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loves to travel with my family and explore the Philippines

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Our first trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur 

My husband is working in a construction company in-charge in warehousing and always assigned to different Provinces .  This time,  he was assigned in Laoag ,  Ilocos Norte,  sometimes he can not go home because its a 10 hours travel (by land) from Ilocos to Manila and another 2 hours to our province.  It was indeed a very difficult thing for him to do especially his work is not so easy. 

It was a school break and he asked us to visit him in Ilocos Norte,  so we decided  to go ,  me and my 8 year old daughter.  At first I was hesitant because this would be my daughter's first flight and I can not imagine how to handle her,   hahhahahaha ,  actually I was more afraid than my daughter,  Heather Rose.

We book to Cebu Pacific ,  Manila / Laoag / Manila  Flight 404,  Ilocos please wait for us

Then come,  November  2-4,  via Cebu Pacific,  we will go to Ilocos Norte where my husband works.

When we were on the plane my daughter bought all the croissant that the Flight Attendant offered her,  because its one of her (hundreds) favorites hahahhaha. 
Ilocos Norte,  touch down,  rest for a while and then go ,  ate our lunch,  visited the churches in Laoag,  visited the parks , the hidden garden and many others , and then  we proceeded to Ilocos Sur,  its a 2 hour travel by local bus , (aircon and ordinary bus are available)  it was so easy to find and the locals are very accommodating though my husband already knew the place 

We visited the zoo of Gov. Chavit Singson, Entrance fee was free,  just register your name (on the logbook),   it was an amazing place,  the animals are well taken cared of and you can even played or touched them.  My family took some pictures with the Tigers (Php 100.00 worth- 1 shot 3x5 ) .



Gov. Singson in "Baluarte" has lots of Tiger and Animals
We even visited the Shrine of our Lady of Charity in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that was built in 1590 and 

the Bantay Bell Tower  where used by the Spaniards as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during the World War I and II,  Evidently,  the Bantay church and Bell tower are the monumental sign to various violence,  killings and revolt

We rode a calesa ,  150  for  2  hrs  but if you're a foreigner  they'll asked you for 300-500 

and then we have to go back with disappointment in our hearts because we were not able to go to Pagudpud where white-sand beaches and crystal blue water can be experience.

Anyways,  our visit is worthwhile because we were with our "daddy"


Vigan Products


Baluarte - Singson's zoo at Ilocos Sur





Don't forget to bring your camera and most importantly your pocket money because there's a lot that you can buy here in Vigan.



Friday, August 28, 2009

Avilon Zoological Park, Montalban Rizal

My daughter, Heather Rose, is in 2nd grade and they always have field trips in different places and I always allow her to join and participate. Why? for her to learn! Learning is not just by books and lessons that you hear from your teachers because I believe "actual lessons" is much better! I'm not saying its not good to study in the school but rather have a "better" judgement on things that you have learned personally will give you more understanding. 

Today,  they decided to visit Avilon Zoo in Barrio Isidro Rodriguez , Montalban,  Marikina Science Centrum and Marikina Shoe factory. I may say,  Avilon Zoo is very far from our location cause it took us 3-4 hours to travel.  Anyways,  Its quite interesting to visit there.


Avilon  Montalban  Zoological  Park is the largest park  in  the Philippines that consist of  7.5 hectares (75,000 square meters)  that really made us "pagod and gutom" after the tour . It has a wide range of 3000 specimens of exotic and indigenous animals represented by more than 600 species of birds,  reptiles , fishes  as well as 400 species of plants. Tour guides are all very accommodating with our "pangungulit" because most of our children are asking to many questions about animals,  birds and plants their natures and their habitat. 

Entrance fees and Schedules:
Adult     - Php 300.00
Children - Php 200.00
1 yr below - Free
Open Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Weekends 8:00 am - 5:00 pm


Address :
Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez (formerly known as Montalban) , Rizal
Tel.nos. 632- 948-9866 / 941-8393 / 871-9358


How to get there :
From Cubao, Quezon City via Commonwealth
Take the Fairview or Lagro Buses.  Both Buses will pass to East Ave., QC Circle along  Commonwealth Ave., and Philcoa Area,  then ask the driver's helper or "konduktor"  to drop you off  (markings could be Jollibee on your right (before U.P. entrance) .  

Take another jeepney ride or FX Taxis bound to San Mateo or Montalban. and ask the driver tho drop you off at the Eastwood Greenview Subdivision near Total Gas Station  and there you can ask the passersby the location of Avilon zoo to walk by approximately its just 100 meters or just take a pedicab or tricycle.

From Cubao you can also take Marikina then take another ride going to Montalban,  same instructions and landmarks will also follow .

Things to bring:
Camera
Mosquito repellant
Umbrella
Food and drinks - also available in the zoo in affordable prices
Additional money - because you may want to buy some souvenirs from the shop





the biggest fish i ever saw 

  

her attention is on the donkey, afraid of getting to be leaked



Heather Rose was really afraid to get near her
Heather Rose is trying to get out from me




she is loveable