This is another special trip for me. Aside from the fact that this is my first time visiting Abra, Vigan, and Ilocos Sur, this is also the first trip spent with two of my girl friends: Eula and Julie.
The idea was to go with Eula to her home province: Abra. Since it's holy week that spells an extra long weekend, we spent four days up north with Eula leading the way and allowing us to experience these beautiful provinces the best we could!
Let's begin. :)
DAY 1
It was holy Thursday when we reached Abra. We stayed at Eula's Aunt's house. Real good people. :) Upon arrival, we rest for awhile, lodged our bags, changed clothes, and out we went to Vigan. Yep. First destination: Vigan.
Of course, we rode the Kalesa. Here we are posing for the picture. :) This was after we had our fill of the Vigan empanada and some other local delicacies. Yum!
Calle Crisologo. Here we took dozens of photos which I will save you from. Hehe.
After that, we went to the Bell Tower. We hired a tricycle and its kind and generous driver to tour us around. We were leaving Calle Crisologo when we arranged the deal with the driver. It was after we saw that he has a list of destinations in Vigan inside the sidecar of his trike, right in front of us. :)
The Bell Tower. Yes, it was high. And yes, we climbed up and enjoyed the view from the top. :)
Here's one of the views from the top. That's a cemetery.
There's a cathedral in the vicinity of the Bell Tower. We went there next. This is a shot of the garden outside the cathedral. Romantic, isn't it? :)
Next destination: Baluarte
The smile hid the fear. I was so scared of the ostrich since I know that they have tendencies of attacking people. Right? The camera angle was great. I was actually standing a little far behind that giant bird. Safe distance, you might call it. Hehe. And yeah, the smile and the shades helped hide the fear I was feeling right then. :P
We visited a lot other animals in Baluarte. Reptiles like geckos and snakes, ponies, goats (?), there's an aviary too, and of course, the tiger.
Next destination: Hidden Garden.
Now, you really have to give it to our driver. He found the Hidden Garden! Woah! Amazing! (LOL)
Inside the top secret garden, we found lots of interesting displays. Here are some of them.
This uberly rich Buddha
Eula and Julie wishing on a wishing well using shining shimmering, newly produced and not-so frequently used 10-cent coins of the Republic of the Philippines!!! *with conviction and pride*
Her
Uh. Out of season much? Hehe.
This witty trash can.
This beauty. :)
And the Bonsai Garden. Love these miniature beauties! :)
Next on the list: Pagburnayan or pottery factory. Hehe. Can it be called that? Anyway, we next went there and tried our hands on pottery making itself.
One look at this photo and it's easy to tell that, no, we didn't have the skills for it. :P
On our defense, they didn't show us how it's properly done before asking us to try it for ourselves. Had we known, we would've created the most unique pottery ever known to man! Okay, that's exaggerating. Hehe.
No, seriously, had we known how to do it, we would've at least made it look a little close to a pot or something. When the master potter (hehe) showed us how it's done, it looked sooooo easy! From that same lump of clay/mud, he was able to create one large jar in 20 seconds! uh-huh! Twenty. Seconds. Insane!
That was really fascinating and it's a great experience for the three of us to witness how each clay jar are made. This showed us that there is no identical clay products since all of them are made one by one, day by day.
Now here't the giant oven with which the clay products are being cooked to perfection. It stretches to, I think, at least 18 feet? I'm not sure. But yeah, it's long and the temperature near is really high.
We had an afternoon snack after coming from the Pagburnayan and then we tried to become kids once more by playing in the nearby playground. Fun!
DAY 2
Second day of the trip, we went to (if I'm not mistaken) the largest river in Ilocos Sur. But since it's summer time, the water have receded and we were left to explore the vast area of rocks that was the river bed during wet season. :)
What's uniquely province-y about the river is that we saw housewives washing clothes, naked children bathing..
and yes, carabaos bathing too! It's one hot summer, indeed.
and this dog! :)
Here's the vast expanse of the river.
We also crossed the river (the watered wide, hehe) and went walking through and on top of large river rocks. We saw cows and their manure, before finally reaching Eula's grandparents' house where we stayed for a while. Eula, his brother, and their two other cousins, of course exchange stories with their grandparents while Julie and I sat there, listening to them talk. We can't understand Ilocano, so that's all we can do. Hehe.
Still on the other side of the river, we climbed a huge rock, we think it's a part of the mountain, and stood there, trying to see far and beyond. Hehe. Not long after, we heard Eula's father shouting at us. Yep, across the river. The distance is a kinda huge, so it's an easy guess that he's been shouting at the top of his lungs for us to go down that rock and come back to the other side. (that sounded a little... fiction-y. hehehe)
Down we went and started making our way towards the part of the river that's shallower and safer for us to cross. That's when we saw a boat man and asked him to let us ride and cross the river. He agreed and soon, we were on the other side, listening to Eula's father's sermon. :P
We met some more of their relatives on the way to our hut made from tree branches.
And this here is our humble hut for the afternoon. It's pretty cool inside and uhm, we were able to fit in just right inside. We were at least, 10 adults (?) But yeah, we fit right in and shared our yummy lunch inside and away from the scorching sun.
Back from the swimming/lunch by the river, we next went some place else. (I'm not sure I know the name of the place but that was to meet some more of their relatives). Eula and Ralph, Eula's brother, seldom go home to Abra, so it's a must that they meet all of their relatives whenever they do. So, on we went to meet them.
On the way there, we saw lots of food-bearing plants, showing us how simple life in the province really is. And aside from that, how low the cost of living in the province is. It's amazing. :)
Here are red hot chili peppers. Hehehehe.
This here, is tobacco. Yup! I didn't know until now that tobaccos actually look this pretty when their not dried and out to cause lung diseases to people. (Read any bitterness here?)
That aside, I'm totally thrilled that they stood taller than me (not that I'm tall or anything). It's just amusing for me. :)
Tobacco flowers. They're pretty, no? :)
We also saw this hut where the tobaccos are being dried and smoked. Eula's aunt and uncle also have this in their yard. They also process and sell tobacco, as what most residents do.
We met with their relatives and I just have to mention that yet again, Julie and I experienced something uniquely provincial. (can I use that word?) Anyway, the thing is, when we arrived to their relatives' house, they quickly fetch a coconut from the tree and gave it to us to drink.
Before, when it was still just a few people living in our barangay in Antipolo, we used to always drink fresh buko juice and eat fresh coconut meat. The experience sent me back in time. :)
On our way back to Eula's aunt's home, Ricky, Eula's cousin, took an upo from its vine. That was our dinner. Fresh and organic. How awesome is that, right? :))
And oh, also on our way home, we had this little incident where a cow got loose from its reins and everyone, except for the three of us, helped corner the cow and re-rein it. It was fun watching them. Heheheh.
DAY 3
Okay, I'm getting confused now. I can't clearly recall what we did for the entire day except for the fact that, once again, we are aboard Ricky's tricycle, going around the province and passing through the boundary of Abra and Ilocos Sur.
From Ilocos Sur, and before getting to Eula's Aunt's place, we passed this tunnel that locals believed to be enchanted with something, and that we should scream whenever we pass there. So, that's what we did, and it's soooo fun! Haha!
I remember having a picnic of snacks and coke and some more snacks in this mini park just beside that said tunnel. Together with Eula, Julie, Ralph, Ricky, and I, we ate, took photos, and had a fun afternoon here.
I don't remember what that statue below signifies. Is that Gabriela Silang? I can't remember, but apparently, it's one known statue in the province. :)
And here we are enjoying the opportunity to be in two places at one time. And what better way to do that than stand on the sign that divides two provinces? :)
DAY 4
We all woke up early and as I do, I saw the family preparing our lunch for this day's swimming. This time, it's the beach. As I made my way to the kitchen and through the sink to brush my teeth and wash my face, I saw them cutting the neck of their pet chicken. Again, fresh and organic food for us. And again, this isn't the first time I witnessed the bloody preparation of one of the most favorite meat. of most people. We used to do this in Antipolo too. :)
Upon arrival to the beach, this is what greeted us. Good morning! :D
How soft and comfy do you think the sand is? :)
Here's the Valdez/Pira Family. The kind family that received us into their home, gave us a great tour of their province, and gifted us an experience like no other. :) THANK YOU!!
What I loved about this trip:
1. Met Eula's family.
2. Experienced Abra, Vigan, and Ilocos Sur more of a visitor than a tourist. The distinction is thin, but I'd still like to call it that. :)
3. Escaped the city pollution for 4 whole days.
4. Enjoyed the fresh and clean air for 4 whole days.
5. Ate many delicious, fresh, organic, and authentic Ilocano dishes mealtime after mealtime.
It was a great experience indeed! :)
We were almost on our way home but one of Eula's uncles is celebrating his birthday, so she was expected to stay. We were asked to stay too, of course. While passing the time, we went and watched this basketball game which we did so without losing our knack of commentaries and senseless babble on the bleachers. Hehehe.
I didn't leave the court until I got a picture of this. Witty, isn't it? I thought so too! :)
Here's a recap of our northern Philippines adventure c/o Eula. :)
Now it's time to go home. I didn't let the chance pass without having this photo taken. Love that empty highway. :)
