First Trip by Plane : Japan

June 14, 2015 was a memorable day for me. I was scheduled to travel to Japan for 6 weeks.  This trip gave me some kinds of "first", My first time to apply for a passport and a visa. My first to go to airport. My first to ride on a plane, and my first trip out of the country. While me and my family were very excited for me, my team leader and manager were worried about me.  I lost my claim stub for visa. That's why they thought that I can get lost because its my first time to go out of the country. They were worried but I was never afraid to go out of the country on my own. These first times and all new kinds of experiences always give me a happy feeling every time I remember them.

While I was on board the plane, I tasted one of the good foods served by the Philippine Airlines. I even had a chat with my seatmates that came from United States. I am excited but I fell asleep.

Lunch served at PAL

One of my funny experiences in Japan, was when I almost left for a bus trip. I was scheduled to arrive at the Haneda (Tokyo) Airport by 2pm. When I bought a ticket for a Shin-Yokohama trip, it was scheduled by 2:40 pm.  I looked at my watch, it is 1pm . I took the luxury to look around at the airport since it is still early. While resting at their comfortable seats, something strucked me. Japan is early by 1 hour. I forgot to adjust the time of my watch. I did not hear any reminder from the flight attendant because I was asleep during the 4-hour trip. I only have 15 minutes left when I started running and asked for the directions on how to go to limousine bus station. I remembered the HR that I should be on this trip because the next scheduled trip will be too late in the afternoon. I ran as fast as I can with my very big luggage, a bag, and a 2-inch heel shoes. Gladly, I still have 2 minutes left when I set my foot on the bus. The bus assistant greeted me politely and helped me with my luggage. The driver is also polite with every passengers. They wear a very presentable uniform. They look like a pilot to me.

Haneda Airport

After 40 minutes of travel, I stopped in front of Shin-Yokohama station. I saw the office in front of the station, and beside the hotel. I tempted to go directly to the hotel since it is just a few walks away. But I chose to wait for my Japanese co-workers. While trying to find the best spot for them to easily find me, I stumbled and fell with my luggage because it was very heavy. Its embarrassing at that moment but at the same time I was laughing at myself.

ROHM and LAPIS semiconductor

It was very cold and breezy afternoon. I'm glad that I put my blazer not on my luggage but on my bag. My Japanese co-workers were waiting for me on one side while me, on the other side. It took them a while before they realized that I could be on the other side. They accompanied me on my hotel, the Fuji-View Hotel, where I can view the Mount Fuji on clear skies. After I changed clothes, we went for a dinner, These two beautiful ladies are very nice and accommodating. They even made a welcome banner for me.

Fuji View Hotel

They toured me on the nearest shopping station, the Shin-Yokohama station.  It is a rail transport station that has shopping malls and hotel. They briefed me where I can buy a not-so-expensive items that I might need or want to buy.

Shin-Yokohama Station

After that, we ended our night for dinner. We went to Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) restaurant, inside the station, This food is pretty good. This became my first favorite Japanese food.

Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake)

To end my night, I thought of two things that gave a remarkable impression to me. The very polite and the well-dressed bus drivers and assistants, and the no-pollution vehicles.

Animals at Baluarte

Baluarte Zoo at Vigan, Ilocos Sur is a very wide area of land that houses domestic and wild animals from around the world. This is owned by former Governor Chavit Singson, thus the name "baluarte" or territory. The zoo is free for public viewing from 8am to 6pm.

There are group of sheeps all over the field,

 

And a ponies that can be ride on to have a tour around the field. However, the owner should limit the number of people that can ride on this pony, or else he might be worked to death.

There is also a sleeping tiger,

And a parrot that would like to have a picture with you.

There is also a show that introduces the trained animals such as iguana, 

A musang (palm civet cat/weasel),

And even a phyton! Girl Travel Factor is brave enough to touch that very long phyton.

And lastly, here is the house of the former Governor, in which the construction is not yet finished.

Chapel by the Ruins

Chapel by the Ruins, located beside Bantay Church, is a garden-like chapel that you can visit if you want tranquility and peace. The tour guide said that during World War, the people here had a view of war jet plane flying above the chapel. From its name, it is obvious that this was destroyed during war and preserved to maintain its original purpose.

Take a deep look of the bricks used that made it stand strong after a war, even after several centuries.

Bantay Bell Tower

On the 3rd day of our Ilocos Tour, we went to Bantay Church, also known as Saint Augustine Parish Church. This is just a few minutes away from Calle Crisologo. This is one of the oldest church in the Philippines, as it was built during Spanish Era.

Its belfry is separated more or less 100 meters from its church. This is located at the hilltop overlooking the vast area of Bantay and Vigan City. This served as the watchtower against the enemies during World War I and II.

We went on the highest part of the belfry, which shows the bell that still functions today. While giving information, the tour guide is very happy to take a picture of us with the very huge original bell.

This is the view from the tower, overlooking the vast area of some parts of the region

This is the view in front of the tower. The tour guides here know a numerous concepts of taking a pictures of you in front of the tower. 

A Night in Vigan

It was late night when we arrived at Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Calle Crisologo is just near our hotel, so we went there by walking while others chose to stay in hotel.

Vigan was chosen as one of the new 7 wonders of the world last 2015. It showcases the old houses from Spanish Era that was turned into stores and inns today. These houses were owned by the rich families and Chinese businessmen  before. The Vigan was the center of the trading of goods brought by the traders that sailed from South China Sea even before the Spaniards came. This was cited as UNESCO Heritage Site to preserve the ancient setting.

Even nights, Calle Crisologo are full of tourists. Whether they visit to experience on how it feels like to live during Spanish Era or for a date, the street is worth visiting for. The street can only be toured by walking or by riding a calesa. Motor vehicles are blocked in this street to preserve the Spanish setting. 

While walking the street, we had a good view of an old houses with big wide doors and windows, an old chair, souvenir stores that are still open even its 11 o'clock, souvenirs, furniture store, a hotel, and even a welcome banner for Pope Francis.

We took the liberty of taking each others pictures. Girl travel factor gave me tips to capture the night scenic view of the street with my camera and her as a model. :)

In our last night, we visited again the Calle Crisologo with some of our friends. We even had a taste of Vigan food in this Cafe Leona Restaurant.

Upon touring the street, there are houses that are newly painted. There are even bars. This is very different from the street that I visited 3 years ago. I asked one of the locals why there are bars on the ancient site. He answered, 'that is to promote tourism'. I was like, Huh? I was not expecting that answer. Aren't the ancestral houses and historical site enough to promote tourism? We even went there because of the expectations that we can get back to Spanish era if we will visit Vigan.

I know that some of the houses are owned by the private families. And I do not know if the local government has some power to prevent industrialization in the street. I just hope that the owners choose to maintain the image that fascinated the tourists all over the world.

A Visit to Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Coming from Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, we headed straight to Marcos Museum and Mausoleum. Then we visited the famous Paoay Church, also known as St. Augustine Church. Considered as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site because it's one of the oldest baroque architecture in the Philippines. It was built on 1700 during Spanish Era. Because of its heavy architecture with enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the church, it had withstand several earthquakes that had occurred for several centuries.

After visiting the church, we headed to Paoay Sand Dunes. It is a long stretched of sand formed from strong wind and current. This is a common shooting place for local films such as Panday and Himala. It was also used and becoming known in foreign films. 

For an amount of P500 each, we experienced a thrilling ride on a 4*4 truck and sand surfing. Me, doing the stand sand surfing, gave me a feeling doing an action stunt. :) Ilocos experience will never be complete without this exhilarating experience.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Along the shoreline of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, there is another tourist attraction, the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. The rock formation is of white color, that was formed maybe a thousand years ago.

There will be a short trek to reach the spot. There has no difficulty going downhill because of the stairs that was built for the tourists and the thick vines that served as the shade from the sunlight. The locals said that the rock is of super white in the morning.

After going downhill, there are locals that offer a horseback riding with a charge of P100. My fellows chose to try horseback riding under the sun. The kids enjoyed the horseback riding while the adults appreciated the view of the rock formation.

While they enjoyed the scenic view near the rock formation and tried to get their best picture taken, I chose to view the spot from afar and rested.  I also had a shot of windmills around the area. While waiting for them, I even had a nap under the hut. :)