Within the 5 hectare property overlooking the legendary Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte lies the 2-storey mansion of the Marcoses which is famously known as the Malacanang of the North or Malacanang Ti Amianan as referred by the Ilocanos. It is the official residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos and his family. According to history the house was built as a gift of the former Fist Lady Imelda Marcos to her husband, then former President Marcos on his 60th birthday and has become a venue to welcome affluent personalities and dignitaries, both local and foreign.

I am fascinated with adventure trips and natural wonders and if given any chance and the luxury of time, there's no brainer that i would pack up for a backpacking adventure to climb mountains or cross the rivers just to feast my eyes on the wonderful creations of God and relive myself with overflowing memories when i'm old and gray.

As much as i wanted to finish my Ilocandia series in one sitting, but sorry i cannot, due to an overload of priorities and the bedly stormy weather seems to be so inviting for such laziness. Anyway, here's the next installment for my Ilocos Travel Diary and pardon me if this is gonna be a flooding of photographs. This beauty of Saud Beach in the northern tip of Pagudpud need not be described word after word because the photos will speak for itself. And these photographs will not lie, because my first hand experiences with this place just took my breath away...

Standing majestically at the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, fronting the Bangui Bay is the stunning Kapurpurawan Rock Formations. So far, it is the most fascinating natural wonder in this part of the country that I've ever seen and it left me breathless. 

Seeing a lighthouse, whether a picture, an illustration or a concrete one, usually gives me random thoughts. The one in horror movies made me think that lighthouses are such creepy places where ghosts and other outside of the world activities can take place any time of the day. On the lighter side, when i see one on photos seated on calm waters, it give me feelings of hope and dreams, sending me a message of beauty, joy, peace and the need to be still. Truly, lighthouses are a favorite scenic spots and those I've mentioned were just some of the facile declaration of my fondness for such edifice.

Vigan has always  been a dream destination for me and my habitual liking for heritage and cultural places caused me to long for this place all the more. With its scaling appeal to the tourism industry, both foreign and Filipino alike are going nuts about visiting this UNESCO heritage site. And so because its summer and the family is complete, together with some friends we decided to pursue this long overdue trip to Ilocos, finally! God has been so good!