For those who want to follow our ala Amazing Race tour of Ilocos, here's a complete rundown of all our activities and equivalent cost (if any) in those 3 days.
But just to warn you, this type of traveling isn't for everybody. I've never heard of anyone else who has visited the area in such a short time! Although I think one of the main reasons why it worked for us is that it was just the 2 of us and we get along really well. So no drama, no queue-ing for the bathroom, and no dillydallying - that's why we were able to visit all these places in just a short time.
DAY ZERO:
DAY ONE:
DAY TWO:
DAY THREE:
Although this was one of the most action-packed trips I've been in, it energized me more than it had worn me out. I guess it's the adrenaline and excitement of being in a new place again and feeling like we need to make the most out of our short time there.
You can read more about this trip by visiting these links:
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part One
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Two
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Three
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Four
But just to warn you, this type of traveling isn't for everybody. I've never heard of anyone else who has visited the area in such a short time! Although I think one of the main reasons why it worked for us is that it was just the 2 of us and we get along really well. So no drama, no queue-ing for the bathroom, and no dillydallying - that's why we were able to visit all these places in just a short time.
DAY ZERO:
- 930pm - left Manila for Vigan via GV Bus Line (Php550)
DAY ONE:
- 530am - arrived in Bantay, Vigan and took a tricycle to Calle Crisologo (Php15)
- Photo-ops for a couple of hours in Calle Crisologo (with a Php10 drink of taho on the side)
- Went around the plaza and visited the Vigan Cathedral
- Headed to Bantay Church via tricycle (Php15)
- Picture taking inside and by the Bantay Bell Tower (Php10 donation)
- Went to Cafe Uno for brunch (Php10 for tricycle)
- Vigan longganisa and native tsokolate lunch in Cafe Uno (Php155 with tip)
- Walked to Crisologo Museum and Simbaan a Bassit
- 130pm - we decided to head on to Laoag via Partas Bus Line (Php125)
- 330pm - arrived in Laoag, quick check-in at Isabel Suites and started the tricycle tour (Php800 for the whole trip, so Php400 each)
- First stop of the tour: Malacanang of the North (Php30 entrance fee)
- Tour of the Marcos Mausoleum, Marcos museum and photo gallery (Php50 entrance fee to the museum)
- Walked over to Batac Church for a couple of pictures
- Went to Paoay Church
- Then proceeded to the Paoay Sand Dunes (we didn't do any sand surfing, though)
- Sunset visit to Fort Ilocandia
- 630pm - Dinner and coffee at Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant (Php305)
- Headed to Isabel Suites and called it a night (Php15 tricycle)
DAY TWO:
- 500am - started the day with Jollibee breakfast (Php68 meal)
- 630am - left for Pagudpud via GMW Bus (Php70 non-aircon bus fare)
- 830am - arrived in Baduang, Pagudpud and hired our 'tourcycle' (Php1200 for both North and South tours max 3 people; so we paid Php600 each)
- First destination for the tour: Patapat Viaduct
- Quick stop at Agua Grande River Park
- Went to Blue Lagoon, Bantay Abot Cave and Timmangtang Rock (Php20 entrance fee for all 3)
- Visited Saud Beach
- Had sumptous lunch of bulalo and nilagang baka at Mika's carinderia (Php220 good for 3)
- Detoured to the giant shell monument
- Proceeded to Kabigan Falls (Php10 entrance fee, plus Php100 for the tour guide)
- Quick buko juice refreshment on the way back from the falls (Php15)
- Went to see the Bangui Windmills
- Adventure at the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
- Sunset photo session at Cape Boreador Lighthouse
- 530pm - waited along the National Highway for a bus ride back to Laoag
- 700pm - caught GV Bus (Php50 fare)
- 800pm - arrived in Laoag Bus Station and ate Ilocos empanada for dinner (Php30 for the special kind)
- Coffee at Saramsam (Php50 including tip)
- Late night tour of the town plaza, then headed back to hotel
DAY THREE:
- 530am - headed off to the Sinking Bell Tower and Church of Laoag for early morning photography
- Morning shots of the plaza
- Quick breakfast at McDonald's (Php89)
- 830am - checked out from Isabel Suites (Php1400 per day for a Standard Twin room)
- Took a tricycle to GV Bus Station (Php11 fare)
- Ate miki at Christine Marie's Miki Hauz while waiting for our bus (Php35 for special miki)
- 930am - bus left for Manila (Php650 fare)
- Ate arroz caldo for dinner at one of the stops (Php45)
- 1030pm - arrived in Manila after 13 hours (!) of travel time
Although this was one of the most action-packed trips I've been in, it energized me more than it had worn me out. I guess it's the adrenaline and excitement of being in a new place again and feeling like we need to make the most out of our short time there.
You can read more about this trip by visiting these links:
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part One
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Two
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Three
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Four
Where did you ride the GV bus to Ilocos? Cubao?
ReplyDeleteNope, in their Sampaloc, Manila terminal. It's near the LRT 2 Legarda station.
DeleteAng galing! We would be using this itinerary as our guide for our own trip next year. :) We would be travelling via plane though so that could save us some time right? Congratulations again for a good post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina! Yep, you'll definitely save a lot of time by traveling by plane. But iba din minsan ang experience when traveling by bus. =) Hope you enjoy Ilocos as much as I did! =)
Deletehi! i was just in Pagudpud last week and the tryk tour is cheaper that above. P1000 for both north and south tour. You can text kuya allan 09184189990 for the tour. :)
ReplyDeletehi! we'll be in ilocos on Feb 28 to march 3. Just want to ask ung rate ng hotel n nkuha nyo? tnx a lot!! :)
ReplyDelete