Tag: Structures

Stopovers from Vigan to Laoag

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 14, 2006
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Bantay Belfry

Impressive gothic belfry in Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Will try to finish up the entries on our northern Luzon trip in the coming days. I will also have individual posts on some interesting objects along the way. The first couple of weeks has been very busy at work. Double deadlines as they say. Well to continue on…

The travel from Vigan to Laoag is only a couple of hours trip, but if you have time to spare there are lots of interesting stopovers on nearby provinces that would give your time and money enough its worth.

Bantay Belfry and church

Bantay belfry and crimson church, Ilocos Sur

First off from Vigan is the Bantay Belltower and church. Now this is a must and you wouldn’t miss it since it’s on the highway and near the bus stations at the entrance of Vigan. From first seeing the belfry at the distance from the church gate I was already in awe at it’s magnificent structure. For me it’s one of the most magnificent structures I have ever seen. It’s baroque-gothtic style and color truly impressed me. Too bad the gates was closed we couldn’t get up, they said that this belfry used to be a lookout tower during the war. Not to belittle it’s church which stands a few meters away, the church boast a crimson facade and amazing window arcs emphasized by its white shade.

Tags Churches, Heritage, Structures, UNESCO

General Ilocos Sur

A walk down history lane

Crisologo Street

Calle Mena Crisologo in Vigan

Ilocos has so much to offer in terms of Heritage sites. Numerous old churches, well preserved spanish houses and mansions. We didn’t manage to visit all the spots in our IT but what we were able to visit was enough to satisfy our lust for travel. Also leaving enough reasons to return and visit our missed spots.

Spanish house Facade

Spanish house facade

Since there’s too much photos and infos here, I’ll just tackle them them individually in the coming days (or weeks). First off is the Calle Mena Crisologo in Vigan. Unlike Intramuros which was continually battered during the war, Vigan was spared and more than 180 of it’s houses and landmarks are well preserved, also thanks to UNESCO for declaring the whole city as a heritage site.

Tags Heritage, Structures, UNESCO, Vigan

General Malaysia

KK Adventure 06: City strolling

Post author By Ferdz
Post date October 13, 2005
No Comments on KK Adventure 06: City strolling

Kota Kinabalu City at night

City municipal at night

Just something to keep people occupied while I do a major re-design. This would be the 2nd to the last entry for the KK adventure entries. Will try to finish the last part soon.

Kota Kinabalu is a small city. It seems more like other major provinces here in the Philippines. You could actually tour the city in half a day. For us, we managed to go around the city at night, walking, exploring what is there to explore in the city. Night life is a bit “complicated” says one waiter from a resto we were eating. Karaoke bars usually have “Trouble”. Safest place is at the Waterfront, it’s similar to Baywalk without the lollipop lights and resto structures are aligned.

Corner block

Corner block

There’s really no major attractions around the city. Mostly, there’s hotels (from the budget to deluxe), malls lined up and stores on city blocks, and lots of restos and eatiries. It is evident that this is to cater for us tourist. There are souvenier shops around the malls, but the best place for souveniers here is at the Filipino Market where you can bargain to as good as half the original price! In terms of souveniers though, not much on the food pasalubongs since they have no specialty here worth taking home. (Will delve more on the food on the final entry )

Tags City, Kota Kinabalu, Structures

General

Back to the roots in Manila

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 16, 2005
No Comments on Back to the roots in Manila

Intramuros

Intramuros

Gah, I’m getting a bit slow lately in blogging since the year started. I guess I’ve just got to many things to do and too many questions in my mind, like “Why does the wolf’s howl doesn’t echo in the mountains?” or “How does a malayan snake viper senses heat to attacks it’s prey?”. What?! I guess I’ve been watching too much “National Geographic” and “Animal Planet” during breakfast lately.

I went back to Quiapo yeterday to buy some new sets of rechargeable batteries and had my underwater Camera’s Shutter Button fixed, also to have a set of 8×10 photos developed. Well as usual, Quiapo, in particular, Hidalgo and Plaza Mirada is a universe itself. Too bad I missed last week’s “Black Nazarene” feast and experienced a sea of people crowding the streets of Quiapo.

Tags Heritage, Intramuros, Manila, Structures