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I’m feeling the itch to travel again. Vigan?

A 'bahay na bato' house in Vigan City
Calesa style benches along Calle Crisologo

The heat in Manila is taking its toll on my sanity. Humid and coupled with occasional bursts of rain just exacerbates the heat. I’m feeling depressed that the itch to travel is growing more and more. Ah, travel. How I want to feel the wind on my face, visit new places or old reliable ones. Bath in a pristine lagoon or just cozy up in hotels in slough.

Vigan City would be a good place to visit again, for the nth time. It’s grand old bahay-na-bato houses exudes history. It’s old cathedral, with resplendent altars and beautiful carvings reminds one of its rich past.

I remember, a couple of years ago, I specifically filed for a leave from work to celebrate my birthday and I was then enroute to this beautiful place. It was only at 2 AM the following day that I arrived, tired and hungry. A few years later, I was blowing another candle on top of a small chocolate cake with my amour beside me in one of the hotels there with a four poster bed.

Simbaan-a-bassit, a cemetery chapel in Vigan

Though small, I like visiting the quaint simbaan-a-bassit, literally small church, which is actually a cemetery chapel. It’s beautiful espadana makes it unique and the small image of the Santo Intierro inside is being venerated. I like watching its curves and white-washed walls with decorative volutes at the sides.

Calle Crisologo? While it is one tourist trap with the many souvenir stalls lining this cobbled but short street, it still doesn’t fail to amaze. Grand and elegantly standing at both sides of the streets are several old houses. Large wooden doors framed by thick stone frames while wooden calesa style benches make for a good rest.

At the burnayan, traditional clay pottery in the city

The burnayan, clay pottery industry in Vigan City is quite known. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch Mr. Fidel Antiporda Go, declared National Folk Artist for his contribution to the burnay craft and preservation as he tells you the nitty gritty of pottery making and firing.

I’ve been to Vigan City many times. But then, there’s always something to find interesting in this old but beautiful place. With the heat and humidity in Manila, I might as well just go back there soon.

6 thoughts on “I’m feeling the itch to travel again. Vigan?”

  1. Yehey!!! Sir estan more Vigan posts, haha.

    Sir how come you were able to capture Simbaan a Bassit as good as this, hehe. Inagahan mo talaga sir ha, usually matrafiic na dito 🙂

  2. estancabigas

    Ed, it was taken very early in the morning, mga 6 ata since the bus arrived at that time. dami ako vigan pix for blogging 🙂

  3. Estan…this is one of the places I’d really like to see…another heritage town on my list!

    Philippines is so rich!

  4. Plan ko palang to go there this year. It’s interesting to see yang ganyang karaming electricity cables sa harap ng isang church. it’s not really a panira ng shot pero it’s just how it is in these modern times.

  5. estancabigas

    @karl, electricity cables infront of a church? try Guiguinto in Bulacan, Angeles City in Pampanga, Dagupan (back of present front) in Pangasinan as well as Pakil in Laguna 🙂

  6. estancabigas

    yup, its really a beautiful place 🙂

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