Vigan, Ilocos Sur Trip 2008
Saturday, March 29th, 2008Our destination is Pagudpud for the Holy Week, but since it is a 12 hr drive, we stopped by at Vigan for a one night experience just to make the time spent for driving worthwhile. We left the house (Pacita) at 4:30 AM (Holy Thursday) and reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM. Everyone slept amid unbearable traffic in the NLEX (North Luzon Express Way) all the way to…….hmmm some place in Bulacan but I can’t remember….well, I was the only one awake, I guess it’s what you get after drinking a cup of coffee (with 1 1/2 teaspoon concentrated coffee). We stopped by at Tapa King (Petron NLEX) for breakfast. After finishing a plate of Tapa King, I arose from my seat and hurriedly went to the washroom but shockingly I ceased to walk after seeing the unexpected queue. It’s the longest washroom queue I have ever seen in my entire life just imagine, a certain portion of the MEN’s room is occupied by WOMEN (look at the pictures below), now how crazy is that? Despite my frenzied kidney cursing me for not letting it get off, I had endure the painful moment until we reached the next gas station not filled by leakers. We came across a bunch of people carrying a cross and some are hurting themselves by whipping their backs using a whip with metal thorns (I’m not sure what do you call that thing) but to commemorate Christ’s suffering, it’s their own way of contrition. We had our lunch at Nena’s Garden Restaurant along the Highway, I can’t seem to remember if it was in Dagupan or Pangasinan but anyway….the food sucks……after feeding our stomachs, we regretfully went back to the van and start hitting off the road again for Vigan. There were also numerous scenic views on the way so I never hesitated to take pictures (look at the pictures of the bridge and the estuary – river meets the sea). After two stops at the gas station we reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM and checked in at Cordillera Inn. I have tasted the famous Vigan Empanada in Tiendesitas before because a friend once told us that it is something that we shouldn’t miss and he is correct. A huge part of my expectation is to taste a genuine Vigan Empanada cooked from Vigan. After fixing our things in our hotel room, we went out to stroll at the streets of Vigan and along the plaza there was a pile of Empanada vendors making the much anticipated Vigan Empanada. I bought two and couldn’t wait to have my first bite but as soon as I had my first bite, for a moment there, I was in awe because of disappointment, it wasn’t like the ones I have tasted from Tiendesitas. I’m trying to compel myself to think that perhaps we just bought it from the wrong vendor. The food in the hotel where we stayed is also disappointing but the rooms are ok, so oh well, to sum up Vigan, it is not an ideal place for vacation but its still worth visiting, perhaps to stop by, if you have a long drive and spend a few hours is not bad. If you have an eye for Photography and has interests in antiques and heritage places then it is a marvelous place for you. Looking at the heritage houses, It seems as if you are back in Spanish time, some of them are even dilapidated because of time nevertheless you will be enchanted with enigma by the presence of the colonial remnants that surround you.
Please visit the gallery for more pictures. The rest of the trip shall be published in the days to come…LOL













