Trip to Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Day 2 Part 1)

• Sta. Maria Church

We woke up early to go to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  For breakfast, we had the local longganisa, native egg, salted egg and Sta. Lucia puto.  At 9:30 a.m, we left for Vigan.  On the way, we saw field of tobacco and corn plantations and crystal clear blue seawaters in the nearby beaches.  We first passed by Sta. Maria church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.  When we arrived at 10 a.m., they were already preparing for Good Friday Procession.   We said our prayers and left.

• Arrival at Baluarte in Vigan Ilocos, Sur

Our next stop was Chavit Singson's free and open to public Baluarte Zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  As we stepped off our van, we instantly felt the intense heat of the sun.  We quickly walked towards the entrance.  There were many vendors selling bamboo products by the entrance.  The birds were also placed near the entrance.  The place was crowded.  Kids rode the free pony rides.  We roamed around taking pictures of every animal we saw until 1 p.m.  (see separate entry) We also saw a small yellow submarine.  Before leaving, I bought Kurt a Vigan T-shirt  (worth 160 php) from the souvenir stalls just outside Baluarte.  

• Vigan, Ilocos Sur City Proper

Hungry for lunch, we went to Vigan's City proper.  Here, we had to leave our van parked somewhere further because motor vehicles are not allowed within the vicinity.  Despite the heat, the streets
were crowded by locals and foreigners alike.  We first visited Vigan cathedral and then bought Vigan's infamous "empanadas" (worth 25 php).  To our surprise the "empanadas" taste similar to the ones we bought in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur.  We also bought "okoys" (worth 25 php) but they did not appeal to our taste.  It felt like seafood tempura with vinegar as sauce.  There were bazaars and souveneir shops that sold T-shirts and other locally weaved products.  We also passed by fastfoods like Max's, Mc Do and Mang-inasal.  There were also banks like BPI and BDO and hotels.  All of them maintained the old Spanish structure of the buildings which reminded me of Intramuros in Manila.  Many foreigners ate at the street-side food stalls.

                   "Burnayan" (pottery in Ilocano)

After lunch, we went to the "Burnayan".  As we entered, there were many defective pots scattered on the ground.  There were also bits of shattered pots.  We thought of doing the pottery ourselves but when we watched manong, we got intimidated.  Manong said that to be a potter you have to have the energy, talent and inspiration.  He declared that he could make 100 similar pots a day because his family inspires him and that those pots are being sold for 300 php.  He also added that among all those who have tried, no one has successfully made a pot.   Before leaving, we bought souvenirs.

                            

• Vigan Food

"The Sisters" bigger store without any sign

On the way back we went to "The Sisters"to buy a well-known Vigan delicacy, royal bibingkas.  During our purchase, there was a car that stopped over asking for Marsha's.  We used to buy from Masha's too until we tasted "The Sisters" royal bibingka.  "The Sisters" had two stores along the hi-way one across the other.  We noticed that the smaller store had a sign while the other just looked like a green house.  We also bought "Jat'z" chichacorn (worth 40 php).  It was very crunchy yet not difficult to bite.  It was very addictive that we kept on munching on it on the way back.  

                         

Manila to Ilocos Trip (Day 1)

• Destination: Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur (travel time: 10 hours) 

                  We woke up at 5 a.m., ate our breakfast, loaded our belongings and headed north on a 2-car convoy.  At 7 a.m., we reached the (North Luzon Expressway).  Even at an early hour, the highways were crowded.   As we passed by Pampanga at around 9:00 a.m., we saw individuals or groups of people who re-enacted the crucifixion of Christ.  When lunch time came, we stopped over at "Isdaan Fresh Catch Restaurant" in Gerona Tarlac (see separate entry). At around 1 p.m., we were back on the road again.  When we reached San Fernando, La Union at 3:30 p.m., we knew we were near.  We finally arrived at our house in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur by 5:30 p.m. 

• Native Products of Ilocos

                     Upon arrival, we immediately recognized the familiar scent of tobacco from the dried tobacco leaves that filled the house.  Tobacco leaves which were harvested by the farmers were brought to our place to be hanged and dried, sorted by quality, sacked together and then delivered to the cigarette manufacturers.  There were also peanut pods being separated from the harvest peanut plants.  

• Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur 

                 After a short rest, we looked out the window overlooking the town plaza and decided that we wanted to visit the church.  After visiting the church, we saw market-like stalls selling different kinds of fruits, vegetables, toys and snacks.  We bought empanadas (worth 20 php) it was delicious! crunchy like a tortilla and tasty as it was filled with fresh egg and vegetables.  Just across the street there were puto sellers.  We decided to buy and taste them as well.  The puto (worth 6 php) in Sta. Lucia was different from other putos.  It was round and flat and it was filled with shredded coconut and topped with black sesame. 

                      

• Home-cooked dinner

                  At 8:00 p.m., our other relatives also arrived.  We then ate dinner.  All the dishes served were fresh and flavorful.  I liked the malaga or samaral with black beans the best.  My uncle said it is the gold in Ilocos.  It was very tender and it had a clear fresh and sweet taste.  I also loved the pinakbet.  After dinner, we went to my uncle's  place in Candon City to sleep because the house in Sta. Lucia cannot accomodate us all.   Upon arrival, we unpacked our luggage and had our well deserved rest.