Maira-ira Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

March 19, 2008 by Janey

Time check: 09:55 PM. I timidly approached a slim guy holding a Photoholic banner at the assembly venue in Mc Donald’s Quezon Avenue. It was the night of the Peninsula Siege and the government declared a 12MN curfew. I’ve never experienced a curfew imposed by the government before and I was terribly afraid of breaking any law. Leia who said that we have all the necessary papers and identification to validate our trip to Ilocos calmed my fears.

I first stumbled across Travel Factor through their post in the PH Photo yahoo groups. I was deeply intrigued since the trip was dubbed as Photoholic. I am not a professional photographer nor am I a photo hobbyist since I can’t find the time to actually go out and shoot. I’ve only taken my Canon DSLR for a ride on 11 occasions since I first bought it 2 years ago. I love taking pictures though of scenery, people, food, captured moments… does that consider me as photoholic? Nevertheless, I booked Bubba and me for the Ilocos trip, again unbeknown to him. It was my pre-Christmas trip for him. I deposited the payment before the cut-off date and availed 2 slots.

Let me take you to a photo essay cum time blog of the tour.

DAY 1 (11/30/2007)

6:00 AM

ETA Vigan

St. Augustine Parish Church of Bantay and Bell Tower

7:00 – 8:00

Breakfast at Villa Angela Heritage House

First taste of authentic Vigan longganisa. I still prefer the crunchy Lucban or Alaminos longganisa but Vigan’s was yummy.

8:00 – 11:00

Walking Tour of Vigan Crisologo Street

St. Paul’s Cathedral @ St. Paul’s Bell Tower and Plaza Salcedo

Paburnayan Pottery Making

11:00 – 12:00

Buffet Lunch at Villa Angela Heritage House

12:30

Batac and Paoay

Marcos Museum

Paoay Church

Malacañang of the North

Laoag

Fort Ilocandia – X Sand Dunes – X Sinking Bell Tower

07:00 PM

Check-in at Polaris Beach House, Saud Beach

Buffet Dinner at Polaris Beach House

08:00 PM

Karaoke Time

DAY 2 (12/01/2007)

5:30 AM

Sunrise at Bangui Windmill

Brrr… It was freezing cold when I stepped out of the pink bus. The cold morning did not let up. I didn’t realize what was in front of me. Amazing, gigantic windmills!!! I’ve never seen anything as large and as many. It was a sight to behold, an experience to see. It’s weird but I can just stare at them the whole day and remain fascinated.

8:00 AM

Trekking at Kabigan Falls

It was my first time to trek and it wasn’t so bad. It was one of the activities I enjoyed during the trip. It only took 20 minutes to trek to Kabigan Falls. We had to walk in the woods and cross mini-streams.

It was also my first time to see a bee hive –and a massive one at that.

12:00 NN

Picnic Lunch at Maira-ira Blue Lagoon

The picnic lunch here was my favorite meal of the trip. They served Filipino Style Curry Chicken, Barbeque Chicken, Rice and Eggplant Salad and everything was delicious.