Travel: VIGAN

The last stop in our Ilocos trip was City of Vigan , the capital of Ilocos Sur. It is a World Heritage Site in that it is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines, and is well known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.

Baluarte

We first visited Baluarte, a mini-zoo that was owned by Gov. Chavit Singson. You can visit this place for free. You can check my post for Baluarte here. 

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

After going to the mini zoo we visited  St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. The seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. Burial place of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino. It also houses the replica of the Miraculous Santo Cristo Milagroso (the original being in Sinait, Ilocos Sur). 

Burgos Park

Beside the cathedral was Plaza Burgos Dedicated to the memory of Father Jose Burgos which is located beside the Vigan Cathedral. Most of ilocano's gather here during weekends. You can also check the Empanadaan beside the park. 

famous Vigan empanada

In visiting Vigan you must eat thier famous empanada which vegetable filling is made up of green papaya that is grated, toge or mung bean sprouts, monggo or mung bean and shredded carrots. Its meat filing consist of whole egg and skinless Vigan longganisa. The double special Vigan empanada has two servings of the meat filling. For the health buff, Vigan empanada sans the longganisa is also available. There are two dips that you can choose from, sweet vinegar and spicy vinegar.

different varieties of Vigan empanada

The Vigan empanada is much in keeping with the Vigan people’s love for vegetables in their cuisine. It is similar to a thin taco that is fried to a crisp, with vegetable and meat filling. Rice flour is used for making the crust or the shell. The galapong or rice flour dough is made a day before it is used. Atchuete or orange food color, salt and oil are mixed into the rice though. 

freshly made Vigan empanada's

At around forty pesos each, it’s quite cheap to have as many as you need to fill your hunger after touring the city. 

We also visited Crisologo Museum, the mansion of the Crisologos is open for public viewing throughout the week. Entrance is free for the museum and view the antiques, memorabilia and other prized possessions of the Crisologos.

ehemmm...

antic kalesa which they use during fiesta

pictures of crisologo's

Last stop for Vigan tour was Calle Crisologo, you can buy many Ilocano delicacies here and the major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district which is filled with Spanish-style houses.

exploring calle crisologo

For visitors who want to experience being transported back to this period in Philippine Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride.

kalesa at dawn

 Just got Lucky!

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Travel: Baluarte Zoo - Vigan Ilocos Sur

Our first destination in Vigan City was Baluarte, a mini-zoo located in Salindeg where visitors can see a variety of animals (including tigers and ostriches). It is also a popular venue for special events such as seminars and conferences. This is owned by Gov. Singson which you can visit for free. Entrance is totally free and you can roam this beautiful zoo without spending a centavo.

don't forget to take photo's with the governor and his tigers

This zoo was made for the people of Ilocos Sur which was owned by Governor Chavit Singson. You can stroll around by riding in donkeys, feed animals like camels and take some pictures with other animals.

There are many cute and child-friendly animals here. Some of these are ostrich, tigers, camels, different kinds of birds, butterfly garden and donkey.

my wife feeding the camel

lovely tigers

birds :)

You will also be amaze by this huge man-made Brachiosaurus. This structure will welcome you once you enter the place.

Brachiosaurus and my wife covering due to high noon sunlight.

Baluarte Zoo

Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

7 AM to 6 PM - 7 days a week

Entrance to Baluarte is FREE, Rides are FREE.

Just got Lucky! 

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TRAVEL: Pagudpud

Yes, it looks like Boracay but this white sand beach is located at the northern part of the Philippines. It is usually called the Boracay of the North "Pagudpud".

Pagudpud is our first stop for a 3D/2N Ilocos escapade. We spent a night to roam around Pagudpud.

Pagudpud Entrance

We went to Pagudpud by land on a 12 hour bus ride. You can reach Pagudpud by land or by plane via Laoag airport and a 2 hours bus ride..

Saud Beach

Saud beach was one of the two beaches in Pagudpud, there are many cheap hotels that is located in this beach. This beach is best for family and backpackers. Room rates here were merely form Php800 to Php1000 for 4 person. Unlike in Boracay there are no fastfood or fancy restaurants here. You can eat at your hotel or go to the market and make "paluto" style. There are vendors of fresh lobsters and fish that always roam along this beach, it is much cheaper than the ones on the market.

Maira-ira Beach/Blue Lagoon

We stayed at Kapuluan Vista Resort which is located at the Blue Lagoon. I will write a different post for our accommodation here. Blue Lagoon is a 15 minute tricycle ride from Saud beach. This beach best suites for couples and lovers. The wave here are much bigger than Saud that's why we are able to see many surfers here.

my wife and I enjoying the waves

Here are our tour in Pagudpud. We hires a local tour guide with a tricycle for Php1000. The exploration started in Cape Bojeador.

my wife on her way to the light house

view from the light house

There was no entrance fee for most of the tourist sites here but you can donate for the maintenance of the place.

Our next stop was the Kapurpurawan White Rock formation.

White Rock

You are going to have a 15 minute walk to reach this beautiful and huge rock formation.

my wife and manong tour guide

with my wife

view from the white rock

Our 3rd stop: Bangui Windmills

huge windmills

The windmills are perfectly located on the side beach where the wind was so strong. Most of Pagudpud's electricity was generated by these windmills.

enjoying fresh air from the north

4th stop was Patapat Viaduct

5th stop Agua Grande and Paraiso ni Anton

Our last stop was the Kapuluan Vista Resort which is located at Blue Lagoon. Along the way to the resort we are able to see this Tingmangtang Rock and Bantay Abot Cave.

Tingmangtang Rock

Bantay Abot Cave

view from Bantay Abot Cave

There is also a falls that was located in Pagudpud, it was the Kabigan Falls. We are not able to check that place because you are going to have a 30 minute trek to reach the place. Our next destination after Pagudpud was Laoag. Check my post for our Laoag tour here.

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