Several years ago, going to Subic from Manila takes at least 4-5 hours. There was even a time when the Gapan-Olongapo Road was on its worst state that it takes forever to get pass through it. In fact, I remember back then, when going to Subic on an official business, I would take a small boat in CCP Manila to get to Subic. But that was a long time ago. Today, with the opening of the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, driving to Subic now only takes 1.5 hours after exiting the Balintawak Toll Gate.

Best part is, on the way to Subic while driving through this new highway, you’ll be treated with a nice view and sceneries highlighted seveal hill formations dissected to the center by the SCTEX road. Words could not describe the exhilirating feeling of driving through this highway. I’ll leave the photos to speak for themselves.

To go to SCTEX, go straight ahead North Luzon Expressway passing by the Dau Exit, a few meters away you will see the SCTEX exit. Pay the toll fee (P108), and enjoy the ride. You’ll end up at Tipo Exit in Subic.

When I was looking for a different place to stay overnight in Tagaytay, there were 3 places that came up as option for me. One was a bed and breakfast place which I read about somewhere, the second one was in a uniquely conceptualized bed and breakfast which is just a few meters away from the Tagaytay Rotonda which I also read somewhere and the last one located just a few meters away from the Tagaytay Zoo and which goes by the name Andanita Taj of Tagaytay. It’s an India inspired bed and breakfast facility which boasts of various Asian inspired room accomodations.

You could probably guess by now which of the three I choose to stay in to? The hands down choice was Andanita Taj of Tagaytay for 3 reasons:

1. Affordable accomodation with free breakfast and Back Massage (which you can upgrade to full body message for an additional P500)
2. Was curious about how good their Indian specialty food are
3. And was kinda convinced by what I read from their friendster account’s blog entry (ok, I know its not the best avenue to promote their place, but it was comprehensive enough to convince to try booking at their place
4. Of course 24 hours of Wi-Fi

So, how did I find Andanita Taj in terms of this. The full body hilot style massage was definitely great. It was therapeutic and comforting. Perfect right after a long drive from Manila to Tagaytay and a perfect prelude to a nice dinner of authentic Beef Shawarma with steaming ultra hot chili sauce and a specially prepared garlic sauce.

Next, aside from the Shawarma, I was able to taste their delicious Roti dipped in a succulently tasting Chiken Masala. This combination was enough to made my day and it was so filling that it can make you stay full for several hours long.

Regarding the blog post in their Friendster account, it was kinda disorganized and yet the owner was able to provide all the information that a guest would want to know about Andanita Taj of Tagayatay. It’s even better the the more organized travel sites although some travel-related sites are indeed pretty useful when it comes to booking your hotel especially overseas, like http://hotelscombined.com or http://philtravelcenter.com. But still, I would suggest a more professional looking website for the place though.

And of course, just like what the site says, hotel guests can have non-stop connection to the internet with Andanita Taj’s 24 hours wifi service.

Overall, it was a good overnight stay. The Andanita Taj staff were friendly and accomodating. But I could not say the same for the owners who were there during our stay. A little welcome tete-a-tete would have been nice from Long and Ana especially with the fact that the place had only me for a guest that day. Hopefully they would be as accomodating to their other guests the same way that they were to their other “more special showbiz” guests as I saw it from their friendster blog.

Still, I would recommend Andanita Taj for a nice overnight weekend stay.

There are many websites that offers direct booking to various hotels, but it may take you forever to find the best hotel that will suit your preference if you will search these sites one by one. Luckily, I found one website which could actually help you find the best hotel where ever you may be going – HotelsCombined.com.

Hotels Combined is a unique travel service for one simple reason, it searches through the web for the best hotels at the most affordable price. The site is not tied up with any hotel company so you are pretty sure that they are not bias with their recommendations.

Specifically, HotelsCombined lets you:

• Search multiple hotel reservation websites simultaneously to find the cheapest priced, all in one search and on a single site.
• Compare prices and availability from all major accommodation providers on the same screen. By searching the world’s most popular hotel reservation, HotelsCombined allows for instant comparison of hotel details, rates, taxes and availability information on one simple web page. You could also compare online travel agents such as ActiveHotels.com, AsiaRooms.com, Booking.com, Cheaptickets.com, among other travel agents.
• Search over 800,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants, and access over 1.5m consumer reviews, 3m hotel images, 2m hotel descriptions and maps.

HotelsCombined is free service. And to clarify, they are not a travel agency. They are just a web service in the travel industry. They serve a good purpose and you might as well use their services.

When you’re in the town proper of Vigan, besides the new McDonald’s and the Vigan Cathedral is a small cluster of eateries where local townfolks and tourists converge during lunch or merienda time. Vigan folks call this place, “empanadahan.” Obviously the reason for the name is because it is in this place where you will find the best empanada in Vigan. Empanada is a famous delicacy/food fare in the Ilocos region. In fact both Vigan and Laoag have their own versions of the empanada.

For P35 (approx. less than a $1), you’ll have a hot empanada which is actually a mixture of vegetables with one whole egg on the center and wrapped in locally made dough. The dough is then dip fried in a boiling hot cooking oil. Right after the dough turned orange, it is then taken out of the frying pan and served on a platter with the famous Ilocos vinegar (vinegar mixed with various spices - onions, sili, ground pepper).

Vigan’s empanada is definitely for the health freak, as you could just imagine the amount of calories you’re going to take per a piece of the Empanada. But if you just happen to be on a tour of Ilocos, one or two empanadas would not do your diet any harm.

And this is how they make this famous empanada. Enjoy!

The Famous Bell Tower of Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Fort Ilocandia in Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Paoay Church in Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Cape Bojeador in Burgos Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmill Project, Ilocos Norte

Vigan Cathedral, Ilocos Sur

Pagudpud Beach, Ilocos Norte