We started our last day in Ilocos with a trip to the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum. This stop is highly-recommended. They show a short clip about the Luna brothers, and that's how I learned that the award-winning Juan Luna killed his wife and mother-in-law in a fit of raging jealousy. However, he was acquitted of the murder charges on grounds of temporary insanity.
The museum used to be the Luna's house in Ilocos Sur, before the family moved to Manila. Most of the house's foundation still exists, but some renovations were done throughout the years.
After the museum we had lunch at Cafe Leona on Calle Crisologo. We rode the Kalesa which included a tour to the Bantay Bell Tower and the Quirino Museum.
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| An intricate wooden chest given to President Quirino from Chiang Kai Shek. |
A quick stroll along Calle Crisologo, where we saw Lovi Poe and Tom Rodriguez taping for Someone To Watch Over Me hehe, and we went on our way.
We also stopped at the Lihim na Hardin, but then it rained so we left immediately. Our itinerary also included visiting Baluarte, owned by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson. Only J, Y, and I went because of the rain, and honestly, I wish we didn't. Even if some of the animals were freely roaming around, they still looked sad and out of place.
I was also dismayed at the Safari Museum, which displayed Singson's kills. Taxidermied heads of various deers, bears (there was a polar bear!), and even an elephant were proudly displayed, along with photos of when Chavit shot them to death. I know hunting is legal in the places where he does it, I just can't imagine how people do this and be happy about it.
After Baluarte, our driver brought us to the places where we bought souvenirs and pasalubong (different stops for T-shirts and trinkets, Bagnet, and bibingka).
We left for Manila around 6pm and arrived at 1am. All in all a tiring but fun trip!
Our tour package was priced at 3,699 per person for a 3-day, 2-night stay including transportation, accommodations, breakfasts, day tours, and entrance fees (except the sand dunes adventure). You may contact Luiza Casimiro of NorthBound Gems Travel & Events at 0917-591-65-00.
And that's it for my first edition of #RomyRoams. Thanks for reading!
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