Trip to Laoag

After an enjoyable trip to Pagudpud, we decided to go to Laoag Ilocos Norte to check their tourist destinations and historical site. It is a 2 hours bus travel from Pagudpud. We decided to check in Balai de Blas Pensionne House. The suite room has spacious living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It was impressive that this pensionne house is very clean, well maintained, with inviting ambiance, and cute decorations at very reasonable price. Staffs are very friendly and courteous. This pensionne house were located at #10 Giron Street Brgy. 7-B Loaog City.

We are now getting to discover the beauty of Laoag. From Balai de Blas, we rent a trike for the tour. We visited the Paoay Church, Marcos Museum, Fort Ilocandia, Sinking Bell Tower, Empanadaan, and La Paz Sand dunes. Paoay Church is also known as St. Agustine Church under the property of Diocese of Laoag. Historically, its coral stone bell tower used by Katipuneros during Philippine revolution against the Spaniards. Quite nervous going up to this tower since the structure is old, but so relaxing once you get on the top overlooking the town of Paoay J Our next is the Marcos Museum beside their old ancestral house located at Batac, Ilocos Norte. This is actually where the preserved corpse of the former President Ferdinand Marcos laid. There are also aged furniture and memorabilia inside the Museum. Take note that no picture taking is allowed inside. Empanada is one of the famous food in Ilocos. It is like a stuffed bread with a filling of locally made longanisa, vegetable and eggs. These filings were wrapped in rice flour and deep-fried. Recommended to eat while hot and put some “sukang iloco” (vinegar). Sinking bell tower is the first thing you may see upon entering the city proper. Because it’s heaviness and build on sandy foundation, the tower is consistently sunk into the ground for about of an inch a year. La Paz Sand dunes are favorite movie settings of classic local films like “Himala” and “Panday”. Fine sands and desert like that most local tourist will love to try sand boarding or ride a 4x4. But because we been there late, we didn’t have a chance to try those exiting activitiesL.

Feel tired when we got back to Balai de Blas…preparing ourselves for the next destination on the next day…VIGAN!!! J