Ilocos - Discovering our Heritage Part II: Ilocos Norte

After exploring Vigan, we headed to Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte. Travel time from Vigan to Laoag is more or less two hours.

If Ilocos Sur is the home of Chavit Singson, Ilocos Norte is the home of the Marcos. The rich history, architecture and tourism of the province mainly revolved around the Marcos.

Here are the places we visited in Ilocos Norte:

1. Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino – the only five-star hotel in the northern Philippines was said to be build during the Marcos regime for sixty days for the wedding of the late President’s daughter.

the Fort Ilacandia Resort and Casino entrance

inside Fort Ilocandia

2. Malacañang of the North – known also as Malacanang ti Amianan, serves as a home of the late Pres. Marcos during his stay in Ilocos Norte. This mansion turned museum oversees the beautiful Paoay Lake. One can explore the two-storey mansion, from the grand staircase, to the expansive dining rooms, fully furnished living room and bedrooms.

visiting Malacanang ti Amianan with friends

furniture inside the mansion

a view of the Paoay lake at the back of the mansion

3. Paoay Church - is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines which were completed in 1710.  Known for its Baroque architecture and enormous buttresses, the church was declared as UNESCO heritage sight in 1993. The church's bell tower serves as a perfect watch tower for Filipino soldier during the Filipino-Spanish war.

the Paoay Church

the gigantic buttresses

the bell tower

4. Marcos Musuem – learn history in a museum that showcase the life of the late president and came in close contact with the preserved remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

replica of the late President

looking back at the life of Pres. Marcos

few of the many dresses of Imelda Marcos

5. Cape Bojeador – the lighthouse was first lit in 1892 and served as a welcoming beacon that illuminates the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The lighthouse is still functioning, but unfortunately tourists are no longer allowed to enter the lighthouse tower. Tourists are only allowed until the pavilion and veranda.

climbing the stairs to the lighthouse

the lighthouse tower

a view of the sea from the veranda of the lighthouse

6. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation – the land was previously owned by a rich doctor but was later sold to Imee Marcos, who later turned the wonderful rock formation to a tourist destination. Tourists need to walk some mile to reach the rock formation, or you can also ride a horse. Unfortunately, tourists are no longer allowed to climb at the rock formation itself, for safety purposes and also to preserve the rock formation. Be careful getting near the rock formation, the rocks are covered by algae and is very slippery.

the white rock formation

the road to the white rock formations

the clear sky and sea at Kapurpurawan

7. Bangui Windmills – this is my most anticipated place to visit in Ilocos. The Bangui Windmills also known as Northwind Bangui Bay Project is a project of the Marcos to improve the electricity resources of the province. You can hear the movements of the wind that the gigantic propeller are making, include the waves from the sea equals to a perfect orchestra.

the line of windmills

8. Patapat Viaduct – the viaduct is a long winding road on a mountainside that connects the Cagayan Valley Region to Ilocos Norte. So literally, a person can be in two places at one time. Others may say that this is just a road, but this road offers a serene feeling as you breathe in the fresh air coming from the sea.

the waterfalls along the viaduct

the long and winding road

9. Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud - a trip to Ilocos Norte would not be complete if you have not visited one its beaches. The Blue Lagoon is one of the famous beaches in Pagudpud with white sands and clear blue waters. 

enjoying a swim at the Blue lagoon

relaxing along the shores 

The three days and two nights stay at Ilocos was not enough to visit the whole province; there are still places that we have not visited among them are the Kabigan waterfalls, La Paz Sand Dunes, Tabacco Monopoly, Ilocos Museum, Saint Williams Cathedral and Santa Monica Church, and Crisologo Museum. We were able to see the Abot Kamay Cave but we were not able to go down the cave due to time constraint. And even if we miss these places, we still enjoy the trip, Ilocos is a place worthy of a visit.