March 16, 2012
Things could not get any better as we made our way to Laoag!
There was not much though however our tour guides oriented us around the city on a trike ride. ...
Welcome to the Malacañang of the North where the official Ilocos residence of the late President Marcos is situated.
The house turned museum was aesthetically impressive. It was an old Spanish style humble abode that showcased an array of the late President Ferdinand Marcos' memorabilia
The display of historical objects was not limited to the late President Marcos' alone it also exhibited his wife's (former first lady Imelda Marcos) penchant for exquisite accessories and glamorous Filipiniana gowns.
The expansive backyard offered a splendid overlooking view of the Paoay Lake.
*not shown in the picture-serry*
***
We went ahead to Marcos Museum which was beside the Mausoleum where the late President's lifelike wax figure was safeguarded.
The Marcos Museum housed the various memorabilia, write ups and photographs.
It provided the visitors/tourists information regarding the thoughts and inputs of our late President Marcos.
More specifically, his amazing accomplishments and struggles as a student, lawyer, legislator, dictator and president.
***
Posed outside the Mausoleum. The inside atmosphere was gloomy and dim lighted with fresh white flowers surrounding the glass coffin that encased the late President's lifelike wax figure. It felt rather cold as the air conditioning was put to a high level to keep the preserved figure intact. The experience was kind of eerie. The preserved figure looked really true to life you could almost convince yourself that the president only succumbed in to a deep sleep.
*FYI: The wax made to seal the late President's corpse was 7 layers thick and replaced every years.
***
I know we couldn't just stop fooling around.
Even these accommodating guards fell prey to our ludicrous acts.
HAHA. serry.
***
Guess who's ride?
Yep, it's the closest thing to meeting the former first lady, Imelda Marcos.
It is actually her personal coaster ride.
It was really delicious. It was actually a mixture of coconut meat, cheese, margarine, sugar and viscous rice in a young bamboo or 'tubong' in local term.
I wish I could bring home some but unfortunately it had an expiry date. We have yet to travel 3 more destinations and bringing these around would not be so convenient and it might rather spoil the food.
tsk tsk.
Maybe next time perhaps. ;)
***
After wandering around Batac, we headed to some cheap restaurtants to fill in our hungry stomachs with some of Ilocos Norte's delightful eats!
Laoag's very own version of empanada. like EMPANADA to be exact.
I have never seen an empanada this HUGE! haha.
In my local hometown, Cebu, empanadas were made small with a starchy and pie like texture that contains meat, carrots, potatoes and raisins.
Laoag's different, theirs include rice flour for the crispy crust; fillings include egg, mongo sprouts, grated papaya and in special, Ilocos longanisa.
It is usually paired with a catsup or Ilocos vinegar. I prefer mine with vinegar though. The catsup tends to mask the authentic taste of the empanada.
***
We also treated ourselves with Miki. It is a chicken flavored soup with dense consistency with thick home made noodles, chicharon bits topped with hard boiled egg and chicken floss. I believe the recipe varies according to the cook's preference however I find this soup very appealing to the taste buds. ;)
***
The lunch was made even more special as we get to know our tourist guides brothers, Jeremy and Eric Rosal. They were very accommodating and had impressive knowledge about Ilocos Norte in general. We shared a few laughs and joked around until it was time for us to head to our next adventure: PAOAY.
Guess who's ride?
Yep, it's the closest thing to meeting the former first lady, Imelda Marcos.
It is actually her personal coaster ride.
And this is her Spanish inspired house located just beside Marcos' Mausoleum.
Being close to her deceased husband is definitely an infinite gesture of love♥
***
As we started to head out back to Laoag from Batac, we found these outside the museum. Fortunately, the lady selling these native rice delicacy offered us a free taste.It was really delicious. It was actually a mixture of coconut meat, cheese, margarine, sugar and viscous rice in a young bamboo or 'tubong' in local term.
I wish I could bring home some but unfortunately it had an expiry date. We have yet to travel 3 more destinations and bringing these around would not be so convenient and it might rather spoil the food.
tsk tsk.
Maybe next time perhaps. ;)
After wandering around Batac, we headed to some cheap restaurtants to fill in our hungry stomachs with some of Ilocos Norte's delightful eats!
I have never seen an empanada this HUGE! haha.
In my local hometown, Cebu, empanadas were made small with a starchy and pie like texture that contains meat, carrots, potatoes and raisins.
Laoag's different, theirs include rice flour for the crispy crust; fillings include egg, mongo sprouts, grated papaya and in special, Ilocos longanisa.
It is usually paired with a catsup or Ilocos vinegar. I prefer mine with vinegar though. The catsup tends to mask the authentic taste of the empanada.
***
We also treated ourselves with Miki. It is a chicken flavored soup with dense consistency with thick home made noodles, chicharon bits topped with hard boiled egg and chicken floss. I believe the recipe varies according to the cook's preference however I find this soup very appealing to the taste buds. ;)
The lunch was made even more special as we get to know our tourist guides brothers, Jeremy and Eric Rosal. They were very accommodating and had impressive knowledge about Ilocos Norte in general. We shared a few laughs and joked around until it was time for us to head to our next adventure: PAOAY.
