When I hear the word, "Ilocos", there are four things that pop in my mind: windmills, empanada, longganisa, and okoy.
In Vigan, I saw how they did their empanada. I was expecting an orange-colored one, but here's what I have seen, the yellow one. When I went to Laoag, they have the orange empanada. When we were there, my cousin said that you have a choice whether you'll pair your empanada with either vinegar or ketchup. I like mine with ketchup. Try it!
They were fast! Amazing.
The famous Calle Crisologo have these wonderful kalesa that demonstrates the means of transportation way way back.
Spanish-inspired houses along Calle Crisologo
Pineapple-flavored dirty ice cream? Wow! For only twenty bucks, this is a big and chunky treat.
Okoy is best paired with vinegar. Grab a bite!
Sinanglaw is served in street side eateries which is made up of beef innards. It tastes a bit sour and bitter. This is best eaten when hot.
Bagnet - fried crispy pork belly
Paoay Church
The famous chichacorn
Along the road, I saw the Malacañang of the North
Sand dunes
Sinking bell tower
Saud Beach
Bangui Windmill Farm
Souvenirs!
Tickets to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
A view of the Cape Bojeador from the road.
Refmad Dragon Farm is headed by Ms. Edith Dacuycuy. This is the first dragon fruit plantation in Ilocos region. They also have different products made from dragon fruit.
This is how the farm looks like when they start to plant the dragonfruit.
Look at those! Sadly, I didn't have the chance to see the fruit because December is not its season.
Dragon fruit ice cream
Dragon fruit vinegar
Dragon fruit hopia (left) and otap (right)
Dragon fruit wine
Dragon fruit jam
Dragon fruit pickles
They also sell planting materials, but be sure that the climate in your place fits the life of the plant.
This dragon fruit fountain is an eye-catcher.
She is Ms. Hope. She is the daughter of the original makers of this famous delicacy, biscocho. When I was a kid, I love to soak the bread in cola or orange juice.
Before leaving, don't forget to buy pasalubong. Bagnet or longganisa are some of the famous pasalubong.
Around 12-hour ride from Manila is not a joke but when I got to see the beauty of Ilocos, I promised myself to be back. #