A Simple Guide from a local who is also a Tourist in his home town

A Simple Guide from a local who is also a Tourist in his home town

By Maj Villacorta

Tourist Destinations in Laoag City, Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud

Laoag City, the Capital of  Ilocos Norte is around 400+ kilometers away from Manila and the roads leading there is all concrete and established  and the road trip itself is a view on its own, you can the see the different decorations on parks on every city you pass especially during the holidays wherein every park is well lit and decorations at its fullest.

Transportation and Travel Time

There are plenty of readily available buses plying the Ilocos Region. One of the most popular ones are Florida (Edsa & main terminal at Earnshaw cor. Lacson) , Farinas (fronting UST Hospital, Lacson) and Partas (Cubao) and bus fare range from Php650-800 being Florida as the cheapest of the three. You can also avail of the Super De Luxe types which have lazy boy like seats and are less crowded with only 3 seats per row, 2 to the driver’s side and 1 to the other side or thinking of lying down for the rest of the trip, try Florida’s Sleeper bus (around php1000) with 2-like double deck bunks on a left-middle-right sides of the bus.

            Florida also has the direct route to Ilocos Norte’s famous beach destination, Pagudpud just in case you like to go directly to the beach (Php750-800 direct).

            Travel time from Manila to Laoag City (LC), Ilocos Norte’s Capital and most probably your base camp for your entire trip is 8-10hrs.  If on a private vehicle and a driver familiar with the road is will be around 8-9hrs only with 1-2 stops and if by bus usually takes 9-10hours also with 2 stops also.

LC is situated in the middle of your list of tourist spots you will visit.

·        MNL-LC 8 - 10hrs

·        MNL-Vigan 6 - 8hrs

·        LC-Vigan 2hrs

·        LC-Pagudpud 1 ½ - 2hrs

But if you prefer staying in Pagudpud, you can avail of the North and South Tours

That is being offered by the tricycles that will greet you as you disembark from the bus. Costs around Php600 per trike for a North or South tour and usually each tour can be done within half a day but I recommend doing a 1 day per tour so as to maximize your stay and relax for a change…

            Private Vans from LC can be chartered just ask your Hotel or Inn to arrange it for your group.

  

Accommodations in Laoag City (a few..)

            There are numerous hotels and Inns situated in the capital depending on your budget and preferences. Being a local there, I am not updated to the rates. A friend and fellow warrior was there in LC last Nov’11 and booked themselves at Texicano Hotel for Php330 for  room with a/c, bathroom and a family bed (a economy class hotel).

·        Hotel Tiffany located at Gen. Segundo Ave near Jollibee Bacarra (24hrs open and its near our house!). Php861 average rate

·        Java Hotel, Salet Gen. Segundo Ave. Php2650 average rate. The downside of this is that is a bit far from the center of commerce of LC and the front of the hotel is a gas station.

·        Fort Ilocandia, for those who can really afford one and still have a good time in Ilocos Norte it also has a casino and it is near the beach. This is one of the hotels I grew up to, playing near the pool and garden and swimming in the beach. If you are not a Korean, Taiwanese or Chinese coming directly from their respective countries then I suggest find much more cheaper and nearer but good hotels. 

Tourist Destinations

Laoag City, Paoay, Batas, Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud

The famous and almost visible landmark of the Capital is the Sinking Bell Tower. Legend has it that during the days a man on a horse can easily pass through its door, now even a man of normal height who simply wants to go inside must bend over to clear the ceiling.

           

St. William’s Cathedral was built1612 by Augustinian friars is one of the biggest in the country if you go inside you can really sense the deep roots of Christianity and the feeling of it being so big. I have not encountered a full Tagalog mass here always in Ilocano with some English/Tagalog to better explain what the Priest’s message is especially during the holidays where families and visitors flock the northern capital.

Ever tried Sand Boarding but no money to go to the desert countries of the Middle East? Well we have our own sand dunes here in the Philippines and has been in countless movies settings most notably the Panday Series. Airsoft games are also conducted here on those with numerous pine trees that shields the player from the intense heat, I first hand experienced being in the boarder line of having heat exhaustion during my 1^st airsoft game here. If you would be here in the middle of the day and exposed to the sun and elements you can easily get heat stroked but as you go under the shade of a pine tree you can easily feel the big difference of the heat and coolness of the shade.

            Not to mention that La Paz held the 1^st Sand Boarding competition (Feb.2012) in the Philippines organized by LEAD (Laoag Eco-Adventure Development) Movement during the Pamulinawern Fiesta held every 2^nd week of February.

            You can also enjoy the following destinations in and around Laoag City

·        Malacañang of the North or Malacañang ti Amianan is located in Paoay Ilocos Norte with a view of the famous Paoay Lake and was the official residence of then President Marcos.

·        Museo Ilocos Norte, Tabacco Monopoly Monument and Aurora Park. The Tabacco Monument and Aurora Park is the first landmark that will greet everyone entering the capital after crossing Gilbert Bridge.

·        You can also head to Batac to visit the remains of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) on a refrigerated crypt and you decide if it’s the real deal or believe the rumors that it has been replaced by a wax replica. Sad to say that cameras are strictly prohibited inside but I guess you can get away with you mobile phone’s internal camera just make sure to set the flash option off. If you are already there don’t forget to visit the place where they serve hot miki and longganisa on a stck not to mention their own version of the famous empanada. You can also visit the Aglipay Shrine.

Off to Burgos after buying the delectable Biscocho in Pasunguin and the first stop is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse also known as Burgos Lighthouse. You can go there by riding a mini bus in LC and telling them to drop you off on the tricycle terminal nearest to the road leading to the lighthouse or you can walk the concrete road up but it’s gonna be one hike to remember. First lit in March 30, 1892 during the Spanish Colonial period.

There are souvenirs sold and vendors selling ice cold drinks and snacks at the footstep of the lighthouse and there is also ample parking space. You can buy small replica’s of the lighthouse at Php35 or 3-for-100 and the bigger ones at Php100 each, made of lightweight wood.

·        You can also visit Kapurpurawan Rock formation which the Author tried to visit last December 2011 but due to the growing darkness and ill equipped for a night escaped decided to scratch the plan and go back another day. The road leading to the jump-off is rough and not established like Cape Bojeador but it gives you the sense that you are off beaten path. There will be a visitor’s rest area with a comfort room for male/female before you head down a trail then to the open rocky sands off to Kapurpurawan formation.

·        And visit Kaangrian Falls which the Author has not yet visited but will be planning to this Holy Week 2012.

Now we head to Bangui, notably the famous Windmills also known as the NorthWind Bangui Bay project. It supplies a certain amount of energy to Laoag and it is the first of its kind in the Philippines its turbines facing the South China Sea. You can feel the “wet” wind during the early hours of the morning and I advice any electronic gadgets to be properly protected from moisture or sudden surge of the wind carrying sea water but most of the time during the summer the sea is calm with the beach composed of sand and pebbles.

  

You can either ride a mini bus and trike or go via a private or chartered vehicle, numerous souvenir stall and vendors selling snacks and cold drinks are also available and vendors selling ilocos bawang and sibuyas but a bit more pricey than the usual when bought at a public market.

Welcome to Pagudpud home of the famous Saud and Maira-ira Beaches!

After a 2 hour or so road trip from Laoag City lies the famous destination in Northern Luzon every summer time. Tourists flock this town for the two famous white-brownish powdered beaches and clear water, Saud and Maira-ira (Blue Lagoon) also known as the Boracay version of the North.

            Saud Beach. Usually the “base camp” of would be beach goers, numerous resort hotels along the beach and homesteads for those who find themselves not able to book a hotel near the shore.

   

Maira-ira Beach also known as “Blue Lagoon” is far the best of the two and it more calm given it its protected by a cove on both sides. It has crystal clear waters and you can go a bit further with a significant rise in depth. Hannah’s is the prominent resort hotel here but you can also book your stay at the homesteads also available. You can reach this destination  by private vehicle or chartered trike from Saud or Pagudpud town proper, around Php400 for a two-way ride.

Timmantang Rock formation is quite visible at your right when you head up Maira-ira beach and after Timmantang you can also drop by Bantay-Abot caves which is marked by a welcome marker also at the right side of the road after the bridge. Caution must be applied during you descent to the cave for the rocks may be slippery when wet and it is a bit sharp, one must also be wary if there are sea snakes resting on the nooks and cranny of the cave. Saw one that was dead and probably a meter in length.

  

During our 1^st Anniversary celebration, Me and Khaye stayed here in Keahana. Booked a month before since it’s a long weekend and we expected a packed Pagudpud which was true, even the very bus we boarded was full of tourist and some were a bit noisy and reckless (a girl taking pictures in the middle of the bus while the bus as moving and that the DSLR’s flash woke me up not to mention a two on my back who were talking loudly all night).

Where to go in Pagudpud aside from Saud and Maira-ira Beach

You can visit Kabigan waterfalls. There will be a short walk or hike on an easy trail good for 1^st timers and kids. Parking space is available at the jump-off point and you must register and avail of yourself of a tourist guide that can assist you on the trails.

You will also be walking on a few streams so it is recommended that you wear sandals or slippers or shoes if you don’t mind them being wet after and bring also swimwear to enjoy the cold relaxing falls. Php100-200 is the rate of the tourist guide for a group of people.

After Kabigan Falls, head to Agua Grande picnic area

Then visit Paraiso ni Anton where you can refresh yourself from the fresh cold water streaming down the mountains before but before reaching this spot you will be amazed by the rough picturesque view of Patapat Viaduct reminding you that there is a vast sea out there.

Patapat Viaduct. This highway was build smack in the middle with the mountains and sea at its sides. One can park at the side and have a couple of pictures or simply look at the beautiful view, this road leads to Claveria Cagayan. Mini bus and vans ply this route so be minded full of the traffice when taking pictures here.

Where and What to Eat….

Not to mention what to buy for pasalubong

  

There are numerous places to eat and to buy  pasalubong.

• Empanada, made up of orange colored dough with mongo sprouts and egg but you can also buy the special kind which has an added ilocos longganissa and nowadays you can double the egg and longganissa inside. In Laoag especially the one located near Jollibee Bacarra is always having a box office line so to speak, you would have to wait a couple of minutes for your order to be made and cooked and during the night where most of the empanada stores are open and in demand, you will have to wait more than 5 minutes and if you are “lucky” enough, some orders are bound for Manila and that contains more than the usual but overall the wait is well worth it to have a hot empanada and sukang iloko as sawsawan. There is also an Empanada store located at Visayas Avenue, Quezon City near the Shell Station if you miss the empanada and can’t wait for your next Ilocos trip.

• Chichacorn is also a favorite pasalubong and is readily available at the public market in Laoag. You can ask your local driver to bring you to the barangay where they cook the chichacorn to assure fresh quality and not some week long chichacorn. There are different pack sizes and can be bought as 3-for-Php100, Php25 or Php45 packs.

  

• Bagnet. Bagnet for the tourist, Chicharon for the locals. If you will be buying this at the public market and they see you as a tourist they would say  “Bili na kayo ng Bagnet Ading” or as a local, “Chicharon ading gumatang ka”. Bagnet goes for Php180-200 per half kilo.

• Longganissa, also sold at the Public Market. It is has more garlic giving it a garlic-like flavored meat which is a hit among every ilokano. There are also variants of the ilocos longganissa ranging from the biggest in Laoag to the smallest in Vigan or Batac which also has their own distinctive taste. 1 kilo goes for Php170-180.

• Dragon Fruits, which is a growing trend here in Ilocos. You either buy at the public market or when you are on your way to Burgos tell the driver to head to the Dragon Fruit farm. Made popular in my opinion by a game in Facebook that played like a restaurant that serves desserts with dragon fruits in it.

• Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant where you can order the popular native dishes of ilokanos and some with a twist. They can also assist you in getting a rent-a-van.

   

• Pasuquin’s famous Bischoco located at Brgy. 3, Pasunguin. You can try their soft and hard variant costs around Php60-70 per pack (4 or 6 medium sized buns).

• Dap-ayan, a local foodcourt and favorite hangout where you can buy empanada, balut, bbq and other street foods, usually its open during the afternoon but I recommend going in at night where the place will be bustling of activity.

Well I hope you enjoyed reading my blog, it’s not actually a complete one wherein you can find the exact fare amount of a the trike, jeep or mini-bus nor do it contains secret hangouts or places a common tourist could not find in other blogs but a glimpse of a local who is also a tourist at his hometown of Ilocos Norte.

P.S I will update this after the Holy Week 2012 preferably after my vacation in Laoag and let’s hope I could bring more stories with me back to Manila and I hope it’s not to late to guide you in your trip this Summer and in the future. Enjoy!