TravelFeedTravelFeed Logo
ULOG #43:  From San Juan, La Union to Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Part I)

ULOG #43: From San Juan, La Union to Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Part I)

September 2018 · 7 min read · Ilocos Sur

#ULOG 43_ A LIFE IN A Day.jpg

It's so nice to be here again. The past few weeks we have nothing but rain. Up until this moment, we only get a few hours in a day where the sun would grace us with its presence but the rain is persistent. When the weather this weekend was great enough, we decided to go to the lowlands. Up here in the mountains, fog and rain is depressing especially when they drag on for weeks and weeks.

This is the reason why we spent our weekend down by the beach.

P_20180903_135027.jpg

We planned to visit another place where it promises a beautiful waterfalls. Sometimes when we travel we play by our mood and at the same time what opportunity brings. We have to take into consideration the place and the travel like the schedule of bus. The place where the waterfalls is at least six hours from Baguio City. It would be late when we arrived where the waterfall is and we are not familiar with the place. We then decided to go San Juan and stayed at Villas Buenavistas again.

(Check out related article ULOG #28: Chasing Summer this Rainy Season)

This is the pool near the restaurant and where day swimmers can swim. There are two pools in the compound. This is where we swam during our first visit here and it is where we swam again when @bloghound and Yani came to see us the second time around.

P_20180902_070237.jpg

P_20180902_060930.jpg

I just love how the sun turns everything to gold. Villas Buenavistas is located in San Juan, La Union and it is two hours from Baguio City. We were so happy to feel the heat and see everything dry that we did not mind how hot it was.

P_20180901_151910.jpg

This is the second pool which is beside the room we checked in. No one was checked in near the rooms where we were so we had this pool to ourselves. We wanted to swim in the sea but decided against it because the waves are strong and it was a steep drop in most parts so we just enjoyed the view.

We then called for @bloghound and Yani to join us for a swim. After tiring ourselves, we then had our dinner at Amare where Yani had fun helping make pizza. She was hesitant at first and needed a lot of coaxing before she finally gave in. In the middle of it she finally enjoyed it and finished the task. Good job, Yani!

P_20180901_180828.jpg

P_20180901_180523.jpg

P_20180901_175841.jpg

We can also watch the crew flip, twirl and spin the dough. Those who want to help in making the pizza can do those things too if they can.

Amare La Cucina is one ride away from Villas Buenavistas. It is at La Roca Villa Resort Hotel. It is a nice place to enjoy their great tasting pizzas fresh from the brick oven. Freshly baked pizza is life!

While waiting for the pizza, I took some photos of the resort. This place had its share of great and stunning sunsets. We were not lucky that time to experience such.

I love the ambiance and how it was situated. On a good weather, you can enjoy the food and watch the sunset. It is also noticeable how they used lots of shells to decorate and accentuate the hotel's reception area.

P_20180901_172921.jpg

P_20180901_172929.jpg

P_20180901_172945.jpg

P_20180901_172835.jpg

11.jpg

Our mood the next day brought us to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Vigan is about four hours from San Juan. There are lots of buses going to Ilocos that passes by San Juan. Take buses that are bound for Vigan or Laoag or Candon. Do not take buses bound for Abra. San Juan to Vigan is around USD4.00.

Know Your Earth.jpg

Vigan, Ilocos Sur is at least four hours from San Juan, La Union (six hours from Baguio City). I have not been to this place in a long time. The first time I visited this, we also took a horse-drawn carriage we call kalesa. You can hire the kalesa and it will take you to places of attraction within the plaza and near the plaza.

We took the kalesa tour for PHP150.00 (around USD3.00) for two people and that is for one hour. These carriages are parked near Calle Crisologo. Ready your nose to be attacked by the smell of these horses though. These may look rickety any fall apart but surprisingly they are sturdy enough to carry us around town.

P_20180902_134412.jpg

Here in this photo you can see different modes of transportation: kalesa, motorcycle, tricycle, etc.

P_20180902_134445.jpg

P_20180902_134617.jpg

For the first tour, we asked our driver to take us to Bantay Bell Tower. This is just outside of the Vigan center. This was built in 1591 and served as a watchtower and then converted into a bell tower in 1857.

P_20180902_134700.jpg

This is our kalesa en route going to Bantay, exiting the town center of Vigan. Despite the slow pace of the carriage, it was a pleasant experience because it was breezy and the wind was cool. Such a desirable welcome. It was a respite from the heat.

"Bantay" means to keep watch over or to guard. That is how the tower got its name and it is also where the name of the town came from. The tower is used to watch for pirates raiding the town during the Spanish era. This is situated on top of a hill.

P_20180902_135634.jpg

It is free to go to the bell tower. You just have to register at the entrance and drop any amount at the box by the registration booth for the maintenance of the place.

You can go up the bell tower and see bell still in the tower. You can also get a panoramic glimpse of Vigan and Bantay. You have to watch your step and your head when going up the tower though. The way going up is narrow and the steps are more narrower going up where the bells are. The steps to where the bells are located are made of wood.

P_20180902_140011.jpg

Souvenir shops are found beside the entrance going to the bell tower. You can find here local products aside from the usual stuff like t-shirts, keychains, etc.

Ready to Blog & Earn?

With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account

P_20180902_140332.jpg

The church beside the bell tower is called Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Caridad, Saint Augustine Parish Church, named after the saint of the Augustinian Friars or just Bantay Church. A statue of Apo Caridad stands in front of the church and the belfry/watchtower stands at the background in one of the photos below.

The story goes that an image of Our Lady of Charity was found by fishermen floating on Bantaoay River. The image is placed in a wooden box and no one can take it except people from Bantay. The church of San Augustine became the shrine of Our Lady of Charity on January 12, 1956.

This church is the one of the oldest churches here in the Ilocos Sur. The church was damaged during the second World War. This was also the site of uprisings against the Spanish particularly led by Diego Silang in 1763. Restoration of the facade took place in 1950 mixing neo-Gothic design and pseudo-Romanesque design.

P_20180902_135053.jpg

P_20180902_135115.jpg

Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!

To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here

I was not able to take photos of the inside of the church because they were busy setting up something in front of the church as taking a quick peek inside it was dark anyway.

P_20180902_140521.jpg

We then got back to our kalesa and headed back to Vigan town proper for more tour. Stay tuned for more.

P_20180902_140703.jpg

Travel Resources for your trip to The Philippines

Recommended by TravelFeed

Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to The Philippines.

Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in The Philippines on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.

Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.

Transportation: Use 12go and Omio to find detailed bus and train schedules, making travel planning easier.

Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.

Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!

Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

Tickets: Save on entrance fees in The Philippines with Klook and Tiquets.

Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to The Philippines. Chat now.

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.


Share this post