Santa Clara Park Hotel

We stayed at Santa Clara Park Hotel last December 15 and 16, 2013 during the first two days of our Sorsogon-Bicol anniversary trip. It is located at Maharlika Highway, Pangpang, Sorsogon City. This hotel is near Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital.

The place was really nice and the staff were friendly. It was like a big garden. I just noticed that they don't have a full time receptionist. Also, they don't offer food but not to worry, Sorsogon proper is just 3 to 5 minutes away from here.
Their standard room is Php1500 overnight. The room was really spacious.

It has a Queen size bed, air conditioning unit, cable television, toilet and bath. What I like about this room is the view from our window.

Afternoon view (cloudy)

Morning view (Sunny day) ^_^

This place has a mini bar. 

 We also explored the place and found these.

The place was really quiet. A good place to relax. ^_^

I definitely would love to go back in this place in the future!

You may visit their website here and you may reach them at 0908-873-1649

Batac and Paoay Ilocos Norte

Batac, Ilocos Norte - "Home of the Great Leaders"

The next day after our Vigan tour, we went to Laoag. It was a one and a half hour travel from Vigan with Partas Bus. The fare costs around 150 Php.

We visited the following places: 

Marcos Mausoleum
-This is the place where Former President Ferdinand Marcos was laid to rest in an enclosed glass crypt inside an air conditioned room with Gregorian music playing endlessly. Marcos' embalmed body has been on public display since shortly after his remains were brought home in 1993.
-Taking of pictures is not allowed

Photo from here

Marcos Museum
-The museum shows memorabilia of the late president, from his stint in the armed forces down to his presidency.

Pictures of Imelda Marcos and former President Ferdinand Marcos

Some of the dresses of Imelda Marcos on display

 Nice to meet you...

Paoay, Ilocos Norte- "Paoay Kumakaway"

We visited the Paoay Church (San Agustin Church of Paoay). 

"It is completed in 1710 and is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. In 1993, the church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best examples of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines."

 side of the church

 Inside the church

Because of time constraints we were not able to visit other places like Sand Dunes and Malacanang of the North.

We will definitely go back to check out the places that we missed.

Then we head to Laoag proper to take the last trip going to Pagudpud. 

Vigan- Where Past is a Powerful Presence

We board a Dominion bus going to Vigan. It was approximately a 8 to 9 hour travel. We left Cubao at around 11:30 PM to 12 Midnight. We arrived in Vigan before 9:00 AM. 

Before entering Vigan City you will see this bridge. 

We stayed at Grandpa's Inn. The staff were very accomodating. They even let us check in earlier without extra charge. You'll see a lot of antique pieces at their reception area. I think 80% of their furnitures and things at the reception and at the second floor lobby were antiques.

 The creepy painting...

 Their antique piano.

The staff of the hotel was nice enough to get us a calesa for our tour later that afternoon. 
Kalesa tour costs Php 150.00 per hour. 
Don't forget to ask the Kutsero a map, they always have this for the tourists (for free).

It took us 4 hours to finish the trip. Manong patiently waited for us while we were taking pictures.

Here are the places that we visited:

Bantay Church and Bell Tower

 Burgos Museum

 The large map inside Burgos Museum

 The old telephone

 The miniatures

Pagburnayan
They will teach and demonstrate to you how to make a burnay.

 Syquia Mansion Museum

 An old carriage

 Living room

 Dining room

 Hidden Garden

Our last stop is in Baluarte. The place was owned by Chavit Singson. There is no entrance free.

 Yellow Submarine

 McDonald's Vigan

Don't forget to visit Calle Crisologo at night. You will feel goosebumps as if you were standing in a place where our great grandfather and great grandmother lived. 

We had dinner at Uno Grille just located in front of Granpa's Inn. The food was affordable. We ate their special rice, Vigan longganisa and poqui poqui. Poqui poqui is a viand which is made of eggplant, tomatoes and egg.

The next morning we got our  breakfast from Kusina Felicita's.

At around 11:00 AM we check out at Grandpa's Inn. We bought the famous Irene's Vigan Empanada and went to Partas Terminal and board a bus going to Laoag.

Overall we had a nice trip. Riding a kalesa was exciting. You will definitely have time to look at the surroundings  The food was at a very low price but definitely satisfying. My advice? Skip Vigan on Monday's because most of the museums are closed. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family who wanted to travel going North.