Date: September 19-21, 2009
Destination: Candon/Vigan cities, Ilocos Sur and Batac/Laoag cities and Bangui/Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Travel via: Van (Nissan Ur Van)
In continuation of our never ending roadtrip. We were excited to be at the Ilocos Norte but we have to take a few hours of rest so the roadtrip continued.
Once we reached the marker boundary of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, we slept since in the the next hour, we arrived to our first destination in Ilocos Norte:
First Destination: Batac City, Ilocos Norte
We arrived at the city of Batac at 2PM. It is an Empanada Capital of Ilocos. Since some of us were hungry, they went to a nearby Jollibee and to take lunch. But Bjed and I went to explore the city and had our food trip in the city. Here are some of our itineraries:
1. Batac Riverside Empanadaan - the center of their famous empanada. It was situated beside a river which they called Pagdanuman. As we arrived, empanadas all over the stalls. We went to Glory's. I believed that this is one of the best I've tasted empanada. All the ingredients are tastier as I've expected. Bjed also bought empanada and he also agreed to my findings. Here are my pictures:
2. Batac Church / Immaculate Conception Parish - one of the oldest church in Ilocos Norte. The name also their patron of the city. Me and Bjed also went inside of the church to pray and saw the interiors.
3. Batac Plaza - located near beside Batac Church. Batac is a city of great leaders, as it is the hometown of many significant figures in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. It is also the birthplace of Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Philippine Independent Church, better known as the Aglipayan Church, and Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the "Father of the Philippine Army". (source: Wikipedia)
4. Marcos Museum and Mausoleum - just across the river and we easily found the museum and the mausoleum. This is a place where former President Ferdinand Marcos' resident place where we also saw some memorabilia as a governor, senator and president. The most creepy part was the glass-entombed, preserved corpse of President Ferdinand Marcos is found. He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989 and his body was brought to his hometown in Batac. It is a gloomy place only lit with candles and filled with piped Gregorian chant music. Visitors are not allowed to take any pictures of the interior. I myself was also quite scrary to visit. Good thing that we were in group or else I will scream, honestly! His remains still on public display at the mausoleum.
Next Destination: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
I suggested to visit Paoay which is beside Batac but according to him, it may prolonged on our trip since we headed Pagudpud before sunset. We started once again our travel and after one and a half hour, we arrived at Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte.
Me and the Bangui Windmills!
In continuation of our never ending roadtrip. We were excited to be at the Ilocos Norte but we have to take a few hours of rest so the roadtrip continued.
The map of Ilocos Norte. Source: Wikipedia
Once we reached the marker boundary of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, we slept since in the the next hour, we arrived to our first destination in Ilocos Norte:
First Destination: Batac City, Ilocos Norte
We arrived at the city of Batac at 2PM. It is an Empanada Capital of Ilocos. Since some of us were hungry, they went to a nearby Jollibee and to take lunch. But Bjed and I went to explore the city and had our food trip in the city. Here are some of our itineraries:
1. Batac Riverside Empanadaan - the center of their famous empanada. It was situated beside a river which they called Pagdanuman. As we arrived, empanadas all over the stalls. We went to Glory's. I believed that this is one of the best I've tasted empanada. All the ingredients are tastier as I've expected. Bjed also bought empanada and he also agreed to my findings. Here are my pictures:
the place we went
the place we ate empanada
he prepared our meal
up close
Bjed's empanada
my double empanada fillings, tasted good!
2. Batac Church / Immaculate Conception Parish - one of the oldest church in Ilocos Norte. The name also their patron of the city. Me and Bjed also went inside of the church to pray and saw the interiors.
Batac Church
one of the oldest church in the province
up close
interiors
the name of the church
3. Batac Plaza - located near beside Batac Church. Batac is a city of great leaders, as it is the hometown of many significant figures in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. It is also the birthplace of Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Philippine Independent Church, better known as the Aglipayan Church, and Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the "Father of the Philippine Army". (source: Wikipedia)
The picture says it all
Marcos Monument
4. Marcos Museum and Mausoleum - just across the river and we easily found the museum and the mausoleum. This is a place where former President Ferdinand Marcos' resident place where we also saw some memorabilia as a governor, senator and president. The most creepy part was the glass-entombed, preserved corpse of President Ferdinand Marcos is found. He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989 and his body was brought to his hometown in Batac. It is a gloomy place only lit with candles and filled with piped Gregorian chant music. Visitors are not allowed to take any pictures of the interior. I myself was also quite scrary to visit. Good thing that we were in group or else I will scream, honestly! His remains still on public display at the mausoleum.
The Marcos Museum
this is where Pres. Marcos resided during his term
his famous quote
me
his office
different plate numbers
his paintings
his remains was inside. Sorry, no photos allowed
we are allowed on this point
Next Destination: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
I suggested to visit Paoay which is beside Batac but according to him, it may prolonged on our trip since we headed Pagudpud before sunset. We started once again our travel and after one and a half hour, we arrived at Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte.
welcome to Laoag City
the sinking Bell tower
the Ilocos Norte Capitol
We didn't went down in Laoag since hurriedly passed this city in order to reached Pagudpud before 6PM. Travel time from Laoag city to Pagudpud is 2 hours. We passed the Bacarra, Pasuquin and Burgos.
Next Destination: Bangui Windmills, Bangui, Ilocos Norte
The moment we saw the windmills in Bangui, we knew that we were at the northernmost part of Luzon. We were excited since this place was already featured in several TV shows, magazines and in blogs so we wanted to be there and experience it. Good thing, our driver allowed us as part of our stop over. We passed on rough roads which it took 20 minutes until we reached the place. It's worth it and breathtaking indeed! :)
approaching wind mills
coming closer
and closer...
up close!
Where am I?
windmills on other side
more windmills there oh! :)
many windmills on our right
Bangui Beach, look at those waves!
heading back to main road
bound to Pagudpud
along the way
Next Destination: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Once again, we hurriedly went to the northermost town of Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud. It was considered Boracay of the North due to fine white sand. The moment we saw this sign:
This is really is it! (Source: Pagudpud Arch)
We were more excited and travel took less than 30 minutes until we reached the town proper. Pagudpud was famous for its white sand beach and clear waters which many tourists came in. No wonder before we arrived to this town, there were several advertisements of resorts and they promoted Saud Beach is was very famous of all. We found a place which was affordable and we stayed at Northridge Beach Resort. For more information on Pagudpud's beach resorts, check it here: List of Pagudpud Beach Resorts
Tips: There were many beach resorts in Pagudpud to choose from. Always check the rates, availability and location. Most of the resorts are located in Saud so better check this first. Much better if you do it online/website. Do some calls for confirmation. But most of all, check the resort reviews. This will give you an idea on how the resort looks like, their service and their amenities while you are staying in their resort. Always remember: Do a research and plan ahead of time. :)
Welcome to Northridge Resort
our picture
one more time!
Wow Pagudpud!
here comes the sunset
coastline
we will go to the seashore!
look those waves!
sunset swimming!
shoreline
check the sand and the water
more fun!
picture!
We ate our dinner first. We brought some foods to the resort and crew allowed us to cook our meals. We were having a great time and after few minutes, we headed back to the beach.
dinner is ready! Let's eat!
Useful Tips: Foods in Pagudpud are so expensive so it is better to bring your food if you are really on a budget. Before you go to Pagudpud, buy some goods first in Laoag City. Verify the resort if cooking is allowed. So, these things must include in your lists of verification in the beach resort you are staying if you will decide to cook a food in the resort.
We enjoyed night swimming since we were few at the beach. Water was warm and we also conducted some games. I weren't able to take photos since my camera by that time was not water proof. But nevertheless, it was more fun. :)
THIRD/FINAL DAY: September 21, 2009
We ended by 3AM and we slept on our room and we woke up at 8AM. We took our breakfast and headed to the front of the resort. Actually, Northridge Beach Resort was at the west end of Saud and it was rocky. We went there and take some photos:
Naimbag nga Bigat Pagudpud! (Good Morning Pagudpud!)
headed to beach resort front
a rocky beach front
me
Saud Beach up there!
me again
look those waves!
over there!
After that, we bid goodbye to the resort owner and thanked them for being accommodating to us. Another long roadtrip back to Manila. We left Pagudpud at 12:00noon and we arrived at Manila at 10PM. We did some quick stop over along the way but our driver managed to be in Manila as quickly as possible. All we had that time were to sleep, sleep and sleep. That's why I wasn't able to take some photos on our way back to Metro Manila.
But it was a great experience traveling via land and having a longest land travel in my life. Thanks also to the team for letting me join to their team bonding. It was indeed a pleasure joining with them. We went to different tourist attractions but somehow I am planning to be back in the future since I am longing to go to Paoay, Laoag and some other places in Ilocos Norte. As what in this picture says:
I will be back someday! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment