I am not a good writer ...a newbie blogger but would want to write on my travels. Perhaps i should start on my 2009 travel as it is very vivid to date...
We did our research on the bus schedules leaving Manila and ensure we catch it on time in Dau. Jeff, Leony and Cew met in Dau and gave me a buzz (while waiting in Capas junction) to catch the same bus line and reserved two seats for me. Yes, two holy seats as my mother became so excited and insisted to come with me despite my refusal...dyahe eh, bringing my mother to an office outing :) but what to do...dad gave the go signal.
By the time the bus came in Capas, it was already past nine in the evening. It was a long drive which took around 7 to 8 hours with a few bus stops in Tarlac and Ilocos. Inasmuch as i would love to sleep on the bus, excitement triggered me all over. I was awake all the throughout the trip.
We kept reminding the conductor to drop us at the junction in Vigan as we might fall asleep and reach Laoag which is the final destination of the bus. We arrived Vigan at 4am and hired two tricycles to bring us to a beach resort where we made prior reservation which is 15 minutes away from the town proper. It was dark on the road...but ain't scared at all, the place look so peaceful and friendly.
The resort gave us an early check-in without extra charges...yipee! We hit the sack and place an alarm at 7am to start our sight seeing. With barely two hours of sleep and a cold shower, i was ready to beat the bushes in Vigan.
We contracted two tricycles for the day tour. I admire the discipline and hospitality of the locals. They take pride of the good governance of the Singsons. They highlighted the importance of tourism and ensure that every tourist would be satisfied... reasonable flat rates on tricycle, kalesa hire which amazed me. I wish it was the same in our hometown :)
We visited the famous BALUARTE, which is owned by the Singsons...It stands on a hill that gives a good panoramic view of the city. It has a mini-zoo, shooting range and a chapel. It offers a free entrance for all. Such a great hospitality to tourists like us. It is the SINGSON's gift for all... a man with a big heart.
It has become a cliche to describe Vigan as a living museum...bringing you back in the Spanish regime...with Spanish colonial architecture. We explored the shops in the area and bought some souvenirs for those waiting for us from our homes and the office.
It wouldn't be complete without trying the famous bagnet... we bought a few kilos for dinner time at the resort. We also tried the local food.
We visited several museums on a kalesa ... and moved to Dambana...where FPJ has shot the scenes in Panday. The kalesa i had was with a medium size horse and the kuchero politely told me to get off upon reaching the hill going to the Dambana ...e mam kasi po mahirapan yung kabayo ko hahahaha....
After a tiring day trip, we moved back to the resort and went for a swim and watched the sunset.. it was one of the most beautiful sunset i have ever seen.
We left Vigan the following morning bringing with us good memories of the place and its people.
We left Vigan the following morning bringing with us good memories of the place and its people.
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