Manila to Ilocos Trip (Day 1)

• Destination: Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur (travel time: 10 hours) 

                  We woke up at 5 a.m., ate our breakfast, loaded our belongings and headed north on a 2-car convoy.  At 7 a.m., we reached the (North Luzon Expressway).  Even at an early hour, the highways were crowded.   As we passed by Pampanga at around 9:00 a.m., we saw individuals or groups of people who re-enacted the crucifixion of Christ.  When lunch time came, we stopped over at "Isdaan Fresh Catch Restaurant" in Gerona Tarlac (see separate entry). At around 1 p.m., we were back on the road again.  When we reached San Fernando, La Union at 3:30 p.m., we knew we were near.  We finally arrived at our house in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur by 5:30 p.m. 

• Native Products of Ilocos

                     Upon arrival, we immediately recognized the familiar scent of tobacco from the dried tobacco leaves that filled the house.  Tobacco leaves which were harvested by the farmers were brought to our place to be hanged and dried, sorted by quality, sacked together and then delivered to the cigarette manufacturers.  There were also peanut pods being separated from the harvest peanut plants.  

• Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur 

                 After a short rest, we looked out the window overlooking the town plaza and decided that we wanted to visit the church.  After visiting the church, we saw market-like stalls selling different kinds of fruits, vegetables, toys and snacks.  We bought empanadas (worth 20 php) it was delicious! crunchy like a tortilla and tasty as it was filled with fresh egg and vegetables.  Just across the street there were puto sellers.  We decided to buy and taste them as well.  The puto (worth 6 php) in Sta. Lucia was different from other putos.  It was round and flat and it was filled with shredded coconut and topped with black sesame. 

                      

• Home-cooked dinner

                  At 8:00 p.m., our other relatives also arrived.  We then ate dinner.  All the dishes served were fresh and flavorful.  I liked the malaga or samaral with black beans the best.  My uncle said it is the gold in Ilocos.  It was very tender and it had a clear fresh and sweet taste.  I also loved the pinakbet.  After dinner, we went to my uncle's  place in Candon City to sleep because the house in Sta. Lucia cannot accomodate us all.   Upon arrival, we unpacked our luggage and had our well deserved rest.