It has been some time since I have last blogged....November 2013 in fact! Life was just hectic and a bit busier than the usual that I did not have time to write about what has been happening during my food trips. Anyway I hope this gets me back on track!
 |
| Jump shot with Belfry in the background |
May 2014 is convention time for most medical societies, and where I belong to is not an exception. So with the whole entourage of my kids and their yayas, we opted for the cheaper alternative of doing land travel . Departing at the holy hour (coz the kids are blissfully asleep) of 3 am, we started our journey.
One of the drug companies sponsored an amazing race contest where several tasks had to be performed and documented with pictures. Out of the 5 categories we won 2 (best jump shot and most relaxing shot). Not bad, eh?
 |
| Sign outside Island souvenir shop |
First significant menu after jolibee breakfast was at Vigan. Cafe Leona was our first choice but we came in the resto at the height of the holiday lunch crowd and there was a queue.
With grumbling stomachs we trooped to the nearby rest: Lampong's. It was a blessing in disguise! Its a very small rest along Calle Crisologo near Island souvenir shop.
 |
| Sotanghon soup good for 2: 50php |
The food was simply great! I had poqui-poqui before in a manila resto and did not like it but Lampong's version of the dish was the best I have tasted during the whole 3 day ilocos sojourn .The grilled eggplant taste was very strong (which I love!).
 |
| Poqui-poqui: grilled eggplant with egg, tomato and onion php 140 |
 |
| 1 doz vigan longganisa : php 240 |
Of course we just have to have Vigan longganisa and for our bagnet fix , their dinakdakan bagnet is the best!
 |
| Dinakdakan Bagnet: shredded bagnet with onion and sukang ilocos php 180 |
The best part was the price: for 5 adults and 2 kids (rice and soft drinks included) the bill came down to just Php 940!
Before we got to Laoag, we did some sight seeing in Batac and Paoay.
 |
| A visit to Apo in Batac |
 |
Dragon fruit ice cream from a vendor outside Marcos museum
|
 |
| Paoay Church |
After the convention , there were still a few sights and activities to do....
 |
| Bangui windmills |
 |
| Kapurpurawan rock formations |
 |
| Cape Bojeador |
 |
| Pagudpod beach |
Pagudpod beach may be the Boracay of the north but its definitely not Boracay. Up to this point nothing still beats that island paradise. I recommend skipping this as the trip was too long and not worth it if you are not planning an overnight stay.
 |
| Patapat bridge |
 |
| Paoay Sand dunes |
 |
| Sand boarding at Paoay |
The highlight of the sightseeing for me was the Paoay Sand Dunes. This was the place where Da King (FPJ) shot his Panday movies. For 2500php (good for max 5 people) you get to ride the sand dunes in a 4x4 buggy that is akin to a roller coaster ride standing up!
There is also 30 mins of sand boarding trial where yours truly ungracefully dismounted via her but and arms 3x!
Our Last evening in the North left us looking for a place to dine. Saramsam came highly recommended via blogs , websites and the locals. We were told that it would be almost impossible to get a table but we decided to take our chances. And true enough we were turned down as they are full. But our persistence and patience paid off. Within 30 mins of persistent waiting a table was free!
 |
| Basil iced tea. Good if you like the taste of basil |
 |
| Sampaloc ice tea. We love this! |
 |
| dinardaran pizza. |
 |
| Bagoong and chili oil for pizza? it works! |
We wanted to try the pakbet pizza but it was out of stock. So we decided to go for the dinardaran pizza which is just dinuguan topping for a regular pizza. The fun part is adding bagoong and chili oil to the pizza and finding out how good it taste!
 |
| Bagnet with KBL |
How can you go wrong with Baget! crispy fatty deep fried version of lechon kawali up north.
 |
| poqui poque |
Our third Poqui poqui or poque poque.... this comes close as a close second to lampong's. the grilled eggplant taste is stronger with Lampon's version.
 |
| saramsam pasta |
Saramsam pasta is just their pasta salad with raw mango, tomato, onion, steamed shrimp. After the reviews I have read about the dish , I was expecting more but this dish fell short.
 |
| longanissa pasta |
Longanissa pasta. The tomato sauce overpowered whatever longganisa taste it was supposed to have.
 |
| insarabasab |
Insarabasab is grilled pork with sukang ilocos and onions. Its like sisig and kilawin combined. This version is tastier than the catered version by La Preciosa.
Overall, the wait and the reputation of the place is well deserved. With the exception of the pasta dishes, its worth revisiting should we find ourselves in apo country. The price is like Manila. For 5 adults the bill came to almost 1600 php.
