Ilocos Coast
VIGAN
Vigan, 408km (253mi) from Manila, is the best preserved Spanish town in the Philippines; the architecture is similar to Intramuros in Manila. It was founded by Juan de Salcedo May 20, 1571 and became a city three years later. The town's name was changed to Ciudad Fernandina. In 1630, the town' s old name, Vigan, was revived. It was the center of the Ilocos region since the 17th century. In 1762, the famous Silang revolt began in Vigan. Today, Vigan is a quiet town with very few activities after 20:00.
Accommodation
Cordillera Inn (16)
Gen Luna cor Crisologo St, Tel 31-33
dbl 85, 201-280 (ac,tb)
accept traveler checks
Vigan Hotel (2) - Burgos St, Tel 30-61
dbl 115, 160 (tb), 200-275 (ac,tb)
Grandpa's Inn (1)
Bonifacio St cor Quirino Ave
dbl 35, 88 (tb), 176 (ac,tb); recommended for travelers
Venus Inn (12) - Quezon Ave, Tel 20-73
dbl 50, 250 (ac,tb)
Luzon Inn (14) - Gen Luna St
rm 50 pp; basic
Restaurants
Cool Spot 500 (2) - beside Vigan Hotel (Phil)
Tower Cafe, Nora's Delight (4) - across from cathedral, plaza
Sightseeing
Burgos House / Ayala Museum (8) - the birth place of Padre Jose Burgos who was executed by the Spanish; today it is a regional museum for Ilocano culture
Plaza Salcedo / Vigan Cathedral (3) - Around the plaza are several old buildings from Spanish times. St Paul's Cathedral was built in 1641 and is one of the oldest churches in The Country .
Miscellaneous
Post Office (11) - Bonifacio St
Phil Nat'l Bank (10) - Florentino St
LBC (19) - Quezon Ave
PT&T (15) - Gen Luna St
RCPI (20) - Quezon Ave
Town Hall, Police Station (6) - Quezon Ave
National Library (9) - Quezon Ave
Transportation
Philippine Rabbit Bus Terminal (13)
Gen Luna St; to Manila, Baguio, Laoag
Times Transit Bus Terminal (18)
Quezon Ave; to Manila, Laoag, Bangued, Claveria
BETWEEN VIGAN & LAOAG
Paoay Church - Paoay, 20km (12mi) south of Laoag, near the southern bank of the Wawa river and accessible by jeepney from Laoag; one of the biggest, most beautiful, and interesting baroque churches in the Philippines, with separate bell tower (35m, 115ft), built in the early 18th century and completed in 1773. It is constructed mostly of coral and its massive blocks are bonded by motor which used sugar cane juice instead of water. The unique architecture has distinct Oriental features and external stairways on both sides of the building.
Paoay Lake, which is near the city, has a number of legends concerning it. One of them tells of a town submerged beneath the lake and according to local fishermen the original town's people can be seen swimming about wearing jewelry.
Badoc Church - Badoc, 35km (22mi) south of Laoag; altar with a statue of the Virgin Mary which was washed ashore seven cen-turies ago, probably from China where there was at that time persecution of Christians
Luna House - At Badoc there are reproductions of the great painter Juan Luna. The two-story brick building was reconstructed in 1977 by the National Historical Institute
San Nicolas is about 6 km from Laoag and famous for its Eurnay jars made of earthware with a primitive glazing.
CURRIMAO
A quiet small village 25km (15mi) south of Laoag. There is a long, wide gray sand expanse at nearby Gaong beach with clear shallow water. Its a 5 to 10 min walk to the beach from the Vigan-Laoag road. One may also see remnants of the old tobacco warehouse which was part of the great tobacco monopoly of earlier times.
Accommodation
Swagman Playa Blanca Resort - north end Currimao; nicely landscaped, quiet resort
dbl 340 (tb); rest, bar, billiard, hobbie cats, wind surfing, sea bike
Coral Beach Resort - south end of Currimao
dbl 200 (tb), 325 (ac,tb); tri 390 (ac,tb)
cot 220-300 (tb), 591 (3 rms,tb); rest
More on Ilocos Coast:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_islands_ilocos_coast.htm
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