Revisiting the Yesteryears in Vigan

I have been planning to visit Vigan City with my son since last year but because it's raining almost every day in November, I decided to just postponed the trip and look forward to the next year.

So when Thanksgiving day of November 2014 came, my son and I are happily whizzing around the City of Vigan. The long wait is finally over! Since I've been to other UNESCO heritage cities in the South East Asia (Penang and Melaka), I was truly looking forward to see Vigan and its historic wonders. The City declared as New 7 Wonders Cities of the World at 3:00 AM Philippine time on December 8, 2014.

The bus trip from Manila to Vigan will last for 7 up to 8 hours. We traveled during the night (8pm departure time from Partas Bus Co. in Cubao) and arrived there at around 4am. I've been reading a lot of blogs to get good suggestions about how to go there, where to eat and of course the must see before our trip or should I say I have those information saved in my iPod notes since last year.

It was still early morning when we arrived in Vigan so we stopped by near Vigan Cathedral where you can also see the city hall. After breakfast, my son wanted to ride the 'kalesa' so we rented one to go around Vigan. You can see a lot of them parked just outside the Cathedral. We headed to Bantay bell tower first which according to Manong- the kalesa driver, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr shot one of the Panday movie scenes in that historic tower. You can also climb the tower to see the view of Vigan. Just outside the tower grounds is the very impressive St Agustine Church which looks modern outside but it's noted to be a very old church once you get to see the structures inside. We also visited Baluarte to see the Governor's tiger and of course walked around its cobbled streets- Calle Crisologo - considered as the major attraction with its pre-war beauty and old Spanish houses and shops. We never failed to try their famous empanada and watched how they make one from scratch until it's served and ready to eat. We also tasted the best of Ilokano dishes like their pinakbet (one of the best one so far) and longganisa at Kusina Felicitas for our dinner.

Calle Crisologo just in time for sunrise

front of St Augustine Church

Bantay bell tower

Featuring my infamous photo of the trip. Can  you guess where is this in Vigan?

UNESCO marker at night

We concluded our trip by watching the spectacular dancing fountain show (photo above). 'Twas really one of the grandest I've ever seen throughout my entire travel life here in the Philippines. The show is one of the things that would make me go back to Vigan again.


Have you been to Vigan? Share your stories and photo of the trip below.

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