Cultural Trip: Two Days of Chaos, Laughs, and Happy Memories 

One of the most exciting parts of this program was our cultural trip, a two-day journey that allowed us to explore the beauty and culture of Ilocos Norte beyond. These two days were full of movement, laughter, and moments that I know I will never forget.

Day 1- Trip to Vigan 

On the first day, we traveled to Vigan, a city known for its beautiful Spanish colonial atmosphere. From the moment we arrived, everything felt unique the streets, the buildings, and the overall vibe made it feel like we were stepping into a different time.

We started by visiting the National Museum of the Philippines Ilocos Complex. It was really interesting to learn about Philippine history and important figures like José Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo. At the same time, the weather was extremely hot, which made the experience even more memorable in its own way. Even though we were a bit tired because of the heat, we still enjoyed being there together.

After that, we continued to Calle Crisologo. The place was so charming, with its cobblestone streets and old buildings. We walked around, took photos, and of course spent time buying souvenirs keychains, small gifts, and little things that made us happy in the moment.

Next, we visited Paoay Church, also known as Saint Augustine Church. The church was large, beautiful, and very peaceful. It was one of those places that made you pause for a moment and just appreciate where you are. Naturally, we took many photos there and enjoyed the time together.

Before heading back, we went to the beach. The breeze felt refreshing after a long and sunny day, and it was a perfect way to end our time in Vigan. We also had meals together along the way, which made the whole experience feel even warmer and more complete.

Day 2 - Trip to Pagudpud

The second day had a different kind of excitement. From the start, everything already felt lively.

We began at the Bangui Wind Farm. Seeing the windmills up close was really impressive. They were tall, lined up along the coast, and looked even better in real life than in photos. The wind was very strong, and we kept laughing because it was hard to even stand still properly. It was one of those moments where nothing special was happening, but it still felt really fun.

After that, we continued to the Patapat Viaduct, a long bridge along the coast with the ocean right beside it. The view was wide and open, and it felt really nice just standing there and looking out at the sea. We took a lot of photos and videos, trying to capture that moment.

Then we went up to Bangui for lunch. We spent some time eating, talking, and also looking around for clothes and souvenirs. It was a simple part of the trip, but it felt nice and relaxed.

After that, we stopped at 18 Degrees Cafe. It was a good place to rest for a while. We sat down, talked, and just enjoyed the moment without rushing anywhere.

We then continued our trip back down toward the beach area. The wind there was even stronger, and everything felt so alive the sound of the waves, the movement of the windmills, and the air around us. It was loud, a bit chaotic, but in a way that felt fun and refreshing.

Before heading back from Pagudpud, we made one more stop at a place that felt very different from the others. It was like a military and historical area where we could see displays related to the Philippines’ past.

There were tanks, equipment, and exhibits showing how things were used during earlier times. We also saw the evolution of the Philippine flag from earlier versions to the one used today. It felt like a place that told stories about the country’s struggles and history in a more visual way.

Walking around there felt interesting, because it was not just about looking, but also imagining how things were before. It gave a different kind of experience compared to the other places we visited.

The Best Part

But honestly, the best part of this whole trip was the people.

The six of us Arnesya, Damar, Reihan, Albi, Theo and me became really close during this program. It still feels a bit unexpected that we are all from Indonesia, from different islands, but we met and shared all these moments here.

We laughed a lot, talked about random things, took so many photos, and just enjoyed being together.

From the very hot day in Vigan, walking around and buying souvenirs, visiting Saint Augustine Church, to the windy moments in Pagudpud where we could barely stand still, and even that last stop where we learned about history everything felt more meaningful because we experienced it together.

It wasn’t just about where we went, but who I was with.

And I think that’s why these two days felt so special.