Finally I found the time to blog on this. Haha! I promised to make a post on my first experience on travelling alone. So here goes!
As usual we booked 6 months early as Cebu Pacific offered promo fares. We booked a flight from Cebu - Manila, round trip and Laoag - Manila which cost us a total of 2,000 Php each. Not bad since Laoag - Manila flights have always been costly.
On the day of our planned trip I had to travel alone since Kesh, my travel buddy had to fly to Dubai :) and Elle had to work that day as well. I opted to spend the night in Vigan rather than in Manila. I didn't care if I had to travel alone in a bus for 10 hours. The last thing I wanted was to immerse myself into the overpopulated, chaotic and fast-paced Manila life.
From what my friend told me, there are 2 bus terminals with trips going to Vigan. The taxi dropped me off at Cubao Partas terminal. I bought bus tickets to Vigan (P665) and took the 12 AM trip to the historical city. I had a big smile on my face as I settled down on my seat, looking forward to a big adventure ahead.
It was a pleasant 8-hour bus ride. The bus was clean and airconditioned. The seats were comfortable, too. I woke up at 6 AM and failed to get back to sleep, as over excitement started to overpower me. At 8:10 AM we arrived in Vigan. I took a pedicab going to my hotel, left my things and walked my way to, of course, Calle Crisologo. I stayed by the way at HEM apartelle, just 2 blocks away from the famous historical street. The place cost 600Php per night, with airconditioning and hot and cold shower. I loved my room as it looked modern, contrary to other hotel rooms I've seen as I started looking online for places to stay. I love going to historical places but I don't intend on sleeping inside one (gives me the creeps). Haha.
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| Calle Crisologo at 9am |
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| Vigan's popular empanada |
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| Good place to stay if you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city. |
I spent the entire morning at Calle Crisologo. I walked the long street, looked into every souvenir shop, tried the famous Irene's Empanada (which tasted okay, not as what my taste buds expected), talked to locals and took lots of photos. The "calle" was quiet at that hour. Only a few tourists were there. I can feel the cool, early morning air seeping through my clothes. I sat on one of those kalesa-looking seats along the street, took deep breaths and tried to enjoy that very moment for as long as I could. Everything seemed so surreal. I can't believe I was actually there. I pinched myself and man, was I glad I wasn't dreaming!
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| I really felt like I was back in the Spanish era. |
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| My favorite spot. Gives a good view of the locals and tourists passing by. I was merely people-watching. |
I decided to have lunch at the famous Cafe Leona. In one sitting I tried everything on my bucket list: Vigan's pinakbet, longganisa and bagnet. They offer these Vigan specialties served with rice as one meal for 290Php. I must say for a girl like me that solo meal was too much. Haha. Or maybe because I didn't enjoy the food that much. It tasted "okay." I guess my expectations were just too high.
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| Even the restaurants are well-preserved. |
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| Lunch at Cafe Leona. |
After lunch I decided to go back to the hotel, shower, change and take a rest. At 2:30 PM I then went to the Crisologo Museum and Bantay Bell tower. The rain started to pour as I was about to leave the tower. I headed straight to my hotel room and prayed the rain would stop, but it never did until I woke up at 12 AM, starving. It was so frustrating I didn't get to see the dancing fountain at the plaza and Calle Crisologo at night! I had no other choice but to satisfy my hungry tummy with comfort food I bought for the trip - chocolates and junk food.
I woke up at, unbelievably 4:30 AM the next day. I guess At the back of my mind I knew I was alone and was scared to see an old lady dressed in traditional Filipiniana standing right at my doorway. LOL. For the rest of the morning I had my walking tour. Calle Crisologo, Plaza Salcedo and St. Augustine's church. Thank God for the locals who were willing to take photos! Haha! One of the drawbacks of travelling solo!
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| St. Augustine's Church |
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| A walk at Plaza Salcedo. A passerby was kind enough to take this photo. Haha. |
My friend Elle arrived at around 9:00 AM. We then visited Baluarte. It is a mini zoo owned by Gov. Chavit Singson, with no entrance fee. Next stop was Pagburnayan pottery making. We tried to make pots as well and it was fun. The best part was getting your hands dirty. Haha. Lunch time and we dropped by Cafe Uno. The sizzling bagnet was superb!
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| Pottery making |
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| Our unforgettable lunch at Cafe Uno. |
After lunch we headed towards the bus terminal. Luckily after a few minutes of waiting our bus going to Laoag arrived. We hurriedly boarded the bus, all set for another adventure.
