Journey to the Ilocos Region - Day 1

Fresh from an exciting CDO-Camiguin trip down south, my girlfriend learned of Cebu Pacific's promo to Laoag in April. She, then, decided that our next tour will be a journey to the Ilocos region in August coinciding with her birthday.

Technically, Ilocos Region is comprised of many other provinces in the present geographical setup. But our planned journey will only cover Ilocos Norte & Ilocos Sur, home of the native Ilocanos.

Soon, we just found ourselves boarding Cebu Pacific's late afternoon flight 5J 404 enroute to Laoag airport on the last friday of August. One and a half hour later, we hired a tricycle to bring us to downtown Laoag to meet a high school buddy.

Along the way, we sped fast a bridge seeing the provincial capitol building with a busy night market. We also passed by Laoag's Sinking Bell Tower.

When me met my buddy Andrew, he eagerly encouraged us to try out the famed special Ilocos Empanada, even boasting its the best in the region. A piece costs only 32 php and will make your tummy feel it has eaten a hearty meal.

After which, we set out to Vigan City. Andrew said it is more beautiful to see the spanish-influenced cobblestoned streets there at night. So, we took a two-hour bus ride from Laoag to Vigan City via Partas Bus.
Upon arriving in, we checked in our belongings to Gordion Hotel and walked our way to the famed Calle Crisologo. Since it was already past 9 pm, we had the street almost to ourselves.

The sight we've previously seen only in the movies is right before eyes. It was indeed a walk back in the time of the Spanish period.



Andrew accompanied us and generously took our pictures. But he has to return to Manila that same night. We tag along with him to the Florida bus station where we get to buy special bibinka from Marsha's Delicacies.

After we said goodbye to Andrew, we return to Calle Crisologo and took pictures to our heart's content. We will post sights of Vigan at night next. After that, we concluded the Day 1 of our journey to the Ilocos Region, retiring at Gordion's Inn.