Our journey to Ilocos was very thrilling and at the same time exciting. It was guided by Viajero Gabrielle Travel and Tour that promotes all destinations in the Islands of the Philippines and its tourist spot in most suitable and reasonable way. They provide their clients with the most excellent value possible for the journey spend. They are flexible in their approach and we will realize that travelling is such refreshing and truly relaxing.

ILOCOS ITINERARY:

Roundtrip (Manila-Laoag-Vigan-Pagudpud-Manila)

Consisting of 12 persons, ₱3200/ per head

Day 00 8 PM Estimated Time of Departure at MOA

Day 01

5:00 AM Breakfast

6:00 PM Proceed to Paoay

8:00 AM Paoay Church

29:00 PM Paoay Sand Dunes

Rent the 4×4 Rough Riding vehicle for an hour which will then include sand boarding and thrilling drops on steep sand ridges that will make you scream in excitement. Hold on to the steel bar while standing on the 4×4 for the most exciting adventure in Paoay. The sand ridges can go as high as 10-20ft at the most, while the most thrilling ride is the “rollercoaster”, where a series of sand hills will make you hold on to that bar of steel for dear life.

After these rides, try sand boarding where a plank of wood is your equipment to slide over sand folds in the vast landscape. My first try was, of course, a fall, but it was not painful at all. If you do it once and get over the fear, I can assure that you’ll do it over and over again. It was that much fun! The hardest and most tiring aspect of the sport? Going up again walking on the hot sandy slope after sliding down, but this will not prevent you to try and try until you do it perfectly. This package will cost 2,500php.

1:00 PM Paoay Lake & Malacanang of the North

11:30-12:30 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

2:00 PM Kapurpurawan rock formation

3:00 PM Bangui Windmills

4:00 PM Check In

Day 02

5:00 Breakfast/ Check Out

7:00 AM Patapat Viaduct/ Paraiso Ni Anton/ Bantay Abot Cave

10:30 AM Lunch/Swim @ Blue Lagoon White Beach(Pagudpud)

1:00 PM Wash Up/ ETD Blue Lagoon/ Tour Resume

2:00 PM Sinking Bell Tower

2:00 PM St. Williams Cathedral ( Laoag Church)

2:30PM Ilocos Norte Capitol Building

3:00 PM Visit Bacarra Church and Bell Tower

5:00 PM Check in

7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Dancing Fountain Show

Day 03

6:00 AM Breakfast

7:00 AM Check out at the Hotel.

7:30 AM Baluarte

8:30 AM Explore Vigan

0:00 AM ETD Vigan/ Quirino Bridge

12:00 Stop Over for Lunch

5:00 PM Grapes Farm Sidetrip at La union

The last activity we did. Grape picking. ☹️

9:00 ETD Manila

That’s it for our Ilocos Roadtrip. I hope you enjoy it and you will have an idea for your itinerary on your next adventure to the North. Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you will keep track on my blogs. Thank you~~~

ENJOY EXPLORING AND DON’T STOP LEARNING!

For someone who loves sea creatures and animals, Manila Ocean Park is a spectacular marine themed park locateded behind the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park that is a must go-to place. Amazing attractions, relaxing view of the bay, enriching marine life exhibits, entertaining dining shapes to mold into an integrated resort destination. Manila Ocean Park is proud to have a marine-themed park in the country that houses life of the best of both under and over the sea!

Getting to see unique species in diverse shapes and sizes up close was astonishing. The aquariums looked elegant and clean with all the different sea creatures swimming freely in the tanks. As I passed by each display, I got to learn a lot about these fishes, their names and other facts and trivias.

We were on our way to the Back of the House where the sea creatures are nurture
and it is the place where they breed different species. It is the “scientific core” of the Oceanarium’s operations, the reason why the tanks and the water are crystal clear. Also displayed here is the life support system where the water is being filtered from Manila Bay to the tanks.

Trails of Antarctica brings you closer to the coldest and most mysterious places on earth. Take a journey to discover a world like no other. It features a walk through exhibit where you can learn more about the frozen continent live Humboldt penguins in the penguin exhibit where you can feed them that costs 500 pesos.

Welcome to the “World of Creepy Crawlies”. Through this exhibition, you will discover colorful and interesting insects, reptiles, and arachnids found throughout the world. Going through the various sections, you will learn how these fascinating creatures play a crucial roles in nature and act as a barometers to a healthy environment. The Cockroach exhibit that is in a place designed like a kitchen looked very uniqued because the insects are place in the cabinets, drawers and even the refrigerator.

The Oceanarium is a home of 14,000 marine creatures from around 277 species containing different weird looking fishes, stingrays, and sharks.

After all the walking, we had the chance to get a Fish Spa. It is one of my most anticipated activity because it is my first time to be treated by a fish. (pun intended). It is a relaxing moment as the doctor fishes nibbles dead skin cells from your tired and stinky feet, leaving you with rejuvenated skin. All you have to do is sit back and have fun with these therapeutic fishes as they feast on your toes.

We went to the Supertoy Collection, the largest toy collection in the Philippines, that fulfills the dreams of kids and every kids at heart. It is a super fun-filled, picture perfect and interactive Super Zones.

The Birds of Prey Kingdom showcased one of the stunning coastal raptors or the Lawin in the country. Some of them were flying around and some were resting on the railings, close enough to snap a quick photo before they fly away again.

I had the chance to feed one of the birds by raising my arm and waiting for them to fly over. The worker there is very welcoming and he also took the video while I am feeding the bird in slow motion. The birds looked like they were well trained.

Our next destination is the Jellies. Jellyfish are some of the most beautiful creatures in the ocean. They are commonly known as “dancing sea fairies”. The surroundings where the Jellyfish are located is dark, except for the tanks that changes colour after every couples of seconds that makes it look like the creatures are changing colors while gliding gracefully.

The Barnyard and the Birdhouse, a place that can give you joy because of the cuteness of the little hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, rodents that are playing in their wheels, mice and chickens that are sheltered in the barn. I also took the chance of feeding the birds by giving them bird feeds.

After the very tiring adventures, now it is lunch time! Makan Makan, a veritable Pon-Asian village where the culinary delights of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines abound.

All-Star Bird Show that showcases the intelligence and beauty of different species of birds

Witness the talented and adorable Sea Lion Show performers as they bring you valuable informations aboout environmental conservations. It would be great if you are in the front seat because you would have a great big chance to have a free photo with a kiss from the sea lion as a souvenir. The show runs 3-5 times a day and has a 1900 pax per show.

Neon Rides features instagram-worthy pedal cars that are lit up at night with neon-colored LED lights. These Volkswagen inspired cars will make you take as many pictures as you want, sing along with your favorite songs and get fit as you pedal your way around the park.

The last activity that we did was the Symphony Evening Show that uses the latest multimedia technology. It is a magical display of huge water fountains, the tallest in the Philippines reaching 40 meters or 120 feet. Symphony has more depth, creating a 2d effect as you enter an ethnic and mysterious world. It takes up to 30 minutes and it ended with its magnificent fireworks display.

After all these activities, you can have a stay at their hotel. Hotel H2o offers the first marine-themed rooms and suites that gives you a breathtaking peek of natural underwater beauty. Create a relaxing getaway as you plan your staycation at Hotel H2o. The rooms had an aquariums that changes its color every couple of seconds filled with Jellyfish. You can also have an access to their pool and have fun with your family.

Your All-season Holiday Destination

Overall, it is a fun and educational tour for students and those who want to pursue higher learning in marine science. This made me appreciate the significance of nature and how I should be more responsible taking care of my ocean planet.

My dream is to travel the whole world. but at the age of 15, I will travel first to the hidden treasures of my beloved country, the Philippines.

People all over the world known Boracay as one of the most beautiful island in the world. It is located in Visayas that is well known for its captivating sunset and its refined white sand.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the 6-month closure of Boracay for a massive cleanup that aims to restore the beauty of the country’s top tourist destination. Only 6,405 tourists will be allowed to enter the island.

Some of the water activities, the fire dancing every night, and loud music are banned so the things you can do now in Boracay are limited. but wait, there’s more!! there are many neighboring provinces near Boracay that we should add to our itinerary because its worth packing for.

Get into an extreme water adventure, unplugged from social media and treat your skin in a hot spa bath. You can get all these in a remote area such as Tibiao, Antique.

It is famous because of their Kawa. It is very relaxing when you try it because they put different herbal leaves and natural ingredients you’d like to go with your hot bath. Choices are beer, milk, salt, coffee, and wine.

Tibiao has a fresh water from the mountains and the place is surrounded by trees.

They also offer fresh seafoods and fish spa.

To make your Calawag Mountain Resort experience more fun and instagrammable, you should avail of the resort’s boodle fight by the river.

Battle trip is a South Korean television entertainment program, distributed and syndicated by KBS that featured the beauty and glamour of one of our islands in the Philippines that is hosted by boom and jihye, and was guided by Ryan bang, a comedian, in exploring the beauty of the Philippines.

Also, kudos to Ryan Bang for being all knowing in all the places they’ve gone by giving them facts and its rich history.

Don’t worry about the accommodation! Calawag Mountain Resort and Kawa Inn is here for you. These resorts are owned and managed by the same family.

Transportation to the airport? Worry no more! The trip will only be one and a half hour going to the nearest airport kaya gora na!

Philippines has so many things to offer, from the relaxing beaches, to hospitable and very friendly people, to the Filipino delicacies and many more…

So, what are you waiting for? Antique has still lots of beautiful places to offer. Come and visit it.

Thank you for reading my blog! I hope you enjoy it and have a great day!