Ilocos Sur: Vigan Trip in December

Basic Expenses:

500.00 Php - bus from Dau terminal to Vigan via Nidas Trans
30.00 Php - tricycle fare from Vigan to Partas Terminal
553.00 Php - bus from Partas terminal to Dau Pampanga via Partas Trans
150.00 Php/hour - calesa ride
500.00 Php - room at Arcillana Lodging Inn with 3 beds

We left Dau terminal at 9:30 pm and arrived in Vigan at around 5:30 am. The bus dropped us at Plaza Salcedo.

Plaza Salcedo

We went to Plaza Vigan Hotel however it was already fully-booked and since we don't want to walk around anymore we just asked where we can stay at low cost and we were referred to Arcillana Lodging Inn. At Arcillana's we were able to get a room with 3 beds at 500.00 Php. It has a ceiling fan and 3 common bathrooms outside. The water in the bathroom was a bit murky, you need it to settle a bit to clear. Nonetheless, we didn't die (^-^).

Room #3

Arcillana Inn is located at San Julian del Sur. Along that road you can also find El Juliana Hotel and other lodgings. Arcillana is a walkable distance to Calle Crisologo but since we're all weak when it comes to direction walking seems longer than normal because we would end up going to the wrong place and would eventually ask where San Julian Sur is for us to work out where to go.

Going to ALI we rode a tricycle and we were charged 70.00 Php for the ride although the normal fare is 10.00 Php per person. We just let it go since it was still the wee hour of the day. We paid our room, settled and took a bath then walked our way to Calle Crisologo.

Calle Crisologo in the morning

the ubiquitous carriage-like benches 

We had the Calesa tour as our first activity of the day.

Our first stop was the Bantay Bell Tower.

a crowded day at the Bantay Bell Tower

They said the Bantay Bell Tower is one of the setting of the movie "Panday". We were only able to climb the first floor of the tower as it was too crowded that time.

Next we went to the Pagburnayan Pottery to view pot making.

It made me want to pot lol. Anybody there who knows kow to make pots？ Maybe you can teach me for free hehe

Last stop is Hidden Garden where we had our lunch.

drop some coins and make a wish :)

chill and take some pictures

 

I love plants！

             where the bonsais are

After some picture-taking we ordered some food for lunch.

We had a plate of longganisa (6 pieces) for 130.00  Php (it's a bit salty) and pinakbet for 150.00 Php (served in an earthenware as on th above photo). The way the pinakbet was cooked is similar to what we have at home except that theirs has a hint of ginger on it. We also had a serving of poqui poqui which is eggplant with egg and again it was salty.

After eating, we asked to be brought back to Plaza Salcedo. Be cautious on your calesa rides though. Take note of the time you started the tour. Ours lasted for 3 hours but the "cuchero" is charging us for 4 hours. Good thing I took note of the time when we started.

We went back to our lodging and took a nap then went back to Plaza Salcedo.

the site of the dancing fountain with St. Paul's Cathedral at the background

Ice Cream

We got a tricycle to bring us to Baluarte. The fare is 60.00 Php.

with the horses

overlooking the field and mountain

Baluarte and the decapitated dinosour

a dead tree？

Baluarte closes at 6.00 pm good thing we got there at 5.00 pm.

We took our early dinner at Inasal which ws a wrong move as it made us miss the Dancing Fountain presentation at Plaza Salcedo. The presentation was already on its climax when we got to the plaza. We heard that the presentation starts at around 7:00 pm.or 7:30 so prepare to be there in advance. The music gave me goosebumps. 

We just ambulated the rest of the night, savoring the cool air, watching the crowd, the glittering lights, the large Christmas Tree near the Capitol and taking pictures.

the streets at night

chairs had to be brought outside to accomodate diners

The next day we were planning to wake up at 5:00 am but the coldness of the morning tempted us to linger longer in bed. We walked to Plaza Salcedo and had our breakfast on a carinderia in front of Mc Donalds. Their goto is delicious and their longganisa are also good. You can also find ATMs within a few meters. We left Vigan at around 9:00 am and we're already onboard a Partas bus to Dau at around 9:30am. I'm happy to have been able breathe fresh air, it may not be too fresh but at least a far cry fresher than the air in Clark.