Ilocos Norte

I never really thought of Ilocos as a summer destination and a lot of people probably assume that the only place to visit there is the Vigan Heritage Village (and Pagudpud). But actually, there are so many places to see and things to do in Ilocos that it will probably take you weeks to see all of them.

On our first day, we decided to head out of Vigan and drive as far as we could and just work our way back to our hotel in Vigan. 

Patapat Viaduct

First item ticked off my list of places to see in Ilocos - the Patapat Viaduct, about 4 hours away from VIgan (or 300+ kilometers!). The fourth longest bridge in the country, it connects Ilocos to the Cagayan Valley. There isn’t really much to see except for the viaduct which snakes its way around the mountainside, overlooking the ocean.

Only my fear of heights prevented me from sitting on those white ledges and just closing my eyes to listen to the waves

Bangui Windmills

The wind mills, a project of the Northwind Development Corporation, is considered the biggest in Southeast Asia. It is located along the shores of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, facing the South China Sea. Each turbine has three blades with a six-meter diameter on top of a 50-meter body. 

We weren’t able to see the wind mills up close since we were already pressed for time so we had to make do with the look-out point. Guess we’ll save that for another trip (yes, hubby and I loved Ilocos so much we are already planning our third visit!).

Another blurred shot. I really need to get a better grip. Haha.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Built during the Spanish period, the octagonal lighthouse was first lit in 1892, and is made of bricks covered by white paint. It is still being used 100 years after it was built, although the place is in dire need of repair – the roof is falling down, the balustrade from the pavilion to the tower itself is rickety and rust has eaten away most of the steel casings. Simply put, the lighthouse is a disaster waiting to happen. 

There is a small museum in the pavilion although it is poorly kept, and smells damp and moldy. It contains clippings and documents pertaining to the history of the lighthouse, but most are too yellowed to be of much interest. 

The view from the top is so beautiful and serene.

Just to give a perspective of how tall the tower is.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is one of the oldest, still active lighthouses in the country so I really wish the government will exert some effort in its upkeep. Even if wasn't used anymore, it’s still a piece of history that should not be left to rot.

Up next: Ilocos Beaches: Pagudpud, Cabugao and the Island of Puro