My Vigan Solo Trip

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. 

Calle Crisologo at 9am

Vigan's popular empanada

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! 

I really felt  like I was back in the Spanish era.

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. 

Even the restaurants are well-preserved.

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!

St. Augustine's Church

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!

Pottery making

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.

  

A Few Hours Left to Savor Seoul

This is the part that I hate most about traveling. The time you realize you only have a few hours left before you leave for home, and you still want to do so much. You've learned to love the place and everything in it, and you don't want to go just yet. That bittersweet feeling.

Our flight was at 2000H so we did a last-minute shopping at Myeongdong (the place to be. Haha). Actually we just wanted to spend the remaining money in our pockets. We did not want to bring home our Korean moolahs so might as well spend them. 

At 2pm we were ready to head for the airport. Luckily we can ride the airport limousine bus this time. It stops just a few blocks away from our building. It was the most comfortable bus ride ever, and dropped us off right at the airport entrance.

Limousine Bus. Very comfortable and hassle-free. I didn't want to get out the moment we arrived at the airport. Lol.

Time to say goodbye to Korea!

We were eager to go to the airport for one reason only -- to see the Hello Kitty Cafe. Unfortunately we did not have much time left before boarding so we just took pictures. We were hoping to stay there while waiting for our flight but it seemed futile since the cafe was very far from our boarding gate. Very disappointed (insert sad face).

This was the best part. Just waiting for our flight home. We loved Lotteria so much that we decided to bring some for dinner. Hehe.

The best part about this day was just sitting and relaxing at the boarding gate waiting for our flight, realizing we were so blessed to have experienced what we've experienced, looking at photos, exchanging laughter and funny stories of our South Korea adventure. And lastly, the thought that we're just a few hours away from home somewhat gave me a feeling of excitement. 

Seoul, Korea: A Visit to the Sea Creatures

Day 5. COEX Mall

It was officially our last day of roaming around Seoul so we decided to make it as easy, hassle-free and relaxing as possible. Our only plan for the day was to see the Aquarium at Coex mall. We were supposed to travel 2 hours to see the border between South and North Korea. The DMZ. Unfortunately though we did not research ahead of time and later found out that the DMZ closes every Monday. Too bad.

The COEX mall was so big we did not have the luxury of time nor the energy to walk around. The only reason we were there was for the famous aquarium. Indeed it was stunning. I've never been to Manila's ocean park so I can't really compare. But the former was really huge, too huge that it has a map.

The entrance in itself was creative. Those were real fish, btw.

 

 

Entrance fees. Quite pricey for an aquarium, I must say.

 

Who would've thought these weed-looking creatures were fish? Haha. Amazing. Forgot what kind they were.

They have a quite impressive presentation of fish.

School of fish. I've never seen so many salmons in my entire life. haha.

Deadly piranhas

I'm not really a fan of aquariums. I'd rather swim into the ocean to experience their natural habitat and see them for myself instead of the artificial man-made aquariums. But it turned out fun. I know I wouldn't see a piranha anywhere else except inside a four-walled glass container. Hehe. Still, for me the place was too costly. It was amazing and impressive but I guess I'm not really an aquarium kind of person. LOL.

Since it was our last day in Korea, we decided to feast on authentic Korean food--an eat-all-you-can buffet dinner. Yey!

The buffet dinner cost 11,900 KRW per person (almost 600php). Not that expensive but sooooo worth it! Some Korean buffets in Cebu even cost more but not that good.

Now this is what I say as really worth your money! Indeed authentic Korean food is ZE BEST! I have never eaten soooo much in my entire life! Haha!

We consumed everything. lol.

Dinner was perfect! It was a nearby restaurant, a few blocks from our place. They had a variety of everything! From appetizers and sauces to meat products (beef and pork in different marinades), seafood and drinks. They also serve rice and pasta. The staff were also very polite and accommodating. Gladly the one who served us spoke English. Hehe.

Sunday, Seoul Tower and Shopping!

Day 4. La Cathedral, Myeongdong Shopping Center and Seoul Tower

It was a sunny Sunday morning. First on our list was to hear mass at La Cathedral. It was one of the largest Catholic churches in Seoul located just along Myeongdong.

The cathedral from afar. Started the day right with a prayer.

After church a stroll along Myeongdong streets seemed appropriate before we head off to the much anticipated Seoul Tower. Shops just started to open as it was still 10am. We passed by stalls, cosmetic shops and  then H&M came to view, with a big red SALE sign at the window. A short stroll then turned into 2 hours of shopping. Haha.

Nagpanic sa h&m!

Myeongdong streets were not so busy at this time. When it starts to get dark this place gets jam-packed!

WARNING: This ice cream should be shard by 2 or 3 people. We passed by an ice cream corner and it looked enticing! We didn't realize it was too much for each of us. The ice cream started melting and we had to hastily eat them all at once! It was literally dripping everywhere! That's what you get from being too greedy. Lol!

It was 12nn when we started off to Seoul Tower-- a 236-meter tower sitting on top of Mt. Namsan. We opted for the cable car going there. From the streets of Myeongdong we walked our way to an outdoor elevator leading to the cable car station. It was an inclined elevator, which amazed all of us. From the station we paid the admission fees (7,000 KRW round trip per person). After tickets were distributed we had to wait in line for our turn to ride the cable cars. The cable car was similar to Hongkong's (the one going to Ngong Ping). Everything but the floor was made of glass, except this time it was so big it can accommodate a maximum of 48 people. We got a better view of the mountains below us. You can actually see everything, and that moment when I looked at the ground and saw the distance from it going farther and farther and us going higher to the mountains sent chills to my spine. Haha!
 

Inclined outdoor elevator going to the cable car rides.

We were amazed. Haha!

Even from the elevator you can see the beautiful city view.

The Seoul Tower was just the right place to relax. It had an open ground at the center where there was sort of a little show going on. Korean dance and martial arts were showcased. Surrounding it were benches under shades of trees, where people can sit or lie down, chat, laugh, sleep, read, run around and even eat. The fresh mid afternoon breeze from the mountains can lull you to sleep. Souvenir, food and coffee shops also surround the area. My favorite part of the place was the roof terrace where the "locks of love" can be found. People who go there hang padlocks at the tower fence with their names or little notes on them, as a symbol of eternal love.

After getting off the cable car we still had to use the stairs to get to the second level. We passed by a cafe with a good view of the city which looked like a really nice place to chill.

This greeted us. Not really sure what they were doing, though. Haha.

You can go to the top of the tower with another admission fee. We opted not to since we would get to see the same thing anyway. Hehehe.

Lunch. Gavin seemed not to like his lunch. Haha. This place has an al fresco area but all tables were full. It was the perfect spot because you get to see the entire city while munching on your fries and cheeseburger.

City view. This somewhat reminded me of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

After lunch we decided to sit back and relax at the benches nearby. We spent the entire afternoon at Namsan tower, just talking, taking photos, walking around and simply doing nothing. It was a prefectly relaxing afternoon for everyone.

Gavin and Yanna mimicking the famous Korean pose.

Korean dancers.

Breathtaking view. Such a romantic place.

Love locks for the hopeless romantic.

 

It was almost dark when we decided to head home. My sister highly recommended for us to try that delicious authentic Korean food near our place. This made us all sprung up from our lazy state. Haha.

Too exhausted to go out again, we decided to take the food home instead. Indeed it was yummy! The best I must say!