Ilocos Escapade

February 26: Manila-Pagudpud

Us 6 (Five, Keti, Franny, Karla, Bnx and me) recently went to Ilocos for 3 days and 2 nights. It was actually an unplanned plan but we were able to pull-off this super HAPPY trip. Our scheduled departure time is 9:30PM (YES, we are trying our luck to a 10 to 12-hour land travel) so our call time is 6PM. This was last February 26. I had my leave filed in order to prepare but I forgot that I have been scheduled to have a picture-taking in Comelec for my voter's ID. So I went to Comelec early to have my 1x1 photoshoot and right after, I went off to buy some important stuff before my 3-day absence at home. Gosh, time flies so fast today! I haven't packed my things yet and it's past 4PM!

At home, Xioms is widely awake and needed shower before sleeping. I have no choice but to do it or I'll be knocked out dead by my mom. After doing the baby stuff chores, I hastily packed my things. I was like an unstoppable whirling top. And yes, when I got to Ilocos that's when I realized I forgot some essentials!

Franny, Karla, Bnx and I arrived early at España (where Florida buses are). Keti was already there. I bet she's the MOST excited of all, to think that she came from a GY shift huh! Hehehe. We're still waiting for Five -- the VIP, so we decided to eat our dinner first. After eating, Franny decided to buy our tickets while waiting for the VIP. After an hour, I mean few minutes, Five finally arrived with her ever genius idea -- the Ziploc. This Ziploc will contain our monies and this is what we're going to spend once we reached Ilocos. Brilliant? I guess.

Our travel route: Manila-Pagudpud-Paoay-Laoag-Paoay-Vigan-Paoay-Laoag-Manila (and some municipalities in between)

at España

Going to Pagudpud, we rode the cutie pink/lavander bus of Florida Bus Lines. I sat beside Franny. Keti and Karla were partners as well as Five and Bnx. It was a boring journey because it was during the night and well, a torture for me. I had a hard time sleeping even when I reclined my seat, so I was awake the whole trip. I just wore my fabulous eye cover, had my earphones and turned the iPod's volume up. In short, I pretended I was asleep. Luckily, the bus did multiple stopovers, which means, Pitz & Karla's smoking time!

Bus tickets

Great pretender!

Then the sun shone upon us and I was sooo thrilled to see the beautiful humongous windmills. Shinning and glittering sun actually tells us we are almost there! Whooopeee!

February 27: Pagudpud

We finally arrived.

At Polaris Beach Resort

When I first saw the beach at Pagudpud, I couldn't explain what I felt. It was like breathtaking. The place was so peaceful and quiet, not crowded and it was absolutely amazing! Binky and I was so excited to sunbathe and to feel the sand while the others got themselves busy by capturing some photos of the magnificent site.

Pagudpud beach

We're bringing sexy back... yeah!

With my single ladies

Well, we have lots of things to do and places to go according to our itinerary and even if we don't want to leave the beach, we did. But we never felt bad about it because we've discovered more interesting and beautiful places in this region. Also, we promised that first thing to do the next morning is to go back to the beach. So it's absolutely okay.

The journey continued.

At Kabigan Falls

At Blue Lagoon

Yes, we love pictures!

Wacky shot somewhere up north!

The owner of the resort told us to come home early to witness the sunset and we're so glad that we did! There's no nightlife at Pagudpud (which is good) so we brought the nightlife there! Hahahaha.

Beautiful Pagudpud sunset

Inuman na!

One more time

February 28: Bangui-Paoay-Laoag (and some municipalities in between)

The next morning, only Karla and Franny were able to get up early and swim. I decided to sleep more. Keti got her, uhm, womanhood bad days.

According to our list, we will be visiting the famous Windmills in Bangui and the Cape Bojeador lighthouse. After, we'll go straight ahead to Paoay (where Ketchie, our friend tour guide lives) and Laoag.

More pics - which is worth a thousand words.

Famous Ilocos windmills

At Cape Bojeador

The classic Paoay church

At Marcos Mausoleum

Trying out the famous (and super delicious) empanada

Binky trying to imitate a horse somewhere in Laoag

At Laoag

At Laoag

Cool restroom in Laoag

Laoag City street

Stupid aristocrats

Dinner at Herencia de Paoay

Our bill. Not bad.

Hello!

Binky's dream finally came true and there's Kodi! The wonder dog!

bastards pretending to be in a soccer field

Franny's idea -- FRIENDS

Most wanted killers of Paoay

March 1: Vigan (and some municipalities in between)

Three words -- I LOVE VIGAN! Am an old school junk so Vigan for me is so cool! It's our last day so it's time to buy our pasalubongs! But of course before that, we went around the place to see the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines.

More and more pictures.

At Crisologo Street

I found an interesting book. Hmmm...

At Vigan church

At Vigan Bell Tower

Expenses... expenses... expenses!

Flight tix back to Manila

Aaaand finally, we're HOME!

It was really a great and exciting experience especially when you're with your closest FRIENDS. Next year??? Out of town or maybe out of the country. We'll see. Ta-ta!

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