Vigan is an island, which used to be detached from the mainland by three rivers - the great Abra River, the Mestizo River and the Govantes River. It is unique among the Philippine towns because it is the country’s most extensive and only surviving historic city that dates back to the 16th century Spanish colonial period. Vigan was an important coastal trading post in pre-colonial times. Long before the Spanish galleons, Chinese junks sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Bigan through the Mestizo River that surrounded the island. On board were sea-faring merchants that came to barter exotic goods from Asian kingdoms in exchange for gold, beeswax and other mountain products brought down by natives from the Cordilleras. Immigrants, mostly Chinese, settled in Vigan, intermarried with the natives and started the multi-cultural bloodline of the Bigueños. HOW TO GET TO VIGAN CITY1. By Bus (7-8 hours) Partas Bus
Source: http://travelmanilafaq.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/manila-to-vigan/ LAOAG to VIGAN CITY 1. Ride a tricycle from centro or anywhere in Laoag to Partas bus station. I thought that the fare is also P11, since for me it's just near. When we reached the bus station, I paid the fare. I was surprised when the driver complained, he said that it's not enough. I asked him, so how much should it be? I don't know because I am just a tourist here, I thought its only the minimum fare. He just said never mind, next time pay the right fare. I told him, tell me how much because I don't think there's still next time. But he did not listen to me anymore and left me there. 2. Go to the counter and buy a ticket. I think the bus leaves every hour going to Vigan. The fare is around P140. We left the terminal at 2pm. Since it's my first time, so I don't have any idea of how long is the travel. All I knew then was it will take 2 hours according to the blog that I read. Thanks to the map application of my phone, through GPS, I can update my current location. We arrived at the terminal in Vigan around 4:30pm. Longer than I what I expected because the bus kept on picking up passengers along the way. I remember my seatmate who also kept on complaining, she said 'ANU BA YAN, ANG TAGAL TAGAL, DAPAT 2 HOURS LANG ANG BYAHE, NAMUTI NA MATA NUNG NAG AANTAY SAKIN' When I was in Laoag, a traveler suggested a cheap hotel in Vigan. Good thing I listened to him because it was really a great accommodation for only P750 per night. The hotel is just a walking distance from the terminal. The terminal is at the back of the public market and green r hotel is just on the right side of the market. Visit Green R's website by clicking the link below: http://greenrhotel.com/rates.php Click the link below for the list of other hotels: http://www.adventurousfeet.com/2011/07/where-to-stay-in-vigan-city-hotels-and.html How to commute going to the different tourist spots in Vigan CityVIGAN HERITAGE VILLAGE / CRISOLOGO STREET From the hotel, I just rode a tricycle going to VIGAN HERITAGE VILLAGE/CRISOLOGO STREET. I paid P40.
I just walked going back to hotel. Fun fun experience! CHAVIT SINGSON'S BALUARTE ZOO
MESTIZO RIVER CRUISESecond stop: RIVER CRUISE From Baluarte, I rented a tricycle that will bring me to the river cruise area and back to heritage village for P120. I decided that it will be my last stop since I need to go back to Laoag at 2pm to catch another bus that will take me to Pagudpud. I need to be in Pagudpud before sunset. When I got into the place, I learned that it's a restaurant that is situated along the river bank. It was past 10am, and I think that I was the first one that will avail the cruise. I paid P100 and waited for the banker. Mestizo river is not that clean. I saw some plastic cups and some trash in the water. It was a way different from LOBOC river in Bohol. There are 5 stations in the river that tell the history and the importance of the river. Along the riverbanks, I saw some people who were doing their daily task, fishing, that serves as their source of living. There was also a part wherein construction was ongoing, for the restoration and beautification of the river. That cruise took for almost an hour. The experience was great, but of course it would be happier if you're together with your family, friends or special someone. Back to the plaza and last meal before leaving Vigan city
After eating, I went back to the hotel, packed up my things and rode a bus back to Laoag. I was lucky then because upon entering the terminal, there's already a bus that was about to leave so I didn't have to wait for a long time, I saved time! Itinerary and ExpensesFare going to Partas Terminal 11 (but I think the fare must be higher)
Softdrinks 12 Bus fare going to Vigan 137 Accommodation 1 night Green R Hotel 750 Tryc fare to Heritage Village 20 Ice cream 20 Souvenir 130 Dinner 210 Tryc fare to Baluarte 40 Scramble 20 Tryc fare to Mestizo river and back to Plaza 120 River cruise 100 Tip 20 Snack 83 Bus fare back to Laoag 137 TOTAL 1810
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