It's more fun... in Ilocos!

The trip was so tiring but our adventure here was memorable. 

We felt like we were back from Spanish era.

Filipino history and culture are still alive here. 

Ilocos Norte is one of the amazing places in the Philippines. 

Most of all, local people are trustworthy.

Itinerary to Ilocos Norte

1st Day: VIGAN City

- Travel by bus from Manila (Florida Terminal) to Vigan. Bus fare = 640 PHP/person; 2 hours trip

- Arrived at Calle Crisologo and bagnet breakfast at Barbecue Reyes

- Vigan city kalesa tour ( rate = 100 PHP/hour, finished within 5 hours)
  St. Augustine Parish Church
  Bantay Bell Tower
  Hidden Garden
  Pagburnayan Pottery
  Baluarte ni Chavit
  Loom weaving
  Crisologo Museum

- Merienda/dinner at Café Uno
    Miki noodle soup with bagnet
    Crispy Longganisa Burger

- Hopping around at Plaza Salcedo, St. Paul Cathedral and Plaza Maestro
- Evening walk at calle crisologo

2nd Day: LAOAG City

- Travel by bus from Vigan to Laoag (266 PHP for 2 person)

- One day city tour by tricycle with Kuya Wawie ( Contact him weeks before your trip at 09069729377. He was reliable and knowledgeable about the place. His tour rate is only 800 PHP)

  Lunch at Saramsam Café (Saramsam pasta and Poque-poque pizza)
  Museum of Ilocos Norte (with entrance fee: P20)
  Tobacco Monopoly Monument
  Sinking Bell Tower
  St. William's Cathedral
  Malacanang of the North
  Paoay Lake 
  Musoleum of Marcos in Batac
  Paoay Church
  Merienda at Herencia Café (located infront of the Paoay Church)
  Laoag Sand Dunes ( four wheel drive adventure for 1500 PHP)
  Empanada food trip at JMs Empanada Canteen

- Went to our hotel in Pagudpud (luckily, Kuya Wawie saw his friend in van who sends their tourist to Saud, Pagudpud)

3rd Day: PAGUDPUD

- Travel by bus from Vigan to Laoag (266 PHP for 2 person)

- One day city tour with Kuya Arnel (09186890723; tour rate = 1000 PHP)

1) South Bound Tour

   Bangui View Deck
   Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
   Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
   Bangui Wind Mills

2) North Bound Tour
   Patapat Viaduct
   Paraiso ni Anton
   Agua Grande
   Timangtang Rock
   Bantay Abot Cave
   Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach with entrance fee 40PHP/person)

- Back to our hotel near Saud beach
- Went to Saud beach

3rd Day: Back to Manila 

Food trip

Recommended place to stay:

• Hotel Salcedo de Vigan 

• (http://www.hotelsalcedodevigan.com/index.htm) - the rate per night is not cheap but we like their hotel and their bedroom is comfy and very clean :)

• Chalet Bami House at Saud, Pagudpud  

• (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g676742-d2188104-Reviews-Chalet_Bami_Guest_House-Pagudpud_Ilocos_Region_Luzon.html)  (+63) 919 8526265 /(+63) 908 484223)
• room is not spacious and not too fancy but the owner gave us a discounted and you can even use their kitchen to cook; they are also very accomodating

For more details, please visit http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ilocos-norte/

One Day in Tarak Ridge: A Successful Day Hike Challenge

After the sad news which happened in Mt. Batulao last Thursday, I decided to cancel my plan to go there. Instead, I joined Sir Reynold on his plan to day hike on Mt. Tarak Ridge.

We met early at 3:30AM at Five Star Bus Terminal in Cubao and departed at 4:00AM to Mariveles. We have not slept that much last night, so we decided to take that opportunity to get some sleep. At around 7:00AM we arrived at Barangay Alasasin and headed to the Barangay Hall to register. While eating our breakfast, two mountaineers came by also to register. We greeted them with respect and introduced ourselves. Then we all started our trek after our breakfast.

After our 30 minutes walk, we arrived at the couple’s hut where they happily welcomed us. We have also seen all the banners displayed and left by other groups who visited the place.

Along the trail, we met a boy who carried a ‘bayawak’ around his shoulder. We asked him what he will do with the animal and responded that he will sell it for a cost of 300PHP. We offered to pay him 50PHP but he refused. We just told to the boy that ‘sana yan na ang huling panghuhuli mo nyan ha’ and then left to continue our trek.

The first part of our trek took us 3 hours to finish and ended at the Papaya River. We rested for a while waiting for the two newly met friends but noticed that they were a bit slow so we decided to continue and had our lunch on the ridge.

Following the trail signs, we’ve noticed that the trail is starting to become steep. Mount Tarak is said to have gotten its name from the local word “tarik” (steep). With the help of the vines and roots of the trees, we managed to climb up easily.

When we reached the camp site, we unfortunately found some left over trash – cook set, poles, bottle and wraps of jelly ace and candies. Similar to what we have started before with fellow mountaineers 'The Black Propaganda' in Mount Cristobal, we collected these wastes and brought it with us. We believe that this should always be highlighted in all mountaineer’s objectives for every climb. God created these mountains for us to protect  & love them and not to destroy them.

We started our lunch around 1:30pm. Then we rested for a while and waited for the two mountaineers but they didn’t show up. While exploring the place, we experienced difficulty finding for the next trail going to the ridge and summit. Sir Reynold and I were discussing if we were lost but the trash left on the site was a proof that we were on the right trail.

We tried to navigate again the trail, unfortunately we only found the dead end. Since we have limited time, we decided to return back to the jump off, prepared our things and prayed for guidance. Descending the ridge was not that easy, one mistake might give you an awful end. The rocks and soils were not stable to step on.  But thank God for his guidance, we managed to overcome this challenge.

Passing via gully, we reached the papaya river and return back to the trail. I started to take some photos along the trail and very much happy with the results. We returned to the couples hut around 4:30 in the afternoon and Tatay offered his black coffee and chatted for a while. After our coffee break, we said our thanks and went back to the Barangay Hall since we needed to reach the highway before 6:30pm to catch the last trip back to Manila.  Luckily, we were blessed to get a bus going back to Manila on time, after our dinner and wash up in the barangay.

Although we were not able to reach the summit but Sir Reynold and I had enjoyed this day hike challenge in Mt. Tarak Ridge. We were so thankful that God give us enough strength, guidance and good weather to finish our day hike.

Thank you Lord for these scratches and lesions I had experience during the climb, with these my virtue and passion will take me higher and further. :)

Here are some transportation details for your reference:  

                Manila to Brgy. Alasasin      - 267Php (Five Star Bus rate as of March 2012)

                Registration                             - 40Php

                Brgy Alasasin to Manila       - 267Php

Thank you for reading our blog. Have a safe trek always!