Ilocos Archives | Oh My Janey

Last Day in Ilocos

September 11, 2013

I’ve never been the fastest blogger, but I swore to finish writing about my Ilocos trip before my next trip. But alas, here I am resting in my hostel room and trying to at least make up for my overwhelming backlog!

Ilocos was lovely down to our last hour in it. During our last day, we did a lot of touring old houses, churches, and museums. We sadly didn’t get inside the Marcus Museum and Mausoleum because there’s no electricity! I don’t think it’s much of a waste though. I had a good time touring the old mansions, particularly Juan Luna’s Ilocos home in the north and the Syquia masion in Vigan. They both have tour guides, too, and I always enjoy learning a bit about history. Not my strongest subject, but I still enjoy learning something new.

However, the Crisologo ancestral home gave me the creeps! Not just me, too. We all felt a little chill while inside the house, maybe due to the owners rather violent and bloody history. We couldn’t even finish touring it!

After the Crisologo museum, things didn’t turn out that well. Our tour guide dropped us off Cafe Herencia along Calle Crisologo and we spent the remaining time in the cafe. One by one, we started feeling unwell. So instead of seeing the most famous street in Vigan, we just stayed inside. It started raining too so we basically had no choice. Heh. We still saw Vigan’s beauty at night, and that’s something that will always be welcome.

I definitely want to go back to Ilocos because of the food! I swear, it was the food that I enjoyed the most. To think we didn’t even get to try empanada and longganisa! Or maybe we deliberately didn’t so we’ll always have a reason to come back. 😉

Samtoy Books

September 3, 2013

During our stay in Laoag, we had a quick stop at Samtoy Books. It’s located at the second floor of La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center just above Johnny Moon Café, so it’s pretty easy to spot. I really planned to visit the place because I heard that they have a pretty good collection of Filipino literature, and they sure did! They also have tons of secondhand books.

What caught my attention is their little reading corner where visitors can stay and just read any of the books in the place for just 5PHP per hour. That’s quite a bargain! If I were from Laoag, I’d probably spend most of my weekends there.

From the way Gee, the clerk, interacted with us, it’s obvious how they really try to connect with their customers. They really give an impression that they’re here not just to sell books, but to engage customers in reading. They have a little wishlist board where visitors can leave requests on books they want to see in the shelves. It’s just like Booksale but with a lot more creative touch to it.

Samtoy Books has that laid-back atmosphere that will entice any book reader. Just running my hands through the books stacked on tables make me want to pick one and huddle in a couch. All of a sudden, I have a dream business.

I may have left Samtoy with no book in hand, but I assure you, I left with so many ideas. I didn’t realize that I was actually looking for such a bookstore. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cozy little bookstore where you can stay all day just reading? A bookstore with a little café inside will be perfect! Before I’d been to this bookstore, I didn’t realize that I’ve been dreaming of such bookstore! It may not be the business that will make me a millionaire, but I’d love to have such store. That’ll be amazing. Just reading all day and interacting with people who love the same things I do: books and coffee.

Anyway, if you’re in Laoag, make sure to drop by Laoag. It’s at the heart of the plaza, and it’ll be a shame if you’ll miss it.

Samtoy Books
2nd Floor La tabacalera Ilocano Lifestyle Center
beside Museo Ilocos Norte
www.facebook.com/SamtoyBooks

La Paz San Dunes, Laoag

August 26, 2013

Sand boarding in Laoag wasn’t originally part of our itinerary. We were on a budget so sand boarding was out of the question. But at the very last minute, we decided to drop the option of trying the zipline in Pagudpud and just opted for sand boarding. Turns out we’ll be spending the same amount for both! I’m quite confident that we made the right decision.

There are many groups offering sand boarding in Laoag, but our agency directed us to Laoag Sand Dunes Experience spearheaded by the Pinakbet Group. The contact details are in their Facebook page! For the three of us, we paid a total of 2,500 for a 30-minute 4×4 ride and unlimited sand boarding experience. It was worth it! I swear, it definitely tops my list of favorite things to do in Ilocos. So yes, it’s a must when you visit Laoag.

We arrived just at daybreak and we were rewarded with a spectacular view of Laoag! I think trying the experience early in the morning is a lot better than doing it in the afternoon. It wasn’t so hot and the view of the Laoag sunrise was amazing! So yes, I definitely recommend this activity.

The 4×4 ride wasn’t as easy as it seems. Actually, I didn’t expect anything since I thought we’d just be riding. But it turns out that you really have to hold on to the railing if you don’t want to get thrown off. And it hurts the chest when you don’t hold on properly! It was an excruciating 15 minutes till we learned how to actually hold the bar. Hehe.

When we got on the spot where we’d be sand boarding, another group had already started. They were slipping and falling down and it just looked so difficult! And painful! A part of me vowed to just sit down the entire time, but we realized that we’d probably be missing out quite a lot if we didn’t try standing up. And after trying standing up, we no longer want to sit down!

A thousand slips and falls later, we were still desperately trying to learn how to sandboard. An hour later, I still didn’t know how. Haha! I only succeeded once and that’s during my first try. The next tries, I was on my butt after a few seconds. I never got the hang of it simply because I don’t know how to balance. Our instructor told me to find my center but I didn’t really understand what he means?

I may not have learned how to properly sand board, but at least I knew how to properly land on my butt. My friends Eunise and Iris successfully landed face first, and I’m proud to say that it didn’t happen to me. Wahaha. When it starts to feel like I’m about to stumble, I sit down. I did not want to eat sand. Heh.

I am so tempted to upload our videos but they need further editing. I need to cover our cruel laughter whenever someone lands face first.

I had an obligatory photo with our wicked ride because it’s not everyday that I get on such truck. I do want to go back and try sand boarding again. Maybe next time I’ll actually learn how to sand board not just on luck but because I actually understand how to find my center.

Seriously, though, how the hell do you find your center?

From Laoag to Pagudpud

August 18, 2013

A month has passed since my Ilocos trip, and good thing for photos because it’s getting difficult to blog from memories alone!

Our second day was spent on exploring Ilocos Norte, and thanks to J2F Escapades Tours and Travel for being our tour guide that day! I’m not big on package tours but it turns out that public transpo isn’t that accessible in Ilocos Norte. Bringing our own ride is out of the question, and we don’t really want to try the tricycle tours. So yes, I highly recommend that you try J2F’s tour as well, because it really made our vacation comfortable. It’s also affordable, and they made sure that we set our own pace! All’s good.

We left our hotel in Laoag at around 8AM since we wanted a really early start. They arranged a one-day Ilocos itinerary so that we’d pass by many spots on the way to Pagudpud. Our first stop was a bakery!

I didn’t know Ilocos specialized in biscocho but apparently they did! I love biscocho! I’m a bread person (lol), and I’m just willing to try any kind of bread. Pasuquin Bakery is named after the town itself, Pasuquin. They sell soft and normal biscocho. I regret not buying the soft biscocho! Since it’s quite a big package, I worried about how I’d carry it home. But it turns out that it’s the soft biscocho that’s really good? But the toasted one I bought was good, too, so I don’t regret it much. In my opinion, any biscocho is good. (Actual biscocho not pictured. Haha.)

After Biscocho-shopping, we went to the salt factory! Okay, calling it a factory is probably a bit of a stretch. The place looked like a big kubo but once you enter, it’s not. Haha. Another thing I didn’t know about Ilocos is that they’re a big producer of salt. I seriously thought that salt only comes from sea water but apparently there are other ways of producing it. [Read more…]

Laoag Food Trip: La Preciosa, Johnny Moon & Saramsam

August 3, 2013

It’s greatly apt that I dedicate a single post on the glorious food we had on our stay in Laoag. The entire time we were in Ilocos, we spent most of it eating and I’m not complaining.

On our first day in Ilocos, we arrived in Laoag a little past noon and the only thing we could think was where to eat in Laoag. We had a lot of choices, and I have to say that we made the right ones.

It’s crazy how we were keen on saving our money for our adventures the following day, but we immediately splurged it on food for our first meal. No regrets, though, since everything that touched my lips was food for the gods. I think I gained a few pounds after my three shorts days in the north ~~remembers~~.

Our first stop was La Preciosa. Since we were staying in the center of Laoag, it’s just a tricycle ride away, but we could actually walk to it. (We stayed at UKG, by the way.) It’s a homey restaurant that’s been mentioned on so many blogs that it’ll be foolish not to try it, too. They have many affordable dishes on the menu, and we seriously didn’t know what to order first!

La Preciosa isn’t just a restaurant, but a part of it also serves as a cafe. We made sure that we wouldn’t get so full that we wouldn’t have any appetite for cakes! We were eyeing a very specific cake which I won’t reveal till later. Mehe.

I really like the interior of the place. It’s so bright, thanks to the glass doors letting every piece of sunlight enter the place. I definitely prefer well-lit dining areas over everything else. The tables were decorated so classy, too, I was actually expecting a far pricier menu. I had a hard time believing that a place that looks so nice offer affordable food.

The first thing we ordered was Puqui-puqui (puki-puki)! It’s spelled differently all the time that I no longer know how it’s supposed to be spelled or pronounced. Some places spell it poque-poque (poke-poke). It’s named so strangely, but I think it’s just apt for a food that tastes so good.Hahaha.A taste so unforgettable deserves a unique name! I’m not sure how it tastes in other diners, but La Preciosa’s Puqui-puqui is heaven! It’s one of the two unforgettable dishes I had in Ilocos. YOU MUST TRY IT. I can’t stress it enough.

Our trip wouldn’t be complete without Bagnet! Of course, we just had to order Bagnet with KBL. I like litsong kawali and pretty much any pork viand eaten with a dip or a sauce, but bagnet can be eaten without. The meat was so tender, but it was the skin that’s just glorious! The taste is nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s the crispiness that will leave its mark.

(I can’t be a food critic, I’m too biased and emotional when it comes to food.)

Dinardaraan is Ilocanos’ take on dinuguan, just a lot crispier though. So first things first, I’m a dinuguan lover. I am the number one fan of my father’s dinuguan, and I actually prefer eating it without rice. Dinardaraan is one of the best dinuguan I have ever tasted! I love it! It’s not the bestest, but I thoroughly enjoyed this dinuguan because of its crispiness. It’s so different.

Sufficed to say, it was a very filling lunch. I think I understood for the first time what food coma means. We had too much rice, too, since the serving was so many we unknowingly ordered for five. But we still had a few more things to try! After resting for a while (a long time actually), we had our dessert.

Eunise had her coffee, which I don’t think is any different from other coffee. Anyway.

I don’t eat carrots, but I’ll gladly eat this carrot cake anytime! It’s so good it’s almost sinful. I’m still baffled at how I managed to genuinely love a carrot cake. It’s the first time, okay. I have no words to describe how good this is, okay!!!!!! A slice is less than a hundred pesos so it’s worth it. SO WORTH IT. Do yourself a favor and get more than a slice.

We also ordered Sansrival because it’s my favorite. It’s also yummy, but nothing special. I still won’t say no to it though. Maybe that’s just the Sansrival-biased person in me talking, though.

Overall, we only spent around 300php per person, and we ordered for four even though there were only 3 of us. For all that goodness and yumminess, I say it’s totally worth it.

Dining at La Preciosa was the best way to start our little vacation. Also, I will definitely come back for that carrot cake and puqui-puqui.

For dinner, we tried the famed Johnny Moon. It’s a restaurant with a Juan Luna theme. The walls are covered with the (replicas, of course) paintings of the artist, and everything on the menu are named after him and his works. It’s a nice tribute to Juan Luna who was born in Ilocos. Apparently, it’s also owned by the Marcoses. Anyway, it’s very easy to spot because it’s in La Tabacalera, a lifestyle and dining center right next to the city hall! It’s also within walking distance from our hotel.

I really like the interior of the place, and my photos don’t do it justice. While we were eating, a TV crew arrived and started shooting! So yes, we’ll be on TV sometime soon. The cameraman said they’ll air it around August. So if you want a better look at Johnny Moon (or maybe you want to see us on TV heehee), watch out for that show. It’s on cable and titled Escape or something. All I know is that it’s hosted by Kat de Castro. Haha.

Since we were still full from our lunch at La Preciosa, we didn’t order much. Iris ordered this spaghetti but I can’t remember what it’s called. Iris said it’s okay, but Eunise didn’t like it. I ordered Inkalti, a banana fondue Ilocano style but with vanilla ice cream. It’s not photogenic, though, so there’s no photo. Hehe.

For drinks, I tried their Heneral Luna, a kind of coffee that has alcohol in it. Sufficed to say, I had trouble finishing my coffee. I said it on Instagram already, it’s the kind of coffee I do not like. Eunise ordered an ABC, I think. I can’t recall her feedback.

I’m pretty sure Johnny Moon has so much more to offer, and we didn’t even get to try most of their specialties. So please don’t just use our judgment as a basis whether you should try it or not. Besides, they let you try on a top hat and a fake mustache, so that’s definitely worth a visit.

On our second night in Laoag, we tried Saramsam. It was actually on top of my list of dinging places to try, but it was pushed back for the second day. However, I think it was perfect for our last night in Laoag. It’s very accessible, too, and just a few blocks away from the center of Laoag. We actually just walked there from our hotel. However, according to this blog it moved to another location?

It has a very vintage feel to it, and apparently the decorations are actually part of the owner’s antique collection. Just like in La Preciosa, the place looks so classy that I was surprised at how affordable their food selection was.

I really like all the pieces included in the interior. Most of it are mismatched but in a good way. And based on the photos I saw online, the new Saramsam has a wider space and definitely brighter. I can’t wait to go back.

Since we planned to move to another diner for dessert, we didn’t order much. But I regret it now.

We tried their Pinakbet Pizza and it was sooooooo good I almost cried. I was actually hesitant to order pinakbet pizza because I don’t eat pinakbet. But it was so good, okay. You can put chili oil and bagoong in it, but I ended up pouring way too chili oil. Good thing I like anything spicy because it was really spicy. Heh. Next time I visit Saramsam, I’ll try the Puqui-puqui Pizza. And hopefully, I’d get to try this again.

Our other order was Saramsam pasta and it’s AMAZING. It’s tied with Puqui-puqui on my favorite dish during our Ilocos food trip. Heh. Three of us shared this pasta and you are correct, it can actually be finished by one person. It’s a big serving, but it’s such a good dish that you can finish it by yourself. It’s the first time that I tried a pasta with mango in it. And you know what, I’m not even a pasta person. My friends can attest to that. But I love it still and I’m pretty hard to please when it comes to pasta.

It was really my number one regret that we didn’t order more. Saramsam specializes on fusion food but I’m not sure if I’m even using that term correctly. But if ever you’re in Laoag, it’s a must try especially their pasta.

I’m glad that the entire time we’re in Laoag, we only ate local cuisine. I think it’s my favorite part of our Ilocos trip!

I really, really am adventurous when it comes to food. I can’t go to a place and and not try what they usually eat there. However, it’s also a shame that I didn’t get to try their empanada and longganisa! Well, I don’t eat longganisa, but I regret not trying the empanada. I’ll sure there’ll be a next time.