Old world...Vigan

dateline: vigan, ilocos sur

We arrive at vigan around 9pm. Even at night, one can see the old houses lining up the main streets of vigan. We would have wanted to checked at the Heritage hotel but it was fully booked so we decided instead at El Juliana. There was parking and swimming pool and the rooms eventhough it was small was enough for us. He paid 2,800 for a king size bed plus 2 extra beds. The facade was old indeed, like those you can see in spanish era. The interior was also old, at least in the lobby and the hallways. The rooms are modern enough. Breakfast are free but not appetizing, at least the filipino set.
Uching said, the houses are the stuff of horror movies. When i woke up around 3am, i wouldn't have gotten up from bed but i could not anymore control the need to take a pee so i bravely went to the cr, carefully avoiding not looking at the mirror. The airconditioner was noisy, i thought someone was scratching our walls. I didn't turn the lights back off.
I think that Vigan is the place of the very rich during those times. The houses are just plain big. One wonders where all the poor are concentrated. Bessang Pass is a tricky mountain trail bordering the mountain province and ilocos sur even now. Back then, during Rizal's time and even during the japanese occupation, one wanders how big was japan's invading army if they were able to penetrate such difficult places. My mind wanders again...
We attended easter sunday mass at vigan cathedral. The church also is old and like most old churches, there was variety of antique sculptures of saints and the Holy Trinity. The sound system is not that good. We left Vigan around 12 noon and had our lunch was take-outs from mc donalds. The trip to manila was a sight for sore eyes. I have to give credits to him for being such a good adventurer, driver,provider,etc. The trip wouldn't have been possible if not for his can-do attitude. Indeed it's one of his endearing traits. Thanks be to God for a a holy week full of appreciation for His wonderful creations.

BESSANG PASS

The trip to Sagada from Sabangan crossroads was only 7 kms upland but since we were traversing a new route over the mountains to Ilocos Sur, he decided we might as well pass on Sagada. Add to that was the fact that we were told that we needed to cross a river before reaching cervantes. We were looking up at the sky and saw rainclouds on the horizon. We needed to pass that river before the rains starts. We didn't know yet how high the waters would be so he was driving as fast as the roads will allow.

Again, the roads are literally breath-taking. I thought that the roads will be different now since we will be going through interior through Ilocos Sur. I thought wrong. Again, we were cliffdriving.

The Bessang Pass in the Ilocos sur was constructed so that it feels like you're in the great wall of china. When you are on top, you can actually see the downward spiral of the road. By this time, all gadgets are low on power so no documentation on that. But my, you have to wonder at government efforts to make the road safe and in good condition and there was even no credits on billboards on whose effort the roads were made. I think, in a few years many will be traversing that road and be in awe of everything that can be seen. It's not your regular tourist attraction but if ever your visiting banaue , i highly recommend going to ilocos sur on road trips via bessang pass. By then, the bridge that they are currently constructing over the river would have been completed already. If you decided to visit it now, i recommend taking only suv. Cars would drown in the river. Thanks to his skillful driving and the fortuner's make and God Almighty for HIS provision, we were able to cross the river. There is something that can be said about overcoming hurdles and barrier. IT makes you believe in yourself even more. And while we were fearful, and happy to overcome those mountain roads and that river pass, when we are only passengers, how much more self-affirming could it be to him who drives us through? A can do attitude could certainly get you places.