Ilocos Norte December Trip


The House we rented at Sitio Remedios, Currimao, Ilocos Norte


The Bangui Windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte


Our room at APO Idon Beach Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte


The Famous Blue Lagoon at Pagudpud


The Patapat Viaduct in Ilocos Norte

My Nephew was in the Philippines for the Christmas Holidays so we decided to take him out of town. We decided on Ilocos Norte since it has been almost a decade since we were last here and I wanted to see Vigan again. Our Itinerary went like this:

Day 1: Left Manila around 3am. Then on the way we stopped at Vigan for Lunch, this was around 11am. We ate at Grandpa's Inn. The food was affordable and delicious!! Then we went around the Mestizo District and looked at the Old Buildings. After that we proceeded to Baluarte. Baluarte is Chavit Singson's private Zoo where he keeps his Animal Collection. Entrance is free here. 2:30PM we Checked In Sitio Remedios. Swimming in the Afternoon. Then we went to Paoay to buy some snacks. Then to Batac, and back to Currimao to look at the Rock Formations and the Tabacalera Building. Dinner at Sitio Remedios in the Evening. Buffet Spread served like you were at home.

Day 2: Breakfast at Sitio Remedios. Bought Blankets. Stop Over at Laog City. Purchased Cornick, Onions and Garlic. Went to Cape Bojeador in Burgos for Sightseeing and Bangui to look at the Windmills. Check In at Apo Idon 1PM. Lunch at APO Idon. Sightseeing, Patapat Viaduct. Swimming at the Beach. Dinner at Nearby Resto, beside APO IDON.

Day 3: Left for Manila around 3AM.

The trip was a memorable one. Sitio Remedios was just amazing. The reconstruction of the Old Houses was very detailed. From the furnishings inside the houses to the minutest details. Though I love antiques, I realized by staying in Sitio Remedios that I do not like Antique Houses!! I would prefer an Antique Looking house furnished with Antiques than a genuinely reconstructed Antique House. Or maybe it was just the darkness of the rooms which made me not like Old Houses. Though Old Houses are nice to look at, it is scary to live in Old Houses. The Staff at Sitio Remedios were commendable, from the Guard, to the HouseKeeper, to the Waiters to the Manager. Food was delicious too. All you can eat Ilokano Food served like you were in your own home.

Apo Idon on the other hand was good also, but the food was Mediocre. But the restaurant beside Apo Idon had good food. The rooms here were Big! It was raining hard when we went here so it was impossible to swim at the Blue Lagoon.

The Bangui Windmills, Patapat Viaduct were just breathtaking to look at. Coupled with crisp cold weather, it was like we were in another country.

I will definitely be back to Ilocos again. There are still so many places to discover. Too bad we just had 2 days here.

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