What To Do in Laoag

What starts as a simple conversation on our future travel plans leads us to our 7-day trip to Luzon. Our first stop: Ilocos Norte.

Because there's no direct flight from Davao to Laoag, we had to take connecting flights. Thus, we took the 6:25am flight for Manila then the 12:25pm flight for Laoag.

Grace, my pseudo twin sister and adventure/travel buddy, had a funny reaction as we're about to land on Laoag Airport. She thought we are landing on a farm. 

windy!
the runway

I love the vintage feel of their airport.
Once inside, you'll be greeted by a number of representatives/sales officers from various resorts and hotels. Since we have already took care of our accommodation weeks before this trip, we immediately head off to their tourism desk where we're given maps for both Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

After meeting our host, Glenn Tolentino, we left our bags in our room and started our official first day in Northern Luzon. Here are the things that we did in Laoag that you can also try:

1. Stroll around the city to get that 'vintage' feel

I am really bad at reading maps so Judge here served as our map reader :)
The city of Laoag is considered to be a first class city of Ilocos Norte. Despite being the center of political and commercial industries, you still can find it peaceful, clean, and easy to roam around. Thus, we decided to walk around instead of taking the trike (which according to Judge is too small for his height). 

Contrary to my perception (that only Vigan offers the 'vintage' feel), Laoag has also something to offer. It has its fair share of Baroque-inspired architecture which is very much evident on their government-owned buildings. 

2. Visit the Sinking Bell Tower

Different angles of the Sinking Bell Tower

front
We badly wanted to get inside but we couldn't find the caretaker.

side

back

Built by Augustinians in 1612, this bell tower used to be the tallest building in the 16th century. But because it was built on sandy foundation, it eventually sunk unto the ground (thus the name). 

3. Feast on Ilocano dishes

the famous bagnet with KBL 

pancit lusay

If you're in Ilocos, try to steer away from the usual fastfood chains. Instead, head to their local restaurants and try their dishes. We went to La Preciosa and devour on their famous Bagnet with KBL (kamatis, bagoong, lasona) for P165 and Pansit Lusay for P70. Bagnet is deep friend pork meat, similar to lechon kawali, only crispier. Pancit Lusay, on the other hand, is not your typical pancit. It has no veggies and offers unique pancit taste especially with the added Ilocos Longganisa. 

we're freakin' hungry during this time
And please, don't leave Laoag without tasting their empanada (we forgot to take a picture of it). Their empanadahan is found in city proper. Almost everyone knows where it is so you can simply ask the trike driver to take you there. By the way, their empanadahan is comprise of many stalls, selling almost the same stuff (grilled food and empanada). 

The empanada that we tasted in Laoag is really good. You can buy their special empanada at P35. It has shredded papaya, sliced hard-boiled egg, and longganisa in it. Pair it with their vinegar and you're off to cloud nine :)

4. Chill out at their park at night

the tobacco monopoly monument at night
It was really warm that night that instead of heading directly to the house, we opted to chill out at their park. There's really nothing unusual in it except for the creepy lighting of the tobacco monopoly monument. It's really laidback here, the best way to end a tiring day and a full dinner. 

5. Ride a kalesa for P11


We rode in this kalesa for P11/each on our way home.
Contrary to what other people thought of, kalesa rides are not only widely available in Vigan. In fact, cheaper kalesa rides can be found in Laoag. It is because kalesas in the city are considered to be one of their modes of transportation.


Have you been to Laoag? 
What did you do there?
Feel free to share!





6 comments

  1. wow! congrats sa new blog twin sissy :)

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  2. Naks, you have your own travel blog na ha Joann, that's nice. And I like your post here, with lots of photos, beautiful photos, kaka-inspire pumunta ng Ilocos. :)

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    1. Oo kasi parang 'yung other blog ko, puro travel posts na. hehe. Thanks for dropping by! 80% of the photos of our Ilocos-Baguio-Manila trip are taken by my companions. Dahil sa pagmamadali ko, naiwan ko ang memory card ng digital camera.hehe

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    2. Aisttt. Kainis kapag ganun, lalo na kapag nalobat ang camera tapos may nakita kang capture-worth na scene ay asar lang talaga. hahaha..

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    3. Sobra! Mas nakakatawa 'yung 2nd day namin kasi 'yung isang kasamahan namin, naiwan niya ang battery sa bahay! hahaha. Eh 'yung camera lang niya ang ginagamit namin. tsk

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