oscar's posts with tag: bibingka
 At long last! Nakatapak din sa Vigan! woohoo! That's 1 out the 20 places I wanna go before 40! Sabi nga ni Kaye... pwede nang hindi bumalik! hahahaha (sorry for the negative ad here). At least what we meant was not to have a repeat visit soon. Probably, once I've exhausted my Pinoy list then I can go back. hahahaha.
How to get there from Manila?
The easiest way: walk in customer sa bus terminals. There are several trips daily from Cubao via Partas and Dominion. For ~Php 540 your on your way to Vigan! By the way, road trip is about 9-10 hours depending on the traffic in Tarlac.
How to get around once there?
1_ by foot - say hello to exercise people
2_ hail a tricycle - short trips should only cost Php 10 per person. Speaking from experience ito mga pare. Tinaga kami for Php 40 for a short ride palibhasa we jus arrived from Manila and we don't know our way around yet.
3_ Calesa (the ultimate Vigan experience) - currect rate is Php 150 per hour per Calesa. This week is their town fiesta so most likely, prices might jack up or something.
What's the weather like?
Surprisingly, it's not humid. Probably that's the reason Hispanic houses were preserved over the century. There's no much moisture in the air. Its just me talking here folks (disclaimer), I might be wrong. The sun is still burning bright and hot but the air breeze is cool. kewl di ba?
What to bring? (aside from your Vanity kit, personal meds etc.)
1_ a simple map of Vigan in order to identify where to go. Vigan is practically a small town with parallel and perpendicular streets (in short, in a grid).
2_ Ladies and gents, wear comfy shoes for walking. You don't want to wear heals or leather soles along a cobble stoned street.
3_ be sure to bring water while you're strolling around the city
Food?
Fast food chains can be found around the plaza, I'd rather save that as the last option though.
For the Vigan experience, well, there's Cafe Leona and Pizza and Pasta Place which serve dishes from Php 120 and up. Pizza is around Php 200 and up (I think).
Delicacies are available at Tongson's. A bibingka costs Php 7 per piece (box orders are available too). Chichacorn at Php 20 and Php 40 (in different flavors). Empanadita at Php 85 per dozen. Vigan tsokolate at Php 62 per roll. Tinubong, kalamay and suka are abundant anywhere you go.
EPL empanada costs Php 25 (special) and Php 5 (regular). Okoy costs Php 25. They're located at Plaza Burgos, right across Guess. Sabayan mo ng softdrink! Ayos!
How about the famous Vigan Longganisa and Bagnet?
Where else to find the most affordable ones... at the local public market. Php 80 to Php 90 per dozen of longganisa. Choose between small and big sizes and dried vs. bagong gawa. Bagnet costs Php 300 per kilo. Meat section can be found at the 2nd floor of the market.
How about souvenirs and stuff?
Calle Crisologo is the way! Furniture, antique stuff, shirts, cellphone holder, magnet. You'll probably find what' you're looking for along the famous cobble stoned street.
  Accommodations:
We stayed at Gordion Inn for 3 nights. Not bad, actually, bed and breakfast and free WiFi. hmmm. :D
For more options for accommodations, check http://wikitravel.org/en/Vigan#Sleep
A few NDD calls won't hurt to ask about their rates. Plus most hotels are a few steps away from Calle Crisologo.
What else to see in Vigan aside from old Hispanic houses?
1_ Old Crisologo House (which is now a museum)
2_ Burgos House (aka Ayala Museum)
3_ Bantay Bell tower and St. Augustine Chapel
4_ St. Paul Cathedral (Vigan Cathedral) and its 8 sided bell tower. (We noticed that it bell tower is separate from the church itself, we wondered why but never asked anyone about it. hahahaha)
5_ Plaza Burgos
6_ Plaza Salcedo
7_ Museo Nuestra Segovia
8_ Paburnayan (clay pottery, which we weren't able to do since we arrived late in the afternoon)
9_ Hidden Garden (for the green thumbs and plant lovers)
10_ Baluarte
11_ Syquia Mansion and Quema House (which we never had the time to visit).
If you're the happy camper and full of energy, a day should be enough to stroll around the city. For Kaye and I, we took our time: 2 lazy afternoons. Ü
You can always move to other nearby provinces if you want to maximize the trip. Laoag is just and hour or two away. Same thing for Baguio and La Union which are a few hours south of the city.
Overall, I think, my four days were well spent. Now, I'm penniless. Hahahaha. Nex stop Corregidor and Hundred Islands! Can't wait!
Picture layout courtesy of http://www.magmypic.com/
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