ILLOCOS NORTE
Illocos is known for the two provinces it has. Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. On my trip to these two wonderful and historical places, I learned about it's culture and heritage and enjoyed it's wonderful beautiful places that was kept throughout the years. I am here to share with you my unforgettable moments in Illocos. :)
Let us start with Illocos Norte.
Illocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the north west corner of Luzon island. It's capital is Laoag City.
And there is where our trip to Ilocos Began ..
We took a plane to Laoag City in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). We got a flight at 7pm and arrived at the Laoag International Airport at around 8pm. The flight was an hour from Manila. The airport in Laoag was just the right size, it has nice facilities too but we did not have much time to check it out more because we were starving from the flight.
So, we went to a local restaurant "CDM Mario". It was a popular restaurant around the city and it was just a few minutes away from the airport. The place is decorated with bamboo that provide a cool and calm atmosphere around the place. The meals were fresh and truly made for a illocano taste bud and that's great because you get to taste how different they cook their food. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and kept us looking forward to more exciting experiences in Illocos Norte.
Illocos is known for the two provinces it has. Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. On my trip to these two wonderful and historical places, I learned about it's culture and heritage and enjoyed it's wonderful beautiful places that was kept throughout the years. I am here to share with you my unforgettable moments in Illocos. :)
Let us start with Illocos Norte.
Illocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the north west corner of Luzon island. It's capital is Laoag City.
Map of Illocos
And there is where our trip to Ilocos Began ..
We took a plane to Laoag City in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). We got a flight at 7pm and arrived at the Laoag International Airport at around 8pm. The flight was an hour from Manila. The airport in Laoag was just the right size, it has nice facilities too but we did not have much time to check it out more because we were starving from the flight.
Laoag International Airport
So, we went to a local restaurant "CDM Mario". It was a popular restaurant around the city and it was just a few minutes away from the airport. The place is decorated with bamboo that provide a cool and calm atmosphere around the place. The meals were fresh and truly made for a illocano taste bud and that's great because you get to taste how different they cook their food. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and kept us looking forward to more exciting experiences in Illocos Norte.
CDM Mario Restaurant
For the duration of our tour we will be home staying at a house in Ilocos Norte, just a few minutes away from where we were eating. We also availed their tour package to the whole province. After we finished eating, we went to the home stay house where we will be staying at a family room for 4 persons. The house was great. The people there were friendly and the room was just like a hotel. It has 4 Beds and a large bathroom. 1 was shower and the other a bath tub and 1 toilet. They also have Wifi installed there and a TV but you have to pay extra if you want a to use the television.What I like most in the room is the transparent doors overlooking a wonderful view. You could see the hills, the sun rising there and it was just beautiful waking up to it. The place was so peaceful all you could hear was the sound of the bugs that's why my family and I slept very well and woke up to a our beautiful sunrise peeked out the curtains in the morning.
Home Stay Tour
We woke up at around 6:30 in the morning and started preparing for the day ahead of us. After we prepared we got down from our room and when to the dining room where they prepared us breakfast. They prepared their Town's most famous Illocanong Longganisa (Sausage) and their special dip the kamatis (tomatoes) together with the suka (Vinegar), They also prepared their special Daing (Dried Fish) and some eggs, bacon, hot chocolates for the kids and coffee for the adults. It's really good that I got to taste their longganisa because it tastes differently than any other Longganisa found in the Philippines. First their Illocanong Longganisa does not taste sweet but it taste salty (Not that salty but just right) and second, it is partnered with a different kind of dipping which really goes together with the sausage. All I can say is that it's a must-try here in the Philippines! We really enjoyed our breakfast. It was a great way to start our day of discovering the wonders of Ilocos Norte.
Shot with the house owner!
Illocanong Longganisa
After breakfast, we boarded the van that is going to take us to our destination. A driver and a tour guide joined us in our travelling to the different tourist destinations in the province.
Our first stop was Fort Illcoandia Hotel and Casino. It is a big hotel where the elite stay in Illocos City. It was built by Imelda Marcos as a vacation home. It is where the Presidential meetings, gatherings and parties are done but when Marcos stepped down in his position, the Philippine government claimed the hotel because of the failure to pay taxes. Now, it has been a natural heritage site because of it's grandious architecture and the history it brings.
Fort Illocandia Hotel and Casino
Fort Illocandia Lobby
Next stop is the Malacanang of the North. Since Ferdinand Marcos lives in Illocos Norte, he spends a lot of time there that's why he built a huge office in his house where he can work from there. The house is very big and historical. It was a 30 minute ride from Fort Illocandia. When we got there, we still need to walk up the cemented slope to get to the house but the walk is not boring actually you can choose to ride a 4-wheeler motor for P20 or you can walk your way up. The walk up is relaxing because there were many trees surrounding the place and a wonderful garden that is relaxing to the eye. When we got to the top we registered and pay a P10 entrance fee. A tour guide showed us through the house. The house is full of Filipino culture. Starting from the famous paintings, Arrangement of the House, color combinations. It was very Filipino. The best room in the house is the President's Office. It was amazing. There we saw the Presidential seat, the old books that Mark used, the development he had made in the Philippines and the simple things that he used that told something about his personality. After the office we went to the balcony and my mind was blown by the wonderful view overlooking the Paoay Lake. The tour guide also told us that there are stories about that lake. She said that before, the lake was a city but the people were so sinful, one day a tsunami hit the city and covered their whole city up, everybody died and since then people living near the lake said that they are hearing screams and cries & here's the part that most caught my attention: The bottom of the lake has never been reached yet by anyone. This all was so historic. It was really a great experience to go here and learn about people's stories, beliefs and pasts. I can not wait to know more about this place!
Malacanang of the North
Malacanang of the North
Malacanang of the North
Presidential Seat of the North
Paoay Lake View in Malacanang
Our Third Destination is was the Paoay Church. It is one of the Heritage site of the Philippines. It was built by the Spaniards when they were here and until now it stands strong and beautiful. When I got to Paoay Church, I was struck by how picturesque it was and how beautiful they kept the place. We still have to walk to get to the church, but it was worth it because when we got to the church. You could just feel how old it was and there's one thing that I noticed strongly and it was there and how cold it was inside the Church even though it was very very hot outside. The church really deserve to be one of the heritage sites in the Philippines. It's just a place that you should visit in the Philippines.
Paoay Church
Paoay Church
Inside the Paoay Church
We've been to 3 places already and I could not be ready enough for the next one. It's just all places has their own king of the thrill that it will give you. So, for the next destination, my favorite, The Patapat Viaduct. It is a long road alongside the sea. It is the tip of the highway and north west side of the Philippines and it is breathtakingly beautiful! It's one of my favorite part of the tour Illocos Norte. I'm glad we went here. I could just stand there all day and look at the view. It is a place where people can just relax and remember their good memories. :)
Patapat Viaduct
Patapat Viaduct
Last but not the least, I went to the Bangui Windmills. It's a place where windmills were built to provide enough electricity to the whole province. It was placed alongside the sea where the strongest wind blows. It's the only place in Philippines where you can find windmills and I tell you it's not something to miss ;)
Bangui Windmills
Bangui Windmills
Bangui Windmills
Illocos Norte is truly a place I am proud that I went to and learned about. It showed me different cultures of the north, showed me different people and wonderful sceneries. All I can say is I am proud to be part of it all and I proudly call myself a Filipino! :)
It's More Fun in the Philippines!
Thank you to my mom and dad who photographed a lot of photos and who brought us here and thanks to my family who brought this tour into a whole new level!
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