ILOCANDIA

Region I is home to a majority Ilokanos and
the seat of Ilokano culture, heritage and language.

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Ilocos Region came into existence on September 24, 1972 when provinces

of the Philippines were organized into 11
regions by Presidential Decree

No. 1 of the Integrated Plan
of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Moreover, the region is said to be surrounded by many tourist
destinations that people like to visit.

                                                                            thetraveler.com

I am proud that I already have visited Ilocos. It was a great experience.

This time, I want to share the excitement I felt through my photos. :) These are only some of the places we have visited during our Travel Photography. Leggo! :)

FARMS

Not only great destinations surrounds Ilocos but you can also see farms in the province.

Just like any other places, the province has also rich soils that sustains their farming activities.

MALACAÑANG OF THE NORTH

A structure that serves as a reminder of the time when Marcoses wielded power during Martial Law.

This house served as the official residence of the First Family during the time when they were in Ilocos.

 This place also overlooks the Paoay Lake.

After Marcos was deposed in 1986 and died a few years later, the palace transformed into a museum of the late president's memorabilia. 

SAND DUNES

Another tourist destination in Ilocos is the Sand Dunes.

A 4x4 truck ride that will take you on a journey on the sands is one of the activities tourists love to do.

Anywhere you look, all you can see are sand that somehow looks like a desert.

BURNAYAN

Pots molded in Ilocos.

Also, they create miniatures of the Kalesa.

PAGUDPUD BEACH

Very refreshing! This is in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. This is where we have checked in. After a very tiring tour, taking a bath in this beautiful beach has removed our tiredness.

 

Beautiful white sands. :)

Aside from the beautiful beach, it's my first time to see a very awesome sunset here!

 

 I enjoyed our stay here. Isn't it GREAT? :)

BANTAY ABOT

     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 thus adding the beauty of the cave. To get to the interior of the cave, one need to go down a few concrete staircase and a rocky part going up to the hole. (MyNomadicHabits)

 

From the inside of the hole, youu can see the blue waters of Maira-ira beach or Blue Lagoon.

 

 and on the other side of the hole is the Timangtang Rock - a bell-shaped rocked in the coast of Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. 

Apart from the view, I also enjoyed hearing the echoes of the waves hitting the shores. And take a look at this, we found a sea urchin! This place is also rich in sea creatures.

MARCOS MUSEUM AND MAUSOLEUM

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum integrates both memorabilia storage and current resting place of Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.

It is situated in the heart of Batac, Ilocos Norte.

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

Now, this is the Marcos Fashion

Also, not just Ferdinand Marcos' memorabilia is in here, but also his wife, Imelda Marcos.

The Imelda Fashion

Aside from the museum, the mausoleum of Ferdinand Marcos is just beside the museum. The large and solemn mausoleum contains the glass-encased coffin in which Marcos' embalmed body has been on public display since shortly after his remains were brought home in 1993.

But, taking of pictures are not allowed in the said place.

BANGUI WINDMILLS

     Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

     Phase I of the NorthWind power project in Bangui Bay consists of 15 wind turbines, each capable of producing electricity up to a maximum capacity of 1.65 MW, for a total of 24.75 MW. There are 15 on-shore turbines.

     Phase II, was completed on August 2008, and added 5 more wind turbines with the same capacity, and brought the total capacity to 33 MW. All 20 turbines describes a graceful arc reflecting the shoreline of Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea.

See how tall a windmill is! The cars looked as if it were toys.

It's so great to see the windmills yourself. Experience the great wind that turns each windmill around.

STA. MONICA CHURCH

  The parish church of Sta. Monica is renowned as the largest church in the whole Ilocos Norte province, most especially the length of the nave. This is also known as the Sarrat Church.

In June 1983, the church was the setting for the grand wedding of Gregorio Araneta and Irene Marcos, the daughter of then President Marcos.

It was my first time to walk on a very long nave of a church and it was great. :)

THE BEAUTIFUL PAOAY CHURCH

   St. Augustine Church, or more popularly called Paoay Church, in Ilocos Norte is one of the the oldest churches in the Philippines and is among the major attractions of Ilocos Norte.

   It is built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks and the architecture is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental. Construction of the church was started in 1704 and completed in 1894.

 A few meters away is the coralstone belltower which served as observation post of the “Katipuneros” during the Philippine Revolution, Paoay Church is included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The side view of the church that creates a dwindling effect.

CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

     It is also known as Burgos Lighthouse. It is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines.

     It was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenis Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. 

    The 66-foot tall (20 m) octagonal stone tower, the most prominent structure in the vicinity, can be seen from far away as Pasuquin town in the south of Bangui on the east o a clear day. (WIKIPEDIA)

    After 100 years, it still functions as a welcoming beacon to the international ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town.

A view from the lighthouse.

PATAPAT VIADUCT (FRENCH RIVIERA)

 

A viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal town on the northernmost tip of Luzon island in the Philippines.