We woke up late the following day and prepared for our last day in Ilocos. The hotel provided complimentary breakfast which we didn't appreciate since we don't eat corned beef. *Sigh. Downside of being a picky eater.
After a so-so breakfast, we rode a tricycle to the bus terminal with buses headed to Vigan. Travel time is 3 hours and bus fare is Php 80.00 each.
Accommodation
We were checked-in at Balai Mestizo Travelodge. I wouldn't recommend it for an overnight stay. Our room was full of little mosquitoes, the bed reeks of old linen, and the common restroom has no flush, tissue and dipper. It wasn't a big deal for us since we just needed a place to put our stuff in while roaming around Vigan. The family economy room costs Php 1,050.00.
We rode a tricycle for Php 130.00 to get to 6 tourist spot destinations in Vigan: Bantay Church and Bell Tower, Pagburnayan Vigan Pottery and Jar Making, Hidden Garden, Baluarte, Syquia Mansion, and Calle Crisologo.
Itinerary
1. Bantay Church and Bell Tower. The Bantay Church, also known as St. Augustine Parish Church, was built by Augustinian Friars in 1590 making it one of the oldest churches in Ilocos Sur. It also houses the image of Our Lady of Charity, the Patroness of Ilocandia.
A few meters away from the church is the Bantay Bell Tower. You have to register first before entering the bell tower. There's no entrance fee but donations are accepted. :)
The Bantay Bell Tower was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II because of its strategic location. Thus, the word 'Bantay' which means guard in English.
The bells at the top of the belfry are still being used.
We bought Tinubong, a sticky sweet delicacy, which were being offered by vendors outside the church.
2. Pagburnayan Vigan Pottery and Jar Making. Pagburnayan is a place where old and authentic methods in pottery are still being applied. "Burnay" is an earthenware jar crafted by a potter's hand with the aid of a potter's wheel. They use anay as a material and heat it with high temperature to ensure it's harder and more durable. There's no entrance fee.
Finished pots displayed at the Pagburnayan
Seems legit, eh? ;) You can try pottery making here for free.
There are souvenir shops within the area.
3. Hidden Garden. Located deep within the heart of Vigan is the Hidden Garden which green thumbs and foodies alike would surely love. You can buy ornamental plants and clay pots here and enjoy a hearty meal at the restaurant inside, the Lilong and Lilang Restaurant (Lilong and Lilang means grandfather and grandmother in the local dialect).
The owner of Hidden Garden, Francis Flores, suffered three heart attacks and half of his body was paralyzed four years ago. It became an eye opener for him so he decided to learn gardening and became a landscape architect. Initially, it was just for therapy but the garden became a family business eventually.
They also do services like landscape design, landscape manitenance, waterfalls setup, fountain, grotto, and stage decoration.
At the entrance to Hidden Garden
The North's Garden of Eden
Our corner! ;)
Mango shake, pork barbeque, and sinigang for lunch
4. Baluarte. It's a mini-zoo privately owned by former Ilocos Sur Governor, Chavit Singson. It's open to the public everyday for free, from 7am-6pm. Most of the animals here can freely roam around the enormous compound.
The three of us riding the "Tiburin," a small horse-drawn carriage. This ride is free.
These parrots couldn't stop the kissing. They loved the attention they were getting from us. ;)
Picture taking with the snake and parrots are free but donations are highly appreciated.
My first time to hold a snake 
The biggest butterfly you'll ever see ;)
5. Syquia Mansion. This colonial mansion built in 1830 is the ancestral home of Dona Alicia Syquia, wife of former president Elpidio Quirino. It houses President Quirino's extensive memorabilia and is still being used by members of the Quirino family.
This antique carriage greets every tourist visiting the mansion.
A giant painting of former President Elpidio Quirino is displayed in the lobby.
Replica of Juan Luna's "Spoliarium"
Here are some trivia shared by our perky tour guide:
- Owning a mirror is a status symbol before. The bigger the mirror, the richer you are.
- If you break a mirror, you have to serve the family for seven years - the source of the superstition about "Seven years of bad luck."
- Back then, a typical house had passageways for the servants who where not allowed in the main areas of their master's house and could only walk along the sides of the house. Thus, the term "Aliping Sagigilid."
- The mansion has peeping holes in the master's bedroom and second floor which were used to view visitors in the receiving area before they were allowed to enter the grand living room.
The street is named after Mena Pecson Crisologo, the first governor of Ilocos Sur and popularizer of Ilocano art and literature.
According to the tour guide in Syquia Mansion, the reason why Vigan was spared during the WWII bombings is because a Japanese General fell in love with an Ilocana. See what love can do? ;)
We bought special empanada for Php 35.00 and had Mocha frappuccino at "Coffee Break."
Cars are not allowed to pass through the main area of Calle Crisologo so I took the liberty of sitting in the cobblestone street.
The facade features Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles but the cathedral has been classified to be mainly Baroque.
Above the main portal are the sword and Bible which represent Saint Paul. Above them is a niche occupied by the statue of St. Paul.
After paying a visit to St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, we had dinner and returned to Calle Crisologo to buy pasalubong and see a different side of it at night time.
A lot of souvenir items can be found along Calle Crisologo from food, antiques, shirts, and other trinkets.
They say Calle Crisologo is a must-see at night. Indeed!
Calle Crisologo at night. So magical!
Time really flies fast when you're enjoying! We hated to say goodbye but we have school and work waiting for us in Manila. We boarded an airconditioned bus and paid Php 600.00 each for the 8 hr. bus ride.
Ilocos is, by far, my favorite travel destination. 3 days and 2 nights is definitely not enough but we're grateful we had visited the best Ilocos has to offer. Will I come back? Definitely! :)
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