Full Blast at Laoag's Best / Herencia Cafe, Paoay Church, Fort Ilocandia, Paoay Lake

You just have to choose what food to serve on your table when you visit Ilocos.

Is it Poque-poque, Utong (String Beans), or Kabatiti (Patola or luffa)?

Hehe, sounds green tsk...tsk...Coz for us Filipinos especially Manilenios, we know what these means right? But Ilocanos have shake their head form left to right kasi iba ang ibig sabihin nito sa kanila, it only means delicious FOOD!

Paoay Lake

This is the last of Day 1.
First day was a FULL BLAST!

Vigan Part I- Baluarte Ni Chavit, Hidden Garden, Pagburnayan pottery,
Vigan Part II - Crisologo Museum, Heritage Village, Bantay Bell Tower, 
Laoag Part I - Laoag Sand Dunes, Sand Bashing 
 
We left Vigan with a heavy heart and with an empty stomach. ;( 

Our group just decided to run directly at Laoag to spent lunch over at Saramsam Restaurant pero dahil out of the way na ito at talagang kinakalabit na ko ng mga bulate ko sa tiyan, our Sand dunes guide advised us to go at Herencia's Cafe instead wherein it serves a very ODD Filipino Food!

PINAKBET PIZZA

POQUE POQUE, which is actually similar to tortang talong dish, but with a twist. It is made with eggplant, stir fried with egg and other veggies.  

Sinigang na Bangus

As what I've said, kakaiba ang mga pagkaing Ilocano, kaya 'wag ka ng mabigla pag sinabihan kang, "ineng, patikim naman ng Poque poque mo." harharhar..

Note: This place easily gets uber-crowded during holiday and there ain't enough space for parking.

We had to wait to be seated and since it was holiday, tourists were all flocked at Herencia. 

At those we assumed our order were all served, there were still among the diners who came first which haven't served their food until that very moment, super late na. Many of the diners have gone furious because their orders were not served yet. Nauna pa nga kami. At karamihan sa kanila, wala na sa kanya kanyang table, andun sa harap ng dining area (to follow up their orders) at in cashier (to refund).           

Herencia Cafe

After lunch, we crossed the street to take some pictures of the Paoay Church. I am not sure if this one is the same with the sinking bell in Laoag.

Paoay Church is the Roman Catholic parish church of the municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. In 1993, the church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best examples of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Paoay Church is also known as San Agustin Church of Paoay. 

Anu ba yan, may mga epal sa gilid... Ay, mga ate!!!

On our second to the last visit in Loaog, we visited the FORT ILOCANDIA. Even I hardly got an information about this place, I was still excited on what to see in this place. Ang ala, ko lang, may pagka sosyl ang hotel na to kaya dinadayo.

We are very thankful sa mga drivers namin dahil hindi lang sila driver, tour guide na rin. Nagtanung tanong kami sa mga local people, and they very generous in giving directions.

So, HOLA FORT ILOCANDIA. 
Fort Ilocandia is the only rated hotel in the Ilocos Norte Region. This was originally constructed by the Marcos Family for their daughter Irene's wedding reception. Oh, susyal!
 

Parang ang peg ng Hotel and Resorts na ito ay isang Mediterranean Classic Setting. Very commendable ang landscape. It has an extensive grounds and garden, I must say.

The hotel's lobby is bustling with local and international tourists. Although, we just had a short stay and despite the building is quite old already, you could still witness its grandest.

Before we went crazy to Sand Dunes, dito muna kami tumambay. 
Sa Paoay Lake. 

 Paoay Lake is a freshwater system in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is located 3 kilometers away from the sea in Suba. The lake is composed of natural of fresh water, where over 300 crop farmers are provided with irrigation to supply water for their crops. 
 
Kilala ang Paoay lake as fishing ground ng mga enthusiast. Pero the time that we were there, I never seen one. Or masyado lang kong stunned sa serenity nang lugar. Very peaceful and yet windy. Nakaka relax!