Ilocos the one and only!

Good day readers,

This post is a bit late as I was busy after the trip with the holidays.

So here's my adventire in the wonderful Ilocos. to kick off this adventure I was lucky enough to avail a promo fair from cebupacific airlines for a back and forth trip to laoag.  Unfortunately the crew told me that cebu pac will no longer service flights to laoagstarting February :(.


We were lucky to have a friend whose relatives accomodated us so we saved a lot on our 5 day trip. They also let us borrow their car so we can go around without hassle. We arrived around 6 PM as the only flight bound for laoag takes off 5PM. here are some Places on a 5 day visit.


Day 1 ....

This Pic is the Jump off from "asias' longest Zipline above water in PagudPud costing 1,200 per slide. But worth it for meeeee!.

Day 2...... Ilocos Sur

Vigan Pottery! I think this is one of those things thats mandatory when Visiting Vigan. Channeling your inner Patrick Swayze - Demi Moore.

Calle Crisologo is the best! Specially at night! if youre looking for a Posh Bar try BARTECH! ninong owns it !!!! Budget 4000- 3 pax. there are budget bars as well ranging from 400/pax for a good nightlife. Good for souvenir shopping!!!

 Of course Baluarte - Vigan Ilocos Sur, Another Mandatory Visit Entrance fee P20 - Picture with animals 500 - 5 shots 5 animals.



Overnight In Hotel Luna - 4500 per room good for 3 with breakfast. Staying over night in vigan was essential  for us as we were planning to booze a little.















Vigan - Bantay watch tower Entrance 20 Pesos,you can climb the stairs inside to get to the top.        

Day 3 -4 - 5 .... back to Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmills - No entrance Fee. enjoy the breeze and Mandatory Photo op. 

 Patapat Via Duct - Built to make life easier for Cagayanons to reach Ilocos nice view! nice Water! Just be careful of taking pictures, Its a two way road!!!

 One of the resorts in Ilocos norte Playa Resort - Bali inspired Cottages will take your breath away. Just don't mind the spooky stories you hear! specially about the "Infinity Pool".

 

A stop in Batac at night checked out the house of the former President Marcos, Sorry No Pic! House was closed because of the Funeral.

 Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Ilocos Norte - I prefer to go here in the morning as there are a LOT of stories lingering about this historic place.. view for the top is Awesome no Entrance Fee.

Laoag  Municipal Hall at night 

 

 Kapurpurawan Rock Formations Entrance Fee 20/pax 10 for car.

 Luna Shrine - Pinili Ilocos Norte.

Filipino Great Painter Juan Luna was Born Here and at 4 years Old transferred to Binondo Manila.

 

Malacañang of the North -  Former President Marcos had this situated beside Paoay lake. Entrance Fee 20 pesos.



 

Alas! The Majestic Paoay Church 

Went hear in at Lunch (bagnet Pizza)  Beautiful! stayed until the afternoon went to Batac to try the Famouos Empanada and Mami. and went back to paoay because I just cant seem to get enough of the place so calm and quiet. See for yourself!!!!

Laoag Sand Dunes our last stop ..... 

 2500 pesos for the whole experience....... 


We didn't have the time to visit the falls a lot of them are hanging around ilocos because we went to the tippy top of tourist destinations in both Ilocos Norte and Sur ..... I cannot give you a break down also as we have a friend who lives in Laoag but there are a lot of cheap hotels and easy access to public transportation here tourist both foreign and local wont get lost the language barrier for tagalog and english are very small so its easy to ask questions. my overall budget suggestion for 2 persons with out a travel agency?


PHP2000/day for 2!!! 

This is a generous amount considering there are tours for 3500 3 days and 2 nights. may I also suggest that if your planning to go to Ilocos, Its a big region with a lot to offer. if your going to have a vacation and my given budget is a little heavy on the pocket, then give it a little more time to extend, I'd rather wait a little more and have a satisfying vacation rather  than to go to a place rushed by pressure.


Please check out this sub-blog about the food of Ilocos.





Thank you Everyone for the time. questions or comments are highly appreciated.

Lobo Batangas Adventure

Good day readers,


      Haven't been posting lately due to a very busy work schedule. But never the less here I am, I was able to make out of the most  this long weekend. I managed to have a quick getaway to LOBO Batangas,

    This is actually my second time here. The first one was last year with the same group of friends, we weren't able to explore the town due to unpleasant weathers. Fortunately this time the weather was on our side.

DLTBCo. to Batangas port, from Batangas port you can ride the jeepney to the Lobo route terminal travel time takes around 3 hours all in all to reach this untouched beauty.

There are a few resorts here in lobo so I suggest you do research these. Resort services can pick you up or you can ride the tricycle for 100 pesos.

On to our first Destination.

Ulupong Falls Brgy. Sawang

This hidden Gem can be reached riding the tricycle to Brgy Sawang. After that you'll have to trek for about an hour. I will not recommend bringing the kids because the path is not safe for them. the easiest way to get there from Brgy Sawang is to follow the River.


After the hour long walk and a couple of bruises we reached this 10 foot fall and all of our stress from the trek just disappeared. luckily it was just our group so we had the place for ourselves. the Basin is around 5.5 to 6 feet deep. it gives you enough room to be able to jump from the top, And it was Amazing!!!!!!!! bringing packed lunch is highly recommended.

Our next Destination of the day was the Malabrigo Lighthouse.
     This is the most Iconic Landmark in Lobo as it can be seen from Mindoro Island and most boats from Manila pass by this historic landmark

Below the Licghthouse

Going to the lighthouse has a 20 peso fee, you can take pictures and you can go down at the beach.
going down has a fifty step staircase (no problem!) Going back up though! these steps are 1 foot high and if you're not outrageously fit you'll gasp your breathe halfway up.

On to our third Adventure for the Day!!!

Mangrove Forest Brgy. OLO-OLO.

This mangrove forest actually has a trail, you can also rent boats so you can roam around the mangrove. the only thing I would suggest the Local government or in charge of the maintenance is to make the trail circular. it was kind of frustrating when reach the end of the trail. you'll have to go back the same way from the entrance.

After this looong walk! we had no energy left, went to bed and sum up energy for tomorrows activity.

The Next day our plan was to stay at the beach the whole day.

We were excited to see the famous submarine garden... and it didn't disappoint us!!!

As you can see the water is very clear the beach is very clean and practically untouched. that's the beauty of Lobo the Locals take care of their place knowing these waters provide them food.

We will definitely come back soon.