This episode of The Nomad Travels, we are going on a 3D/2N trip up north. Welcome to PAGUDPUD-LAOAG-VIGAN trip THE NOMAD TRAVELS style!
I have been wanting to go up North and well, it wasn't until a few months ago that I've decided where to go. Fascinated by the old cobble stone road and houses in Vigan, I went online search for a possible trip together with BF.
When planning for a trip, the first thing you need to do is plan WHERE TO GO. Next is plan WHERE TO STAY. Then followed by PLAN WHAT TO DO. And then search for the SIGHTS & SOUND. Lastly, search the net for a rough estimation of how much BUDGET you will be needing for the trip.
I have planned for this trip months ago. Actually 4 months to be exact. October was my planned month for this trip. What this trip all about was that I wanted to go back to Zamboanga first to celebrate the Fiesta Pilar but I cancelled this plan. Secondly, I have some important things to do before switching to holiday mode.
This trip is actually 13 days trip divided by different visits to other parts of the Philippine Northern archipelago. My trip will start from Manila-Laoag-Pagudpud-Vigan-Baguio-Sagada-Subic-Manila. But this entry is solely for the Laoag-Pagudpud-Vigan trip only. The rest will follow.
FLY. There are flights going to Laoag by PAL or Cebu Pacific. I opted for PAL though because they have 2 trips scheduled to Laoag that arrives as early as 7:55am or 4:30pm and it'll only take you 1 hour travel time. Saves you so much time rather than taking a 12hrs road trip journey.
BUS. This is your second option. Cheaper than flying but so time consuming and worst than jet lag. Body aching bus-lag! Travel time is roughly 10-12hrs. Check out busses from Victory Liner, Partas Bus, GV Florida bus. Best time to travel is night time. Get a good night's sleep while on the way up north. Estimated fare P700.
CAR. Drive on your own up north with friends or family. May be fun I guess but truly tiresome for the driver who is also on holiday.
SLEEP WHERE?!?!
There are lots of hotels and inns. So don't worry where to stay. Even in Pagudpud which is the farthest of this northern expedition has a lot of hotels/inns/homestays to offer. Just pick one.
Pagudpud Stay.
HANNAH's BEACH RESORT for that prima donna stay. Beautiful resort. They have their own theme park. And those seeking adrenaline rush, take the longest open-sea hipline at Hannah's. Hotel guest P600 while outside guest P700.
EVANGELINE BEACH RESORT. Medium range budget but still on the budget. Beautiful resort.
VILLALUZ HOMESTAY. You don't need a fancy hotel to stay when on a trip. You're not going to stay in the hotel the entire day! We stayed here. Fully furnished with A/C and that's all we needed.
LAOAG STAY.
PANGIL BEACH RESORT. The prima donna stay in Laoag.. They also offer tours.
BALAY DE BLAS PENSIONNE . Accesible and comfy. That's the name of this mid-range budget accommodation.
HOTEL TIFFANY. Accesible and on the budget. Comfy with an American retro vintage theme. This is where we stayed.
VIGAN STAY.
GRANDPA'S INN & MY VIGAN HOME HOTEL are the two hotels that I could think of. Both location is very accessible especially to the famous Crisologo Street. Both hotels are mid-range but still on the budget.
So there's my guide of hotels for you to stay. If none of the stated above suites you, then you can always Google up more hotels.
(DAY 1. MANILA CHECK-IN blog...)
Day 2.
Rise and Shine, good morning Manila!!! The sky is totally not clear. It's not haze, it's pollution. I wonder what's the PSI in Manila? Called BF at 6am.. I can't wait to see him. I was totally bored yesterday! I can't imagine what to do! 2 huge beds all to myself.
Since the unfortunate events due to the closure of Zamboanga Airport and the twice cancelled flight of BF from ZC, he had to travel 7hrs from Zamboanga to Pagadian and take the 9:10am flight from Pagadian to Manila just to be able to catch our flight today to Laoag. We met at NAIA 2 airport. Finally! Yesterday was such a waste. We could have spent the whole day together..
We took PAL flight going to Laoag. ETA Laoag International Airport 4:30pm. Since we arrived in the afternoon we had to stay here overnight before we start our northern tour the next day. I've booked HOTEL TIFFANY. Hotel Tifanny was pretty awesome! The hotel has this vintage retro style and it was already adorned with Halloween decors.
We arrived 4:30pm and took a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. It was a good thing that Kuya Roland informed us about the free shuttle, otherwise we would've spend some cash for transport. Just ask the security where to board the free shuttle. They will direct you to the bus. Just register and state your drop-off point.
They dropped us at Hotel Tiffany and after checking in we went out to the nearest supermarket to buy some stocks like water and so munches. Had dinner at Chowking coz I so miss the Beef Chao Fan. Nothing much actually on this day. We didn't roam around much.
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| Touchdown Laoag International Airport |
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| Breakfast at Macy's Diner |
Day 3. LAOAG ~ PAGUDPUD DAY!!!
Yes! The official start of our northern trip. Months ago I've been searching on the net for a tour guide and MR. ROLAND VILLALUZ always pop. And he's got so many positive feedbacks that after thorough search and check I contacted him for his services. He's my official guide on this trip, driver, & photographer. Excluded in his services are the fees of wherever we would be going which requires entrance/environmental fees, food & hotel. I only hired him for his tour services, private van inclusive of gas & him being the driver as well. It would be best if you guys are going on a tour as a group. His van can accommodate up to 8 maximum capacity with the same price that you can share so less expenses.
The reason why I hired Mr. Roland was that it's much more convenient for me. And I don't want the hassle of a D.I.Y trip. That is just a waste of time. Plus, Mr. Roland is so knowledgable. The comforts of a private tour thus I don't mind paying...
But due to the recent events of bad weather Kuya Roland had to re-schedule his tour with another group thus on this day his cousin fetched us at our hotel and we headed off to Pagudpud. Travel time 2hrs road trip.
On the way to Pagudpud we had lots of pit stops.
Then we went to the Unesco Heritage site of the Paoay Church. Sinking Bell Tower at Laoag. The Marcos Museum. Malacañang of the North. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and the lunch at Berg's Blick in Pagudpud. After lunch, off we go to the Kapurpuran Rock Formation. We took horseback riding going tot the site of the rock formation for P100/pax. And lastly we went to visit the Bangui Windmills. That was our last stop because it started raining in Pagudpud. We weren't able to visit the Kabigan Falls and the Bantay Abot Cave. But it's alright. There's always tomorrow for that. We were sent to our overnight site just next to Hannah's Beach Resort.
We spent overnight at Mr. Roland's homestay. Fully furnished with A/C and TV but no WIFI. Don't expect wifi on rural places. It's kinda hard.
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| PAOAY SAND DUNES |
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| MARCOS MUSEUM |
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| MALACAÑANG OF THE NORTH |
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| CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE |
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| SINKING BELL TOWER |
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| KAPURPURAN ROCK FORMATION |
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| PATAPAT VIADUCT & BLUE LAGOON |
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| LUNCH @ BERG BLICK's |
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| BANGUI WIND MILLS |
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| A MUST TRY when in Ilocos Norte.. Their special Ilocos Empanada. Very delicious!!! |
Day 4. LAOAG-VIGAN DAY!!!!!
Rise and shine early in the morning. It was still raining. Breakfast at Hannah's Beach Resort and then we were just strolling at the beach. We wanted to try the zipline but the winds were too strong, its kinda scary. 11am came and then goodbye beautiful Pagudpud. We headed down south 4hrs travel toVigan and explore. Lunch at Cromwell's grill.
We visited the Hidden Garden, The Nuestra Señora de Caridad Church and it's bell tower and the famous Calle Crisologo. Too bad BF's camera died before we reached Calle Crisologo. So we didn't have any pictures there except for our video. Quite sad.
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| NUESTRA SEÑORA DE CARIDAD CHURCH |
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| ZOO |
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| BANTAY, ILOCOS SUR |
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| CALLE CRISOLOGO |
After we wrapped up our Vigan trip we're ready to go up the mountains. We took Partas Bus to Baguio. They have 2 trips for Baguio which were 10:30pm and 11:30pm. We took the 10:30pm trip. And knowing the travel time is 6hrs it was the perfect time time, just nice we will reach Baguio by 4:30-5:00 given some allowance time for travel.
It wasn't the travel we expected. Instead of 6hrs, the bus driver cut the time into half and we were in Baguio in just 3 hours. 2:30am and it was freezing cold with the temperature of 13 degrees celsius. The road from Vigan-Baguio was very scary. The bus was at its top speed of 110kph, over taking and omggggggg scary much! The entire trip I covered my eyes and tried to sleep. At least we arrived in Baguio safe and sound and in one piece.
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| Me feeling so so so cold at 2:30am in Baguio |
Next on THE NOMAD TRAVELS to SAGADA.. How I survived Sagada trip up next... Stay tuned.
The Malayan Plaza Hotel : P5,105.00 (MANILA)
PAL flight to Laoag : P2,948.00
Hotel Tiffany : P1,405.00
R.V services: P7,000.00
Villaluz Homestay: P1,500.00
Partas Bus (Vigan-Baguio) P334.00/pax
Food: B-BLICK P1,094.00 (P1,150.00 inclusive tip)
Puregold grocery P653.45
Medical Supplies: P271.50
Cromwell's Grill @ Laoag: P260.00
Breakfast at Macy's Diner: P180.00
Chowking dinner at Laoag: P296.00
Breakfast @ Hannah's: P420.00
Empanada Special: P60.00
Fees: Malacañang of the North: P30.00/pax
Marcos Museum: P50.00/pax
Kapurpuran Rock Formation: P30.00/pax
Horseback Ride: P100.00/pax
Tip: P200.00
So there you go guys! Hope I've shared some insights with you on this travel. Check out my next entry. Surviving Sagada The Nomad Travels style!
Have a safe journey everyone and most important of all, HAVE FUN!!!
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TO LATELY?!?!
Much Love!
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