Day 2 ~ Finally reached Laoag after 5 years planning

Day 2 ~ LAOAG

Raymond our tour guide met us at the Paradores de Vigan lobby.  

Our first stop before leaving Vigan is Bantay Church and Bell Tower.  Our timing was perfect since it was a Sunday and we were just in time for mass (It was in Ilocano though, but it was okay). 

Laoag is about 2 hours away from Vigan.  

First stop was the Juan Luna Shrine. 

Next was Paoay Church

TIP: 

• They sell rosaries, chaplets, etc. inside the church.  Buy one and have it blessed.

Lunch at Herencia Café located just across Paoay Church. The restaurant like Hidden Garden in Vigan serves local Ilocano dishes.  It's specialty includes pinakbet pizza, but were were too scared to even try.  We did settle for longanisa pizza.

We ordered 2 each of Herencia's Longaniza and Hawaiian Pizza;  Sinigang na Malaga (must order) and the staple Longaniza and Poqui-Poqui.

TIPS: 

• Given the location, there could be a queue of restaurant diners especially during peak hours.  Our tour guide Raymond, suggested we get a number and pre-order our food before visiting Paoay Church.


• I have previously recommended on getting a local guide to help you in your tour. We hired Raymond who was really helpful in making the most of our trip to Ilocos Norte.  You can contact him via mobile number 0926-2589397.


• Buy your "pasalubong" cornick from one of the stores  just outside Herencia Restaurant. Three (3) medium sized packs priced at P100. Price is the same as in Vigan, but there seems to be more choices of flavors here.

From Paoay Church we went to the Marcos Museum, where the remains of Former President Marcos used to be located, until was transferred to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016. 

TIP:  

• There is very little to see here. If you are time pressed, I think you may skip this one.


• Try the Ilocano local ice cream.  Try the dragon fruit flavored ice cream. There are a number of ice cream vendors in the vicinity Marcos Museum.


• Check the nearby Riverside Empanadahan; Unfortunately we were still to full from our lunch at Herencia Restaurant, there is just no space for an empanada ~ no matter how delicious.

Not to be missed is the Paoay Sand Dunes.  Don't ever think of leaving Ilocos Norte without riding Paoay's star attraction.  

Cost per 4x4 vehicle, which can accommodate 5 pax is only P2500.  You get a roughly 30 minutes 4x4 Sand Dunes extreme adventure and an unlimited Sand boarding experience.

As it was still early, we were able to squeeze in the Malacañang of the North into our itinerary.  This is were the Marcoses stay whenever they are in Ilocos.  The mansion is obviously grand, and must have been more grandiose during the Marcos reign!  Just imagine a palatial mansion overlooking the panoramic Paoay lake.

Tired from our earlier extreme sand dune adventure, we had to wrap our tour of the Malacañang of the North early to check-in at Fort Ilocandia, our home for 2 nights while in Ilocos Norte (Clink here to check out my post on Fort Ilocandia Resort).

Day 2 Complete, Day 3 targets Pagudpod ~ 

Please follow our Tour of Ilocos Norte 

If you missed our Day 1 in Ilocos ~ please follow the link below:

Day 1 - Vigan

Check also our Day 3 touring Ilocos Province ~ 

Day 3 ~ Pagudpod

Day 1 ~ Back in Vigan

The extended New Year's vacation was a perfect excuse for some much needed family road trip adventure ~ up North.

The last time, we've ventured this far out Metro Manila by land was five (5) years ago, however traffic was horrendous then and we were only able to reach up to Vigan ~ Sharing here my blog post from our Vigan Road Trip  in 2013.

Five years later, we are back, determined to reach Pagudpod.

We travelled with my children ages 14 and 10; my parents ~ seniors ages 73 and 75 and my sister's family ~ her husband, their 5 year old daughter and her yaya, on board  2 SUVs driven by my husband and my brother-in-law. 

The Plan
~ 4 days/3 nights tour of Ilocos Province, 1 night in Vigan and 2 nights in Laoag/Pagudpod.
We were to spend New Year in Ilocos Norte to escape the rainy Manila weather brought about by typhoon Usman.

To make the most of our trip, we hired a local guide for our Day 2 and 3 trip. We used our own cars, with my husband driving and our guide navigating and my brother-in-law on convoy.

It was one of the best decisions we made for this trip as it made our travel convenient.  

We got insiders tips on where to eat, where to buy "pasalubong" cheapest, fastest way from one attraction to another and even got ourselves a photographer.  If you are looking for a local guide, I highly recommend Raymond. 

You can contact him via mobile number 0926-2589397.

TIP: If you are thinking of buying bagnet and Vigan longaniza feel free to ask him. He can get it for you cheaper. 

Day 1 ~ VIGAN

We left Rizal at 12 midnight and reached Vigan at 11am+.  Our travel time is included: 2 hours stop over for breakfast and restrooms breaks.

As it was almost  lunch when we arrived in Vigan, and our hotel check-in time was not until 2pm, we decided to have lunch first.  

Lunch was at Hidden Garden.  We obviously enjoyed our visit  the last time.  It was good that we came early ~ queue was piling up fast.  With so many guest lined up,  I really think they should think about changing their name to Public Garden...

We ordered for 3 families (2 children and 8 adults) and paid P2300 (net of senior citizen discount) - not bad!

• Vigan Empanada (here is a trivia, the difference between the Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte empanada is the color of the empanada crust. Ilocos Norte empanada is tinted orange)
• Okoy (shrimp omelette) 
• Bagnet Sisig
• Sinigang na Bagnet (yes, there is a bagnet dish for everyone) 
• Vigan Longanisa
• Hidden Garden Fried Rice
• Poqui~Poqui 

Do you wonder, how Hidden Garden was like 5 years ago?  Check my 2013 restaurant review here: Hidden Garden 2013.

After lunch we headed to our accommodation "Paradores de Vigan" to check-in and rest a bit before heading out again to tour the famed Calle Crisologo.   

(Please click here for our review of our stay at Paradores de Vigan >>> Paradores de Vigan Review ~ 2018)

We did not bother touring the rest of Vigan as we've been here before, but we can't pass the opportunity to go back to Calle Crisologo.

PS.  I bought here weaved abel blankets.  I love these blankets, they are very well made. The ones I bought 5 years ago are still in good condition.   

Our pictures at Calle Crisologo

There are lots of dining options in Vigan, but somehow my parents have a fondness for Max Restaurant ~ Personally, I would have opted for the local restaurants.   

We ended the night with coffee Café Tribu (located near ~  they were all out of dessert so my girl scout sister had to "scout" for take out :P

Coffee was okay, but a bit to bland for my taste.  I like my coffee strong (with a kick)!  It was good though with the "Senorita Dulce" Royal Bibingka my sister bought. 

Follow Café Tribu's facebook page for inquiries: Cafe Tribu Vigan. 

The seniors are tired and so are our drivers, so we were back to our sack once more.  

Please follow our tour of Ilocos Province  ~  
Day 2 ~ Laoag Adventure
and Day 3 ~ Pagudpod