December 27 – 30, 2017
The last time I’ve been to Ilocos was almost 5 years ago. I honestly had no inkling of what to see or to expect on this trip. I hated long trips back then but I remembered how stressed I was with schoolwork that I just needed to get away from it all and wow, it was such a nice feeling to be away from home. And I just realized, that trip somewhat ignites the wanderlust in me.

Ilocos is one of the places I’d like to visit again and again that’s why I was so glad to be back up north and this time I was with my boyfriend and his family. I missed the peace and quiet of the countryside. It made me feel at ease. If I could just live in the rural, I would but yes, I need a fast internet connection with me to help me live. Ha-ha! Anyway, I got to revisit the places I’ve been to and visited new ones. We did get to try the infamous sand dunes of Paoay, Ilocos Norte. We rode a 4×4 and tried sandboarding. It was one heck of a fun bouncy experience. I would also love to try the ATV but it was too pricey. So if you are looking for a budget-friendly experience, the 4×4 will do for a group of 5-6 people + a driver. And the perfect time to go there is around 4pm so you could witness the desert sunset or the sunset by the beach.

We mostly went to all the famous tourist spots in Norte, and only Calle Crisologo and Plaza Salcedo in Sur. Also, I got to see my Aunt who lives in Batac while we were grabbing a bite of the town’s famous empanada. And yes!!! What made this trip more special was the food! Asis’ relatives prepared and cooked lots of specialties of Ilocos throughout our whole stay. We even got to take home leftovers and it still tasted good. It was definitely a year-ender trip and as I always say, I would love to return again and again. I still have a lot to see and try in Ilocos Region. I still haven’t visited Bagui Windmills up close, like really close where I can touch it. All in all, I was extremely grateful I got to unwind and let loose. 2017 was just an exhausting year for me. So thank You!