Need help on planning our Itinerary. Please.....

[Kelsey]

Hi!
My parents and I are thinking of going to Ilocos for a month or so and would like to ask all of you folks to help us make this vacation a truly memorable one by helping us make the best itinerary - like, you know, where's the best place to stay. Things like that...
We appreciate any help you can share, thanks!

[gr8-one]

Hi Kelsey. I've gone back to PI only once since I came to the US and having an itinerary will definitely help make your vacation worthwhile.

Perhaps the best way to start making your itinerary is by asking yourself "how much am I willing to spend on my vacation?" Of course, the longer you stay, the more money you are likely to spend.

From economy to first class, there's a lot of good places there to stay that would surely suit your budget. You probably have relatives that are willing to spare you a room while there, thus saving you money for, say cruising and "discovering" Ilocos.

Guys, any (other) idea? Let's try and help Kelsy here... :) :)

[juzzmeehh]

We are also planning on going to Ilocos. Maybe you should also cover the beautiful spots on this site as an information resource for those like us who are not "yet" well informed of what is Ilocos Norte like nowadays.

Please don't take this as a destructive criticism. I am merely suggesting something that you might want to consider. This site is awesome!

[Windoc]

Since you are coming thru Manila (from where u r now), it's always a good idea to spend a night there before heading to Ilocos. This will also ease the "jetlag". And while you're there, consider sightseeing, some late-minute shopping for pasalubong etc. REMEMBER: Go out with someone, preferably, one who is familiar with the place.

:lol: Sorry I could'nt be of much help to you, Kelsey. Best of luck! :lol:

[Kelsey]

Don't be sorry, I appreciate your suggestions and thanks. Hope to see more suggestions soon. :lol: :D

[Kelsey]

hi gr8-one, a good itenirary would probably help me determine my budget. :) isn't that better? my itinerary dictates my budget and not the other way around. What do you think?

I really appreciate you all for taking the time to respond to my posts. God Bless!

[CLONED]

Every town in Ilocos Norte has its own distinguishing element. In Laoag for example they have Fort Ilocandia, in Batac, there's Marcos Mausoleum, Burgos, Lighthouse. I mean every town and you would not be able to visit all of them in a day.

[Roldan]

Not to frighten you or anything but when my little sister visited the Phil. a few years back, she also stayed in Manila for a couple of days before heading to Ilocos. When they were riding a jeepney, one of the countless street children roaming the streets boarded the slow-going jeepney and started "begging" for money. Nobody among the passengers bothered to give young man any attention, pretending as if he wasn't there, except my sister who gave him 10 pesos.
When nobody else was about to to give him, he grabbed my sister's necklace and took off.
Some lessons can be learned from my sister's experience:
- Do not - repeat - wear flashy jewelries
- Sure you got the bucks, but act like you don't have it
- If possible, take the taxi instead

******************************************

I hope that what I just related does not make you feel hesitant to pursue your plans. Go ahead. Many Filipino expatriates like us are yearning for an opportunity to visit our roots back home. You just have to be careful.
Best of luck!

[Ayyong]

Nagloko nan. Inikkam la ngaruden iti kuarta na, lokuen na ka pay!
Sindikato siguro daydiay. Kadua na detay pulis nga naka-destino.

[Roldan]

Talk about ingratitude, Ayyong.

[Kelsey]

Hi Roldan, I've heard stories like that before and it's really sad but it pays to be reminded.

[CLONED]

Make sure you visit the Karingking River flows in Solsona. Water is crystal clear.

[dynamiclinklibrary]

Or the LaPaz Sand Dunes in Laoag City, where Tom Cruise shot his 4th Of July movie (well, part of it).

[Alistair]

Yeah, I've heard. I've seen the movie but the place (San Dunes) was known as some, I think, mexican place - not Laoag. It's been quite a while.

[Roldan]

Yep! just a "double" (kasla "body double")

[Kelsey]

Tom Cruise shot 4th of July in Laoag?

WOW! First thing I'll do int he morning is go to Blockbuster and find this movie. :) :) :)

[Unai]

Not to frighten you or anything but when my little sister visited the Phil. a few years back, she also stayed in Manila for a couple of days before heading to Ilocos. When they were riding a jeepney, one of the countless street children roaming the streets boarded the slow-going jeepney and started "begging" for money. Nobody among the passengers bothered to give young man any attention, pretending as if he wasn't there, except my sister who gave him 10 pesos.
When nobody else was about to to give him, he grabbed my sister's necklace and took off.
Some lessons can be learned from my sister's experience:
- Do not - repeat - wear flashy jewelries
- Sure you got the bucks, but act like you don't have it
- If possible, take the taxi instead

******************************************

I hope that what I just related does not make you feel hesitant to pursue your plans. Go ahead. Many Filipino expatriates like us are yearning for an opportunity to visit our roots back home. You just have to be careful.
Best of luck!
This is true...

I know someone who went through this and coincidentally, she came from abroad, too.

[Alfe]

Hey don't forget to visit Malacanang of the north, da La Paz sand dunes, White beach in Pagupud, and in Pasuquin and try the enpanada in Batac...da best. Have a lovely stay in Ilocos and enjoy. G'day

[Kelsey]

Thanks Alfie :)
You mean they also have white sand beaches in Pasuquin?

[InabrawSaluyot]

Not to frighten you or anything but when my little sister visited the Phil. a few years back, she also stayed in Manila for a couple of days before heading to Ilocos. When they were riding a jeepney, one of the countless street children roaming the streets boarded the slow-going jeepney and started "begging" for money. Nobody among the passengers bothered to give young man any attention, pretending as if he wasn't there, except my sister who gave him 10 pesos.
When nobody else was about to to give him, he grabbed my sister's necklace and took off.
Some lessons can be learned from my sister's experience:
- Do not - repeat - wear flashy jewelries
- Sure you got the bucks, but act like you don't have it
- If possible, take the taxi instead



Taking a taxi does NOT lessen the risk on Philippine travels. Remember most of the taxi drivers doesnot use their meters so they charge exorbitant fees. Minsan yung driver pa ang holdaper. Better hire a vehicle instead, particularly a jeep.

Some more tips - this may some stupid,but it is effective, never put your bucks (all of them I mean) in your wallet or pockets. Put some of them in odd places in your clothes like undies, sockes, shoes, etc. It maybe funny, but it's effective, just in case that some morons held up the bus. And as the post I quoted says, never wear ANY kind of jewelry. Always exercise caution wherever you go. That's just some safety precautions. Iba na ang nag-iingat. But don't worry, I think Ilocos Norte is an extremely safe place.

[FlushedMX]

Whether or not your final destination is Ilocos Norte, a visitor still gonna go through Manila except those coming from some asian countries/cities.

But I agree with Inabraw on this one.

It's no secret that some of our taxi drivers are crooks so it's a good idea to roam around the city in groups.

[InabrawSaluyot]

Some more tips...

1. Avoid carrying excess loads. You can buy your snacks when you're on the terminal or on stopovers along the way. Bring only enough clothing with you. remove other unnecessary things like make up and other cosmetics. If you're carrying the whole world with you, you'll have difficulty appreciating the trip, as you're more concerned on your things that you're carrying.

2. When you want to borrow a vehicle, try approaching several "sources" and compare their prices, and if possible, haggle.

3. Try to borrow a vehicle who are familiar with the destination that you're going to...

- to be continued -

Damn! My Engrish is so faulty today! :lol:

[IronMaiden]

You're doing fine Inabraw.
And thanks for the advice :lol: I'm sure Kelsey can appreciate this, too.

[InabrawSaluyot]

Don't mention it, Iron Maiden. :)

[Unai]

Nu madlaw diay driver nga haan mo unai kabisado diay lugar, ilkos-likos na ka yanta Manila aginggana nga P500 ti pumaltik idiay metro na :lol:

So keep cool! Act as if you know the place. How so?
Ask around before you board a taxi.

[ROXYBLUE]

Make sure you visit "Cape Bojeador Light house" in Burgos, Kelsey as well as our beaches especially in Pagudpud.
And while you're in Pagudpud - why not drive through the Patapat viaduct :lol:

[InabrawSaluyot]

...and I think Brgy. Panzian has a dramatic landscape in Pagudpud. try to visit the place.

[Kelsey]

Thanks.
If the plan pushes through, I'll make sure we will visit all these places

[CLONED]

Don't forget to take your digicam with you Kelsey :lol:
Just a friendly reminder :)

[InabrawSaluyot]

Can I come, Kelsey? Libre na rin! Joke! :lol:

[FlushedMX]

Kelsey, if you need somebody to carry your luggages, let me know okay? :lol:

[InabrawSaluyot]

If you need someone to finish your chocolate cake, please inform me, ok? :lol:

[BB-M]

Kelsey, make sure you drop by Marcos Mausoleum in Batac.
The Karingking River in Solsona, the Paoay lake and the Malaca?ang of the North.

Visit also our churches!!!

[Kelsey]

Geeeze, I had a hard time finding this.
'Can't wait! :(

[Anakin Skywalker]

Can't wait going to PI you mean?
I hope your vacation doesn't fall in June-September coz during this period is a the "wet/rainy" season. You wouldn't be able to enjoy it :)
Just a friendly reminder.

[BeefPapaitan]

Hay, I wish I can go to your province or even live their. I wish.I wish. I wish. I only got several hundred pesos, which is NOT enough to go there. Mahal na pala lupa sa Laoag. P 17000 per sqm. sa me malapit na ito sa Barangay Uno.

[BB-M]

Kelsey,
Don't forget your digicam now?
And Happy Trip! Whenever that is!

[Kelsey]

Thanks guys!
We will be in Ilocos in June!

[TCardona]

Kelsey, don't bring with you too much balikbayan boxes as these would only make your trip miserable. :lol:

[lite]

Wow, I wish I got to know this site before I went to Ilocos Holy Week last year. But none is lost, since my friends are Ilocanos, so they showed me around.

I love Pagudpud especially the private/unspoilt beaches ). I hope you get to go to one of the private spots - you'd enjoy it much more. It's been compared to Boracay. Since I've been to both beaches, people have asked how they compare. And I always say: Boracay is the place to be seen. Pagudpud is the place if you don't want to be found - and it's certainly the beach to go to if you want to experience tropicana in all its virgin and unspoilt glory.

And you have to visit the Cape Bojedor Lighthouse! The scenery up there is breathtaking! Super ganda!

... and don't forget to enjoy the empanada ... and bagnet!

[CLONED]

If only I can have it my way, I wouldn't want Pagudpudpud to become like Boracay which is too crowded and fast becoming a haven for thieves. And I heard theres a lot of prostitution there now. Is this true?

[Hotshot]

Progress comes not without a price...