ESKAPO: ILOCOS NORTE (Cape Bojeoador Lighthouse, Bangui Windmill Farm, Pagudpud Beach, Ilocos Norte Capitol)

Another backlog post and continuation of my 4th #eskapo in ILOCOS REGION. After touring the south, we're now heading down to the north.

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This is from the second day of our tour in Ilocos. We woke up at 6AM to start our day. We first had breakfast on bed then we continue our road trip.

I feel so excited on Day 2 because we will be having a day on the beach! But before we get there, we first went to this eyegasming structure in Ilocos.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

There are lots of tourists that time and the place is not that big that's why we experienced the siksikan factor when we get there.

The place is so good and very relaxing. You can feel the summer breeze up here.

miniature.

super miniature.

stairs up to the lighthouse.

We weren't able to enter the lighthouse itself because it's locked so we just had to take pictures on sides.

Only then I realized that PAROLA was the Filipino translation of LIGHTHOUSE.

a brief history

souvenirs!

Our bus was located down below and my friend said that we shouldn't took the trike to go down. We should at least take a walk down to feel the place. We also had to take pictures in the middle of the road. Actually, she only had it. hehe

Our next stop was at La Paz Sand Dunes but I wasn't able to take a picture of it because my Niko was low bat but I can give a hint about the place.

La Paz Sand Dunes was the only desert in the Philippines. It is where the movie "Ang Panday" casted by Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista was taken. And of course, the unforgettable scene from Nora Aunor's movie where she said, "Walang Himala" was also taken here.

I wasn't able to experience the sand skii because I didn't bring extra money for that. Pity me. Anyway, after that, we had our way to the windmills :) I'm pretty much excited to see real windmills.

To Windmill :)

There they are!

And this is the actual picture of the windmill rather the wind turbines of Ilocos.

They said that this is not a windmill because it doesn't have mills so the perfect term for this is a wind turbine. People near this place get their electricity from the turbines itself. Those who are far, pay their electric bills while those who are near (those who live by the shore) didn't have to pay anymore because they took care and look after the wind turbines.

If the wind turbine is active, it means that it is charging but if it's not, it means that it's ready to be used by the people.

miniature windmills :)

Look at the sea :) Green and Blue. It only shows that it's fresh and deep.

And my Ilocos trip wouldn't be that memorable without this WAVES! It almost kills me that's why I had phobia in huge waves. Yes, I love capturing them but as I had my desire, it took away my love for waves. Why? My friend and I went near the shore to have our pictures taken and I wanted to witness a one-of-a-kind wave exposure. At first, I felt nothing like it's okay. It's normal, some sort of that but when the waves splashed the second and third time around, my feet was suddenly eaten by the sand and it took me hard to get out of the sand. Then the fourth came in when I look at my friend and said, "Teng, lumulubog ako."

I really looked like a cry-baby that time because I was so scared. So my friend grabbed my hand and helped me get out of my place. I was so thankful that time and I promised not to go near the shore when the waves are big.

 Bangui Windmill Farm

And for our last destination for the day, we went to the famous Pagudpud beach! We stayed at Villa Del Mar Resort for a one day beach experience. It's my second time to see white sand and I wasn't that disappointed because I can see the real scene in a beach. What do I mean? Hmmm… first time I went to a white sand beach was on Samal Island in Davao. The beach is good and it's hot but the waves aren't active. Unlike here in Pagudpud, the waves are very active and it's nice to do surfing here. And because I got phobia on waves, I just stayed near the shore and didn't dive in to the water. Pity me talaga.

Pagudpud White sand Beach

I wasn't able to take pictures at the beach because the waves are huge and I'm afraid that my camera will got wet. And after a summer experience at Pagudpud, we now went back to our hotel.

During our free time, we went to the city proper to find something to eat and to look around the place too. So we've witnessed how the capitol looks like by night and my friend was there on the side haha.

Ilocos Norte Capitol by night.

Day 3 soon :)

ESKAPO: ILOCOS SUR (Vigan, Baluarte, Malacanang Ti Amianan)

Hi again! After my 12345678900987654321th hiatus I'm back! hahaha! I will be posting another backlog post from my fourth ESKAPO featuring the NORTH--Ilocos Sur--but I will be posting three blogs for this because I want to show the beauty of Ilocos. So I will be starting from south to north to south of Ilocos :D Come and join me and Niko on our trip to the North :)

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This has been my employer's gift to their employees (us) since we did a very nice job last school year. So it's such a generous blessing from the Lord :) and too sweet, too hihihi

Anyway, it's a 3 days trip and I do enjoyed it a lot.

Morning Glory. Ohhh Ilocos :) 5AM shot. A bit blurry coz it was taken from the bus.

We stopped over Hotel Salcedo de Vigan for our breakfast :)

The food were expensive but it's worth the price.

From the entrance hall of the hotel to the dining area. The place was so vintage.

For our first day in Ilocos, the Ilocanos allow us to savour their Vigan Longganisa ^____^ made especially with Vigan suka :D yumm!

And as I remember, I went back 2x to the buffet table because the food is irresistible or I'm just too gluttonous? hahaha whatever!

I also remember what my co-teacher told us... she said,

"In the morning, eat like a King."

"In the afternoon, eat like a Prince."

"And in the evening, eat like a Beggar."

I really don't know what she means and how she wanted me to understand it hahaha! Anyway, after breakfast, we went to our next stop...

BALUARTE which was Chavit Singson's property.

Huge replica of dinosaurs will welcome you to Baluarte. It's too early that time, I guess 8AM, and we're the first comers hehe. Too excited, eh?

BAAAAH! Cutest replica ever! I just hope it won't move hahaha! It's the biggest though. Imagine you're in the middle of these replicas and then they started to move? OMG! hahaha.

Good morning KOIS :)

Goats... they're just walking along the way and like they care if you walk with them haha. Goats are kinda snob, ya know?

Donkeys! It's my first time to see donkeys :) I thought they are just little horses but they're not :D

A gorgeous peacock. I always admire peacocks and for me, they are one of the examples of God's art through animals :) but one thing I hate about them? When they start to wiggle or whatsoever you call that wiggling thingy... I always had goosebumps. Eeeew.

Moving on, it's also my first time to see deers with these horns. Are they reindeers? hahaha :D There are lots of them in Baluarte and they smell like goats hahaha.

and last, TIGER... rawr! I wasn't able to capture the tiger closely coz they're scary haha! The first one was the tiger from the highest cage (literally) where you will walk numerously just to see this snob tiger and the second one was the tiger on the side of the entrance to Baluarte.

Map of Ilocos :) It's torn hahaha.

Of course, souvenir shops are always present everywhere in Baluarte.

Third stop, Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center and Photo Museum.

This statue will welcome you when you enter the Presidential Center. Actually, the center itself was the storyline on how the former President Ferdinand Marcos became a president. That's why he quoted...

"For Every Tear, A Victory." 

During the days of his duty as a Senator.

Lovely wedding picture of Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos.

Old books he have read and used during his time.

I'm not so sure but I guess, this is a "Mickey Mouse Money."

Imelda Marcos' Gorgeous Filipinianas.

A replica of Imelda's shoes.

History Maker. 11 day of romance :) <3 <3

Ferdinand Marcos' study table.

Ferdinand's clothes.

After touring the center, we are supposed to see the remains of the former president but because I'm so scared of dead people, I just waited for them outside then we continue the tour to the photo gallery at the back of the center.

As you can see there are lots of old pictures inside the gallery and if I can only shot the whole gallery in one click, you'll see how this LOTS mean.

Well, I found this miniature cute :D Terracotta warriors :) cool

After Presidential Center, we passed through Laoag Church. The church I really wanted to see. I'm no catholic nor a fanatic to idols... i just want to see this church because of the movie "Suddenly It's Magic" of Erich Gonzales and Mario Maurer. If you have watched that movie, you'll understand why I got so interested to see this.

And finally, welcome to the Malacanang of the North or the Malacanang Ti Amianan. This is such a nice place to stay in. Perfect for the first family.

The house's entrance. Such a fairytale life :)

This beautiful display will welcome you from the vestibule of the house.

Grandeur helical stairs from the left. I really love this part coz it's so opulent and luxurious.

Another eye-catcher is this veranda. It's so relaxing and the ambiance is so calm.

Center table in the hall.

My favourite sofa in their house. It's too classy and you'll feel so Epicurean when you got to have this one :D

hallway from Senator Bongbong Marcos' room to the guest room.

The blueprint of Marcos.

Miniature of Laoag International Airport.

Marcos' Office.

The guest room. Well, if I will be given a chance to stay here... I don't feel that I am just a "guest" because having this kind of room means you are SPECIAL and well appreciated.

Senator Bongbong Marcos' Room. See his picture? hehe.

Going up, this is where they accept visitors too. They have a lot of living rooms, if I must say.

View from above :) so relaxing.

Tons of tables and chairs upstairs.

This is the Master's bedroom sofa set.

Master's Bed. As you can see, it's not that long but it's wide because they said that the former president is not that tall either. So this was made customised for the first couple.

Their CLOOOOOSSSEEEET inside a mini room.

And another CLOOOOOSSSEEEET outside the mini room. Closet everywhere :D

Chandelier.

Another set of sofa.

Very stylish decor. Who says vintage is not cool? Hmf!

View below. That lake, as the rumors said, was only artificial coz the Marcoses believed that their house should be surrounded by waters. Well, that's what they told us. I'm just listening :D

And my #eskapo will not end without capturing beautiful flowers :)

And tasty food! hehehe. This one is called, "tinubong." Well, I can't actually define what is it. All I can comment is... it's good when it's hot :D

Lastly, the much loved "macaroons" :)) The best as always :D

And there! That ends the FIRST DAY of my Ilocos Trip. I hope you guys enjoyed it :)

Comments are much loved <3

God bless!

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P.S.

Let's pray for the Philippines.

Stay safe!

love,

-psy<3