Tourist Spots in Ilocos Norte

Malacañang iti Amianan as any pro Ilocano will call it.  A few days ago, I must have been visually referring to this place as the Malacañang of the North. We did not actually enter the palace. It was pointed to us by Ping from the highway

Malacañang iti Amianan

Along the highway, we took a 10 minute break. While on this pit stop, decided to take a group picture using the beach as a backdrop for our kodak posing:

Paoay Lake



(L-R): Ping, Aurora, Vickie, GloV, Estela, Louee



My sense of direction is now getting out of GPS perimeters.  I think we were heading more North towards Laoag.  Ping suddenly decides a U-turn going south to visit Fort Ilocandia.  We also turned west, as we were facing the afternoon sun.  Along the way, my thoughts were historically oriented (LOL). Fort??? and what is it's importance?  Everyone was quiet.  It turns out, FIR (Fort Ilocandia Resort) is the only property of its kind in Ilocos Norte.  Situated in the northwestern tip of Luzon facing the South China Sea.





We walked through the resort's first level.  Decided to sit by the coffee shop and try their Ilocos Norte Empanada and their "basinful" of halo-halo @ this location:

Leaving FIR, we turned North by the highway and headed for Laoag.  It seems a long ride as we reached the city in darkened skies.  I pointed to a Bell tower within the city limits and opted for a quick snapshot:



Sinking Bell Tower, Laoag

Heading straight for the market, asked for directions to any eatery which might serve their famous "pancit", the rain came pouring. They pointed us to "Pamulinawen" a place just two blocks away from the market. Due to strong rains and one way streets, it feels like we couldn't get there any sooner. The restaurant was deserted.  Pancit was not on the menu.  It took a few laughters and a quick interchange, when the owner obliged.  We rested our weary bodies in the open humid surroundings of the place.  It turned out, they needed to go to the market to get the ingredients for the pancit.  It tasted good.  Napa-sabat iti bisin.. nga kuna da.  I still clamor for it.  I think I can duplicate this cooking, once I find the right kind of noodle. A likeable story for another day.