Laoag, Vigan and Pagudpud Thread 11

[marose17]

Currimao was a revelation.  The sea is so calm and relaxing.  It is less crowded and less commercial.  The sand is gray but it is smooth and fine.  The water is clean.

We stayed at Playa Tropical.  May beachfront siya.  Kahit na public beach, hindi siya kasing-sikip
ng Pagudpud.

[shyreen]

BF and I are planning to have a vacation sa ilocos sometime in May. Via plane sana kasi mainipin kami sa byahe kaya lang wala kong mahanap na murang fare around 8k yung roundtrip fare for two na. Ano bang mas magandang unahin, ok lang ba na laoag - vigan then last stop na yung pagudpud? di ba kami mapapalayo? Magkano yung estimated budget sis kung 3D2N kami? Thanks in advance!

[patchi2012]

^^sis marose17, any feedback sa playa tropical, we plan to stay there kase for anniversary celeb sa july, sa agoda kase, di masyado ok ang review. tia

[q_tey amazona]

BF and I are planning to have a vacation sa ilocos sometime in May. Via plane sana kasi mainipin kami sa byahe kaya lang wala kong mahanap na murang fare around 8k yung roundtrip fare for two na. Ano bang mas magandang unahin, ok lang ba na laoag - vigan then last stop na yung pagudpud? di ba kami mapapalayo? Magkano yung estimated budget sis kung 3D2N kami? Thanks in advance!

hi sis! me and my bf been there. may mura na packages today, ive seen it in sulit and my tita already avail one. just log to sulit its under http://www.facebook.com/iloveapplestours. sa tita ko dalawa sila 3d/2n 5,650/person included na accommodation with daily breakfast and tour: vigan, laoag and pagudpud.

[sherlock]

got home around 10PM yesterday from ilocos. flight c/o cebu pac was smooth and on time kumpara nung papunta namin (5j 404 12:25 pm flight to ilocos 3/26/13) na feeling namin lahat ay babagsak na yun plane after take off. grabe talaga yun pilot nun kung sino man siya. clear and good weather naman nun pero sobrang ma-turbulence yun flight.

anyway, got our 3days tour c/o lanzer for P9,000. 3 days tour including hatid sa airport from pagudpud on the 3rd day. ok siya tour guide kasi safe siya magdrive, hindi kaskasero. although mahina aircon nun van na gamit (mb100), di kinaya yun init ng weather. ito yun spots na pinuntahan namin.

Places in Pagudpud:
- Bangui Windmills
- Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
- Bangui View Deck
- Kabigan Falls
- Patapat via duct
- Paraiso ni Anton
- Agua Grande
- Bantay Abot
- Blue Lagoon
- Cafe Bojeudor Light House

Places Visited in Vigan:
- calle crisologo
- Bantay Church and Bell tower
- Baluarte
- Giden Garden
- Jar (Burnay) Making

Places Visited in Laoag:
- St. William Cathedral
- Sinking bell tower
- Marcos Museum
- Paoay Lake / Church
- Malacanan of the North
- Lapaz Sand Dunes
- Fort Ilocandia

we stayed 2 nights in balay dablas (laoag) and 1 night in pagudpud rinnovati (saud beach, pagudpud). from the airport, we availed of free shuttle service (Imee Bus) to our BALAY DA BLAS. libre hatid hanggang hotel mismo, need lang magregister sa may information desk nila sa airport.

BALAY DA BLAS (new wing)
- nice clean rooms, well maintained and free yun breakfast with coffee. approachable yun receptionists and in-entertain yun request namin na addt'l kumot and pillows. breakfast is good enough, the usual tosilog, tapsiloc, bangussilog, etc. we stayed in rooms 10 (2nd flr) & 14 (3rd flr). room 14 has a veranda though di advisable dito magstay if may senior citizen na kasama dahil medyo mataas yun gaps ng stairs. 

PAGUDPUD RINNOVATI
- luma yun rooms and beddings. some of their bedsheets has stains, pillows are very thin, towels are the cheap kind. Cable tv has poor reception, and aircon is vVERY VERY noisy. nanghinayang ako sa binayad ko dito. sana pala nag stay na lang kami sa BALAY DA BLAS for our whole ilocos tour and nag day tour na lang kami sa pagudpud. we paid P5,500 for our room for 6 pax(mahal coz of the holy week rates). tapos on our last day, nawalan pa ng tubig sa room namin. had to take a shower sa ibang room nila (buti na lang may nag check out ng maaga kung hindi, malamang nakiligo kami sa public cr nila). btw, parang mahina ang supply ng kuryente sa pagudpud. ilang beses nagbrown out while we were there and worse, nangyari pa yun at night kung kailan patulog na kami. buti na lang bumalik ulit kuryente within 5 mins.

EVANGELINES EMOHRUO RESTO BAR
- had our dinner and lunch here. ok yun food though medyo pricy. didn't explore other restos dahil ayaw na rin namin lumayo. masarap bagnet and mango shake nila dito. ok din yun place since overlooking the beach yun resto.

BLUE LAGOON
- went here ng 3/28/13 day tour lang. sobrang dami ng tao and overpriced yun foods. need to buy fresh seafood and papaluto mo sa mga carinderia dun. di kami nagtagal dito, just had lunch and konti photo op then alis na rin kaagad. maganda sana yun beach pero di kami nag enjoy dahil sa sobrang crowded.

SAUD BEACH
- stayed here overnight. mas konti tao dito nung time na nandito kami. medyo malalim nga lang yun beach so hindi advisable for kids and mga hindi marunong mag swim. mas na appreciate ko ito compared w/ blue lagoon.

CAFE LEONA (vigan)
- dito kami nag lunch while in vigan, bukana lang siya ng calle crisologo and just across MAX resto. food is carinderia style, turo ka lang ang se-serve na nila sa table nyo. puwede rin paluto pero mas matagal. masarap naman yun food pero typical filipino food lang.

SARAMSAM (laoag)
- tried poque poque, pakbet pizza, bagnet, dinakdakan and some of their pastas. nagustuhan ko food nila.

a must ang 4x4 ride sa SAND DUNES. ito yun talagang na-enjoy ko sa ilocos. P2500 singil sa amin for 6pax.

overall, ok ang naging bakasyon namin. nakakapagod nga lang since 2 hr trip palagi in between vigan, laoag & pagudpud



check my blog below for the complete review and pics

[shyreen]

hi sis! me and my bf been there. may mura na packages today, ive seen it in sulit and my tita already avail one. just log to sulit its under http://www.facebook.com/iloveapplestours. sa tita ko dalawa sila 3d/2n 5,650/person included na accommodation with daily breakfast and tour: vigan, laoag and pagudpud.

thank you sis! baka makakuha ako ng idea sa itenerary dito, prang gusto ko kasi DIY para hawak namin yung oras

[marose17]

@patchi2012, we enjoyed our stay at Playa Tropical.  The infinity pool was big and inviting.  We stayed at the hut by the poolside for hours.  Our deluxe room was so-so but it was clean.  Breakfast was plated, not buffet.
 
The place itself was very nice and relaxing despite the imperfections.  Puwede na kasi 4k a night lang naman ang room namin so I was not expecting a grand room.  Meyo understaffed sila.  But for me, it is way better than overpriced Hannah's in Pagudpud or even Fort Ilocandia.  Mas cozy ang Playa. 

We are hoping to stay there again when we return.  Taga-laoag kasi ang husband ko.

[patchi2012]

^thank you so much, may i ask sis if san ok mag book sa site ba nila mismo or any booking sites? it seems kase na yung place based sa pics are inviting and appealing, since we really wanted a relaxing place for our vacay, eto napili namin.

[marose17]

^ I booked through their site.  I wanted to book two nights pero fully-booked na sila February pa lang. May triathlon kasi pala last Saturday and organizers are based in Playa.

Sabi ng receptionist sa akin, kokonti lang daw ang slots na ino-open nila sa website nila so better to call for a reservation in case maubusan ka sa site (directhotels ang host).  10% of the rate lang naman ang ide-debit from your CC and then you settle the bill for the room upon checking in.

Sis, yung site nila andoon lahat ng makikita mo.  Very homey and cozy ang place.  Napaka-breezy pa sa cabanas nila ang sarap matulog doon the whole day hehe.  Yung rooms lang ang below my expectation pero ok na din for the price.  Hindi siya topnotch like hindi flat-screen ang tv, walang bathtub, walang duvet, etc.  But the room itself is clean.  The resort is very Balinese. 

[eeyore91833]

3D/2N - Holy week March 28-31, 2013
Gas expense - P5900

Departure Manila- March 28 Thursday night 9:00 PM
Arrival Vigan - March 29 Friday am 4:00 AM (Rest)

Day 1
Arrival Laoag - Approximately 6:30 AM for breakfast (Jollibee)
Sites: William Cathedral, Bell Tower, Fort Ilocandia, Sand Dunes,

Arrival Pagudpud: Approx 11:00 AM
Attempted to go see the Light house but heavy traffic/ long line of vehicles
Lunch at Pannzian resort & checkin P5000
Slept for a few hours
Enjoyed the beach and had dinner then drinks by the beach. Chill & Steady night

Day 2
Pannzian Beach
Pannzian River
Panzzian Falls - a bit of hiking and swimming =)
Checkout
Bangui Windmills
Kapurpurrawan rock formation
Boracay of the North/ Blue Lagoon (Hannah's resort area) Saw the longest zip line
Cave
Sarrat Church
Paoay Church - very dramatic at night. lighted church


Checkin Cordillera Inn - dont expect much P3700
Calle Crisologo
Dinner at Cafe Leonisa.  Try the Formaggi pizza


Day 3
Breakfast at the inn. 2 tiny vigan longanissa pieces served =(
Heard mass at Vigan Church
Calesa ride around vigan P150 per Calesa
Bantay Church and Bell tower
Bell tower
Burgos Home
Bought yummy bibingka
Baluarte

On the way home stopped at Matutina's of course for their Bangus Sisig and Buttered Crab

YAY's:
Enjoyed Pannzian falls so much. Close with nature. Just us and the hotel guide
Paoay Church - go late afternoon so you see it both during the day and when lighted at night
La Preciosa: Puqui Puqui and carrot cake soo good
Pannzian beach
Kapurpurrawan rock formation - just beautiful and breathtaking
Matutina's at Urdaneta
Having a GPS with us really helped in navigating. Now I'm a believer. Garmin Nuvi was sooo helpful. No need for a printed map. You can even search resto names and the actual tourist spots. A must havW

NAY's:
No Globe signal in resort.Smart only. No wifi
Hannah's resort too crowded. No parking. Just passed by to see the lagoon/ "Boracay of the North
Vigan was nice but it smelled like horse poop everywhere. One visit is good enough for me.
Should have just checked in Laoag than Vigan

[April30]

Done with our Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud Tour! (Mar. 28-30)

March 27 - 7:00 pm Depart to Vigan/Laoag

We've visited the following:

Day 1
Vigan arrival 7:00am
St. Paul Cathedral
Plaza Salcedo
Pagburnayan (Jar Factory)
Syquia Mansion

Laoag arrival 3:00pm

Day 2

Burgos Light House (Cape Borjeador Lighthouse)
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Bangui Windmills
Bantay Abot
Blue Lagoon (Swimming)
Patapat Viaduct

Day 3
Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat
Museo Diocesano de Laoag
Ferdinand Marcos Birthplace
Museo Iloco
St. William Cathedral
Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
Malacanang it Amianan (Malacanang of the North)
Paoay Lake
Chichacorn Factory
Paoay Church
Marcos Museum
Marcos Mausoleum
Batac Church
La Paz Sand Dunes
Fort Ilocandia

March 31 - 8:00am Depart to Manila

Checked-in at Laoag Renzo Hotel (really nice place, though there's still some nay's)
6,000 pesos package, inclusive of 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, and 3 dinner

Really enjoy the tour though hindi na namin naputahan lahat ng nakalagay sa original IT namin, but still we appreciate the efforts of our tour guides.

Thanks to Ilocos Heritage Tour
https://www.facebook.com/ilocosheritage?ref=ts&fref=ts

[ksv]

So excited! I booked Hotel De Salcedo in Vigan and hotel Java in Laoag na for our trip. Yung Apo Idon nalang. Ang tagal nila magreply, grabe. The Binatbatan festival happens on the week we will be there pala, 1st week of May so that is definitely something to look forward to

[jelliebean28]

Hello...Saan kaya ok ang beach sa pagudpud at mura accomodation? balak kasi namin mag-stay kina Ate Cathy this May na punta namin, pero nabasa ko hindi raw maganda beach front dun?

[Lady Czarina]

4days 3nights in ilocos! Kapagod! Will post reviews when I get home..nasa byahe pa rin til now..hehe..

[purpleish]

sis jelliebean28 ...mabato kasi duon sa bandang area kayna ate kathy, medyo lalakad ka pa pa right side... medyo ok 2x pa sa Jun & Carol, dito kame nag stay nung 2nd night namen ni hubby... onting difference lang sa price mga P200.00 nga lang ata kayna ate, kasi we want sana medyo smaller room since dalawa lang kame ni hubby (mas ok kayna ate kathy kung 3-4 pax sa room), then sa Jun & Carol may tv sa room and free wifi..

actually sis hindi den kame naka-swim sa Saud Beach, for me mas ok mag swim sa Blue Lagoon, kaso yun nga lang medyo mahal ang accomodation duon, i'm not sure kung meron na den mga affordable place to stay duon... nung nag punta kame sa Ilocos nung 2010, wala akong masyadong nakitang nag sswim sa Saud area..ewan kuna lang ngayon...

[purpleish]

1. mga what time ang dating niyo sa Ilocos sis?? kasi alam ko meron lang oras ang mga byahe na bus or unless na lang mag rent kayo ng van... mga 1 1/2 oras kasi ang byahe from Laoag to Pagudpud..pero since the next day gusto niyo mag tour kung medyo late na ang dating niyo better to rent a van..

2. yes sis doable naman for 1 whole day ang north/south tour...

3. better leave early in the morning...nung kame ni hubby, mga 7-8am nga ata yun, nag rent kame ng van (si Mang Arnel hire namen) ...ang hirap kasi madame kameng mga bit-bit na anik anik tyaka para di na problema pag sakay2x..

4. hindi ko lang alam kung pag may Sand Dunes, kasi nito na lang yan nadagdag na activity... from byahe sa Pagudpud to Laoag, then city tour natapos kame mag 4pm na...

5. depende sa inyo sis.. pwede den naman mag overnight sa Laoag, pero mas prefer namen pag katapos ng Laoag Tour, bumyahe na kame ng hapon sa Vigan, kasi mas gusto ko talaga duon mag tagal ang trip namen... para kinabukasan di ngarag sa byahe at makapag vigan tour agad

6. yes doable naman 1 whole day...

7. yes sis meron naman... depende na lang sa bus na sasakyan niyo.. pwede pag dating niyo ng vigan pwede niyo ipasuyo sa reception ng accomdation yung mga sched ng bus, mabait naman sila lalo na kung san kame nag stay sa Grandpa's Inn

[hush puppie]

^thanks sis purpleish...ilang hours ba from manila to pagudpud? may night trip pa kaya ang
laoag-vigan ng mga 7pm onwards? sa vigan nalang siguro kmi magovernight...

sis how much yung van ni mang arnel? thanks again!:)

[ksv]

I need help please We'll be staying in Apo Idon in Saud pero we'll be visiting Blue Lagoon din. In case we decide to swim in Blue Lagoon, meron bang place doon na we can shower after?

[Lady Czarina]

^yes sis meron maghuhulog lang kayo sa lata nila dun..wala nga nagbabantay eh..

[Lady Czarina]

Done with our Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud tour!!

We left Florida Station in sampaloc saturday night,10pm and arrived in Vigan at 5am, perfect for the Easter sunday mass..nag sleeper bus kami and super lamig sa bus!! 750/head manila to vigan, 800/head naman manila to laoag
1st day
Vigan tour: we started past 8 na siguro, we left our things in the reception area of our hotel since we can't check-in pa fully booked pa sila that time and our tour ended before 12pm
150/hr Calesa tour

Bantay belltower and church - donations
Father Burgos Museum - 50/head
Pagburnayan - may epal na lalake na sumira dun sa ginawa ni manong di na tuloy kami nag take ng pics dun, umalis kami kagad para di na namin sila makasabay sa next stop
Baluarte ni Chavit - donations, 100 fee naman pic taking with the tiger
Crisologo Museum - donations, unlike other museums, dito pwede mo galawin lahat, pwede ka umupo sa mga chairs nila, sumakay sa mga caruaje and calesa sa loob, even yung car na gamit nung na ambush na governor ata dati andon din pwede ka sumakay..and natatawa ko sa ale na nagbabantay dun talagang isisigaw pa pwede galawin lahat basta wag kakalimutan ang donations nyo..haha..
Vigan Arch!! haha..kahit san ako magpunta dapat may pic ako sa border lagi kung san kita name ng place..

Walking distance lang kasi ang Calle crisologo sa hotel namin kaya sabi namin wag na kami dalin dun and sa st.paul cathedral kasi pagdating naman namin dun kami dumiretso to attend the mass.. thanks to google maps naglalakad lang kami paikot ikot ng vigan pero nung gabi na when we went back to calle crisologo nag trike na kami, 10/head lang ang trike sabi ng tour guide namin..

We stayed at Metro Vigan Regency Hotel, very nice room, clean, cable tv, with wifi and modern looking, ayoko kasi yung mga vintage style na hotel natatakot ako..haha.. breakfast is so so lang with 3in1 coffee, no hot water, wash basin is too high for my height..i'm 5'2"..what's nice pa is sa tapat lang sya ng market and malapit sa puregold and other stores and partas terminal

2nd day
We left Vigan mga 9:30am na siguro, super late na sa original plan ko na 7am..haha..
We arrived in Laoag mga 11:30ish na, we had a heavy breakfast and we brought some snacks with us kaya we didn't eat lunch na kaya yung tour namin tuloy tuloy lang..

Laoag Tour:
Ilocos Museum - 50/head, nothing special naman dito, except for the old radio na working pa din..
Fort Ilocandia
Malacañang of the North - 50/head, nakakapagod umikot kasi dika pwede umupo sa mga sala nila..haha..clean cr
Paoay Lake
Marcos Museum - 50/head ata, di na kasi kami umakyat sa taas since wala na mga shoes and gowns ni imelda dun..yun lang naman gusto ko makita dun..hehe..
Marcos Mausoleum - free, no pic taking and even hard objects bawal din..as if naman tutusuk tusukin si marcos sa loob.. 
Paoay Church - i'm so amazed sa church na to, gandang ganda talaga ko sa kanya so sad lang tanghaling tapat kami nagpunta di namin sya nakita sa gabi
Paoay Sand dunes - 1500/5pax for 30 mins, di na kami nag sandboarding sobrang init! pero super enjoy!! never leave laoag without trying this..i tried to take pics while we're riding the 4x4, wala kaming matinong pics..haha..
Sinking Bell Tower

Our tour ended mga 5:30pm na, then straight to pagudpud na..
Our first plan was to stay in Pannzian Beach, kaso our tour guide backed out sobrang layo na daw kasi nun malapit na sa cagayan and I got scared na din kasi gabi na nga kami and naisip ko din pano pag uwi namin kinabukasan..so sinuggest nya kila Ate Cathy, actually yung pag suggest nya eh di nagtanong samin basta na lang nya kami hinatid dun..since gabi na and diko naman kabisado dun unlike boracay pumayag na din ako, mura lang naman 1k/night..

3rd day:
Pagudpud tour: we started mga 9am na din
Kabigan Falls – I fell in love with this place, worth it ang paglalakad ng malayo! Tapos meron kami dalang lalagyan ng water nilagyan ni manong tour guide ng water galing sa falls..basta meron part dun kung san tumutulo yung tubig ..tapos super lamig ng tubig, di nga lang masyado malinaw..and ingat ingat din kung di masyado marunong lumangoy kasi may malalim na part ata madami na daw muntikan malunod dun..
Patapat Viaduct
Paraiso ni Anton – nothing special, madami nagtitinda ng souvenirs and pwede din kumuha ng water dito
Aqua Grande – di na kami pumasok ditto, may entrance fee din ata ditto
Timmangtang Rock
Bantay Abot cave – sakto meron nag pre-nup nung andon kami
Blue Lagoon – dun lang kami sa bandang unahan lang, tamad ng tour guide naming kainis lang ayaw na kami dalin sa part ng Hannah’s
Pagudpud Arch & Pagudpud Pearl
Bangui Windmills
Our tour ended mga 3 na siguro, went back to our room rest for a while tapos nag swim na kami, medyo malumot, nandidiri ako pag nakakaapak ako saka dumidikit sakin kaya lagi ako nakasabit sa boyfriend ko ayoko talaga umapak.hahaha. madami din naman nag swim nung time na nandon kami..
While in Pagudpud sa Terra Rika kami kumakain, masarap ang food nila and good for 2-3 persons per servings
Tips/Suggestions: (for me lang naman based on our experience)
1.   Bring jackets/blankets kasi super lamig sa bus pag gabi, lalo na sa sleeper bus di naman pwede mag siksikan..
2.   Unahin ang pagudpud if commute/diy lang kayo, then laoag then vigan.. kasi madaming mabibiling pasalubong sa vigan unlike sa laoag and pagudpud
3.   Always get the last trip, or yung no stop overs nila..sobrang nakakapagod yung trip namin pauwi 13hrs ang byahe namin!!
4.   Wear shoes if going to paoay sand dunes, ang init lang ng sand!haha.. kahit sa Bangui windmills ang init din sobra..
5.   SUNBLOCK is a must!!
6.   Try their empanadas!sarap.. Vigan – Irene’s empanada, Paoay – dunno the name basta malapit lang sa Paoay church, Pagudpud – maliit na store lang sa tapat ng market nila..
7.   For me overrated ang Pagudpud
8.   Will still go back in Ilocos pero siguro matatagalan pa ulit..I think it’s not the place that I would go back every year..