How we got here
From Pagudpud we took a local bus to Laoag City.The fare is around P137.00 and the journey took almost 1 hour and 30 minutes with minimal stops along the way. Just before sundown we finally arrived in Laoag and made our way to Hotel Tiffany which is just 2 blocks away from the bus terminal. Proximity wise, I highly recommend this hotel. We paid around P1,200 per night. The room was large, very clean, secured and in good order.
We saw "kalesas", a horse-driven carriage, plying the busy streets of Laoag. To move around Laoag you have to ride either the kalesa or trike. A kalesa ride will take you back through the ages, allowing you imagine the world when cars were non-existent or a rare sight.
The Capitol
The Capitol
Ilocos Norte Capitol
Just in time for the La Milagrosa Festival. This is to give tribute to the patron La Virgen Milagrosa of Badoc and eventually adopted her as the patron of the Ilocos Norte province.
Ilocos Norte Capitol at night
The stage is set for the festival
Pamulinawen Fountain just in front of the Capitol Building
Tobacco Monopoly Monument at Aurora Park. Erected in 1882, It was built to commemorate the establishment of the tobacco monopoly in the Philippines. The park was busy and full of people because of the festival.
The following morning, we are scheduled to visit Paoay Church also known as San Agustin Church. From our hotel, we rode a tricycle to Paoay jeep terminal. Well, we paid P40.00 for a short ride and trike drivers in Laoag can easily tell if your a tourist or not. You have to wait for the jeepney to fill up with passengers.
Paoay Church
The Paoay Church is sometimes called “Severe Earthquake Baroque” for reasons obvious to anyone looking upon it. It has buttresses that extend out considerably from the exterior walls and provides a visual experience that is three-dimensional, unlike most of the churches in the country where the inherent beauty of the church is limited only at the facade.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
• There is always a festival happening every month in Ilocos Norte (except for the months of July, August and October)Paoay Church
The Paoay Church is sometimes called “Severe Earthquake Baroque” for reasons obvious to anyone looking upon it. It has buttresses that extend out considerably from the exterior walls and provides a visual experience that is three-dimensional, unlike most of the churches in the country where the inherent beauty of the church is limited only at the facade.
Three Unesco World Heritage Sites are located in the Ilocos Province. San Agustin Church ( Paoay Church) of Ilocos Norte and Church of Assumption if Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur were listed together by Unesco World Heritage. Then it was followed by the historic city of Vigan in 1999.
We were supposed to do the tour but we decided to go back to Laoag City because we have to pack our things and travel to Vigan after lunch. We took a jeepney again to Laoag and visited the Sinking Bell Tower before going back to our hotel.
Sinking Bell Tower
Built in 1662 by Augustine Friars. Once dubbed as the tallest bell tower in the Philippines, this bell tower sinks 2 to 3 inches every year. Amazing landmark to look at, we hope we get to visit this structure again.
• Laoag can be reach either by bus or plane. Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines flies daily to Laoag with 2-3 times a day.
• Partas buses run daily to Laoag and Vigan as early as 2:00 am at Cubao Bus Terminal (3-4 hours interval)
Partas Pasay Station - 6:00 pm | 8:00 pm | 10:00 pm | 11:00 pm
Fun things to do
• Eat Bagnet and Empanada
• Ride a Calesa and tour around Laoag
• Go Sandboarding at Lapaz Sand dunes
Tuklasera Tips
• Don't entertain trike drivers from Laoag offering P1,500 for a tour. Paoay trike drivers are more reliable and honest. From there, you can arrange the whole tour to the sand dunes, San Agustin Chuch, Malacanang of the North, Ferdinand Marcos Mausoleum, Batac Museum, and the Photo Gallery.
• Bus from Pagudpud to Laoag - Php 137.00
• Trike to Paoay terminal - Php 30.00 / trike
• Jeepney ride from Laoag to Paoay ( roundtrip) - Php 68.00
• Food - P500.00 / pax / day
• Don't entertain trike drivers from Laoag offering P1,500 for a tour. Paoay trike drivers are more reliable and honest. From there, you can arrange the whole tour to the sand dunes, San Agustin Chuch, Malacanang of the North, Ferdinand Marcos Mausoleum, Batac Museum, and the Photo Gallery.
Rundown of Expenses
• Trike to Paoay terminal - Php 30.00 / trike
• Jeepney ride from Laoag to Paoay ( roundtrip) - Php 68.00
• Food - P500.00 / pax / day
Really beautiful shots you have here. I got there but I was unable to take some nice pictures. I guess I should have enjoyed it back then.
ReplyDeleteThanks too bad we haven't try off roading at La Paz sand dunes.
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