the VIGAN experience!!!

my ultimate wish: to own a horse and to travel

i don't know if the first one is still achievable but still hoping... AND

...slowly fulfilling the latter. Although this is long due, still i wanna share it with you; my VIGAN experience! 

--->brief background: Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, Philippines located 335km north of Manila. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Spanish architectural remnants can widely be seen throughout the entire city. Once you are in this city, you would probably forget that you're still in Philippine soil, instead somewhere in Europe.

Initially, it was only me, tayang & ogis were going but on the last minute, oskie (tayang's ex-bf) joined us. 'twas hell fun  suroy-suroy.

taking there via air was a bad choice (i think)
... it could've been more fun if we travel by land
...taking plane is such a time consuming - going to airport 2hrs before the flight
 only to learn that our flight is delayed aaaarrrrrrgh  

nevertheless, 3hr bus ride from Laoag City to Vigan was also fun

---->arrived Vigan City little past 5pm, rushing ourselves to settle in the hotel room so we can catch up sunset walk along the well preserved Calles (streets)... VIGAN has so much Spanish influence architecturally. they preserved all these spanish-inspired buildings which were built centuries ago wew!

AND we wanted to experience that old era thing, so we took kalesa
in wandering around (as recommended)

--->we were a bit unlucky, it's been raining almost our entire 2nd day stay...

visited VIGAN city hall

Plaza Salcedo: take one!

Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol

Baluarte ZOO owned by Gov Chavit

where animals can freely roam around in this huge area
except for tigers, snakes etc of course haha

***NEXT STOP***

the Hidden Garden

was amazingly beautiful. Looking from outside, it was just an ordinary residence

but once inside, it's incredibly awesome!

 ---->we had our dinner across Plaza Burgos where (that particular weekend) they had their street food party... in Cebu it was similar to Larsian but in an open park. our bad, we forgot to bring camera aaaargh! we also dropped by at an open bar (i don't know what its name) where there was live band and we had our brief drink of the local liquor, Basi. 


--->third day was the shopping day! entire Calle Crisologo is the shopping district. the street is restricted from cars, trucks etc... except for kalesa to preserve the cobblestones on it!!! woohooo lumang-luma ang peg!

this entire street is full of boutiques selling different things
for 'pasalubong' or souvenir like antique items,
woven bags & wallets, bling-bling, shirts etc

also note that this entire Calle Crisologo is made of cobblestones
and restricted from cars

enjoying our walk in a rainy day along Calle Crisologo

..... more

Archbishop's Palace

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

at PLAZA BURGOS

....lingaw kau mi. Generally, everything in VIGAN was wonderful... the food, the stay, the place itself and most specially the people. Personally, i think the best treasure Vigan could be very proud of... is the genuine kindness of the locals. DIOS TI AGNGINA, VIGAN!!!   'til next time :-)