A Quick trip to Ilocos Norte

After our Vigan Day tour, instead of staying there for the night as what we original planned to do, we decided to go to Pagudpod. We took an aircon bus from Vigan to Laoag (fare Php150/each) and transferred to a non-aircon bus from Laoag to Pagudpod (fare Php100/each).It took us more or less 4hours for this trip. - All for wanting to see the WINDMILL! :)

Its already late at night & we dont have a particular hotel in mind. We're so glad that Ilocanos are so helpful! :) I asked the bus conductor if there will be hotels or resorts near the bus terminal and he informed us that there's none and we still need to ride a tricycle to be able to reach one. He told us that tricycle at that hour might be few or none at all but that he knew someone who has tricycle in case there's none. Thankfully, there are still few on the terminal when we reached it and the conductor told the driver to bring us to a cheap but safe place for that night.

We reached Jun & Carol Beach Cottages around 9pm (Tricycle Fare: Php50).
Room rate: Php1000/room - it has 2 double-size beds, tv, aircon and hot & cold shower.





The Tricycle driver (Kuya Nelson) offered us a Tour for the next day.

We opted to have the Southbound Tour as we dont have much time to spare coz we'll be taking the bus back to Manila the following night.

The next day, im so happy when i checked out the beach and found out that the Windmill was just at the other end of the island! (we'll it looks near...if only there are boats available to cross the sea) But no worries, our tour will be starting at 8am and we'll be exploring new sceneries! :)

Southbound Tour started:8am
Haggled Tour Price to: Php500
Destinations: Bangui Windmills,Bangui View deck,Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (additional destination) & Cape BojeadorLighthouse

Along the way, we took to short stops to take a picture, first to a giant clam shell display then to the welcoming sign of Pagudpod :

Remy & I @ the Giant Clam Shell

  

im gonna explore Pagudpod more next time! :)



Bangui Windmills - Yey! one tourist spot i really wanna see :)

Taken from Bangui Viewing Deck

Front view of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Burgos,Ilocos Norte)

@ Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Back view  - its worth visiting!

Last stop -Cape Bojeador Lighthouse,Burgos,Ilocos Norte

Tour Ended : 12nn

We then took a non-aircon bus from Burgos to Laoag, fare Php60. Travel time is about an hour. We stopped by Jollibee to have lunch and to check if we can charge the battery of my camera. Unfortunately, the plug didnt fit... Well, thanks for the technology of having phone cameras - we can stil pose some more!

On the right side : Marcos Mausoleum

From Laoag, our destinations are Marcos Museum & Mausoleum and Paoay Church. We took a tricycle to the Paoay jeepney terminal, fare is Php9/pax. Jeepney fare to Marcos Museum & Mausoleum is Php25/pax plus Php9/pax tricycle fare.







No picture taking allowed in the Mausoleum but cameras can be used at the musem. 

Several steps away from the musem is the office of Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos that also served as her Photo Gallery.

After this, we took a tricycle (costs us Php50.) to Paoay Church (also known as the St. Augustine Church in Paoay).  Its coral stone bell tower was used by the Katipuneros as an observation post during the Philippine Revolution in 1898.



Paoay Church

Our Ilocos Escapade began in the Church in Vigan (Apo Santo Kristo in Simbaan Bassit,Vigan) and ended it here in Paoay Church. We feel so blessed having it this way. This is our final stop to give thanks for our wonderful trip!

(Ilocos Sur to Ilocos Norte :June 4-6,2011) 

Henderson Wave

06 August 2010 : Henderson Wave,Singapore

One Friday afternoon, Sheila and I ,met up for lunch and decided to go to Henderson Wave. With the help of her Iphone's GPS,a train and couple of bus rides, we were able to reach our destination.

It's 274 metre-long pedestrian bridge that spans Henderson Road to connect Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. At 36m above Henderson Road, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

You can admire the beautiful skyline as you stroll across there. The wave-like structure provides shelter for the public.And the illuminated look at night is quite a scene as well.It's a good place for relaxation, bonding with families and friends, jogging or if you just want to have some space to think.

chachie & shieby's bonding time

We enjoyed picture taking, people watching while strolling and chit chatting. We also came across with 2 monkeys,and while I got scared of them, Shiela enjoyed following and  taking photo of the monkeys!

watch out for the monkies

even the monkey comes here to think :)

The floor boards will also tell you the height of the location you're at. And though it's supposed to be just a pedestrian bridge, it also becomes a nice get-together destination.



the illuminated wave-like structure at night

  

view from top

view from below

It's one bus away from Vivo City, so incase you're near that area and havent visited this place yet, go and take a look of this wonderful bridge. 

Angkor Wat -UNESCO's Heritage Site and A Wonder of the World

When I think of Cambodia, first place that comes to mind is - ANGKOR WAT!

-08 June 2009,Siem Reap,Cambodia with Ate Cielo & Gwen-

From Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam, we bought tickets for a coach transfer going to Cambodia (Ho Chi Mimh to Phnom Penh then Phnom Penh to Siem Reap). We also arranged an Angkor Wat tour for us 3 in Sinh Cafe in Vietnam. The tour package costs USD15/pax, minimum of 5 persons. Since we're only 3, we paid for USD75 to get it.

We were expecting that it will be an exclusive tour for us as we already paid for the whole package but to our dismay, there were 4 other tourists in the van (who only bought the ticket for the tour in Cambodia for USD15/pax). Lesson learned: we should have arranged the trip in Siem Reap and it would have been cheaper. Well, the more the merrier - let's go on with the tour!

Stop! Before you are allowed in Angkor Wat, you will have to pay USD20 for a day tour pass. There's a small building which serves as their ticket counter wherein you will be taken a picture that will be printed in your pass (wow,personalized!:)

Morning destination- Angkor Thom. We entered through the East gate. Walking,you will see a vast estate, with majestic temple ruins,giant trees and a lot of tourists.

going inside - Gwen (center) together with the rest of the crowd

Inside was Ta Phrom Temple. It  has been more famous because one of the scene in Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft-Tomb Raider was taken there.

The site where Tomb Raider scene was taken

Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire.At the centre of the city is the state's temple - the Bayon.The Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom.The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak.

Bayon

The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which was incorporated into the Royal Palace.The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon.

Baphuon Temple

Phimeanakas is a Hindu temple built at the end of the 10th century.

Phimeanakas Temple

We exited through Angkor Thom's South Gate which is quite a view as well.We paused for lunch break before continuing the tour to the most awaited temple.

Angkor Thom's South Gate entrance

Lunch was great, we ate at BBQ Suki Resto which serves Shabu-shabu/sukiyaki style.

And since we've re-charged already, its time for a quick change in outfit and back to the the main event- Angkor Wat!

Angkor Wat Facade

Upon seeing Angkor Wat, we we're awed with the great view it is offering. You will really feel a certain kind of happiness that you have come to see one of the world's wonder -and so we wander around :)

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building.

Angkor Wat, means "City Temple". Angkor meaning capital or city and  Wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok.

Angkor Wat

the group tour & a friend of our tourmate

im so excited & i just cant hide it

It was a great experience for me to be able to visit such a marvelous site.
I will surely love to go back in Angkor Wat!