Sinjin’s Roadtrip to Enchanting Ilocandia

PRELUDE

Region I or better known as “Ilocandia” lies in the northwestern coast of the island of Luzon. It is composed of the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, occupying a total land area of 12,840 square kilometers. People living in the region are the Ilocanos.

What has been planned for years has finally come to fruition. It was my first time to do a roadtrip to the North and it is definitely an unforgettable experience. I will not hesitate to revisit the region once the opportunity comes. For the meantime, I would like to share our marvelous and astonishing experience up there. I’m writing our experience also to help others who desire to visit the place but don’t know the essential information such as where to start, what to visit, etc.

TIPS:

• Plan your roadtrip ahead. You can’t just go there unprepared. Finalize your itinerary, and your hotel bookings.
• Buy some maps. I recommend EZ Maps. Get the Luzon EZ Map (shows the entire national highway sytsem for Luzon, as well as major roads, distances and cities) and the San Fernando, La Union, Vigan and Laoag EZ Map. It is exciting and interesting to see where you are and how far you have gone in the North. Also, this gives you an assurance that you are on the right track.
• Get your cash ready and don’t rely on ATMs. The further you get in the North, the lesser the ATMs are.
• Check your car days before your roadtrip. Make sure it is well tuned up. You wouldn’t want to encounter engine troubles while you’re enjoying your roadtrip, right? Also, make sure your tires have the right pressure and bring a spare tire.
• Keep your gas half full all the time. Whenever you see a gas station, don’t hesitate, get your tank refilled.
• Bring food and drinks. At times when making a stopover is untimely, it helps if you have with you some chips and bottled/canned drinks to fill your stomach.

Here are the details of our Roadtrip to Ilocandia:
(please check them out and feel free to ask questions, post comments and other stuff related to the photos and information posted)

1. La Maja Rica Hotel
2. Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine
3. Basilica of Our Lady of Charity
4. Bauang and San Fernando
5. Ilocos Sur
6. Nearing Vigan
7. Vigan
8. Vigan Calesa Ride
9. Calle Crisologo
10. Racing with the Sun
11. Cape Bojeador
12. Waves of Burgos and Windmills of Bangui
13. Patapat Viaduct
14. The Blue Lagoon
15. Saud
16. Revisiting Burgos
17. St. William’s Cathedral
18. Batac Church
19. Paoay Church
20. Mariano Marcos State University
21. The Gift
22. Vigan Plaza Hotel
23. Vigan at Night
24. Waking up in Vigan
25. More on Vigan Plaza Hotel
26. Chavit Singson’s Playground
27. Animalandia
28. The Mansion
29. Bantay Church and Belltower
30. Quirino Bridge
31. Goodbye Ilocos Sur
32. Goodbye La Union
33. Goodbye Pangasinan
34. The End

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