Honeymoon Trip with my wife

Northern Philippine Trip - First stop Vigan, Ilocos Sur

We have a long trip going to Northern part of the Philippines and we departed from Partas terminal at Cubao, Quezon City about 11:00 P.M. last January 2, 2008. We arrived at Partas Vigan terminal about 6:00 A.M., January 3, 2008, the trip was 7 hours and from the terminal we go straight to the hotel that we reserved "Vigan Heritage Mansion - recommended hotel to stay in Vigan" and we rest for about 3 hours.

Short information of Vigan City

VIGAN City: Where the past has a powerful present

Vigan...the only heritage City in the Philippines, where time stood still...
where images of antiquated houses, narrow cobbled streets, calesas and friendly places welcome everyone...
a time capsule which captivates one's imagination...
where modernity, tradition and culture blend well to suit with the demands of the times...
where it's people's unparalleled culture and history continue to unite them...
where it's people reflect a convergence of rich religious tradition and modern culture -
an eternal reflection of universal human ingenuity and faith...

Visit to Vigan Historic Places...

After our rest, we prepare for our visit to different historic places here in Vigan. These are the places that we visit in Vigan:

1. Calle Crisologo - the historic street in Vigan, Spanish time
2. Syquia Mansion - the house of wife of former President Elpidio Quirino. This is the Malacañang of the North in the time of President Quirino.
3. Plaza Burgos - a landmark tribute to Father Jose P. Burgos
4. Vigan City Hall
5. Ilocos Sur Capitol
6. UNESCo Marker
7. Burgos Museum - Father Jose Burgos House and Museu, contains his memorabilia; cultural, archaeogical and enthnographic treasures, antique collections; 14 Esteban Pichay Villanueva canvasses depicting the 1807 Basi Revolt.
8. Crisologo Museum - houses the memorabilia of the late Congressman Floro Crisologo, also known as father of Social Security System or SSS. Floro Crisologo is the father of Bro. Vincent "Bingbong Crisologo".
9. Pagburnayan - where traditional Vigan burnay (jars) are made.
10. St. Paul's Cathedral - an Ilocano or Earthquake Baroque style church originally built on 1574 by Juan de Salcedo
11. Baluarte - Chavit Singson's Zoo, a skeet shooting range, butterfly garden and pony rides.
12. Plaza Salcedo - rises majestically amidst placid lagoon; features the Juan de Salcedo Monument, the oldest of it's kind in Northern Luzon; it is where Gabriela Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.

Vigan Trip Expenses:

1. Fare: Manila to Vigan - PhP 575.00/person - Partas regular aircon, Terminal to Vigan Heritage Mansion - Php 30.00 -tricycle ride. Partas has De Luxe Bus which will give you a comfortable ride.
2. Hotel: Room for 2 (Queenzise bed, hot and cold shower, TV with cable) - PhP 2000.00/day
3. Fare in the City - PhP 10.00 per tricycle ride
4. Calesa ride - PhP 150.00/hour
5. Visit fee to each historic places - PhP 10.00 - 20.00, sometimes just a donation or free
6. Baluarte visit - No visit fee and pony ride fee.
7. Longanisa price - PhP 100.00 per half kilo
8. Chichacorn price - 3 big size for PhP 100.00, the small one is PhP 20.00 each or 3 for PhP 50.00
9. Tinubong - PhP 100.00/4 small kawayan
10. Kalamay - PhP 20.00 / plastic or "supot"

Thanks to Tourism Office of Vigan... More information in my next posts... Hotels, Transportation, Restaurants and others...