Vigan

A trip to Vigan is something that has been in the books for almost a year now. For one reason or another, it kept getting shelved. Until finally, we were able to schedule it and go last October 15. As our time was limited, we decided to make it an overnight trip. Well, technically, it was a 2 night - 2 day thing, with us taking a Partas bus on the evening of Friday, October 14.

Me on one of the beds inside the
Ancestral Suite we've rented @ Vigan
Plaza Hotel

We left Partas Cubao Terminal at exactly 12mn and arrived in Vigan a little past 7am of Saturday, October 15. Since it was an evening trip, it was fast and hassle-free and most of all, we slept most of the way. By the way, we took Partas' Deluxe Bus, a 28-seater bus equipped with Lazy Boy like chairs; so it was ultra comfy.  We opted for an overnight stay at the Vigan Plaza Hotel. Since there were 4 of us in this trip, we decided to get one of their Ancestral Suites which cost us P4,165. Not bad considering that it comes with free breakfast for four as well and taking into account that it's located right beside the famous Calle Crisologo. 

Calle Crisologo at almost
4pm

Calle Crisologo aside from its well preserved state as a heritage site, is also considered as a photographer's  delight because it is, I think, the only place in Vigan which do not have hanging electric wires or lampposts, thus giving a photographer an uninterrupted view of the entire place.

display at Cafe Uno

As soon as we were ushered into our room, we just took an hour or two to freshen up and off we went to our Vigan day-tour. Since the hotel van was no longer available by the time we went downstairs to inquire, and none of us have ever ridden a Kalesa, we decided to take a Kalesa Day Trip being offered by Kutseros right outside the hotel. Since there were four of us, we needed to take 2 Kalesas; the kalesa day trip cost us P150/hour/kalesa. But before we started the tour, we decided to walk and explore the shops at Calle Crisologo. We ended up having late breakfast at Cafe Uno, where I first got to taste Daing na Espada with Fried Rice and Sukang Iloco. It was simply heaven! My friends got Vigan Longganisa and some Tapas.


After that hearty breakfast, we proceeded with the day tour. Our Kutsero said that there will be 5-6 stops which will take about 4 hours max. 

at the entrance of Burgos House

Our first stop was the Padre Burgos House. A museum housing the memorabilias of a priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Sadly, the house wasn't well-maintained. Yeah, yeah it's an old house, but I have been to Taal, Batangas and have explored its Heritage Town last September and I can honestly say that the government of Batangas has done (and is doing) a great job at preserving their historical landmarks. This was not the case in Padre Burgos House. There were a lot of memorabilias on display, but it was basically left to itself. I wonder where the donation fees go? 

Calesa of the Crisologos

Next stop was the Crisologo House. Since this one's a private museum, it is in a much better state than Padre Burgos was, as can be seen by well-polished floors. Crisologo House is the house of Former Congresman Floro Crisologo, father of Bingbong Crisologo. The 1st floor houses the family books, kalesa  and the car where Mrs. Crisologo was riding when an assassin tried to murder her. The 2nd floor houses Cong. Floro's office as well as the preserved bloodied garments he wore on the day that he was shot inside the St. Paul's Cathedral. The pictures and the garment of Cong. Floro, reminded me of the pictures taken when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in 1983.  

Reminiscent of a scene in the movie
 Ghost minus Demi  :))

After the Crisologo House, we went to a pottery or jar making site. There we got a glimpse how those Burnay jars are being made. It sure does take a lot of muscles! 

A Sto. Nino altar inside
the Vigan Hidden Garden

Next stop was the Hidden Garden. Well, if you'd ask me to describe it, i'd just say that it is Vigan's version of Tagaytay's Sonya's Garden :). Vigan's Hidden Garden has yeah, plants, lots of it actually and a restaurant inside the premises. Pardon me, but I'm not really into plants, so I was like "okay, ito pala yun". Oh, they don't have a hotel (or cottages) like Sonya's. 


At their cafe/resto, I tried sampling what they called as "Native Halo-Halo", and my friends tried Vigan Empanada. I was expecting that the Halo-Halo will offer something different from the ones I get to eat in Manila, but I wasn't that lucky. :( 

Yeah, that's me with the Camel ... :) In fairness, he
"smiled"  all the time that we were having
our pics taken with him

After the Hidden Garden, off we went to Baluarte, a private mini-zoo cum resort owned by Chavit Singson. Here, I was able to be up close and personal with a Camel. Yeah, a Camel. :), an animal which I believed I'd never get to see up close unless I go to Saudi Arabia :) It also houses a host of other animal species. We tried seeing the tiger, but I think, it was having its siesta  when we were there. I couldn't really blame him, we were there between 12 noon - 1pm, the hottest time of the day. Needless to say, we didn't stay long. On the way out, I saw a structure that was being built. My friends and I guessed that it will be some kind of a hotel. 

After Baluarte, we were taken to the Syquia Mansion or also known as the Quirino Mansion. Syquia is the family name of the wife of the former President Elpidio Quirino, Dona Alicia. According to the katiwala, when Dona Alicia married President Quirino, the house was renamed as Quirino Mansion  as a sign of respect to Elpidio. But nowadays as with the marker outside the mansion, it is now referred to as "Syquia Mansion". As with Crisologo Museum, Syquia Mansion is a privately owned museum, thus, one can expect that the house is well-maintained and preserved. It is now being taken care of a fourth-generation "katiwala", unfortunately, I forgot his name. But he gave us a very detailed tour of the house and was even generous enough to take our pics. Almost all the memorabilias housed found inside the Mansion are originals, hence, valuable. The touted replica of Juan Luna's Spolarium, painted by Luna's assistant graces what used to be the house's antesala. 


After Syquia Mansion, our Kutseros told us that the last stop was the bell tower something, but we were tired already by this time that we begged off. We asked to be brought back to our hotel instead. All in all, we paid P750 / kalesa for a 5 hour day trip. I'd say, it was well worth it. 


We went back to our room to freshen up and rest for a bit. But not before we scouted the area for a spa, since we all were tired, we wanted some pampering. Fortunately, there were 2 Spa Centers located in a commercial building a walking distance from our hotel; unfortunately, there were only 3 therapist in all available that afternoon. So that meant, that the 4 of us will have to take turns. I decided to go first and have my massage. My friend, Dex opted to have his massage in a different spa center. I had a 30-minute foot massage coupled with an hour whole body massage. After this, it was our other 2 friends' turn. While waiting for them, Dex and I decided to explore Calle Crisologo at night time. I appreciated that moment a lot. It felt like being transported back to the 19th century, I felt safe and so calm. I mean, I didn't feel the stresses of life back in the city. I just felt like I was Maria Clara taking a leisurely stroll down Calle Crisologo. 


We had our dinner at Grandpa's Inn. Like our breakfast that morning, it was sumptuous. My tummy was needless to say... HAPPY. :) 


We decided to end the night with a drinking session inside our room. And since we were in Vigan, we decided to try out their local wine or what they call Basi. Didn't like it, though. I guess, its an acquired taste. Haha!


We left Vigan the following day, Sunday, October 16. We tried to attend a mass at the St. Paul Cathedral, but we were late already so much so that we were able to hear the priest bestowing his blessings for everyone. We had our breakfast at the hotel and left for the bus terminal at around 10am.

Our trip going home, unlike our trip coming to Vigan, took 10 hours to complete. We left the Partas Vigan  station at 10am, I arrived in Cubao Station at 8pm. Lesson learned: travel at night. 


Given the chance, I'd definitely go back to Vigan but will go farther up North the next time. 


I'd like to say my special thanks to the staff of the Vigan Plaza Hotel, for being so accommodating. Reserving a room with them was a breeze! I just called them a day before we left for Vigan, told them my name and how many we are in and that's it, I got a room reserved for us! And they were so patient with all changes that had to take place (i.e., us taking a different bus line from the one I advised them earlier for the pick-up arrangements; no more extra bed because 1 person didn't join us at the last minute). Thank you so much! Sorry, I am really bad with names, but you know who you are guys! Thanks!!