a trip to the north (continuation)

It was ages before I finally fulfilled my promise of tomorrow. :)

well na saan na ba ako, I ended up my last blog enumerating the places we visited while riding the kalesa. after the museums the driver told us that we are going to a place called Baluarte and since he's the expert on the tourist sites of Vigan we just enjoyed the sceneries while we are heading baluarte. :)

when we arrived near the area, it is then when I realized that Baluarte is the famed zoo of Chavit Singson where you can actually feed and mingle with the animals and even take a picture of their huge tiger. That's when I get very excited. I cant believe that I will actually have a chance to hug that dream pet I always had. well aside from the lion that is first from my list, a growling tiger can appease my longing. I enjoyed feeding the camel and looking at the other animals like the snake, wild boar, parrots, peacock and a lot more. I'm really having a blast though at first I almost lost the chance of having my picture taken with the tiger. time is up so the zoo advised me to come back the next day, and so I did! :) after Baluarte we found a room at Grandpa's Inn near the Crisologo street the famous street where old spanish homes were built and preserve. Sad to say that only the outer look was still the same the inside were either empty or already modernized but its still fun to step back in time while walking In Vigan. After some shopping we dined the side street way. after a little walk to Vigan's peaceful streets we dozed off with smiles on our faces. time check 10PM.

by 8am the next morning we were already back in baluarte, the picture booth with the tiger starts at 9.30 so we have to wait. we were debating if we should wait since our next stop is pagudpod which is hours away from Vigan. but ofcourse I still won, when would be my next chance to see myself beside a full grown tiger this might never happen again so I paid 100 pesos for 2 poses with the tiger plus my camera focused to me and my new found pet by my etneb. it was a really nice experience. plus i was able to hold a bear cat, a monkey and a yellow reptile that looks like an iguana. I forgot its name. :) I left Baluarte with a genuine smile plastered upon my face. This is really a vacation that I would never dare forget.

after a quick visit to the Vigan market on our lost quest to find the white kalamay which we (me and my sisters) called white mens because of its white sticky look haha! we rode a bus back to Loaog at 1pm, its a nicer bus than the one we rode on our way to Vigan and so I slept through the bumpy long ride.

Next Stop: Loaog - to find another bus that will lead us to Pagudpod and the famed Bangui windmills just before the beach haven. :) another an hour or so ride in an ordinary bus :) but still I am so excited to see the pristine beaches of Pagudpod. :) Time then is 3PM.

Whew! Still have a long way to write, I'll update as soon as I can and really sooner this time:)
date updated May 22, 09 :)

a trip to the north

I went North last February 21 to 23 and of course I had a blast. Visited Vigan (the heritage city of the spanish era), Pagudpod (pristine beaches with glistening green water even at night) and Laoag (the Marcoses domain.)

After landing in Loaog airport by 11am of Feb 21, we planned the route that we are about to take. we agreed to visit Vigan first so we boarded a mini bus with a Vigan signage. I asked the conductor, Manong magkano po hanggang Vigan? (How much is the fare until Vigan?) we are thinking that its just a 30 minute max ride so I am expecting a cheap fare. I am surprised to hear that the fare is 100pesos per person because I am not prepared for a looong ride. we then compared the prices in Manila. From Buendia to Palapala Cavite is a P50+ 2 hour or more ride+traffic so what am I expecting in a P100 peso fair in the province. Its an enjoyable bumpy ride with lots of greens and brown sceneries. And before I forgot we are riding in an ordinary bus! just imagine that 2 and a half rough drive. But its fun, the air is good and my hair is everywhere, I am just really excited to reach my destination and very hungry for a satisying northern lunch. :)

We reached Vigan at about 2:30 pm so of course we are dying to eat lunch, first we bought a map of vigan to help us on our navigation around the area then we ate at cafe leona and ordered a spanish style I guess shredded beef steak and its a good fare not just because I am hungry. :)

A kalesa is already waiting for us outside the diner, Manong Michelle will tour us around Vigan for a P250 per hour rate.

1st stop - the pottery photos are in my picasa website. :) will upload it here next time.
then the museums/old houses of the crisologo family, late President Elpidio Quirino and Father Burgos one of the three martyrs.

(I am out of time but will update tomorrow) :)

food photography

just want to share my first attempt in food photography. inspired by john rojo and lori baltazar some of the speakers in the Power of Pen: food writing workshop held in Bonifacio high street last March 19-20. john is a known food photographer while Lori is the author of the popular food blogging site www.dessertcomesfirst.com.


sorry for the fork :)


Is this an enticing penne pasta?


marang fruit from cagayan de oro.