Insightful, Hopeful

This holy week, I had the privilege of going to Northern Luzon to visit the famous places in the Ilocos region. I was invited by my friend, Mimay, and her dad, when I came to meet her to watch Ice Age 2. I so wanted to visit the northern part of the Philippines, so I felt so blessed to be a part of their trip.

Since it was holy week, we visited mostly churches for the traditional Visita Iglesia. We visited 3 stations of the cross per church. The churches are exquisite, displaying rich cultural heritage from the mere structure itself. One of my favorites was the Shrine of our Lady of Charity in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. What I liked about it is the belfry on top of the hill.

Along the trip, we passed by breathtaking fields and mountains, shorelines, and bridges.

We were also able to see Pagudpod. The waves were everywhere, and I don't know how to swim, so I didn't stay long in the water.

We stayed at Laoag at the Hotel Tiffany which has a very cool diner reminiscent of diners in 70s Hollywood films (think Grease). On our way back to Manila, we drove by Vigan.

It was a very exciting trip for me. I am really thankful to Mimay and her dad for this "Northern Exposure" trip :)