Libotero: Roadtrip to Ilocos

PRELUDE

Region I or better known as “Ilocandia” lies in the northwestern coast of the island of Luzon. It is composed of the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, occupying a total land area of 12,840 square kilometers. People living in the region are the Ilocanos.

What has been planned for years has finally come to fruition. It was my first time to do a roadtrip to the North and it is definitely an unforgettable experience. I will not hesitate to revisit the region once the opportunity comes. For the meantime, I would like to share our marvelous and astonishing experience up there. I’m writing our experience also to help others who desire to visit the place but don’t know the essential information such as where to start, what to visit, etc.

TIPS:

• Plan your roadtrip ahead. You can’t just go there unprepared. Finalize your itinerary, and your hotel bookings.
• Buy some maps. I recommend EZ Maps. Get the Luzon EZ Map (shows the entire national highway sytsem for Luzon, as well as major roads, distances and cities) and the San Fernando, La Union, Vigan and Laoag EZ Map. It is exciting and interesting to see where you are and how far you have gone in the North. Also, this gives you an assurance that you are on the right track.
• Get your cash ready and don’t rely on ATMs. The further you get in the North, the lesser the ATMs are.
• Check your car days before your roadtrip. Make sure it is well tuned up. You wouldn’t want to encounter engine troubles while you’re enjoying your roadtrip, right? Also, make sure your tires have the right pressure and bring a spare tire.
• Keep your gas half full all the time. Whenever you see a gas station, don’t hesitate, get your tank refilled.
• Bring food and drinks. At times when making a stopover is untimely, it helps if you have with you some chips and bottled/canned drinks to fill your stomach.

Here are the details of our Roadtrip to Ilocandia:
(this travelogue will be a series of blog posts for the next 30 days and each new post will be indexed below)

1. La Maja Rica Hotel, Tarlac
2. Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine, Pangasinan
3. Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, Agoo, La Union
4. Bauang and San Fernando, La Union
5. Crossing Borders: La Union – Ilocos Sur
6. Santa Maria Church, Ilocos Sur – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
7. Santa, Ilocos Sur
8. Quirino Bridge, Ilocos Sur
9. Plaza Burgos and Plaza Salcedo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
10. Vigan Metropolitan Cathedral, Ilocos Sur
11. Vigan Calesa Ride
12. Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
13. Rush to La Elliana Hotel, Laoag, Ilocos Norte
14. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
15. Burgos and Bangui Windmills, Ilocos Norte
16. Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
17. The Blue Lagoon, Maira-ira Point, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
18. Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte: The Boracay of the North
19. Cape Bojeador Cafe and Restaurant, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
20. St. William’s Cathedral, Laoag, Ilocos Norte
21. Batac Church, Ilocos Norte
22. Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte
23. Mariano Marcos State University, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
24. Modern Ilocos Houses
25. Vigan Plaza Hotel, Ilocos Sur
26. Vigan at Night
27. Good Morning, Vigan!
28. More of Vigan Plaza Hotel
29. Baluarte, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
30. Animalandia and The Mansion at
31. Bantay Church and Belfry, Ilocos Sur
32. Goodbye Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan
33. Back in Central Luzon