Back in the metro

I just arrived about 5 hours ago from somewhere up the country's north for a much needed time off. The experience still lingers; the whole place was really magical. And the local food was so totally good (and unhealthy) you get a high every time you take a bite of their longganisa (sausage), the deep-fried empanada (savory pastry with two whole eggs and more of the sausage), and the positively sinful bagnet (deep-fried pork belly that you buy already cooked and then you re-fry it at home.) Somehow, I feel that the MSG-free vegetable chips we were munching in the car was pointless.

This stone church built around the 1500s was so huge you can get lost in it. What bothered us was that, at the side of the church, there's a stone stairway leading to the church's roof. What could be the reason for building that?

Lake Paoay, which according to one of our companions, is a famous body of water in the region. Hmmm... if it were really famous, how come only one of us knew about it?

We also went to Fort Ilocandia, which I think is more famous than Lake Paoay as there were several tourists who were around. I just have to take a shot of this stone sculpture. The sculpture's details were fascinating.

Everyone agreed that one of the highlights of the trip was seeing these alien-looking windmills. I think there were about 20 of them dotting the coastline. Too bad these pictures don't give you an idea of how big these structures are -- they're even taller than buildings I think.

No trip to Vigan would be complete without walking through the cobblestoned Crisologo Street in the town proper. The houses and buildings have been around since the 1500s, too. There's even a bookstore, but it didn't sell antique books though.

And finally...

Easter has finally come! I made it through 40 days without buying a single book. Thanks to R. and my family who were kind enough to get me books in that very, very difficult time.

Happy Easter everyone!