Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud 2016 (Day One)

Finally, my family and I went on a much-needed vacation as we were not able to go last March. For this year, we've decided to go to Northern Luzon and explored the wonderful province of Ilocos. We started at Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur then moved to Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte, and finally rested at Pagudpud.

I made our own itinerary because we rented our own van hence we can go wherever we want to go at whatever time we please.

We opted for a night departure from San Mateo so we were able to get to Vigan at around six in the morning. We checked out the Heritage Village, Calle Crisologo and the Vigan Cathedral. We also had our breakfast at Vigan, where we chose to eat at Kusina Felicitas as Cafe Uno was not yet open.

Breakfast at Kusina Felicitas

Walking around Calle Crisologo

Vigan Cathedral

We then rode a "kalesa" to tour the whole town. We were able to see the Bantay Church, Bell Tower, and the Pottery Place. The Crisologo Museum was still close when we toured it while the Baluarte was totally scrap off the itinerary as it was too far and will take us another hour or so before we can completely tour it.

Old-school Kalesa ride

Bantayan Church

Bantayan Bell Tower

Z trying to look "unafraid"

My brother and his artsy shot with his phone

After Vigan, we went straight to Laoag to visit Paoay Church, have lunch at the famous Herencia Cafe, and tour the Malacanang of the North. We were not able to visit the Marcos Mausoleum as it was located in Batac then we also scrap off the Paoay Sand Dunes, Paoay Lake, the Sinking Bell Tower and the Ilocos Norte Capitol Building because we were pressed for time and it was really hot.

My sister's failed attempt at a PAOAY photo

Our little family at Paoay Church

Home of the famous Pinakbet Pizza

Our family in front of the Malacanang of the North

Beautiful oil painting of the Bantayan Church

View from the deck of the Malacanang of the North

After our tiring and long road trip, we finally went to Kapuluan Vista Resort in Pagudpud, within the Blue Lagoon beach area. It was one of the nicest and most peaceful resort in the area. I'll be posting my review about the beautiful place this week.

That's it for our first day. I will post our second day itinerary tomorrow. More pictures to come too! :)