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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day2: ilocos norte - pagudpud tour

day1: ilocos norte - batac and paoay tour

We woke up early the next day 'cause we were supposed to start trekking Kabigan Falls at 7am. But you know how life happens sometimes and at around 7:30, we were still waiting for our Food in Apo Idon. Medyo malas talaga kami during meal times. We hurriedly finished our breakfast so past 8am, we were leaving the restaurant already. We had to wait for the others though.

Apo Idon Restaurant

9am, we were on our way to Kabigan Falls. My inner mamumundok self was rejoicing! But being the good friend that I am, I made a conscious effort to hide it a little. Don't tell her that I told you pero mamatay matay kasi sa pagod si Monique. Hahaha! Peace, teh!

The trail was really easy and we only had to walk for 30 minutes. It was just fitting 'cause I wasn't impressed with the falls. It doesn't take much to impress me when travelling; it's just that I've seen Sagada's Bomok-ok Falls already and it kind of set the standards. Sorry, Kabigan Falls. Magkabigan pa rin tayo, ha? #waley

Job, Monique and I dipped in the cold water while Tiny willingly took photos of us. Let's just say he's more of a photographer than a swimmer. *insert Boracay private jokes here* Hehehe. Monique swam all the way to the falls and since she made it to other side alive, I followed too. Booyy, it was no joke swimming against the water, for the lack of a better term, force. I made it though, I made it. ;)

Googled Facts: (1) It's in the barangay of Balaoi, municipality of Pagudpud, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) “Kabigan” was derived from the Tagalog word “Kaibigan” which means friend. The falls was given that name because the water from the river and the falls are magkaibigan. {really now?} (3) The 80-foot Kabigan Falls is accessible via a 30-minute, 1.8-kilometer hike from the national highway through a forest trail, the falls drop into a natural pool suitable for swimming.

trail on the way to the falls

Kabigan Falls

Probably because we weren't on track with the itinerary, we went to Blue Lagoon first before exploring the rest of Pagudpud - Patapat Viaduct, Bantay Abot Cave, etc. We left Kabigan at around 10:30 but it took a while before we were able to settle in Blue Lagoon. It was almost twelve when we found a nipa hut of our own. The guides suggested that we share nipa huts with the other guests but they obviously didn't like the idea - me neither, you selfish bitches. Hahaha!

On the way to Blue Lagoon, we bought lobsters for paluto. Everyone did the same so it was another waiting game for lunch. I waited in our nipa while the three of them roamed around the beach. I was starving by the time our food was served. A good mood definitely compensates, I could have run amok. Haha! I kid. :P

lunch by the beach

We wanted to try Hannah's zipline but it wasn't functioning as it should that day. The cables weren't stretched enough thus the pulley stops halfway through. Each guest will only be pulled by a staff to reach the other end of the line. And korni dba? So after lunch, the lolos slept in the nipa while Monique and I toasted ourselves under the sun for more or less an hour. I will never, ever get my fair complexion back but who cares.. YOLO! :P 

Googled Facts: (1) It's in the barangay of Balaoi, municipality of Pagudpud, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) It's also known as Maira-ira Beach as it is located in Maira-ira Point, Sitio Malingay. (3) Access to this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching the Patapat Viaduct.

Blue Lagoon

4ish, we left Blue Lagoon. It was a quick drive to our next destination - Bantay Abot Cave. There are two things I won't forget about the place. For one, there's a kid with muffled speech who kept on insisting that he'll be the one to take our photos. We knew he's doing that for a living so even if our driver can do that for us, we let him took a few snaps. I felt pity for the kid not just because he had to earn a living at his very young age but also because he gets bullied for the way he talks. I'm a laitera myself but there's no way I can ever poke fun at someone who has a disability. Aren't they easy to spare? On a less serious note, the other thing I won't forget was how I struggled to keep the other half of my dress in place. It's a little embarrassing. 

Googled Facts: (1) It's in the barangay of Balaoi, municipality of Pagudpud, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) In Ilocano, bantay means mountain while abot means hole, so there you go mountain hole. (3) Bantay Abot Cave is not really a cave but a hill that was wrecked by an earthquake in the 80's leaving a hole in the middle. The top of the cave is covered with lush green vegetation adding to the beauty of the cave.

Bantay Abot Cave

the other side of the 'cave'
via

30 minutes after, we moved to Patapat Viaduct. I was tired at that point and all I wanted was to lean on the bridge. When our driver initiated to take photos of us in the middle of the road, I passed. Tiny's the only one who was able to convince me after saying "para sa kin" in a nananakot voice. Akalain nyo yun, nasisindak din pala ako? Hehehe. Kidding aside, it was just my way of making it up to him for being our resident photographer.

Googled Facts: (1) It's located in the barangays of Balaoi and Pancian, municipality of Pagudpud, province of Ilocos Norte. (2) It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. (3) This coastal bridge is elevated 31 meters above sea level and traversing a distance of 1.3 km, connecting the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Cagayan Valley.

Patapat Viaduct

We left around 5pm and headed to where we can buy pasalubong and souvenirs. Job and Tiny bought a picture frame decorated with windmills and said they're going to print a photo from the trip to place there. Monique said they printed photos for us but I still haven't gotten my copy. The disadvantage of leaving Eastwood. Meeeh. 

I also saw Paraiso ni Anton at the other side of the road but we didn't get to visit it, along with Bagong Lipunan. Well, at least I had a glimpse of the former. 

Paraiso ni Anton

We were back in our crib 6ish. I took a nap while the three of them checked out Saud Beach and took silhouette shots while the sun sets. At around 9pm, we went back to Apo Idon for dinner. After, I almost dozed off again but I fought for my right to freshen up before finally hitting the sack. Wheew! I'm such a lola!

*photos from the third, sixth & seventh collage from Tiny;  first photo in Kabigan & my photo in Patapat Viaduct from Tiny too

day3: ilocos norte - bangui and burgos tour

ELSEWHERE

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