Rainy Morning at Bangued Town Plaza in Abra Province

It was a rainy morning when I finally set my foot on the ground of Bangued in Abra. The weather is cold & bumpy road trip from Vigan City (approximately 1 hour travel from Ilocos Sur via public transport). Located in front of Abra Provincial Capitol & Saint James The Elder Cathedral Church, this area is use for school affairs, fiestas and other provincial gatherings. I just took a quick rest before heading to other tourist attractions of the province. They also have a covered court area with a stage and a lot of tall trees surrounding the whole town plaza. One of the best thing to do at the public plaza is to try their ihaw ihaw in front of the church and just sitting down at the grass area. The road side of the plaza is a busy street where you can find a lot of tricycles passing towards the market, vendors walking around and kids playing at the center of town plaza.

 

 

Abra Kadabra | Welcome to Abra Provincial Capitol

I had a quick trip here at Bangued, Abra from Vigan in Ilocos Sur. About 2 hours travel, you'll see this laidback town municipality of Bangued. First, I went to their Provincial Capitol facing the Bangued Church & at the heart of  their town plaza. The façade is painted with off-green and has a unique architecture design inside. This is the capital of Abra Province, where people here are nice, helpful and very accommodating as well. There are a lot of nearby establishments, fastfood like Jollibee and commercial business. Bangued is not an unusual to most provincial places in the country because of its people and how hospitality is "Abrenios"  are a like to other provinces. I must say that the Town of  Bangued and the province of Abra are not killing environment as most people think it is. I think there may be incidents of political killings but as long as you are nice, civil, friendly & honest to the locals you should be safe here like what I did on my solo backpacking trip here. Just experience it by yourself.

 

 

How to Get to Baluarte in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Going to Baluarte from Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

 

This place is great for kids and animal lovers like me. Free entrance (open to public) and with souvenir shops inside and outside the compound. From Manila take a bus going to Vigan City or Laoag City will cost you Php 750 per passenger. Travel time is 8-9 hours depending on traffic situation. From the public market of Vigan rent a tricycle going to Baluarte takes you around 10-15 minutes. Fare is Php 25 pesos per way. Operating Hours from 7:00am until 6:00pm only  - 7 days a week. Park Policy: Entrance is FREE & Rides is FREE as well. Trying to be respectful to me its like it is publicly accessible to a private zoo if that makes sense to other tourist & locals. It was so generous of the governor to share what he has with the visitors and locals. I also admired the owner's (Chavit Singson) house situated on top of the hill were golden building is stands tall and it served as a great photo opp as well. Happy Trip Everyone - Bisayang Manlalakbay around the Philippines.

 

 

Awesome Experience of Baluarte in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

This was the last part of my travel journey here in Ilocos Sur. It was a memorable experience to visit Baluarte for the first time which is privately owned by Chavit Singson with its special animals and free public viewing to all tourist and locals. The nature has been preserved in the area. Don't get me wrong, the area is very wide and amazingly unique from the other zoo & conservation area. You could see a few uncommon animals in the zoo but it was really the tigers, pony and ostrich were animals roam freely. Good place for kids and adventurer like me. I also like those gigantic dinosaurs sculpture at the center of the park.

 

However, taking pictures with the tiger will cost you Php 100 only good for 4 persons. Check their official website as well to learn more about Baluarte of Ilocos Sur. Overall, A family friendly place with lots of interesting animals to check out which makes the place a little bit smelly.

 

 

A Beautiful Facade of St Paul Metropolitan Cathedral or Vigan Cathedral Church

Also known as "The Great White Church of Vigan" really amazed me even when I saw it for the second time around. It is a beautiful church in a beautiful town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Philippines and was great wonderful for its age. I always wanted to know much more of the place I've been to like churches in the Philippines. I love the beautiful facades of the Cathedral and Bell Tower at the side are perfect spots for picture-taking. There are also some old effigies of saints and Mother Mary with a nice gold painted at the ceiling of the church. The church matches the lovely colorful flooring and with nice location near food stalls, restaurants and other tourist attraction of the city.

 

The history of the church has been written at the entrance on a large plaque. A taste of Spanish colonial era, for those who want a little bit adventurous you can try the local Ilocano delicacy called "Sinanglaw.

 

Touring Around the Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Norte

Vigan City is so special for me and considered as one of UNESCO Patrimonio Mundial World Heritage Site. This seal is located infront of Burgos National Musuem & facing at their Municipal Hall which is really quite amazing learning experience at the end of my tour. It was declared as one of the heritage town in 1999. You can also experience touring around the city on a "Kalesa" ranging Php 500 and above depending on the location you want to go & explore. More importantly, the old architecture design during colonial era of Vigan relates the story of Filipino. Be satisfied your eyes on how people of Vigan City maintained this world famous world heritage site. Did you know that during 8th day of September, local government celebrate "World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day" and keeping the wonders & history alive is apparently more fun in Ilocos Region where defines types of natural, cultural & modern architecture.