Just recently, I've felt this itch to travel, to wander, to take that airplane ride to somewhere. The itch turned into thirst and lust. Thanks to my daughter Alessaundrei and colleagues who share the same thirst for travel. And more thanks to seat sales for quenching this thirst and satisfying this travel lust.
Last September 2017, together with the Plancos and my eldest daughter Alex, we made the long journey up Ilocos Norte.
Sometime May of this year, we were able to purchase a seat sale via Cebu Pacific from Cebu to Clark (and vice versa) for a September travel. We made sure that the travel schedule will also fall during our company's US Memorial Holiday (first Monday of September). There were a few options on where to go from Clark - Sagada, Baguio and Ilocos Norte. The latter won the majority of our votes.
A month before our travel, we made arrangements with NEC Tours for an exclusive package tour to Ilocos Norte from Clark. They quoted us Php5,850/head for 4D/3N which isn't really bad considering the inclusions.
INCLUSIONS:
*Round trip aircon van service (Clark-Ilocos-Clark)
*Travel Insurance, Driver/Guide, Fuel, Parking & Toll fees
*3D2N Aircon rooms Accommodation (1 Night Vigan, 2 Night Pagudpud)
* Complimentary Breakfast at Pagudpud
* Permits, Environmental and Entrance fees.
I will fill you in with pictures and highlights of our Ilocos adventure.
DAY 1
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| My Travel Buddies before our flight |
Our flight to Clark was at around 12noon. We arrived past 2pm and the tour operator picked us up at the airport and brought us to the nearby Jollibee for a quick lunch.
We then hit the road for the longest roadtrip of my life. We spent our day 1 pretty much on the road. Imagine, it took us 8 hours to reach the tip-most part of Ilocos Norte which is Pagudpud. When we reached our hotel, we are already soooo tired from the long travel.
DAY 2
Wake up call is at 8am. Everyone's already up and excited for the day's agenda which include Bantay Abot Cave, Timmangtang Rock, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton (Calvario de Patapat), Kabigan Falls and Saud Beach.Here are some of the best shots:
DAY 3
This is when we visited the major tourist spots in Ilocos Norte. (warning: photo overload)
We then hit the road for the longest roadtrip of my life. We spent our day 1 pretty much on the road. Imagine, it took us 8 hours to reach the tip-most part of Ilocos Norte which is Pagudpud. When we reached our hotel, we are already soooo tired from the long travel.
DAY 2
Wake up call is at 8am. Everyone's already up and excited for the day's agenda which include Bantay Abot Cave, Timmangtang Rock, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton (Calvario de Patapat), Kabigan Falls and Saud Beach.Here are some of the best shots:
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| At the famous Patapat Viaduct - built by the Marcoses |
DAY 3
This is when we visited the major tourist spots in Ilocos Norte. (warning: photo overload)
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| Pagudpud Entry |
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| The famous Bangui Windmills |
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| Cape Bojeador Lighthouse |
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Bacarra Domeless Tower |
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| Malacañang of the North |
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| Paoay Sand Dunes |
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| Paoay Church |
Of course, the highlight of this trip is the Vigan Tour particularly the famous Calle Crisologo.
We also visited other spots that were not in photo: Baluarte, Hidden Garden and the Salt-making factory.
Though this trip was a bit stressful and tiring, we really had a blast. I wanted to go back to Ilocos in the future and this time with the whole family. Earl and Zabbie wasn't able to join this trip due to budget constraints. This trip is really more for Alex since this is in her bucket list of places to visit in the Philippines. I know she really enjoyed it as much as I did.
