NORTH-Bound : Vigan, Pagudpud, Tuguegarao – 12/22-26/2013

It's this time of the year again when our family travel to celebrate Christmas. After 6 years, we're back to long drives up north. 

I will just be storytelling what happened since this blog is also my online diary. If you reached this site, please feel free to read!

This was the route of our LONG Drive in the North of the Philippines

Day 1 : Long Drive to Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Our meeting time in San Mateo Rizal was 4:30 am. We pulled over to grab some lunch at The Bay Grill and Cafe. Here's a view of our sumptuous meal!

Then we arrived in Vigan around 4/5pm (around 12 hour drive) checked in at the Cordillera Inn at Calle Crisologo and took some rest. We ate at the famous Café Leona for dinner.

 Then we also ate their signature Vigan Empanada at the Vigan Empanadaan

After dinner, we strolled along their historic streets for some photoshoots J

A little selfie in this historic place :)

Day 2 : Vigan and drive to Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

For breakfast, I ate their famous Vigan Longanisa. It may look like an ordinary Longsilog but the taste is very different. :)

After breakfast and some shopping-strolling, we packed our bags to drive northwards to Laoag. We ate lunch at Northview Hotel, Ilocos Norte (we used to check in here when we were younger)

We arrived in the afternoon at Saud Beach, Pagudpud and since the weather is too cold, we were’nt able to swim in their white sand beach. But the beautiful sunset, the sands on our feet, and cold air was enough to enjoy ourselves in this scenic view.

Day 3 : Tour at Ilocos Norte
This day was a full sched for us. We visited the following tourist sites included on our list :

1. Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure - Check!

2. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse - Check!

3. Kapurpurawan – Rock Formations - Check!

4. Bangui Windmills - Check!

5.  Patapat Viaduct - Check!

Too bad it was raining at some points of the day that we weren't able to maximize the views and photos.

That night on Christmas Eve, we didn't eat in a fancy restaurant for a grand noche buena but stayed together in our beach resort to eat the food served by the locals. One of the best food for that evening was the inihaw na pusit! Yummy! :)

Day 4 : Drive to Tuguegarao, Cagayan

The next day, we packed our bags again for Cagayan! We checked in at The Holiday Plaza Hotel, a fancy/ boutique hotel.

Then after lunch, we went on a 183-step hike to reach the Callao Caves. FYI, this cave was where John Lloyd and Bea shoot for the Mistress. :)  

Then we went boating down the foot of the caves for the bird watching (well, they're bats who flock together around 5-5:30pm daily)

Then we dropped by the plaza and went to church.

For dinner, we ate at a hotel very close to our hearts- Hotel Lorita. On their placemat, it read :

We had an amazing accommodation at Holiday. Was able to sleep very very well.

Day 5 : Long Drive back to Manila
At around 9am, we were all packed for departure back to Manila.

We stopped over and ate lunch at a classy café.

Then for 12 hours, we drove and headed back home.

We've been up north a couple of times during our childhood but there's a lot of new attractions now. It was still a new adventure for us. :) Sorry if there's lot's of food pictures. We really love to eat. After all, eating local cuisines in itself is an adventure alone!

From my family (and extended families), Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warmest greetings,

Shaine