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!

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Chasing the SAND.. Been there, DUNE that...

Hindi naman ko halatang excited much na i share tong adventure na to noh, kasi inuna ko pa to i post kesa sa totoong naka lined up itinerary namin.  Well, ise share ko pa rin naman un...intay lang mga ate!

I am more ready to go beyond EXTREMES! {W.O.W}

Now, hindi lang beach sa dagat ang masarap i experience......

I have tried a few thrilling adventures na rin naman kase before. I have tried diff. Zipline in the country, even the most longest Zipline in Asia - The Dahilayan Park Adventure Bukidnon, the Knee-Boarding in Batangas ( I haven't post it yet though), I also conquered the Wall Climbing in Eco Park, tasted the adrenalin rush brought by the White water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro, unlimited snorkeling at Coron, Palawan, and the upcoming post trekking sa Pagudpod...

Pero ngayon, IT IS MORE FUN in the PHILIPPINES talaga coz I tried the SAND BOARDING and 4x4 ride or also known as the “dune bashing”—riding in four-wheel drives across the dunes, rapidly climbing and descending steep slopes in La Paz, Laoag.

 

Siyam na peeps ang nagtangkang gayahin ang Temptation Island, hehe.. Kami sana ang gagawa ng remake, II.  Sakto, nine kami kaya bongga ang bet ng bawat isa:

1. Marian Rivera, 2. Heart Evangelista, 3. Lovi Poe, 4. Solenn Heusaff, 5. Rufa Mae Quinto, 6. Sweet, 7. Tom Rodriguez, 8. Aljur Abrenica, at 9. Mikael Daez.

Kayo na ang humusga sino ang mas naka achieve ng alindog ng Laoag, Sand Dunes!!!!! hehe

Hindi namin kayang palagpasin ang frenzy to pride experience na to! Kaya after Vigan tour, we directly went to Laoag. {SIempre nag lunch muna kami}.

So, we set our foot in Laoag  at nearly 1PM but we went to La Paz Sandunes right before 4PM. Medyo mainit pa kaya ni remind kami ng contact namin dun na maglibot libot muna at pumunta sa tabing dagat, at bumalik pag hindi na masyadong mainit. Kaya ayun ang mga lola niyo, gumora at naniwala pero la kami napala. Eksaherada ang layo pala... pero the view is scenic enough for us to enjoy the view. Ganda pa naman ng dagat... 

Pagbalik namin, ready to buwis buhay na kami! This is it.... Gusto mo ng buhangin, ump! Heto ang sayo.

Tips on how to Kill urself, Enjoy rather the 4x4 Ride Truck:

1. Huwag mag sleeveless, napupuno ng ibat ibang elemento ang iyong kili-kili, tulad ng anu pa nga ba, BUHANGIN! lol

2. Maglagay ng sunscreen. Oh, ulet, wag sa noo! Lam mo na yun peeps...

3. Pag nakatayo kana sa 4x4 truck, huwag masyadong humagalpak sa tawa, (parang kami ni Mavic). Hindi na tuloy makakapit ng husto at hindi na makahinga, kakatawa! SUPER ENJOY ka te?!!! hahahahah! HA.HA.HA.HA.HA!

4. Pag nakatayo ka na ulit sa likod ng 4x4, kumapit ng mahigpit! (Serious to..) kasi you might easily get out of balance and fell off. Dahil EXTREMES ito, expect ng driver na buwis buhay ang peg niyo mga ate't kuya... kaya he would have a couple of sudden turns and a countless of BIG SURPRISES!!

5. ENJOY and have FUN!  

 

So, ARIVA baby! 

Unang sumalang ang mga oldies.... hehe! 
(Upper pic) L-R: Kuya Joel, his GF ate Weng, Ate Shela, and Ate Diane. Oh puro may ate at kuya.. oo nga!

 
 

After makipagpicturan sa mga oldies, hehe at habang hinihintay silang bumalik mula sa.. sang lupalop ng desyerto. Nagtampisaw kami kasama ng mga BUHANGIN, ang bida! 

Teka, lamang sila sa group pic ah... Heto na kami... 
NEXT! 

The La Paz sand dunes in Ilocos Norte have gained attention as one of the most picture-perfect locations for movies like the Temptation Island and Panday that demand a setting similar to wide coastal deserts in Middle Eastern countries.

The dunes used to be enjoyed mostly by locals who owned four-wheel drive vehicles and motorbikes, but in recent years the non-government LEAD (Laoag Eco-Adventure Development) Movement has developed activities to promote the place and boost tourism. 

After 20 mins, kami na ang sumalang sa 4x4. 

I must admit, medyo kabado ko at first, pero nang bumalik sina ate while shouting, "Bitin...isa pa!" I was sure this time, it would be more fun for 5 of us!

Within our first lap, I have tried to sit beside the driver. I just made sure the "Sinturong Pangkaligtasan" is intact.

It was fun seeing the truck goes down from a steeper slope! I can't imagine what more would I feel if I dare myself to stand up......

...and I stood up still and gripping tightly, while shouting my heart out loud!!! WHOOAAAA! WAAAAAA! Kuya!!!!!! Hell, LOL ka!!! HAHAHAHA! And there's HEHEHEHE after we successfully landed from one of the steeper slopes we had passed through and the VIEW? Oh, and view... is breath -taking! and all of us, Huh! That was all FUN!

Grabe, I can't describe that moment of solid sheer happiness!
Kami lang talaga ni Mavic ang baliw kakatawa habang bumubuwis buhay kami pabulusok, pababa, paakyat ng mala desyertong lugar na to!

Ay wait, tip no. 6, pag nakatayo ka, make sure kaya mo pa rin huwag masyadong dumikit sa bakal ng truck. kasi pag biglang liko niya, masasaktan ka pag bumangga ka dito, sureness pasa ang abot ng mga tagiliran niyo.

And so I continue, I exclaimed while grinning wildly, "Koya, ARAY! ARAAYYY! Kasi nga tumatama kami sa bakal.. pero my foam naman yung ibang parts. Ingat lang talaga. Pero in between "aray" ha, take note, hagalpak pa rin kami ng tawa ni Mavic, kaya hayun, muntik makabitaw at hindi na kami makahinga!! 

EXAG I know, but you'll never know until ur at it, right?! At bakit nga ba uber saya, not becoz of the adventure per se but the PEOPLE you are with! Eh, Hindi naman tatawa yang forbyfor trak noh! Noh kuya.....  

We wished to have more laps compared on what we did pero may next pa na dapat i try. Ang Sand Boarding. 

Actually ako ang unang nagtry ng sand boarding ng NAKA UPO. Yes! You can try this one especially sa girls. For me na first timer, upo muna ang sinubukan ko. Ayun, sa kalagitnaan, naiibaba ko ang paa ko sa buhanginan dahil patagilid na ang board ko kaya di maiwasan mapunta saken ang pakshet na buhangin. hehehe.. Pinaliguan ako eh!

Tips to those who'd like to try Sandboarding:

1. Better if you could try the two. The real Sand boarding/ surfing or yung mas laid back, naka upo. 

2. If you choose to do it while sitting, MAKE SURE, what ever happens to you and to your board, please DO NOT step out from the board. This time, ituring mong kaaway ang bida, ang BUHANGIN. Otherwise, pakakainin ka niya ng walang hanggang buhangin! pweh! 

Naalala ko yung ako ang unang nag try sa girls, walang kaabog abog na hinulog ako na wala man lang ni katiting na TIPS! hmp. Buti hindi ako grabe pinuruhan ni bida. Okay pa rin ako, saglit lang naman yun eh. Buti nai balance ko ulit ung board ko at dire-diretso na ulit ako and at the end of the descent, I managed to smile and felt PROUD! 

3.  If you prefer to stand on board, MAKE sure you've got a good balance. Mas safe to I think than sitting. 

4. At for those malas, hindi masyadong nabalanse ang katawan, pag nahulog kana, try to control urself. Stop where you first fell off huwag kana magpatihulog pa hanggang sa baba at pumikit pag alam mong anjan na ang bidang kalaban. Para iwas PUWING! or else.

5.  Again, HAVE FUN and ENJOY! There is NO HARM in TRYING.....

 

 

Sand boarding was created similar from the original, snow boarding. The difference between the two, simply becoz of the weather.... ek!

In August 2009, the LEAD Movement introduced “sandboarding” as a new tourist attraction.  They also have bike rides which are offered FREE for children.

The wind blows became quite harder on our face and the skyline gets darker as the sun gradually set in. Masyadong maraming nangyari and yet hindi pa kami pagod this time. Dahil ang ganda lang naman ng view mula rito sa itaas!

ME- MAVIC-ATE DIANE

TREL & MAVIC, having a PEACE sign..

While at Dune Bashing

Sandboarding is a unique activity found only in Ilocos Norte you wouldn't like to miss out. It’s not an easy sport but that adds to the thrill. You only need balance and the courage to conquer your fear. 

LEAD members said more activities could make tourists spend the entire day at La Paz. This is why the group is developing other adventure sports, such as mountain biking and kayaking... 

So if you're planning a road trip to VIGAN, LAOAG, PAGUDPOD, don't let this chance of thrill and adventure pass on you! Sayang, wala sken ang mga vids ng sand boarding, matatawa ka papano kami kumain ng buhangin... hahaha!and also the vid of Sand Bashing.... :P

I suggest, you also tap my first two half of DAY 1 - VIGAN-LAOAG-PAGUDPOD Road Trip Series:

Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpod Roadtrip Series I Day 1 (Part 1) 

Vigan- Laoag-Pagudpod Roadtrip Series I Day 1 (Part II)

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