Time really flies so fast when one is absorbed in an experience that is away from the bustling demands of life. It didn’t feel like three days already since we arrived in Abra, travelled to the rolling hills, ventured to Kaparkan Falls and spent time wandering through downtown Bangued and enjoying meals together. As the adage goes, however, all good things must come to an end, and our Abra adventure is definitely one good thing.

We were ready to go by 10:00 AM despite our check-out time from our accommodation in Anton & Isabel Homestay won’t be until 11:00 AM. Apart from considering the lengthy travel back to Malolos, we were also to visit another place before heading home. Our stay in Abra may have been over, but our explorations in Northern Luzon is far from being done. What could be a better way to cap our travel off than to visit the place where Abra is said to be the gateway to?

While it was not the first time for the Renegade Junctures Duo to be in Vigan, it was an initiation for our companions. As such, Ran and I decided to give them a walk down history lane by visiting Calle Crisologo.

It took roughly a couple of hours from the time we left Bangued before we reached the heritage town of Vigan.

It was already past noon when we arrived in Vigan, hence looking for a place where to eat our lunch was in order. We walked through the cobblestone road strengthened by time while appreciating the houses and structures that endured the passage of centuries.

The sun was up and about, but the heat doesn’t really pierce enough when one is immersed in the experience of a seeming time travel back to the Hispanic Era. Besides, save from the middle of the antique roads, the heritage structures provide sufficient shade from what would otherwise be a totally hot noon walk.

We walked along the stretch of Calle Crisologo until we reached its end that leads to Plaza Burgos. There, we indulged ourselves to some local ice cream, unfairly but popularly called dirty ice cream. We then went through Plaridel Street which is parallel to Calle Crisologo.

Having no idea where to eat, we just continued walking until we reached the corner where Plaridel Street intersects with Bonifacio Street. In that corner stood a restaurant that caught our curiosity. Our curiosity was enough to decide as we were getting famished already.

Cantina Mercante is located at the ground floor of Hotel Mercante. From the outside, it provides the colonial vibe that is expected from the structures in the heritage town. Inside, it welcomes its guests with a more contemporary vibe. The restaurant has a roster of cuisines that features traditional Filipino food, especially the ones that Ilocanos are known for.

Most of us in the group ordered individual plated orders, but for the shared meals, we ordered the bagnet sinigang pula, which is sinigang that uses watermelon as soup base, and the Ilocano pinakbet.

When we had our fill, we took another stroll along the ancient roads. On our way, we stopped at the shops selling native souvenir items.

It would be such a pity if we went through our Vigan experience without immortalizing the moment through photographs. As iconic as the ancient cobblestones of Calle Crisologo are photos taken on them with the historical buildings serving as the perfect backdrop. We should have one of those.

After I took the group photo, we playfully asked Riyan to take the photos of the adults. Just like the way she did in Apao Rolling Hills, she did not disappoint.

It was around 02:30 PM when we parted from Vigan. It would still take us roughly around eight hours before we get home, hence, much as we were enjoying our time in the heritage town, we had to move.

A little less than an hour since we left Vigan City, we stopped in a view deck that has a great view of the West Philippine Sea. That was the same deck where Ran and I stopped during our first trip to Vigan.

It was a nice afternoon. The skies were clear but the sun wasn’t showing. The sea was calm and the breeze was blowing gently. It was just perfect for a quick stop.

I took Riyan to the seaside for photos while the rest of the group waited on the top of the breakwater.

Riyan and I then went back to the rest of the group, spent a few minutes just appreciating the view, then took the final group photo that wraps-up our northern family tour.

It would take us a little less than eight hours more before we would get home. It was tiring given the lengthy travel, but it was one experience that goes to our collective memory. The adventures through the mountains, falls, churches and old houses are things that one doesn’t easily get by, and Renegade Junctures did it with closest family and friends.

Renegade Junctures did it. Again.