Yummy Ilocos Norte

Explored Ilocos Norte with my photo & food trip buddy, Khonie-chan.
We couldn't wait for more people to come with us so we opted to travel by ourselves.
Off we flew Cebu --> Manila --> Laoag.

Trike was our mode of transportation.
Negotiated 1.4k for 2 days.
Every trike has a list of places to visit so it won't be a problem if you go there with no itinerary.
Drivers knew where to take you.
We highly recommend our driver, Ronald Ramos of #23 trike.
He is the best there is in Pagudpud. :)
 Because we so love taking photos, we stayed longer in each place.If it were an Amazing Race contest, we'd definitely lose.

PAOAY CHURCH

 Also known as St. Augustine Church in Paoay.This church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & one of the 4 Baroque churches of the Philippines (Church of San Augustine in Intramuros, Manila;  Miag-ao Church in Iloilo; & Church of La Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur).

PATAPAT VIADUCT

The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. (wikipedia)

BANGUI WINDMILLS

 The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea. (wikipedia)

SAUD WHITE SAND BEACH

Left side of the beach, the Bangui Windmills stretch can be seen. This place is good for swimming. The waves are not huge like the one in Bagui.

BANTAY-ABOT CAVE

going to KABIGAN FALLS

 My camera died on me. Battery empty. tsk tsk.

LA PAZ SAND DUNES

 or Bantay Bimmaboy consists of an area of approximately 85 square kilometers (52 square miles) of protected sandy coastal desert and beach close to Laoag City, the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. The area is known locally by the name Bantay Bimmaboy, a name which refers to the common perception that the dunes resemble pigs in shape. The area is also popularly known as the Desert of the North and is a popular location for shooting films.

ST WILLIAM CATHEDRAL & the SINKING BELL TOWER

 It was said that the Sinking Bell tower sinks a few centimeters every year.

FORT ILOCANDIA RESORT

MARCOS MAUSOLEUM in BATAC

 Pres. Marcos' body lies here in a glass-encased coffin. No cameras allowed inside.

MALACAÑANG of the NORTH

 This house was originally owned by the Marcoses.

SARAMSAM CAFE

This cafe happens to be just infront of the place where we stayed.
We super love their food specially the Saramsam pasta (not your ordinary pasta. It has fish paste as sauce. I had several servings of this.) Their iced tea is so yummy too. They added basil to it. Try their malunggay sherbet, malunggay pretzel, and their weird but so yummy pizza.


This has been one of my best trips ever.
The place is so beautiful, I'm with the best company, and Ilokano cuisine is one of the best!
Stuffed ourselves with so much food that I don't feel like standing up anymore.
Talking about gluttony huh. :D

I want to go back. I just want to go back! ^__^
Kapurawpurawan Rock Formation is definitely on the list next time.

Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan! ♥

**photos imported from my multiply account.
Published on November 4, 2008 12:57pm
Rates as of 2008.