Reliving the Past in Heritage Village, Vigan City

After a short stopover in La Union, we continued our way to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, the original destination of our road trip.

Vigan City is about 400 kilometers away from Manila, depending on traffic situation, around 8-9 hours drive via NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) and SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway).  It is located on the west coast of Northern Luzon and is the seat of provincial government of Ilocos Sur.  Vigan City is famous for its Heritage Village, a tourist destination where ancestral houses and other structures built during the Spanish era can be found.  Heritage Village was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Site for these well-preserved ancestral houses and other historical and religious structures.

It was already evening when we reached Vigan City.  We walked around the Heritage Village, along Calle Crisologo and nearby streets, admiring the vintage houses that they turned into tourist attractions, taking photographs here and there.

the famous Calle Crisologo of the Heritage Village, Vigan City

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Road Trip to Ilocos Sur: La Union Stopover

I love traveling. Yet, I am not that fond of long road trips. Most of the time, long commute or long road trips made me feel dizzy and nauseated, especially when riding public transport vehicles like bus or van. So when I go on a long commute, I always make sure to sit on the first two rows of the bus/van (in those seats, the feeling of dizziness and nausea lessens).  Otherwise, I wouldn't get in. I would wait for another bus/van just to be seated on those first two rows.

It's another story though, when riding in a private vehicle. Although I still felt dizzy, I can go sit on the backseat because I can open the car windows anytime I feel sick. I don't know what's with the open air, but it somehow relaxes me when I get to breathe fresh air, or should I say polluted air...hehe!

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Wandering Around La Mesa Watershed and Ecopark

Are you looking for a place where you can relax and bond with your family and friends? A place near enough and good enough for your precious time and budget? Try La Mesa Watershed and Ecopark, it's affordable and best of all, it's right within the city. La Mesa Watershed and Ecopark is an ecological recreation site located in East Fairview, Quezon City, just a few minutes away from the Quezon Memorial Circle and the Quezon City Hall.  It is part of the La Mesa Dam, a water reservoir and primary water source of the entire Metro Manila area.

La Mesa Ecopark - Shell Flower Terraces

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WOW! It's more fun in the Philippines!

Department of Tourism has recently launched it's new campaign slogan It's more fun in the Philippines. But just after it's launching, on the same day it was launched, the same campaign slogan, as used 60 years ago by Switzerland, also appeared. A copy-cat or mere coincidence?

I do believe the phrase 'It's more fun in the Philippines'; with the magnificent Batanes group of islands from up north, a province with its welcoming and trusting people (I remember they have this "honesty" store), a province with zero crime rate (from what I've heard at the time I was there, at least), to Zamboanga del Norte down south (the farthest I've been, that is), a province with friendly and generous people, with abundant fresh sea foods; with our country's varying but rich cultures and beliefs; with our beautiful beaches; with our lovely, cheerful and hospitable people; definitely it's more fun in the Philippines!

But I still prefer Wow Philippines as a slogan, it's positive, it appeals to people's curiosity, the word 'wow' in it says it all. When people hear the word wow, people tend to ask 'what is it?', they tend to get curious and would want to try or check it out. Well, this is just my opinion; whatever our tourism's slogan is, I would still enjoy going around and seeing all of the Philippines. Let's all visit and explore our country, let's all be PROUD of the Philippines.

Just a thought: perhaps we can make it WOW! IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! ^__^

~oo00oo~

This is a re-post from my other blog, transferred it here since it's also travel-related.  Would want to re-post the comments too but am using Disqus on my other blog and I am too lazy to search how to transfer the comments here.  Anyway, thank you to those who commented on this post before. :)

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About The Pinay Wanderer

At an early age, I am already a wanderer. I was born in Pangasinan; spent the first six years of my life in Batangas; the next six years in Mindoro; and another eight years again in Batangas. After my graduation in college, I moved here in Metro Manila; stayed and lived in more than a dozen places, worked in three different organizations. Early on, I learned to live, to travel, to wander through life.

Last year however, I discovered that traveling is more than just moving from one place to another. It's about enjoying and living the fun and excitement of wandering through places. It's about taking risks, about experiencing life outside of your comfort zone.

Now, I travel, not just to visit a place, but to relax, to learn, to have some fun. Join me as I wander around the Philippines and beyond, follow me here and be a part of The Pinay Wanderer's adventures! ^_^

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