Vigan City and the old world charm

In Vigan, the birds are chirping as early as 3 in the morning. 

Vigan city was established in the 16th century and became an important trading post in the early times. When Juan de Salcedo founded this town, he named it Villa Fernandina in honor of the son of King Philip II and later on renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Bigan. Vigan's name was derived from the river called Bigan. 

The city of Vigan is on UNESCO world heritage list. 

The good thing about Vigan is knowing you're safe to roam the streets even at night, but walking the calle Crisologo all by yourself when the whole town is asleep can be hair-raising, watching the street light flicker as you pass by the antiquated houses. 

 

From the Heritage city, every spot is just a walk away. It's almost sunrise and the Vigan church opened its side doors so I sneaked in. Then walked the Ilocos Sur Capitol grounds to the national highway and hiked to Bantay church nearby before heading to my next destination. 

Non-airconditioned buses ply the route bound Laoag on regular basis, but if you wish to go to Pagudpud or Cagayan, check GMW transit stationed in the gasoline station, very near the Vigan arch. 

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Northern Experience

Traveling in the Northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines can be distressing, I say so because of the availability of buses plying the Maharlika Highway in the North. But if you're seeking adventures in roadtrip, the Northern experience is more likely on your list.

Touring the Northern Luzon Island is tricky. For example, one can go to the town of Aparri in either the eastern road or the west. The western portion offers scenes of the Ilocos Region, the French Riviera of the North, Patapat Viaduct that is, and on the eastern part is the Magapit Bridge in Lal-lo, said to be the "oldest suspension bridge" in the Philippines.

 North experience isn't complete without the visit to the famous Callao Cave in Penablanca, about less than an hour from Tuguegarao. Tuguegarao can be reached by air or enduring the 12 hour bus journey on daylight and 10 hour on a night trip.The best period to travel on daytime is between 4:30AM - 6:00AM or 8:00PM and onwards at night. Florida Bus in Cubao and Sampaloc & Victory Liner in Pasay and Cubao have direct trip to Tuguegarao, Book your journey early for the buses with toilets.

About 2 hours bus ride from Tuguegarao City, you can reach Aparri, you can ride GV Florida bus or shuttle vans. Aparri is where "the river meets the sea", it is at the portal of the Cagayan River.

From Aparri, there are mini buses and shuttle vans going to Santa Ana. Travel time may be 2 hours more. Santa Ana is home to the Cagayan Freeport Zone and is also home to the Anguib beach. Cape Engano can also be reached by hiring an outrigger boat bound to Palaui Island. San Vicente Port in Santa Ana is also home to the jetty port going to Calayan Island.

Proceeding to the site of the church ruins in San Jacinto de Polonia in Camalaniugan, near the banks of the Cagayan River,one can get a ghastly story pertaining to the sentinel of the old church ruins. Near the ruins is the  erected house of worship and the belfry where the oldest bell in the Far East is placed. From Santa Ana, this is after the town of Buguey.

Before heading to the humble town of Claveria, you may want to visit the newly renovated " Asia's oldest suspension bridge", the Magapit Suspension Bridge in the town of Lal-lo. Here is the loading and unloading point for buses and shuttle vans going to Ballesteros, Pamplona, Sanchez Mira, Claveria, Sta. Praxedes, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, buses mostly came from Tuguegarao City.

 Claveria in Cagayan is one of my favorite place in the North because of its simplicity. People are nice, good location and everything seems uncomplicated. Plus it's near the less populated beach of Sentinela.

In about an hour from Claveria, you will be in Ilocos Norte's town of Pagudpud. This is where the Boracay of the North can be found. From Pagudpud, places to be explored nearby is at 30 minutes at most. You may want to visit Bangui, Kapurpurawan and Cape Bojeador. You may opt to ride GMW buses going Laoag or Vigan.  From Pagudpud, you may want to pursue with Laoag or visit the Calle Crisologo in Vigan at midnight and took as many pictures as you can while the town is asleep.

Going back to the Metro Manila is easy. Variety of buses like Partas,  Farinas Transit and GV Florida are available along the highways of Ilocos. Bus Terminals can be found mostly in Laoag City.

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For those wanting to try the Tuguegarao-Claveria-Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur long trip, I am also posting the Bus schedules for your  information. You may also try the Manila-Santa Ana-Claveria-Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur. This will take you 5 days in roadtrips (the least possible).

GV Florida Bus - Cubao Station

GV Florida Bus - Sampaloc Station

Victory Liner - Kamias Station

Victory Liner - Pasay Station

GMW Trans - Tuguegarao Station

Disclaimer: Information contained in this page is accurate at the time of this writing. However, no liability or responsibility is accepted arising from reliance upon the information contained in this page.

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