Travelling is like a far-flung mystical village for me, when I was young. It seems true, but it seems imaginary, too. – Rosemawrites, Suitcase
2015 ended with a bang last year. Aside from the great food and good times brought by the holiday break, my vacation started early as I embarked in a journey that was once a dream, and now a reality.
Together with my dear friends, I had three unforgettable days discovering the beauty of my own country, proudly Philippines!
To keep a record of my memories and to show you guys the beauty of the Philippines, I will be publishing a series of posts about this travel! 😀
And this is the beginning! Please join me! 🐱
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December 14, 2015 Night
Before 9 PM, our five-member gang started waiting for our rocket to come. (It is not a rocket, just a van! :D) Our driver was late, yeah, because of the very usual Manila traffic.
No bad vibes were welcomed because we are all excited to start the trip that we planned and save for for more than a year! (Yes, more than a year! :D)
We prayed as we jump in our hired van for the first time! Off we go before clock struck 10!
It took us roughly 11 hours to reach our destination! It’s because we travelled by land. 🙂

FYI: We are headed to Ilocandia. Ilocandia is the term given to the traditional homeland of the Ilocano people. Today, the first three regions of the Philippines (Region 1 or Ilocos Region, Region 2 or Cagayan Valley and Region 3 or Central Luzon) comprise the present-day Ilocandia.
December 15, 2015 Day 1
Our morning begun with a stop over in the iconic ark welcoming us to Ilocos Norte, the northest part of Ilocandia!
A group picture is a must!
After we take photos, we head to a local food corner to eat our first breakfast in Ilocandia!
Ilocos is famous for their longganisa! So I ordered one! 😀
FYI: Longganisa is the Filipino version of Longaniza, a Spanish sausage similar to a chorizo and also closely associated with the Portuguese linguiça. Ilocos longganisa is known for its garlicky flavor! 😉
After I took my first bite, I realized, this is indeed the beginning of Ilocandia 2015!
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©2015 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit: ALL photos are MINE
Ohh, sounds like you had the most wonderful vacation! That longganisa, looks delicious.
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Oh yes! 😀 It took us more than a year to plan it so we really treasure the whole trip! 🙂 Yes, it is garlicky but yummy!
Thank you for reading and for commenting, Dajena! ❤
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That is the best way to go, and you are welcome!
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Yay! Thanks again, Dajena! Appreciate your presence here!
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Wow! This sounds really exciting! Looking forward to read more about your travel. 😀 ❤ ❤ ❤
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YAY! I am glad to see you have read this beginning! 😀 You know how your comments lit me up! 😀
Thank you, Fun!
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I always love to read your posts, my dear Rosema 🙂 ❤ You are always welcome. 😀
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You know I feel the same with yours, Fun! ❤
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😍❤️❤️❤️
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:-*
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Travelling is enriching beyond words and from your pictures you had a swell time 🙂
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Yes, definitely, Jacq! Coming from a woman like you who has travelled a lot, I guess you are perfectly right! 🙂
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Now your feet have taken off, they will develop travel itch 😉
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Oh no! I think I have to save more now! 😀
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I agree to that but you can put a travel plan in place for yourself. Set aside a little savings kitty for travel for once every two or three years.
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I will follow that, Jacq! Thank you! 😀
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You are welcome dear 🙂
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😀 :-*
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Some great photos there Rose, Seems like you had a great time 🙂
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Yes, Judy! I did! It rained a lot actually during the first and second day of the trip, BUT we remain positive and blissful!
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That is the best way to be, then you can still enjoy yourselves 🙂
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Yes! That is so true! 😀
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[…] sharing the beginning of my travel journey early today, now I am grateful for my little chinita […]
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Isn’t it wonderful to be a tourist in your own town?😆
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Yes! It’s an amazing experience! 😀
And I am so happy to see you around, Marquessa!
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I’m reading when I should be asleep!😄
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Oh no! I am so touched but your eyes may need some rest, eh? 😀
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😊
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😀
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[…] week, I posted the beginning of the more-than-one-year-in-planning adventure of a […]
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[…] week, I posted Part 1 of Ilocos Norte escapade! The beginning of the more-than-one-year-in-planning adventure was also posted […]
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[…] first three parts of this journey are posted here, here and here! […]
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[…] First four parts are here, here here and here! […]
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[…] First five parts are here, here here, here and here! And I think this will be the penultimate one! […]
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[…] First five parts are here, here here, here, here and […]
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