We went back to the hotel to freshen up and have some siesta after our scrumptious lunch.

At around 4pm, we were all ready for another adventure. :) Gia, Jeff, and I accompanied Mark to the Vigan gym for a bodybuilding competition.

After some picture taking and a quick rest at El Juliana Hotel, we went next to Tessie's Restaurant.

Whenever we come home to Vigan, we usually arrive just in time for lunch and Tessie's Restaurant is where we would always dine. It seems to be my dad's favorite dining place in Vigan. :)

Here are some photos of us while waiting for our food.

We arrived at Vigan past 11am. We dropped by my dad's friend who accompanied us to El Juliana Hotel.

El Juliana is a spacious old building which has retained much of its features back from the Spanish times.

The building is almost hidden from outside by high brick walls. With its enormous wooden gate, with a smaller door cut out of it, you will really feel like you're in a European medieval palace or in a Spanish parador.

It has flagged stones on the ground floor...

a wide imposing staircase going to the second floor...

and huge polished hardwood floorboards all over the second floor up to the bedrooms.

El Juliana's bedrooms are spacious. Our room already has 3 beds so we just requested for 3 extra mattresses for the boys.

Each room also has an added feature of an array of the modern-day equipment you have in your own home like cable TV, private safe, air conditioning, and hot and cold shower.

There are some rooms overlooking to the pool while others have a veranda.

They also have another distinct attraction in the hotel--the spacious lobby with a lot of paintings and wooden furniture...

a restaurant/cafe...

and the free wifi! :D Wifi signal in rooms are weak though. :(

Situated at the heart of the city and just a few walks away from the Heritage Village and Plaza Burgos, El Juliana Hotel sure is a great place to stay in Vigan.

EL JULIANA HOTEL

5 Liberation Blvd. cor. Quirino Blvd.
Contact Numbers: +63(77) 722.29.94

Vigan City, Philippines

We were all up and about as early as 2am last Thursday, May 6, 2010 for our Northern trip.

Well except of course for Jaoey, who had a very sound sleep all throughout the trip.

After around 9 long hours of drive, with some picture taking while on our way...

and a few stop overs in between...

we finally arrived at Vigan!!!

Before I unveil our fun adventure to the north, let me first share with you yet another fun bonding moment with my fam. :)

Last Friday, May 14, my baby brother Jaoey turned 8.

We had a simple yet super fun celebration...

an afternoon merienda...

and a pool party with cousins...

which was extended 'til midnight! :)

Happy birthday Jaoey!!!

It's been weeks since my last blog entry..whew! I wasn't able to blog for days because last Thursday, my family, together with Mark and my sister's boyfriend, headed to the north for our much needed R&R.

We just got back yesterday and I feel like I'm having a vacation hang over, my mind still refuses to work, my body still longs for the cold breeze up in the north, and I'm still not done uploading pictures up to now.

And since I can't really give you a decent story right now, I just might as well give you a sneak peek of our northbound trip. :)