Wednesday, April 7, 2010

BAKASYON GRANDE






Last Monday, March 29, 2010, my family and I headed to the Ilocandia. The home of the Ilocano people and my parents hometown. It's been a while since I've been there (10 years to be exact). That's why it got me more excited to go back... Plus consider the fact that it's "Holy Week"!!! A holiday!! Vacation galore for me... No classes, no work!!! I can spend my time roaming around town without thinking of any work related thoughts. My brain cells would be stressed free for seven days! So with a week long itinerary, Off we go!! =)


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Day 1:

Departure time: Manila, March 29, 2010 (Holy Monday), 5:00am

We traveled the traffic free highway from UP to NLEX. Stopped at Lake Shore and had pancakes for breakfast. We decided to eat at Mc. Donalds, since it's the cheapest resto that we could see in the venue. Took out hamburgers for Dad and mom since mom is stuck in the car (she can't walk for eight years now since she suffered from heart attack last 2002).

From NLEX, we drove straight up to San Fernando La Union. Bought pizza for lunch, and waited for my brother who's working in a nearby building. We couldn't find a nice place to park, so after some chit-chat, Dad suggested to just drive along til we find an amiable place to eat. Finally, we found one in the nearby town of San Fernando!! It was a big empty lot near a cemetery... Seeing those big white squares known as tombs, we enjoyed our lunch though.

We arrived in my aunt's crib around 3:30 in the afternoon. It was more or less than 10 hours drive, including some pit stops.

Tiring, but FUN!! =)

Day 2:

March 30, 2010(Holy Tuesday): Bonding with my cousins

"May tenga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita," an old Filipino saying that I truly believe. I must confess, it's so true... Upon hearing our arrival the night before, some of our relatives, mostly my cousins went to aunt's place for a visit.. And since it's been ages since we've heard from each other, we spent the whole day catching up..

At around 4pm, we crashed in my sister-in-law's house and gave my brother's first born a tremendous hug!!! Gabie, my niece, is so cute!!! I can't help myself from caressing her. I want to take her home to Manila, but it's going to cause me trouble, I know... The family excluding my dad met my brother's extended family for the first time. His wife's family was quite nice, except for his monster or should I say mother-in-law...

Day 3

March 31, 2010 (Holy Wednesday): Off to Baluarte

Baluarte is one of Mr. Chavit Singson's claim to fame! It is a huge land owned by Ilocos Governor Singson converted into a zoo. Take a hold of this: The entrance is free, so you can enjoy the wild life as much as you like... A far cry from the zoos here in Manila. Baluarte animals are free to roam around the massive land form except for the dangerous animals of course... They also have a daily animal show every 11-12nn and at 3-4pm. Tourists can also buy souvenir items from the nearby souvenir shops.

I went to Baluarte with my partner, my son, a cousin, her husband and their daughter. We set off at 7am and arrived to Vigan two hours after.

We enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the animal show, the awesome animals and the shirts!!!

To sum it up, it's all good.

The trip to Baluarte is worth it!!! =)

Day 4

April 01, 2010 (Maundy Thursday) : Went to San Jose

We went to San Jose, Santa Cruz on our 4th day. Visited mom's relatives and asked them to celebrate Gabie's christening with us. After that short stop, we went straight to Candon market and bought stuffs that we will use for the next day.... Swimming baby.... BEEAAAACCCHHH!!! =)

Day 5

April 02, 2010 (Good Friday): The witch on the Beach

Good Friday is supposed to be a day of mourning among Catholics especially Filipinos. Most of us believe that Christ died on that particular day, that's why party is a no-no... April o2 happens to be mom's b-day, and since we don't have enough time, we pushed through the plan to go swimming...

We went to Santiago Beach, Santiago, Ilocos Sur just before lunch. We ate our packed lunch and skin deep after.. Wheeeeew!!! Boy, it was refreshing!!!! =)

Day 6

April 03,2010 (Black Saturday): Journey to Baguio

My partner and I climbed up to Baguio just to get an UBE jam!! Yup, Ube jam indeed!! I gave my boss an Ube Jam last year when I asked her permission to be absent for 3 days. I told her that I'm off to my hometown to spend my holy week there, well in fact, I just went swimming with my friends. Lucky me, my brother was in Baguio during that time. I begged him to buy me an Ube jam as a present for my boss and they liked it!!! History repeats itself so they say... We're up to Baguio for the same reason... =)

Aside from Ube jam, my original plan was to ravage the Ukayans there, but unfortunately UKAYS became a household name and prices gone up!!! I couldn't believe how much an Ukay bag costs in Baguio!! More expensinve than in Manila!!! Way too expensive!!!

But knowing me, an addict shopper, a shopaholic by heart, I cannot afford not to buy one. So I bought a beautiful orange suede shoes for 500 bucks!!! The money allotted for the pasalubongs were lessen...

So to all my friends who haven't gotten pasalubong from me, Sorry... =(

The journey to Baguio is one hell of a trip!! Absolutely Amazing!!!! =)

Day 7

April 04, 2010 (Easter Sunday): Gabie's Christening

That particular Easter Sunday was a very special day for all of us... It was my niece's christening!! My brother's first born, Gabriel Carlisle.. She was named after a famous character in the movie Twilight. The Parish Priest had a hard time pronouncing her name... Oh, well, maybe Father haven't got the chance to see the movie... hehehe... =)

Day 8

April 05, 2010 (Monday): Caught up with my old time pal

We are friends for almost sixteen years now. We we're classmates in high school. After all those years it's nice to know that we remain friends despite of the distance. Now, she's happily married and has 2 beautiful sons...

Day 9

April 06,2010(Tuesday): The Mishap

We were on our way home to Manila when the accident happened... We were driving nice and slow, when a vehicle ahead of us suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway. We wanted to avoid it, but it's too late...

I thank the Lord that HE didn't allow something bad happened to us.

Our Bakasyon Grande could have been a PERFECT one, if this accident didn't happen!!! =(

*******

My week long summer escapade was over... I had fun hooking up with my relatives, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery that the Ilocos Region could offer, sharing sweet moments with my partner, rekindling my relationship with my family and most of all realizing that LIFE is really too short. You wont know when it's going to be over...


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