Seriously, I really do not have to explain it further since I am pretty sure you have seen Laoag on a lot of travel shows, you have googled it, and just like me, you have dreamt of visiting it. But well, there would be a lot of ways to reach Ilocos -- either via plane, public bus, or an 8-hour-private-ride.
This was an unplanned trip, why? because it was just an ordinary day for me when Wein (also a traveler who i met in Thailand) called me up tru messenger that she's bored and took a 4days leave from work and she never been in Ilocos, so she was just trying to ask me if i would like to come.. And since i just been from Manila to get some orders, so I said yes.. that night we traveled separately. Wein from Manila, and me from Pangasinan. We decided to meet in Laoag.
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| We visited the Paoay Church first thing we arrived in Laoag. We ride a tricycle, DIY transpo. We never hired a tourist for less expense. |
SAND DUNES
To start your Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure, hire a 4x4 Rough Riding vehicle at the base of the site. A fleet of these 4x4s are at your disposal and a professional driver will be your guide to the vast sand dunes. For 1,500php for a maximum of 5 people per car, the driver will tour the group at the Sand dunes for 30 minutes. Sightseeing and photo sessions can be done for this package. Since we're just two, we shared to pay the 1,500 fee :D
For the more adventurous type, rent the 4x4 for an hour which
will then include sand boarding and thrilling drops on steep sand ridges that
will make you scream in excitement. Hold on to the steel bar while standing on
the 4x4 for the most exciting adventure in Paoay. The sand ridges can go as
high as 10-20ft at the most, while the most thrilling ride is the
“rollercoaster”, where a series of sand hills will make you hold on to that bar
of steel for dear life.
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We were in the middle of Paoay Sand Dunes, one of the many thirsty lands in Ilocos. Paoay Sand Dunes is an 88 sq km parched paradise that lies adjacent Suba Beach. It is one of the two most popular sand dunes sites in the province, the other one being La Paz in Laoag City.
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| I enjoyed the sand boarding! |
We dont have plan to stay overnight in Pagudpud, we woke up so early and we ride a van from Laoag to Pagudpud which it takes just 1 and a half hour of travel. The van dropped us in Hannas Resort but we were no longer interested in that place since it is already over decorated so we jump off to the tricycle to take us to he famous Patapat bridge.
It was raining badly so we decided to abort the planned trip. We missed to visit the formation rock and the Bangui Windmill due to heavy rain. We rushed heading back to Laoag and to catch up the next trip going to Vigan..
Vigan
The
Historic city of Vigan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 due
mostly to the fact that the place has been carefully preserved to show the
fusion of old Asian and Spanish architecture. The influx of tourist in Ilocos
risen to almost 40 percent since the declaration of Church of San Agustin in
Paoay and Vigan as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amazing street full of spanish style houses built during the spanish era. The ground is a layer of cobblestone while the rest of the street is asphalt. It was like going back in time during the spanish colonial times. The local government prohibits any motorized vehicle to travel along the road. Never leave Vigan without visiting Calle Crisologo. One of the best UNESCO world heritage site that I visited.
Bantay Church And Bell Tower
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| Few meters from the church is the Bantay bell tower nestled on a picturesque landscaped hill. |
Lets Make Jars
Liking for the burnay has reached the markets abroad, especially in Europe. Local and foreign traders have made contacts with factory owners to order from their current offerings or for burnay products to be done according to new buyer or market specifications.
Hidden Garden was our last destination. And yes, i know that was a lover's corner.. just waiting for my right man to sit besides me :P
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