First Destination Vigan

It was already 10pm after the bus dropped us along the highway where Vigan City was situated, we arrived  feeling wasted and hungry and we don't know where to go next, we don't have any van or room reservation because we opted to look around to avail much cheaper rates and our only hope was to ask any available person that we will meet along the way, good thing there were group of tricycle parking along the street, so we approached them and asked if they can take us to Grandpa's Inn for us to check in since that was the first choice that we made due to good reviews from internet. Although we don't have reservation yet from the hotel but we're crossing our fingers hoping there's still available room for us since its not yet peak season. We pay the tricycle driver P10 each for the ride.

While en routing we were completely mesmerized by the place, its a whole lot different from the usual places in the Philippines that we've traveled before like beaches, parks and bars. This place is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of big cities. It was so peace and quiet and with only background "clip clop" of Kalesa walking along its cobbled streets. Feels like we were in Spanish era the one that my teacher used to describe during our class in history. 

When we arrived at Grandpa's Inn we immediately talked to their receptionist if there's still vacant rooms good for 4 of us, unfortunately they only had 2 rooms available good for 2 and not air conditioned, that was really a bad news but somehow we are open to other option as we understood we checked in very late. So we checked the available rooms maybe we can manage to stay just for the night because we are really dead tired. Upon checking we were disappointed because  it has no proper ventilation,just a fan room and tightly close with a brick walls.  We find it not convenient to stay knowing that we really need a good rest for us to recover from a very long trip, additionally we find the room creepy because of their interior design like old gadgets, antique chairs and tables, but most of the tourist appreciate those vintage items used as a decoration as well as the complete set up of the hotel but not us. So we decided not to get the room. Despite what we agreed, the receptionist still helped us to look for other option, they refer us to go to El Juliana Hotel and gave directions which is just a walking distance within the vicinity of Vigan City.

We stayed @ El Juliana Hotel,  price is reasonable for only P1,100 good for  3 persons  we just added P300 for extra bed since there's 4 us, it only cost us P1,400 for overnight stay that includes breakfast meal  and unlimited use of pool.

Inside our room, we find it comfy with a full blast a/c, cable TV and 2 big beds plus hot and cold shower 

Pool area inside the hotel

Decided to go swimming first thing in the morning                                

Crispy Bagnet & Sizzling Pork Sisig @ Cafe Leona where we had our dinner

Cafe Leona Dining area

The Kalesa (carriage) and the Cuchero (driver)we hired  from the cathedral for P150/hr  within the vicinity of Vigan City

Wandering around Crisologo Street 

Calle Crisologo @ night 

Looking for some cool and cheap memorabilia @ Souvenir Shop

FOODS!!!

Outside Cafe UNO

Denengdeng  @ Cafe UNO

Sinanglao @ Cafe UNO

Sizzling Bagnet  @ Cafe UNO

Pinakbet  @ Cafe UNO

Poqui-Poqui  @ Cafe UNO

Here's How to Prepare Vigan's Best Empanada

Traditional Frying pan for Empanada

Php35 with egg yolk, bits of Vigan longganisa and sprouted beans

Here's how to seal Empanada ready for frying

And here's our way to eat Empanada

Strike a pose @ Vigan Famous Bell Tower

From raw clay to finished product  

The art of Pottery Making :)

Trying to demonstrate my own way of creating a nice pot

Things we did in Vigan:

•  Walk around the famous Calle Crisologo street
•  Took tons of pictures
•  Visit the Cathedral 
•  Bought some memorabilia from Vigan for pasalubong
•  Calesa tour
•  Explore Plaza Burgos
•  Visit Syquia Mansion
•  Dine in street cafes & resto
•  Visit the Baluarte
•  Experience moulding jars in Pagburnayan
•  Observing peoples way of life at Plaza Salcedo
•  Ate a lot of Empanada 
•  Tried Vigan's cuisine; empanada, longganisa & bagnet

Vigan Travel Tips:

• Wear your most comfortable outfit
• Best to travel after or before peak season 
• Secure a bottled water or folded umbrella in your bag
• For updated info you must visit Vigan's Tourist Center located at the entrance of Calle Crisologo
• Take a Calesa ride Php150/hr for a more memorable experience, you can choose places you want to visit from the map provided by tourist center
• Lastly HAVE FUN!!!