Sta. Maria (Suso Beach) Ilocos Sur - the WOW beach!

 

How could one not stop and admire the pristine beauty of Sta. Maria's "Suso Beach"?   Uhm yes, it has an amusing name, left me wondering myself, why it was named Suso Beach... 

 

This is an absolute must see on your road trip to Ilocos.  The beach is spotless, stretch of sand clean and the view was just magnificent...

 

 

My eldest admiring the view!

Water is surprisingly warm...

Current was a little strong and it was high tide when we were there, but that didn't stop us for a leisurely stroll of the beach....  be extra careful though and remember to keep your eyes on the kids.

 

 

Before we left we saw of group of locals cleaning and picking up scraps and trash left by visitors. I think it was so noble of these local boys to be thinking of keeping the area clean for everyone to enjoy... kudos guys!

 

 

Stop, look and splash a while!  Your kids will love it...

 

 

 

 

Calle Crisologo shopping time na!!!

 

Calle Crisologo stop is a must in your Vigan itinerary.   Your Vigan experience is honesty incomplete with out a stroll along its cobbled stone streets.

 

The famous Calle Crisologo is a sight to behold  - truly pictureque and charming (be it day or night)!

 

 

 

 

 

The street was busy and crowded when we went there. 

 

Good souvenier buys in Calle Crisologo:

(1) "Abel's" cotton-loom wooven textile - although I got mine at Rowilda's, however, I noticed difference is not that much.  Rowilda's is quite a distance from town and if you are not buying much, shopping at Calle Crisologo will be more convenient.

(2) Native "pamaypay" fan - you should buy this before you begin your tour of Vigan, will come in handy against the humid Vigan weather.

Addicted to Kalesa Rides

 

 

The "STAR" of our Vigan tour is our kalesa ride.  My kids just can't get over these horse drawn carriages.  Real "patok" with the kids and yet not so hard on the budget.

 

Cost of a kalesa ride is P150/hour and you would have toured the entire of Vigan City within 3 hours or less.

 

 

There are ofcourse other means of transportation, but hey you are in Vigan  - so might as well enjoy the kalesa ride all you can.

 

 

 

 

 

My MOMARCO Resort Tanay

If you are looking for a family resort in Tanay Rizal, Momarco Resort may just well be the one you are looking for. 

I was here last April for an impromptu summer getaway with my family.

Momarco Resort is a haven surrounded by the lush forest of Tanay. 
I was immediately drawn to the well manicured garden, the resort's huge pool.

It was a hot sunny day, but the forest that surrounds the resort creates breeze, enough to cool the place.  If there is a hammock near by, I would have laid down and taken a doze off.

The gazebos are very maintained and the place surprisingly clean - despite the volume of guests. I saw a couple of resort staff regularly roaming around and taking after trash left over by slob guests.

 

Gazebo comes in small, medium and large size. 
We got a medium gazebo as they were located nearer the pool area. 

 

Huge ground, clean grounds (ants free :P).  I saw guests lazing on the grass!

 

 

My paps surveying the land below :P  - sight: just lovely!

Play ground is in good condition with rubber matting.

 

 

My family - loving Momarco...

 

Tips: 

(1) If you are a busy mom and hates packing baon, Momarco has a restaurant that services guests.  Food price is reasonable with hefty servings.  Order in advance and agree on a pick up time, so that you need not wait long for your orders to finish.

 

(2) There are plenty of security guards in the place and you would really feel safe, however, still be wary where you park your car or leave your belongings.  

 

If possible park where your car is visible to the security guards and ask them to watch over it - we almost had our car bumper stolen (we were obviously parked in an obstructed area). 

 

(3) Stop over one of the many fruit stands along the road.  Buy mangoes (especially the small ones - super sweet) for pasalubong, they are among the best produce of Tanay.

 

(4) If you still have time, go to Regina Ricca - I love this place and will be back again soon.

 

(5) if you are visiting on a weekend or a holiday, expect volumes of guests.  Come early or make reservations - gazebos are limited.

 

 

Enjoy summer everyone!

 

 

Hotel Felicidad, Our Vigan Home!

 

Vigan brought back memories of my high school days' El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere classes ~ the old Hispanic buildings, the cobbled stone road and the kalesa ride perfected the moment.

 

A Hotel Felicidad stay was an obvious decision for our family expedition in vintage Vigan city. 

 

The hotel is newly built and boasts huge classic Principalia themed rooms.

It is located right in the heart of Vigan City and is just a few steps away Vigan's famous Calle Crisologo. 

 

Hotel Felicidad

 

Reception area with Hotel Felicidad's helpful personnel.

  

 

We booked a deluxe room, with a queen size and  a single poster beds.  I must warn you  that the beds are quite high - not good for kids who roll and toss over in their sleep.

We had to join the two beds together to sleep my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) comfortably. That plus, I wouldn't want one of boys falling over.



My youngest warming up one of the poster beds.

The room has a window that opens to a road below.  Could be a little noisy for light sleepers.



Big and sturdy wooden furniture eating up all those spaces. 



The hotel is quite generous with toiletries. I liked their soap a lot, I brought the left over home.

 

 

We love the room, but for a 4 star hotel they don't have a refrigerator nor a coffee maker inside the room (You can, however, request for cold water from any of the hotel's staff anytime.  Coffee also runs free for a particular time of the day at the hotels dining area.   Still a in-room refrigerator, would have been a whole lot more convenient, especially for those travelling with kids).

 

 

Breakfast came free with the room accommodation. Choices were limited and preparation quite poor compared to other hotels we have stayed in.  Don't expect too much, so as not to disappoint yourself. If  you are not satisfied, you can always take a stroll to one of the restaurants along Calle Crisogo.

 

 



My kiddo trying the upstairs tumba-tumba (rocking chair)

My preggy sister enjoying the huge cushioned sofa :)

lots of seating outside the common sala on the second floor

 

Hotel Felicidad was a perfect choice for my family's

Holy Week rendezvous in Vigan.  

 

 

 

A Charming Country Styled Hotel called Camp John Hay Manor

I have always wanted to stay at Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM) eversince I can remember.  I wanted to see first hand what so many, have been raving about. 

That opportunity finally came last Holy Week, when my family decided to do a North Luzon road trip, with a Baguio stop over before heading to Vigan.

As I was welcomed to the hotel's elegantly designed lobby - I began to see why travellers fall in love with CJHM and keeps coming back. 
 

CJHM carries with it, the charm and allure of old Baguio.

The hotel interiors ~ beautiful!

My boy doing the usual bed test!!!

 

 

Bath spic and span as expected!

 

 



Well stocked minibar. Prices surprisingy lower than what I expected.



We stayed in a forest view room, despite recommendations from bloggers to get a room with the garden view. 

I have not seen the garden at night  (although I can attest to its beauty in the morning) so I would not be able to compare, but I confess to falling in love to the tranquility of the night and spent hours looking at and smelling the pines. 

The forest view room we stayed at is located away from the lounge area near the hotel's garden (but I could hear some loud music from the hotel lobby vibrating through our room walls until almost sleeping time) I could just imagine, how loud it might have been for those with rooms facing the garden. 

 



Oh yeah, more jumping!!!



 

Loved the seating in the balcony, just perfect for an after dineer coffee with hubby as the kids cozy themselves  watching tv.

 

Price is quite steep compared to other Baguio accommodations, but a night stay is really worth it.

 



Loving Azalea Residences

 

I was truly amazed at how much more we got for only a little over P2,000.

  

I initially reserved a deluxe room with no view, but got an email from our booking agent, that we have been upgraded to a with view room (talk about luck!), inclusive of  "buffet" breakfast for two.

 

It was a true bargain!   

 

Charming escape in Baguio

I was pleased to see the place.  Room was huge, decent and new! 

 

The room has a kitchenette - a working kitchen and comes complete with utensils and dinning wares.  There is also a full size refrigerator, glass stove tops and microwave oven. 

 

The place is  perfect for vacationing big families who wants to save a little by cooking instead of dining out.

Our deluxe room (with kitchenette, dining and seating area).

Bathroom was basic, but spic and span. They were likewise fairly generous with the toiletries.

 

This grand fountain was a hit with my kids! 

Play ground was small, but my boy ain't complaining. 

Lovely well kept garden surrounds the mini play ground!

The view from our room.

 

Azalea Residences Hotel's location is a little difficult to find and we got lost looking for it. 

 

Tip: The hotel is located on the other side of the Botanical Garden. Also don't hesitate to ask for directions, locals will be more than happy to assist.

 

Since it is located outside Baguio's center, it is free from noise and pollution. Azalea's Location is ideal for some real quiet R&R.  Getting around is not a problem, since taxis are plenty and may even be coursed through the hotel front desk.

 

Food was just okay,  there were few choices, but we are fine with that.  With the money we spent, we weren't really expecting much.

 

 

 

If you are looking for  a safe and clean place to stay, while in Baguio ~ without having to shell out that much cash,  Azalea is highly recommended!!!

 

Azalea Residences is located at #7 Leonard Wood Loop, Bgy. M. Roxas, Baguio City 2600, Philippines | Phone Number: +632 579 4890