ilocos sur-ilocos norte: itinerary, expenses and some link loving ♥

Whattup guyz? As promised, here are more details on our public tour package from Parana Tours and the usual itinerary, expenses and blog post links.

Parana Tour Public Tour Package (P3750/pax, 10-12pax/van)

• Inclusions
• 3 Days &  2 Nights Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte Tour
• Van Transfers, Manila-Ilocos-Manila (Brand New Toyota HiAce Commuter 15 Seaters)
• Standard Resort Accommodations (Maria Exaltacion Lodge, Cathy's Beach Resort or Klasik Beach Resort
• Entrance Fees & Local Guide Fees
• Gas, Toll Fees & Driver's Meals & Accommodation
• Taxes & Surcharges, with Official Receipt & Itinerary of the Tour
• Freebies (side note: can't exactly remember if we had any. meeh.)
• Reservation & Payment Details
• Reservation fee of 1000 php per pax must be deposited at least earlier than or 2 weeks before the scheduled tour dates.
• Send the scanned copy of deposit slip on the given email address (rson68@yahoo.com) attached with information chart. (side note: they'll be sending the chart as soon as you inquire.)
• Please keep your deposit slip for it will serve as your receipt for your down payment.
• Please settle your balance before departure on the chosen pickup point of participants (always ask for the official receipt).
• Reservation fees are non refundable but transferable to a replacement/proxy participant.
• In-case of a last minute back-out or no show, the participant's group will be responsible for the payment of his/her balance.
• Reservation fees are only refundable if we cancel due to target slots were not filled (participants will be advised 3 days before the trip).
• In-case of weather issues Parana Tours will reschedule the trip at least a week after the client’s target date.
• Children (3-7 years old) are entitled to a 50% discount of the package price.
• Different rate applies for foreign nationals.
• Account Details:  7570028772 Parana Tours BDO San Pedro Rosario Branch
• Other Reminders
• Meals are not included for personal preferences.
• Always remember to pack light, only 5 kilos of baggage is allowed per participant. (side note: they didn't check our baggage. :P)
• Driver/tour coordinator's contact details will be sent 3 days before the trip thru SMS or email.
• Print and sign the tour voucher/contract and present it to the assigned driver/tour coordinator before full payment (ask for official receipt).
• Group tour van seating arrangement is on first come first served basis, please come early to your assigned pickup point.
• Contact Details
• Parana Tours
• Blk 2 Lot 8 Phase 2-C Pacita Complex 2 San Pedro, Laguna
• (02) 847-4415  
  
• 0917-8242223 
• 0949-1244654
• rson68@yahoo.com  

itinerary from Parana Tours

Here's the catch: There were differences between our actual itinerary and the one provided by Parana. For one, we didn't get to visit the Sinking Bell Tower in Laoag. Also, we visited Bangui Windmills on the third day instead of visiting it on the first. Then the time slots. Soo.. this is where my precious stories come in. Hehehe. ✌ Check out the links below to find out what actually transpired during our 3-day Ilocos Tour. Enjoyy!!

day1: ilocos sur - santa, bantay and vigan tour 

day1: ilocos norte - batac and paoay tour

day2: ilocos norte - pagudpud tour 

day3: ilocos norte - bangui and burgos tour

day3: ilocos sur - calle crisologo tour

ELSEWHERE

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day3: ilocos norte - bangui and burgos tour

day2: ilocos norte - pagudpud tour

Third day, we left Pagudpud at around 8am to visit two more municipalities of Ilocos Norte - Bangui and Burgos. We had breakfast at a random carinderia before that. I wrote it down as Mang Nards but I've been reading posts about a certain Papa Nards, so whatever. I've always been a bad blogger anyway. :P

Few minutes past Pagudpud's border, we were in Bangui Windmills.  Kasumpa sumpa ang init ng araw to think it wasn't even noon yet. I asked Tiny {slash Mark, am I confusing you already?} to take a few snaps of me in front of the gigantic windmills and off I escaped back to our van. I really, really abhor sweating, that's why. They were even teasing me from time to time about being fresh again 'cause I kept on fixing myself after each stop/activity. #maarteproblems

Googled facts: (1) It's located in the municipality of Bangui, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) The windmills, officially referred to as the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project, were a project by the NorthWind Development Corporation as a practice of renewable energy sources and to help reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. (3) The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea. (4) Phase I consists of 15 wind turbines and was inaugurated on June 18, 2005. Phase II, was completed on August 2008, and added 5 more wind turbines.

Bangui Windmills

10ish we were in Kapurpurawan.  We had to trek a little to get to the rock formations. The others opted to ride a horse instead but where's the fun in that? Tell meee! Hahaha! I obviously miss trekking sooo bad. Going back, I was astonished when I finally saw the rock formations. Mother Nature is the awesomest of all awesome, kung pwede lang kaming mag-fist bump! Kidding aside, Kapurpurawan is really a must see. It'll make you realize how nature has so much to offer and it's only up to us to make the most out of its surprises.

Googled facts: (1) It's located in the barangay of Poblacion, municipality of Burgos, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) The term Kapurpurawan is from the ilocano word "puraw", which means white, obviously because of its color specially on broad daylight when the sun touches the natural sculpture. (3) It was formed thousands of years ago by accumulation of particles deposited to the shore by the forces of sea waves and wind with the aid of gravity and time. It is a very long process known as sedimentation.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

photos from this collage stolen from Keeping Traces

An hour after, we were in our next stop in Burgos - Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Only I and the two boys went down from the van 'cause Monique was tired already. I told you, our two first stops were draining. Yung tipong feeling mo, ginagawa kang daing. Pwede ring tuyo. Hehehe. Anyway, we didn't climb up the lighthouse. I didn't know what was the guys' reason but as for me.. the Indian mangoes downstairs caught my full attention along with the different Ilocos-themed trinkets being sold. They made me forget I was with two other creatures so I wandered alone.

Googled Facts: (1) It's in the barangay of Paayas, municipality of Burgos, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) It is also known as Burgos Lighthouse. (3) It is a cultural heritage structure established during the Spanish Colonial times. (4) It was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Our last stop in Ilocos Norte was in the municipality of San Nicolas. We had lunch at Robinson's Mang Inasal. I honestly do not know whose idea was that pero sobrang bright ha, of all places. Whooaa! :P After lunch, we had to wait for the others {our van mates, remember?} to hit Ilocos Sur again. We left past 1pm but that would be for another blog post. I was kind of torn between squeezing the rest of my Ilocos stories here and watching Rain or Shine's victory over Petron Blazer. The latter obviously won. Click here to watch with me. Want some popcorn too? :)

*photos from Tiny

day3: ilocos sur - calle crisologo tour

ELSEWHERE

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