http://www.superwomom.net/2012/03/ilocos-sojourn-day-1-laoag.html - Day 1 (Laoag)
http://www.superwomom.net/2012/03/ilocos-sojourn-day-2-vigan.html - Day 2 (Vigan)
http://www.superwomom.net/2012/07/ilocos-sojourn-day-3-pagudpud.html - Day 3 (Pagudpud)
http://www.superwomom.net/2012/07/ilocos-sojourn-day-4-laoag.html - Day 4 (Laoag)
It's Palm Sunday, our last day in Laoag. We'll be killing time before we actually head home. Below is our last ditch effort to enjoy the rest of our stay.
ST. WILLIAM'S CATHEDRAL AND THE SINKING BELL TOWER
Built by Augustinian friars during the Spanish colonial period, it's also one of the oldest churches in Ilocos. A stone's throw is its Sinking Bell Tower, believed to be sinking at an inch each year. We were there on a Palm Sunday. This was the first time I waved the palaspas on a church outside my native Malabon. But just the same, I think wherever we are in the Philippines, Catholic faithfuls would always come in droves to observe the start of Semana Santa.
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The Ilocos Museum offered a sneak peak of the Ilocano's way of life. It was small but well maintained and it attempts to be experiential in the best way it can. R and S enjoyed roaming around. It was a good stop for educational and cultural purposes.
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Near the Ilocos Musuem is a cafe named after Juan Luna (thus Johnny Moon). Since we're in Laoag, we wanted to know how an empanada from an Ilocos Norte resto be different from that of Ilocos Sur's carinderia-style empanada. I don't know if it's just me, Johnny Moon's crust is way cruchier but the carinderia's filling is better. Just like the carinderia in Ilocos Sur, it also has a viewing area where you can watch the cook prepare the empanada. Plus point for Johnny Moon for letting R be our "server".
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Before we go to the airport, we ate here. Similar to the chicken inasal of Bacolod, only this one is sweeter. Since our family love anything grilled, we're happy with our meal. Filling, affordable and one tricycle ride from Isabel Suites. A swing outside was waiting for our kids, reason enough to finish their food in no time.
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P.S. The best decision we've made the entire trip was to rent a van. We spent around 7,500 for our day tours in Laoag, Vigan and Pagudpud. Having kids in tow, it made our lives a lot simpler. We scrimped on lodging (since we're out most of the day, we just need a clean and comfortable place to sleep and freshen up), but not on food and sightseeing. Ramir and I value "experiencing" the place. For us, food and tours are the best ways to do this. We also feel that we need to teach our kids to be game about the whole thing so they too can enjoy our getaway, regardless of our tight budget. Most of the places in Ilocos are free to enjoy, if there are some payments involve, hindi masakit sa bulsa, it wouldn't feel like highway robbery. Reasonable, I must say.
Details in a Nutshell:
Kuya Emerson (Van rental)
(0926) 637-2725
For Days 2, 3 and 4 - he gave us a rate of P7,500.
St. William's Cathedral and the Sinking Bell Tower
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Museum
http://www.museoilocosnorte.com/
Gen. Luna corner Llanes Streets, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
(077) 770-4587
Johnny Moon Cafe
Cromwell's Grill Chicken Ati-Atihan
Gen. Segundo Ave., Laoag City
(077) 770 5606
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