12th of Nov 09 i found myself boarding a bus at exactly 11 pm bound to Vigan Ilocos Sur alone. I’ve decided to do this alone because no one wanted to join me in this trip. This would be my second time to Vigan and all my friends wouldn’t want to go back because of the long trip they have to endure.
Anyway, paid Php 585 for a one way ticket. Bus conductor did not return the change of Php 15. What the heck, it’s the first tip he got for the day. I was wishing i could ride the Partas 28 seater bus for a more comfortable ride but then wasn’t able to reserve a seat.
It was an uneventful ride with short stop at the dau pampanga terminal, one i think in Tarlac, another loo stop somewhere in Pampanga and when we passed by Candon city i knew we were nearing Vigan.
Then it happened. When we were about to leave from a loo stop in a town before Vigan, Bus engine stopped working. Just like that. Driver doesn’t seem to make it start and so we are stuck at 800am in a town very near Vigan on a Friday the 13th. I think the ghosts of Vigan gave us a welcome scare.
Eventually we were able to move on. And at last at exactly 945am Friday the 13th my bus dropped me at the Partas bus station in Vigan City.
My friend who is working there took the time off to meet me at the bus stop and show me around. Vigan is not that big and 2 days would be enough to explore the city. First, need to try their famous Sininglaw. It’s a soup with ox tongue, innards, meat. You choose which part you want . Condiments for this famous soup is the papaitan green thingy. it’s goat bile which can make any dish bitter in taste. It’s very famous in Ilocos and you can find it in a turo-turo anywhere. But for hygiene purposes we choose to eat at La Mirada.
I needed a room for the next 3 days. Although i called ahead of time at Casa Teofila (address: Pantay Daya), someone told me it’s kinda far from the center. So we decided to check out Grandpa’s Inn and Restaurant (add: #1 Bonifacio st.). Much after haggling with the rates , poor receptionist gave in . Got the room for Php 1,200 ($ 25) per night with breakfast for two.
Vigan is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site. It is a well preserved Hispanic town in the Phils. Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian Building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. As you can see in my pics. . .
Here are some of Vigan’s hotels/tourist inns:
Mode of Transportation in Vigan – Horse drawn carriages or tricycle if you wanna go to one place to the other.
Kalesa as it is fondly called ; is the best way to tour Vigan City . P 150 is what you should pay per ride.
Must DO list in Vigan:
1. Visit Calle Crisologo.
2. Buy Vigan Longganisa.
3. Go to Empanadaan in Plaza Burgos and buy Vigan Empanada. Eat it there too like the locals (Php 35 each -special)
4. Buy Bibingka at Tiongson’s or Amianance. Very delicious!!!
5. Visit Baluarte and all other museums in Vigan. You’ll learn a little bit of Phil history.
Eat at:
1. Cafe Uno/Uno Grille/Kusina Felicitas – all located inside Grandpa’s Inn. Food reasonably priced.
2. Gaizel’s Carinderia – they have the best dinakdakan i’ve ever eaten . Cheap food.
3. Cafe Leona – Buffet.
4. La Mirada – for their sininglaw
I’d like to thank the hotel owners, managers, receptionists, caretakers who allowed me to take pictures of their rooms and facilities. They’ve been very kind and gracious to tour me around their property.
Should you want to know more about Vigan or inquire on tours to Laoag, Pagudpud contact 774-78-76 or email viajeroyale@gmail.com / viaje_royale@yahoo.com.ph. Check out my website at http://www.viajeroyaletravel.com
My Wanderful Life 