My Ilocos Experience-Day 1

Last December, my friends and I were finally able to plan a trip to Ilocos. We purchased a tour package and it was fairly affordable. The tour package included the transportation and the accommodation so we didn’t have to worry about that. The service vehicle provided was a Hi-Ace Grandia and we were pretty comfortable. We were kind of worried that we would get packed in the van like sardines but thank heavens we weren’t.

So let me tell you more about the tour package itself. We reserved the package from N.E.C. Tours and the package was for 3D2N from Dec. 27-29, 2014. This package includes:

-round trip van service from Manila-Ilocos-Manila
-other travelling expenses such as driver/guide, fuel, parking and toll fees
-3D2N hotel stay (but it was actually more of a homestay)
-1 complimentary breakfast
-permits , environmental and entrance fee’s  

The package worth was 2,850, but we added an extra 300 because the dates we picked was during peak season.

Well, Ilocos is faaaaaaaaaaaaaar. So far that my butt went and died on me 4 to 5 times during the whole 7 to 8 hours drive we were in the van. I had to revive it by trying to sit on my side because pee breaks can also be quite rare, unless we actually tell the driver we need to go, he would not stop. There was actually only one designated stop and that was in Candon. I actually could not sleep well but my friends were sleeping like babies. I keep seeing things along the road that I wanted to show them like the Christmas lights on some of the roads but when I turn around to exclaim “Ooh,how lovely!” they were out cold. I usually love long rides, but this one is just too long. It’s a good thing that I enjoyed the scenery while driving through Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and then finally Ilocos Norte. We arrived in Paoay at 7 am and had breakfast at this quaint eatery that was having trouble keeping up with the sudden influx of people that led to our food being served 45 minutes later even though we were the 2nd group to order food at the counter that fine morning.

So here’s the itinerary for day 1. 

Paoay Church was beautiful and is an old church that sits right in the middle of modern establishments and beeping jeeps and tricycles. It serves as a reminder of an era that has gone to pass.

We then went into the famous Marcos Mausoleum where the former president Ferdinand Marcos remains are still displayed. Inside you almost feel a slight chill even if you are looking at the figure of Marcos at a fair distance. They do not allow cameras inside, so we just took pictures outside. Although the house was also available for viewing, we did not go in because there was a fee. (cheapskates :D)

 

Next, we went to the Paoay Sand Dunes where we rented an ATV and rode through the sand dunes. The ATV ride was amazing. I had so much fun even though it was nearly noon and the sun was beating down hard on us. We even tried out sand boarding. It was mostly just sliding down a mountain of sand with a board. I actually am kind of afraid to try it but then I say what the heck, I don’t even know when I will be back here so let’s do it.

I cannot stress out enough that you should try the ATV & sand board. You will not experience half the fun I had in Ilocos if you do not try it. There is a fee for the ATV ride, which is 2,500, and 5 people can split it so it’s not as expensive. And have I told you it was fun?

Paoay Lake and Malacanang of the North was our next destination. A mansion that the Marcos’ once lived in became the equivalent of the Malacanang in the north, thus the name. The house was built right in front of Paoay Lake, which is really beautiful and pristine.

The house actually became a mini museum of sorts. There was a short lecture about the relevance of the house in one of the rooms. There are also artworks and memorabilias here that serve as reminders of the Marcos regime.

 

We had lunch at Laoag City where we disappointingly ate at Greenwich. Not that I hate the food at Greenwich, but we were kind of hoping to taste some local cuisines like the famous Bagnet and longanisa.

We sadly did not go to some of the places listed in the itinerary. We went straight to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formations but I actually really wanted to see the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse but there were so many tourists there that we had to skip it. By the time we arrived at the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, we were already a bit tired. The temperature was actually getting colder by that time and the wind was blowing fiercely. It was quite beautiful there. What with the windmills looking like giant machines and the nearby beach waves crashing on to shore.

 

It was a great day ender and we had dinner at Pagudpod where we were also finally able to rest for the day. I did not take pictures of our accommodations because although it was clean and comfy, it’s not that fascinating since it was just that, a place to sleep in.

My Ilocos Experience-Day 2