Ilocos Norte is located in Ilocos Region. The Capital is Laoag City. There are lots of famous "must-see" places in Ilocos and let me show every places we visited when we went there 2012.
After a 12 long hours of travelling going to Laoag City, we checked in at Texicano Hotel. This is one of the cheapest accommodation we had because we are saving our money, in case of emergency.
I don't remember the synchronization of events so I will just share where we visited.
We went to Pagudpud.
Pagudpud is one of the famous city in Ilocos because of its Beaches and resorts.
This is where you can see the Bangui Windmills. It is one of the Iconic features of Ilocos. The windmills provides electricity to the city and a project of then-Governor Bong Bong Marcos.
This is a view from afar. It is best to visit during daytime as the place do not provide light during night time.
Another one is Bantay Abot Cave.
I was really amazed to see this one. I thought it is really a cave with lots of bats inside, but no. The story behind this cave was, it is really a small hill and an earthquake wreck leaving the hole in the middle. There is a green plants covering the hill that added its beauty.
Kapurpuran Rock Formation
I was snapping a photo when this got my interest. There is a creamy white rock and the formation is really weird. They say that oceanic and weather forces created the formation.
This is the perfect view.
Another one of the best is the Blue Lagoon.
This is the view from top of the hill. There were lots of people visiting this lagoon because of the color and the calmness it brings.
This is the view when you come near it. I remember, it was so relaxing, one perfect for those people who are moving on from a broken hearts, lol.
We visited Paoay Church too. Personally, I want to see this church because it is one of the tourist attraction in Ilocos.
Paoay Church is a Catholic Church, one of the oldest and most popular Church in the Philippines. I love the Baroque architecture and one of the chosen to be picked by UNESCO World Heritage list of Baroque Churches in the Philippines.
Of course we didn't forget the very famous, Calle Crisologo because your tour in Ilocos will never be complete, without visiting this place, specifically.
The first time I saw this, I really felt I came back to historic Spanish days. It highlights Spanish era and became one of the major attraction in Vigan. It is also called as a Heritage Village and one of the Unesco Heritage Site to save the place. They said that if you want to have good photos, you need to wait the golden hour and snap a pic of this village to add to your memories. We failed to do so, though.
This is the picture that I snapped, instead.
Baluarte Mini Zoo and Resort is owned by Governor Chavit Singson.
It is a 100 hectare park with different animals that you most found in Safari.
Not only from Tiger to goats, but you will also see lots of different birds. Lots of animals are roaming free in the zoo so you must be really careful with them.
This is the view from afar. How lovely, we even run from one place to another, but of course, away from the animals.
We also visited the Fort Ilocandia Resorts and Casino.
This is a 5-start Deluxe Hotel in Ilocos. I think this one is already closed at present for reason I have no knowledge.
This is the view from the outside.
from the outside.
And a little something on the inside.
We didn't get much of the view because we were excited to see the Malacanang of the North.
This is the inside of the Malacanang of the North. Malacanang of the North is the presidential museum in Paoay. It is where our former President Ferdinand Marcos is staying when he is in Ilocos.
Actually, this is the President's gift to his wife, the former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
I see lots of paintings and pictures on the walls.
One of the bedrooms.
This is the view from the outside.
Over seeing the lake.
We almost but didn't forget to visits the Pasaquin where they show us how salt is being made.
They have the finest salt in Ilocos.
I never thought that Ilocos is the salt Capital in the Philippines and I never imagined how hard it is to make.
Surrounded by a thick forest, Kabigan Falls is located in Pagudpud. I asked the Manong why it was called Kaibigan falls and he explained that the Falls and the River are friends, so old people started to call it Kaibigan Falls. Most of the people who loves to trek are visiting this place but they are not allowed without a tour guide because it is not easy to walk on the place.
I was enjoying putting all the pictures of our travel when I found out that I had posted it all, lol. I am still mesmerized by the view and the story behind the places. This makes me proud as a Filipino as seeing beautiful places like this makes me proud of our enriched culture. I want to go back to Ilocos!
