Manila-Laoag-Vigan-Baguio Escapade

March 5, 2012

This trip adventure was planned carefully months ago because we would liked to spend just 6 travel days, from March 5-10. Few months ago, we had already booked our plane tickets going to Laoag, so all plane tickets were excluded from our budget during the trip. Together with my trip buddy, we had a budget for only P25,000 for this whole adventure, this includes hotel accommodation, rent a car in laoag (with driver), bus fare and food.

When i arrived at Manila via cebupacific , we had taken a taxi from Naia to Kabayan Hotel Pasay. We had already our booking at Kabayan Hotel  for March 9-10, 2012, we choose at Pasay so that it is near NAIA . We had made a transaction with Kabayan Hotel regarding our luggage because we are not yet staying there, we left our luggage at Kabayan Hotel given that luggage will not be left beyond 12am the next day because they will charged it to you, so it is free if it is just less than 12hours. We are planning to go to Manila Ocean Park for half day because our flight going to Laoag was at 7:55pm later via cebupacific air. 

Manila
Welcome to Manila Ocean Park!
        For the two of us we had chosen the Tour at 500 pesos each but this excludes seeing the penguins. It is worth it though, we had viewed fishes of different sizes, dancing jellyfish and talented sea lions! 

                                   At Souvenir Shop and bought my cute penguin stuff toy.

                Someone said, these sharks are hungry because they are lying flat at the water bed so weak, how true is it? scary! :))

                   I kept chasing on this Manta Ray so that i will have a great capture with it, lucky me I  immediately seat next to it!

Laoag

The capital city of Ilocos Norte.Of all the cities i went, i considered this is the best and full of history and landmarks. 

We arrived here March 5 at 9pm, we had booked our Hotel at balay da blas pensionne with complimentary breakfast. Staffs there were very accommodating and it has a very clean and nice rooms. You can arrange with the management if you want to be fetch from the airport.

We choose to be fetch by the car we rented because it is part of the package for as low as P3,500.

The car we rented includes the driver, the tour is only good for 1 day because the next day we will be heading to Baguio as what carefully planned. :) 

I will give the information below of the said rent a car and their itinerary, just contact this person.

           

Ms. Monette Arquillo

34-B Gabu Norte Laoag City

Email: nettearq05@yahoo.com

mobile nos. +639107859218 / +639228074850 / +639157020453

ITINERARY TOUR

LAOAG TOUR

                    Laoag Cathedral, Singking Bell Tower, Laoag City Hall, 

                    Laoag Museo, Lapaz Sand Dunes, Tobacco monopoly, 

                    Marcos Museum (Batac), Paoay Church, Paoay Lake, 

                    Malacañang of the North, Fort Ilocandia

VIGAN TOUR

                    Juan Luna Shrine, Magsingal Museum, St. Paul Cathedral, 

                    Heritage Village, Crisolog Museum, Pagburnayan, Baluarte

                    (Chavit Singson), Bantay Bell Tower, Plaza Burgos, Syquia Mansion, 

                    Hidden Garden

March 6, 2012

We started our trip at exactly 8am. Laoag City here we come!

  Laoag Cathedral

                                                      Outside Laoag Cathedral

                                  The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag, it is said to be sinking due to the type of soil where it stands and built. At the present, it is not sinking anymore, they already built a good foundation surrounding the structure.

                4x4 Adventure at Paoay Sand Dunes. It is where they shoot the movies "Panday" and "Temptation Island".

Feels like a roller coaster ride!! Amazing ride!

Paoay Sand Dunes! The "little Dubai" of Ilocos.

                                                      Marcos Museum at Batac.

This thing amazes me, its an old wooden refrigerator.

 Paoay Church

Going to Malacañang of the North where most of the remains of Ferdinand Marcos may found.

                  True to Life statue of Ferdinand Marcos made from wax, the late ex president of the Philippines.

Vigan

A two hour ride from Laoag City. The old City of Vigan has preserve its old structures, from buildings to homes. I can see that it has a progressive economy and they really value history.

When we arrived here, we tried their famous food 'empanada', made from flour with vegetables and egg inside. It is so delicious you got to try one if you go there!

        For a complete experience don't forget to ride on this not-so-old means of transportation.

Baguio

The Summer Capital of the Philippines. It is my first time to get here and i really love the place. The cold weather even if it is at noon time, very clean and wonderful places, i promise to get back here! 

From Laoag, we took the Partas Bus Liner, we bought our ticket when we arrived at the terminal. We traveled from Laoag to Baguio for 6-7hours from 7am to 1pm. We arrived at Holiday Park Hotel at 1pm and had our check-in and ate our lunch.

Appreciate and enjoy your own country, don't be a foreigner of your own homeland.
I can say that this tour was worth every penny I've spent.:)