bus again,haha well this time it’s a bit good experience w/ them. We’re lucky to be on board 11:30am bus that left at 11:15am*this time, cheaper fare not DeLuxe bus anymore* we got good and comfy seats. Fare is Php 605 per head (Cubao terminal) we noticed that it took us 10hrs *maybe due to traffic,more stop overs and madalas na pagkuha nila ng pasahero along the way*

Anyways, let me share some of my shots  along the road to home. . .

Quirino Bridge

Suso Beach

La Union

shadow playing at Rosario, La Union

Our Budget/Expenses (good for 2 persons):

• Transportation by land *all-in* – Php 2,500
• Grandpa’s Inn – Php 980 (fan room w/ toilet and bath)
• Calesa Tour – Php 600
• Food – Php 800 (we did not brought any food w/ us)
• Entrance Fees/Donations – Php 200
• Pasalubong – Php  420

Total Budget: Php 5,500 *take note that we had a dare na pagkasyahin ang Php 5k/6k sa isang Ilocos Sur trip, and it’s a success!*

Helpful Contact Details:

• Farinas Transit – 7314507 (Laon Laan, Espana)
• Grandpa’s Inn – 077-7222118 or 09175802118
• Kuya Jaime *calesa tour guide* – 09056306231

If you think having a not so high budget would not take you somewhere far out of town? Well that’s not true! This travel post of mine is one proof that you don’t need to have lots of dough to enjoy the places and things that you want to explore and experience.

That’s about for it..please rate..thanks!

Nostalgic Ilocos Sur – Part 1

Well, History is one of my favorite subjects back then, and you’ll find lots of this element in this province. Truly a blast from the past kind of  trip, with hints of knowledge that you too will be surprise to know, let’s explore “Kaja,let’s go”  to Ilocos Sur!

No occasions, nothing special, but soon as I knew that there’s a long weekend (Chinese New Year), we planned going out of town. After almost 2 weeks of planning, and budget challenge of Php 5k, here we are again in the Northernmost part of Luzon, this time, in the Southern part of Ilocos province. Our schedule. . .

January 20 Friday –

• 9:30pm Farinas bus to Laoag, but we left around 10:00pm, we only had 2 stop overs:  La Union and some town near Vigan, Ilocos Sur *sorry I forgot to get it’s name due to sleepiness of mine =)* I’d also like to share around 2:00am we’re wide awake on the bus, we saw like an Unidentified Flying Object somewhere around the fields of whose town I don’t know but it’s in Pangasinan, this light caught our attention it looks like a star but it’s moving literally,we’re quite sure that it’s not an insect nor a star. We tried taking a photo but due to darkness and distance we’re unsuccessful to get a clear image of this object.*goosebumps*

January 21 Saturday –

• 6:15 am arrival at Vigan City, breakfast at Grandpa’s Inn since our room’s not yet available. Around 8:45 am already check in at our room, had quick nap and shower
  

  good morning Calle Crisologo!

longganisa ken kinirog

• 10:30 am Calesa tour started which then finished at 2:30pm. Had our late lunch/merienda, headed back to Grandpa’s Inn for some nap

• 6:00pm woke up from siesta nap, decided to head out for some night stroll, dinner and a hint of night life-Vigan style
  

  dine and drunk at Trellis :p

• 9:00pm we called it a day and returned to Grandpa’s Inn for some long hours of sleep.

January 22 Sunday – 

• 7:00am hello sunshine, free breakfast,did some quick morning stroll, souvenir shopping,packed things up, check out time
  

  only in Vigan!

• 11:30am on board at Partas bus going home to Manila. We arrived at Manila around 9:30pm.

Location:

Ilocos Sur is a province located along the western coast of Northern Luzon. Well known for cultural-heritage sites, blooming histories, crafts and cottage industries.

Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, facing the South China Sea and is 408 kilometers northwest of Manila. The name Vigan came from the Ilocano word “kabiga-an” pertaining to the plant “biga” which is a tuberous plant that once grew along the banks of its rivers.

Ilocos Sur Map

Getting there (commuting):

Manila to Vigan City – Farinas Bus Transit buses going to Laoag City (Espana terminal, bus fare costs Php 500.00 per head) 

We took the 9:30pm trip since we’re really not in a hurry, but our bus left the  terminal at 10:00pm, we arrived at Vigan City 6:15am *only 8 hrs travel time,that’s fast!*. It’s typically an 8-10 hrs travel time so I suggest taking the late night trips like we did so that travel time is shorter and you’ll have exact time of arrival at Vigan for those required hotel morning check-in times.  You’ll get off at Bantay National Highway, then just ride a tricycle (fare should be Php 20.00 only but if they notice that you’re tourists they’ll charge you Php 50.00 for a 5-10 minute ride )going to Vigan City or to your chosen accommodation, easy as that! Other available bus liners going to Vigan City are Partas, Dominion Bus Lines, Maria De Leon..do the research!

Accommodations: Vigan City has lots of accommodations, from budget-friendly to mid-range and classy hotels, inns, transients. We chose to stay at Grandpa’s Inn, aside from it’s catchy name and being popular, what made me chose them is because it’s just 2 blocks away from the tourist spot Calle Crisologo, we did not regret our stay with them, we’re lucky that they allowed us to upgrade our room even though they were really fully-booked at that day,they offer reasonable room rates, great service and food, fast WiFi connection, Spanish-era ambiance, and should I say this or not..ok,we’re able to spot some celebs/personalities also checked-in at this place.

The Calesa Tour: DOT accredited calesa tour guides exists in this place, they charge Php 150 per hour.  Grandpa’s Inn was the one who offered this tour to us since they have tie-ups w/ some calesa tour guides. This is perfect for those who wants to explore all tourist spots,Vigan City itself and it’s neighboring towns in a day w/ less hassle, calesa experience, comfort.

Vigan Arc *we’re lucky coz the road was closed due to River Cruise project construction*

10:30am Calesa Tour started, our itineraries were. . .

1. Burgos Museum – entrance fee of Php 20.00 per head. Father Burgos’ home is now a satellite museum of the National Museum. You’ll see lots of memorabilia, antiques, photographs of Padre Burgos and his family. This museum also shows dioramas depicting local history, Ilocano and Tinggian archeological and ethnographic displays and a hall of fame for the heroes and achievers of Ilocos.

Padre Burgos Museum

believe it or not, this is a Typewriter..cool!

2. Crisologo Museum – no entrance fee, just donations. Mansion of Crisologos turned into a museum, inside you’ll see the antiques, memorabilia and other prized possessions of the Crisologos steeped with history.

Crisologo Museum

love this part, Ms. Carmeling’s room full of shoes,bags,clothes

3. Pagburnayan Pottery Making – no entrance fees. The root word “burnay” is an earthenware jar crafted by a potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s wheel. Here, you can experience pottery making with your bare hands for free! There are some souvenir shops nearby, it’s cheaper compared to those stores in Calle Crisologo.

some finish products

enjoying :p

These itineraries were just half  of our 4 hours calesa tour, I noticed that it concentrated mainly on art, culture, history. We learned a lot just by visiting these places, it’s like we’re in a History class field trip haha, kudos to our local tour guide Kuya Jaime, he’s very informative, talkative, accommodating enough to accompany us to each tourist spots.

On my second Ilocos Sur travel post, you’ll see the other half of our tour (Bantay Bell Tower, Hidden Garden, Baluarte). And helpful info you might need such as our budget breakdown, contact details.

To be continued . . .