Ilocos Norte's Expedition: Laoag City

Tagged as the Philippines' "Best Culture and Nature",  Ilocos Norte is absolutely one of the top choices to explore when you're planning to do a long trip outside of Manila.

Ilocos Norte is located in the northwest corner of Luzon island in the Philippines that is well-known as the birth place of the country's former president, Ferdinand Marcos. 


When heading to Ilocos Norte, it's better to start from its capital city, Laoag City. Different hotels are available for outside goers and they're just affordable and easily accesible. We're lucky because my friend has relatives wherein we stayed for a day. 




Laoag City is where region's main offices and universities are located. 





The city's main tourist attraction is the Sinking Bell Tower.


St. William's Cathedral in Laoag City is well-known for its Sinking Bell Tower. The 45-meter bell tower was built by Augustinian Friars in 1612 and believed to be the tallest bell tower in the country before. The tower is approximately 85 meters away from the Cathedral. Too far away that will make you believe that it is not already part of it, but it is. 



As its name implies, the bell tower earned its "sinking" reputation because it is so heavy and was built on sandy foundations that causes it to consistently sink into the ground. Tales by old people of the city mentioned that long time ago, a person on horseback once could enter the arched entrance of the tower without stooping. But now, a person with a normal height has to bend just to enter the said bell tower. By then, it is now believed to sink approximately an inch per year.  


One of the famous hotels found in Laoag City is the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center. We didn't stay in  this place, we just dropped by to take some photos.




Just nearby the house where we've stayed is the LAOAG Signage on top of a hill that can be seen when you're about to enter the city proper passing the bridge.





We went upclose to it just to have some photo souvenirs! Agbiag, Laoag! 

Anyways, it's just the start of my Ilocos Norte's Expedition. They are still more on my next blogs. Wait and read it soon.

For any suggestions and feedbacks, feel free to put it on the comment box.

Add me on my Twitter & IG @iamyrag26

-Yrag!

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