Laoag, Ilocos Norte - Fort Ilocandia Resort(Apr.18-19,2014)

Our fourth destination - Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel and Casio in Laoag,
Ilocos Norte.

As the only 5-star hotel in the North, our stay was truly a luxury.
A Spanish-inspired structure due to its brick-walled plus the lush
climbing bougainvillea is a perfect match to adore. 

It has world-class amenities - outdoor pool, some rooms have jacuzzi,
golf course, casino for the aficionados and lots of sports activities.

The Family enjoyed the 4x4 Sand Dunes ride and the sand boarding.
My son also drove an ATV with his Lolo.

Will surely come back to Laoag for this one beautiful place and experience
again.

To satisfy your tummy desires, it has a lot of restaurants, bars and cafe.
Enjoyed our dinner with the Cantonese and Korean flavors of Red 8
Asian Restaurant and savored a buffet breakfast at Cafe Ilocandia.

At the Sunset Lounge just down the pool....

 At the Piano Lounge...











I loved our comfortable stay in a spacious deluxe room.

The resort's amenities...

Batac, Ilocos Norte (Apr. 18, 2014)

Second destination - Batac, Ilocos Norte

In Batac, Ilocos Norte, we had a peek of the mausoleum of the late
President Ferdinand Marcos. It is just a quick viewing of the regrigerated
crypt where cameras are strictly prohibited.

Beside the mausoleum is the Balay which is the ancestral house
of the Marcos.  It houses lots of memorabilias of the Marcos family.

Across is a street closed to vehicles popularly known as the Empanada street
where the best empanada in the region can be found.

We had the empanada and the Batac longganisa for our lunch.

And the verdict - it was really the best.

Paoay, Ilocos Norte (Apr. 18,2014)

Our third destination is Paoay, Ilocos Norte to see one architectural
masterpiece - St. Augustine Church or Paoay Church as popularly
known. 

It is one of the oldest churches and has been in the UNESCO World
Heritage list.

All I can say - post card picture perfect. 

Right across the Paoay church is the Herencia Cafe known for their delicious 

and chewy pizza but unfortunately did not have the luxury of time to drop 

by and had a bite of it. Will surely try this next time. 

Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Apr.17-18,2014)

After almost 12 hours of travel time from Manila brought about by the
surge of vehicles traveling North during the Holy Week holiday rush,
VIGAN here we come... 

The Family arrived 4PM and checked-in first at Vigan Plaza Hotel
as our abode for the 1st night.  Located in Mena Crisologo St,
we are just a stone's throw away from the cobblestone street - Calle
Crisologo.

A spanish colonial-style accommodation with upscale and modern
amenities inside.

Calle Crisologo at night with  Spanish-style houses and souvenir shops
left and right.

The Family's dinner at Cafe Leona  with the famous Vigan longganisa,
pakbet and bagnet.

Calle Crisologo at dawn. Free from the hustle and bustle of the sellers,
calesas and the crowd.

Had a quick tour of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage City
via a horse-driven carriage - Calesa.

We did not leave Vigan without buying some of its delicacies from
Tongson's Royal Bibingka  - royal bibingka, Vigan longganisa and bagnet.

The Bantay Bell Tower located in neighboring town of Bantay, is standing
on the hilltop beside the St. Augustine Parish Church.  Another popular
historical sight which when you climb up the tower, it offers a breath-taking
view of the houses and hills around.

Baluarte ni Chavit - a must see attraction esp. for kids for its mini-zoo.
It was my first time to see big tigers and ostrich up-close. There were deers,
ducks, beautiful and colorful birds and horses too.

Sky Ranch Tagaytay - Jan. 31, 2014

The Family enjoyed its 1st Sky Ranch, Tagaytay experience last January 31,
Chinese New Year.

Its a leisure park with amusement park and restaurants inside.  It is just
a stone's throw away from the famous Taal Vista Hotel where we spent
the night.  

We arrived noon and started our adventure with a sumptuous lunch in Leslies
for its best selling Bulalo with Sisig, Laing and Grilled Pork.

The park has a number of rides which kids and kids at heart can
enjoy.

The main attraction - Sky Eye. A giant air-conditioned ferris wheel
over looking Tagaytay.

The Nessi Coaster, Super Viking, Carousel, Road Train, Red Baron...

And due to long line in the ticket booths, we just rode the Sky Cruiser
and the Sky Eye(giant ferris wheel).

Its nice that there are plenty of gazebos around where people can sit
down, take a rest and just watch the kids around.


A row of restos is available: Rue Bourbon, Downtown Pizza & Pasta, Kenny
Rogers Roasters, KFC and Tokyo Tokyo, Uncle Cheffy, Kuse and Krispy
Kreme.

We ended the night with a dinner in Kenny Rogers with a nice view
of the colorful Sky Eye.

The Entrance Fee to the park is 100 PHP and there is no ride-all-you-can ticket.
The rides prices which you have to buy individually:

Hope the management can add more food booths,  restos, and kiddie rides.
Also, better if they can lower the rides' price for more people to afford and enjoy. 

And after a tiring but fun Sky Ranch adventure, The Family settled the
night at Taal Vista Hotel. The son enjoyed his bed with the view of
the colorful Sky Eye.

This place will surely be one of The Family's weekend getaways. My son will
come back for the horseback riding @ the Riding Loop.

December 2013's Bests...

The merriest and busiest month of the year - December.

My birth month, year-ending deliverables at work, my parents wedding
anniversary, weekend family bonding and the Christmas rush and
parties around.

Got occupied and overwhelmed with everything that transpired last
December. Anyways, here's the rundown of everything nice that The Family
was very thankful of....

At the Volkswage Vintage Show

In our fave place in the north @ Clark, Pampanga. Ice skating in SM Clark.

Coffee bonding moments @ Starbucks, SM Clark

@ Widus Resort and Casino

  
With the giant milk shake in town - Milky Way Shake @ Casa Verde,
UP Town Center.

The Family - Merry Christmas 2013

Checked in @ Shangrila Makati for The Family's New Year bonding.

Super extras - Another long-term investment before the year ended
+ a smart phone from The Husband. Thank you Lord!!!