The Beauty Up North
photo by Pong Ignacio
"Good things happen to those who wait."
Cliché as it may sound, the proverb holds true for anyone who wishes to visit Ilocos. 13 hours away from Manila, the travel is long as it is tiring. But if you're the patient type, the beauty of Ilocos sure makes any form of waiting worth it.
Situated on the northernmost part of Luzon, Ilocos provides a wealth of attractions that would make even the knees of a seasoned traveler shake.
Ilocos Norte, the northern part of the region, offers the best beaches this side of the country. Should you wish to steer clear of the overflowing crowd of Boracay, Pagudpod is the perfect respite for the weary soul. Not only does it have clear waters and pristine white sands that rival beaches from the south, but its serene solitude is the perfect contrast to the party atmosphere of other beaches.
If you wish to travel back to a time where calesas and capiz windows were still in vogue, Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur is the place to go. Named as a Heritage Site by UNESCO, Vigan is the country's only surviving historic city that dates back to the 15th century Spanish colonial period.
Once you're tired of all the sight-seeing, take a break and enjoy authentic and original Ilocano delicacies to satisfy your palette. High on the list is the world-famous Ilocano longganiza, a favorite of many all over the world.
No doubt, tourists of all tastes will find a plethora of things-to-do in both Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. For all the talk of the beauty of the south, it's this region up north that offers everything a vacationer needs to experience.
