..Unforgettable Ilocos Trip...

Finally, I will get to see our Famous, Native Places at Ilocos Norte, Philippines!

Nov.28

After office, my bhebe(Kent) and I headed straight to the bus terminal in Manila and we were late because I had a sudden meeting that evening. Initially, we planned to take rcj bus, but unfortunately, the last trip to pagudpod had already left. So, having no choice we went to Florida bus terminal and luckily, they still have 10:45pm trip to Laoag, kinuha na namin ung last trip ng Florida to Laoag to make sure na makakaalis kami..hehe.. The bus was okay but compared to the bus we took for Bolinao (5 star bus) it was very nice. On the bus we were riding (to Laoag), there was this kids behind us that kept on crying and another commotion behind us.. at first, nahirapan kami makatulog, but dahil na rin sa layo ng byahe nakatulog din kami ni Kent.

Day 1

We arrived in Laoag around 9am, grabe as in morning na talaga siya, Laoag pa lang siya!. Then we took a trike to go to the terminal of minibus bound to Pagudpod.

After 30 mins of waiting to full the minibus, finally we took off. Our “supposedly” tour guide, kuya Lenzer (who had a tour sked also today), told us that our new guide (Kuya Ferdinand) he referred, was going to meet us on the way to the lighthouse. So, nagpababa kami sa driver ng minibus sa malapit sa lighthouse para i-meet si Kuya Ferdinand. He was nice but a little bit shy, but we had no problem with him.

So, the first site we went to see was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos. The lighthouse was old but the view around the area was really breathtaking. It was said that this is the highest li

ghthouse in the Philippines, next to it is Cape Bolinao Lighthouse ( nakita ko na din un! hehe). After the lighthouse, we proceed to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation... It is the best site in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. You will be amazed of the rock formation! Ang ganda niya... as if you are in another country. But before we reached the rock formation, we had to trekked a little bit.

Muntik na nga hindi kayanin ng trike namin papapsok e, dahil sa sobrang putik sa gulong, then after that we have to walk maybe around 15minutes before you see the rock formation. And it was so windy, para kami nasa Batanes, it was really a different experienced! After taking “a lot of photos” (imagine 2 lang kami ha?!?), we headed straight to Bangui Windmill. We saw the 15 huge windmills! And sa sobrang hangin that time, feeling namin na sandstorm kami.hehehe Then next place we went, was to our homestay in Pagudpod, it was around 3pm. We paid Kuya Ferdinand P600, kasama na dun ung tip. Then asked him to pick us up tomorrow morning to the terminal back to Laoag.... After at least an hour resting, we dressed up for the beach. Sobrang ok yung accomodation namin, kasi mura na (P800 per night) then a minute walk lang to Saud beach! For me, Saud beach was beautiful, the sand was so fine and clean, but it was wavy and because Christmas is near, kahit hapon pa lang, malamig na din yung hangin... But it was a perfect location for sunset view... We ate dinner at Emohruo beach restobar (end part of the beach, group of restaurants). The food was good, especially the chicken buffalo salad and we ordered a few beers for us,(Our ordered food costs P500, not bad). And walked back on the starry night sky beach back to our place to have a goodnight sleep.

Day 2

The next morning, Kent woke up early (as usual!) to take photos at the beach, while I, was still sleeping soundly at our room. He just woke me up around 7:30am, so we could take a swim before heading back to Laoag. Aroud 9:30am, we were ready to go, we paid Aling Liza for our accomodtion (courtesy of Kuya Lenzer). We arrived at Laoag around 11:30am, and rented a trike there for our tour. But first, we ate at Jollibee nearby the terminal because we were hungry having no breakfast at all. After eating, we proceed to Malacanang of the North in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is the White House of the Marcos Family in Northern Luzon. This two-storey building sits on a five-hectare property and was designed for entertaining large crowds. It has grand living rooms on both floors, and seven spacious bedrooms including the two master bedrooms of the First Couple - Ferdinand and Imelda.It also has an expansive terrace, and beautiful garden with the view a magnificient view of the Paoay Lake. After taking photos of all the memorabilia inside, we went to Paoay church. St. Augustine Church, or more popularly called Paoay Church, in Ilocos Norte is one of the the oldest churches in the Philippines and is among the major attractions of the province. A three-storey coral stone bell tower stands a few meters away from the church. The bell tower served as a look-out point for Philippine "Katipuneros" during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards, and again by the Filipino "guerillas" during the Japanese occupation in World War II. And then there was this guy on the church, who was really nice, voluntarily asking to take photos of me and Kent, I'm sure with him because he was wearing an i.d. and he nows the angle to shoot. I think he's one of the caretaker/guide but we forgot to ask his name :( ... and then we were also able to go and visit the Marcos Mansion & Museum of the Late Ferdinand Marcos in Batac. He is now one of my favorite Presidents, after seeing how great leader he was compared to the others.Ü Unfortunately, Kent wasn't able to take a pic or a video of his dead body, Waxed and preserved in a glass case as cold as a fridge's temperature. This trip was so educational! By the way, our driver/tour guide was Kuya Bert, he was nice and talking about the place, we paid him P600 for the tour. I think it's enough eventhough we only went to 3 sites, pero imagine magkakalayo yung mga sites na yun. We just thinked of it as help na din for him. Then he dropped us off where we can ride a bus bound to Vigan. The trip was so long, akala namin malapit lang ung distance.... it took us 2 hour ride before we reached Vigan City!!!

It was past 5pm when we reached Vigan, and we went straight to Grandpa's Inn to check-in our things first before going around the town. We paid P980 for a night with breakfast, it has it's own bathroom and combined 2 single beds, really old fashion room but it has a t.v too..hehehe. Then, we visit Bantay Bell Tower, Ilocos Sur just outside Vigan city and right across from it was the St. Augustine Parish Church and there was a solo grotto of Mama Mary outside the church. And then there was this group of young boys Kent took a picture with me, of course. :) It was already dark when we got back to the city, and we passed by the Vigan Cathedral (also known as St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral). There was an on-going mass, but we can't go in because Kent and I was wearing a shorts. We just decided to have dinner instead. So, we went to the plaza where there are a lot of carinderias cooking native food. We ordered sinanglaw, adobo and pansit lukban, it was my first time to eat all those except for the adobo. It was good, especially the pansit where you have to put vinegar on it. After dinner, we walked around Calle Crisologo and took photos (again) and bought a few pasalubongs. Before heading back to the inn, we ordered a bottle each at Cafe Leona.. and then rest for the night.

Day 3

We woke up around 6:30am, because we planned to go to Baluarte for our last day. After breakfast, we rented a trike to go to Baluarte but we were so early that the driver suggested first to go to “Hidden Garden”. Nothing special to see there and no entrance fee, just a donation will be fine. Then after 30 minutes, we went straight to Baluarte. I was really amazed at the place... it was a huge property of Gov. Chavit Singson.. and there was a lot of animals just roaming around.. i love animals so much! Sayang nga lang, Gov. Singson wasn't there, wala tuloy ako pic kasama siya and a tiger..hehehe after Baluarte, we asked our driver just to dropped us off to Burnayan pottery and then we paid him P200 with the tip. There, we saw how pot made of clay was being made. It was very traditional. Then after buying pasalubongs, we headed back to the inn to pack up and prepare back home to Manila. We rode the Florida bus (P540) around 1:30pm and reached Manila around 11:30pm, we took so long because there was a long parade near Pangasinan. But on the way home, we saw the moon with 2 stars above it.. it was form like a smiling face... and the moon and those stars were shining brightly... it was something you won't see every night. It made our trip more memorable and we went home smiling :)

Bolinao Trip

Finally, after planning for a couple of months, I was finally able to travel in Bolinao, Pangasinan for the 28th birthday celebration of my loving boyfriend, Kent, with our best buddy, Feds.

It was past 11pm when we arrived at the 5-Star bus terminal in Pasay for our trip to Bolinao. And at exactly 12 midnight when our bus left for the 5 long hour trip. The bus was clean and looks new, and the good thing is the bus was not that loaded. The fare collector of the bus was also nice and accomodating, we paid P455/person for a one way trip. We were not that far yet, when we saw Feds already sleeping on the other side with her bags. I really envy her on how she can easily get some sleep on the trip... pareho kami ni Kent paidlip idlip lang. And it was dark outside, so nothing much to see anyway....

After 2 stopover (i think..), we arrived exactly 5am at the 5-star bus terminal in Bolinao, Pangasinan. When we got off the bus, we took a tricycle to go to Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort. After several minutes on the trike, we realized that our resort was still far. On the way, I saw the other resorts I reviewed also, like Punta Riviera, Puerto del Sol, Villa Carolina, and many more... but still, I had the feeling that we were still far. I guess, after more than 30 minutes ride (without stops!), we arrived at long last!!!

Day1 (November 8, 2008 Birthday of Kent)

As we entered Treasures of Bolinao, we were welcomed by the security guard, and let us wait in the reception area to get the receptionist (I forgot his name, who obviously was still sleeping at that time, it was 6am!). I was expecting that we'll just leave our things first in the reception and wait for the check in time because we were too early to be check-in on our cottage (check-in time is 1pm, and check-out is11am), I was just only informing the reception that we had arrived. But after paying for our room, they told us that we can stay on our room because it wasn't occupied... Of course, it was a good news for all of us, we can have an early day to start!

After we put our bags on our cottage, we did our own things.. like Feds, who immediately went to bed to get more sleep, then Kent, who went outside to do some photos, and then me, who went with the reception to do some tour on the resort. After that, I went back to our cottage to get some rest and asked Kent to get some sleep also. After more that 2 hours sleep, our energies were back and ready to roll! :) The first thing we did was ordered brunch because we were soo hungry... While waiting for the food, we posed around for a picture... an opportunity that we can't resist.hehehe.. Then after a hundred years...sorry, I mean after a long while (hehehe..), our food finally came! We ordered grilled boneful daing na bangus, chopsuey, and of course with some rice, it was good and just enough for the 3 of us. Then after stuffing foods on our hungry stomachs, we walked around the resort and took more pictures especially the view of the famous bridge of the resort, their small tower and especially their lovely landscape on the area. When we went up on the top of the tower, the view was so beautiful especially if you are a nature lover. A scene that you wouldn't see in Manila, for sure. It was so refreshing and relaxing to view from the top the nature and sea below and then surrounding you. Then after doing some pictorial on the tower and on the bridge, we rested on the shaded “duyan” that was attached to the trees, because they told us that there were no electricity that time because of the brownout. So, we just stayed there for a while..And then the reception approached me that our service trike was there on the entrance and thought that today he's going to pick us up to go back to Manila. I was surprised and he was confused and forgot that he just brought us to the resort just this morning. I just told him to be back tomorrow the same time for the pick up... it was just misunderstanding. After a while, we went back to our cottage to get more rest, and anyway, the sun is too hot for us to walk around.. so, we decided to have a short “siesta”. We got up around 3pm and then decided we had enough rest and explore bolinao!!!

As we went out, we headed straight to Patar Beach.. The beach was nice, but the sand was not white, it was more like a choco color but still it was the kind of sand that will not produce mud, and it was a real sand!!! We were not yet able to swim because it was still hot to take a dip on the water... So, we decided to go first to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. The distance between the resort and the lighthouse was just 15 minute walk... and it is also a good exercise for us..hehehe! Anyway, the view from the lighthouse was so breathtaking... we took alot of pictures and we also had a magazine with us... funny! Cute nga ni Kent e... siya taga hawak namin...hahaha! After that, before going back to the resort, we found a little store. Nagpaluto kami ng meryenda (Pancit Canton), at least, a little cheaper the price.. mahal kasi ng food sa resort. Then, we decided to eat lunch there tomorrow before leaving para medyo tipid :) .. after that, we proceed to the Patar Beach again, for a swim.. And a perfect timing again for a picture because of the beautiful sunset on the beach... It was almost dark when we decided to transfer in the pool on the resort...It was almost nice, if it wasn't for the large group who kept on singing (trying!!!) on the videoke near the pool. I think they broke my eardrum... nonstop sila e!

Dinner time, we ordered a pork ribs sinigang, and pinakbet.. as usual, it took a while but we already expected that. After eating, we took again some photos (we're addicted..hehehe) and a little walk... with still the large group singing in our background. ( we wondered how long they can sing like that)... anyway, having no choice, we sat around the area and ordered beer for relaxation, and we really tried inspite of the noise they're making. As the saying said, Make the most out of it. :)

Day 2 (Time to go home...)

Kent woke up early to take more photos of the beach with the sunrise in the background. He just woke Feds and I around 8am, then had our Filipino breakfast in the restaurant then stayed on the beach while waiting for our time to go home. Around 11am we already check out from our cottage, and ordered lunch to the store outside the resort,while waiting for our service tricycle who happens to be late (or we were just too early). Before heading straight to the bus terminal, we side trip to the Enchanted Cave. There was an entrance fee of P20 per person, before entering the cave. As we went down the cave, you can see that the water is really clear and looks clean. It has a big space for those who wanted to swim, but for us, we only took pictures for souveneir and then headed back to the trike. We also stop over to Puerto del Sol resort to buy shirts for souveneir because they were the only one whose selling in the area, then we headed straight to the 5 Star bus terminal. We paid the same fare (P455/person) and reached Manila around 8pm.

It was a short, quick trip but a memorable birthday celebration for Kent and an unforgettable experienced for the three of us. I can't wait to do more itinerary for our future trips... (wonder where next?) =)

Lola Mithi @ 90

After several years of waiting to get the whole-clan of Gutierrez to be together has finally arrived. This was a double-celebration and all thanks to our beloved Lola Mithi... Today is the grand celebration of lola's 90th birthday and at the same time, a reunion for the whole Gutierrez clan...

All the gutierrez cousins were present for the celebration. Our relatives living in New Jersey decided to be present for lola's birthday celebration. Imagine, yung iba never pa namin nakita! Then, Ann, Ate Alfie and I decided to contribute something for the party from us, grandchildren of lola... we decided to contribute for the souvenir of the party (ksama yung mga pinsan na may work sa ambagan. cympre!) After many months of thinking and arguing which souvenir is best, we agreed (a week before!!!) that a "mug" and button pins are fine (tipid..hehehe). And of course, salamat kay ate alfie kasi siya yung nag asikaso dahil siya pa pumunta ng divisoria for everything.. (love you ate alfie!!!)... A week before the celebration (birthday talaga ni lola is June 21), one by one everyone are coming from everywhere..hehehe i mean from new jersey and Korea... and yung iba di ko alam kung saan galing... sila yung nag invite, hindi ako. :)

So, Saturday (June 28) arrived!!!! Yeheey... party time!!! Well, actually, more of a dinner party. Today, by noon, lola was brought to the parlor together with the aunties. Of course, dapat maganda ang celebrant, di ba? And by 4 pm, everyone was already dressing up at our house for the party. Serra Monte's clubhouse was the venue for the event, and everything was already prepared (food, decorations, souvenirs).. the place was very nice and elegant... as if the event was for a wedding..hehehe.. Then, around 6pm everyone was starting to arrived at the clubhouse... I wasn't in the clubhouse yet when Kent arrived there, but Ate Alfie greeted her already and TAKE NOTE they haven't been introduced yet... but knowing my dear cousin, she wanted to meet our "someone special" considering she's staying with my mom in Korea... We weren't expecting so many relatives would come to the party... there were a lot of guests... there are even some people I didn't know that they were my relatives. After welcoming the other guests, it was time for non-stop picture taking.(of course!) Because this is a night to remember for all of us.. and this is the first time that we got-together for a very very long time... so, everything was to be treasured. After the pictorials, it was time for prayer by my cousin, Gae, and then of course, time for FOOD!!! I'm sure everyone is hungry by that time... The food was catered and it the food was great... even though, I only ate a little because I was busy doing the video show of lola in the AVR and hosting the other guests. I was unintentionally abandoning Kent because I was so busy in helping hosting the party, I left her with some of my cousins... it was a good thing Kent was really really understanding about the whole thing.. I thank God for him, he was so nice... I just asked if he's good.. then leave again... but at the end of the party.. I gave my full attention to him. The party was success even if some of the supposed programs were not followed. I was also surprised of my mom on how nice she was to Kent and she even wanted Kent to be part on some pictures.It was really a great night for all of us...

After the cleaning up at the clubhouse, the rest of my cousins (including Kent) went straight to the house for a continued drinking..hehehe We stayed in the balcony and contribute a story for all of us... It was nice and relaxing... I think we finished around 2am and the rest went home...

Nature Lovers @ Avilon Zoo - Montalban Rizal

A week after the purchase of Kent's new dslr, we decided to go somewhere scenery to practice the new camera (sobrang excited bhebe ko). So, I researched and asked around some place to go but within the city only. That's when I talked to my college friend, Jessie, and she suggested and recommended the Avilon Zoo at Montalban Rizal... she had been there twice already (lapit lang kasi sa kanila) . So, I told Kent, and plan the day when to go there. We decided this coming Saturday (August 16) and we also invited some friends (feds and donald) but unfortunately, they already have some plans that weekend. So, it's back for us lovebirds only. =)

And now, Saturday! And a beautiful sunny day (we prayed hard for a week for a nice day on Saturday). We woke up around 8am, ate a little breakfast then went off to Avilon Zoo. For commuters like us, from Pasig we took the Marikina route to Montalban. From Sta. Lucia mall, we took fx with the signboard of Montalban (Php35.00) then after almost an hour we reached the village to the zoo then took the trike (Php 50 because of oil hike) and the road was really rough and a lot of muds on the road because of the continuous rain of the past few days. But at last! After almost 15 minutes of bumps (and sacrifices!), we reached the famous Avilon Zoo of Montalban.

At the entrance, we have to register our camera and paid the entrance fee of Php 208 per person. Then, now it is time to see the whole Avilon Zoo...(yeheey!!!) The whole area was huge, a lot of trees and swan as you walk on the entrance. Kent was busy taking pictures at all angles, all animals, all interesting things he see, even the uninteresting ones (bago camera e! hehehe). I guess, he's just taking the opportunity to get to know more of his new camera. We didn't hire any tour guide 'coz that's a lot from our budget, so, we took the risk to get lost in the 7.5 hectares!... There were a lot of animals compare to other zoos I've been before. One of our favorite part was there were a lot of different kind of "cats" (as in tigers...we love cats! ).. there was a puma, leopard, jaguar and Siberian tigers and all of them was on their feet (what a perfect timing for us)... and from my observation, the birds has a large quantity in the zoo, with different kinds (of course..). There was also a bird (forgot what kind) but newly trained named "Gasti", for matigas ang ulo said the trainor. It was nice, because a lot of animals we only see in the television is in real life and you get to know more of them.. Then we also enter a cave-like entrance for the primates creatures. But unfortunately, camera on that area wasn't allowed for the safety of the animal there. But it was really interesting inside. After a lot of walks in the park, we got tired and ate lunch at the park. They sell a package lunch for Php130 each. It was good but not that good... After a little bit of rest, we proceed again with our "own" tour and still took a lot of pictures ( I'm not the subject, extra lang ako..). Then around 3pm, it started to pour some rain, it's a good thing I brought my umbrella!!! Then we sheltered at the fish feeding area with also some "yucky creatures".. we saw something that was so cute and tiny.. it's called sugar glider, but it costs Php 2000 for the untamed one said the man who is in charge there. And for the tamed one it's around Php 10,000!!! No way!! I'll just have to deal with the untamed one but we still didn't buy, because it wasn't included in the budget... It sucks 'coz I really wanted that for a pet!

By past 4pm, we decided to call it a day.. and finish the tour in the zoo. And honestly, I was really tired and my feet hurt already with all the walking... But Kent is still on the go and wanted to do more... but doesn't have a choice because it's soon to closing time. And we still have to take a trike to go back. But all in all, even I was sooo tired, it was really an interesting day for us... something different... something with nature.. and something fun! It was a day to remember on our trip to Avilon Zoo... :)