Ilocos High

 

A trip up north will give you a different kind of high...

Paoay Church was simply breathtaking. It look good in photos but it was just soo beautiful up close especially at night. It was love at first sight on my first night in Ilocos.

Laoag is a merry mix of city and provincial life. We stayed at the new Java Hotel - Indonesian theme interiors with a panoramic view of the mountains,the best accommodation in that place in my book. We also sampled Ilocano dishes at Eagle's Nest Bar and Restaurant.

We got to see quiet towns of Banna, Bacarra with its ancient belfry, San Nicolas and Batac and had a taste of its famous empanada.

Vigan takes you back in time, with its Heritage Village - grand, old, decaying mansions with so much history lurking in its walls. Must see places are Padre Burgos Museum, Baluarte of Chavit Singson, Nuestra Senora de Segovia Museum and Vigan Cathedral. Vigan Plaza Hotel is huge and has great breakfast..Go to Cafe Leona and Uno Grille.

Sinking bellfries, old churches, cobbled stone streets..It's a walking history lesson.

Pinakbet, poqui-poqui, crispy dinuguan, tinubong, empanada, Vigan longganisa, bibingka, chocolate de Vigan - diet is not an option!