So I've blogged a few times already about my ideal two car garage, and now I'm revising it yet again. This is probably the best mix of practicality and looks I can think of, and it will probably be surprising to some of you (if anyone is actually bothering to read my blog posts).
For my updated ideal two car garage lineup I've decided to go with the Suzuki Ertiga and the Honda BR-V. Yes, two rides with similar seating capacities and purpose.
I'm sticking with the Suzuki Ertiga because it's the cheapest among it's peers (Avanza, Rush, XPander, Mobilio, BR-V, APV) but I honestly feel it has the best bang-for-the-buck. Not that I've ever driven one, but then again, most of my car related posts are purely speculative. Anyway, the Ertiga is relatively cheap and spacious and that's why I picked that car.
The Honda BR-V also serves the same purpose as the Ertiga except it has a more powerful engine with better torque figures, as well as more features included in the car itself. I've read that there's a fuel pump issue with the BR-V as well as the Mobilio but I'm guessing that's a problem that is easily addressed. I hope.
Ideally one of the two cars would have a plate number ending in an odd number, and the other in an even number. Also better if one car has it's coding day on a Monday and the other on a Friday.
The Ertiga would be my main ride with the BR-V serving as the coding car, as well as probably the car my folks would always use when they go to and from the province. They usually go mid-week and come back on the weekend so ideally they'd be bringing the car that has coding on Fridays. Plus I'm guessing they'll need the more powerful engine for overtaking slower vehicles and a taller ride height for bad roads.
You may be wondering why I didn't choose other similar vehicles to the two. I'm automatically ignoring the Rush and XPander because I honestly feel they're just both overpriced rides people buy to look rich. The APV isn't an option since there's no automatic variant being sold anymore, which leaves us with the Toyota Avanza.
The only reason why I didn't pick the Avanza is because the 1.5L automatic is over PhP1 million, but the engine has similar output to the Ertiga. It has the smallest external dimensions but has the tallest ride height. Plus I've driven a 1.3L manual 1st generation Avanza and I did enjoy driving it. While the Honda BR-V is rouhgly PhP150k more expensive the features included in the package, at least for me, gives it more bang for the buck than the Avanza.
So why didn't I just pick the 1.3L automatic Avanza? Well, the engine really is underpowered, not that I drive like a maniac. I'd still like a powerplant that can carry something big and heavy without getting taxed too much. Not sure how great a 1.3L Avanza will go traveling to the province and back, but I'm guessing having a slightly more powerful engine will be more fuel efficient.
Out.
Showing posts with label philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines. Show all posts
Monday, March 02, 2020
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
[741] Reasons to Drive to Vigan (Again)
Before I go on, apologies in advance if I get some of the names wrong. I should be bringing along a small notebook to take notes next time I travel.
A few weeks ago my family and I drove to Vigan for a three-day holiday. It was a long and tiring drive, about 10 hours at our pace from Metro Manila to Hotel Veneto de Vigan.
I won't be recapping what we did on our trip. I will be writing down reasons why I would happily do this again. Budget and schedule willing, of course. So here they are, the reasons why I would want to go to Vigan again via road trip.
The Food
Before getting to Vigan my family and I stopped to eat at Bistro Candon in Candon, Ilocos Sur. We intentionally did not have lunch anywhere to eat here. My mom mentioned how good the food was, and boy it did not disappoint! The two highlights of our meal were the Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza and the Sunny Vigan Longganisa Pizza. Great food, so great I would probably willingly drive all the way and spend a night in Candon if I can eat lunch, dinner, and breakfast there before driving home!
Another amazing surprise was the restaurant in Cordillera Inn. The food was also very good, if not a bit pricey. Pricey in the sense that in the eateries outside you can get a meal for around Php60. But the price here is definitely worth it. The food is just great. The fact that the restaurant is air conditioned is just a lovely bonus. I am just glad my mom also recommended we eat here. I honestly didn't have any plans to eat here since every time we passed by the restaurant it was always empty.
Another reason to go back is the Ilocos Empanada. I only had one the whole trip, and to be honest it wasn't as great as the empanada from Laoag or Batac. I think I have to go back there to try Vigan empanada and not just from one branch.
Finally a good friend of mine recommended we try Tongson's Royal Bibingka. Good thing Maica went there early to buy because the lines were already getting long. Their bibingka was heavenly. It was made of cassava and was a lot chewy and creamier than the usual budin I eat from Quezon Province.
The Sights
So on the only whole day in Vigan Maica, Martina, and I took a calesa city tour. We were lucky our kutchera (female calesa driver) was very nice and pleasant. Aside from that she was also a very experienced tour guide. She brought us to the two places I wanted to visit -- Bantay Bell Tower and the Pottery places. If ever you want to take a city tour in Vigan, look for Manang Ditas.
Calle Crisologo is the most famous place in Vigan. It is a cobblestone street and all the buildings there are Spanish-era restored buildings. This street is full of stores selling pasalubong and there are plenty restaurants to eat at. Calle Crisologo is also where Cordillera Inn is located.
Finally, Vigan has two Churches to look at. San Agustin Church with Bantay Bell Tower and Vigan Cathedral.
Family Bonding Time
Of course time spent with my family was the best reason to go to Vigan. It was a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company in a different environment. We spent around 72 hours together, for good or for bad.
Anyway that's all I have as reasons for going back to Vigan. I would definitely love to save up for another trip there.
Out.
A few weeks ago my family and I drove to Vigan for a three-day holiday. It was a long and tiring drive, about 10 hours at our pace from Metro Manila to Hotel Veneto de Vigan.
I won't be recapping what we did on our trip. I will be writing down reasons why I would happily do this again. Budget and schedule willing, of course. So here they are, the reasons why I would want to go to Vigan again via road trip.
The Food
Before getting to Vigan my family and I stopped to eat at Bistro Candon in Candon, Ilocos Sur. We intentionally did not have lunch anywhere to eat here. My mom mentioned how good the food was, and boy it did not disappoint! The two highlights of our meal were the Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza and the Sunny Vigan Longganisa Pizza. Great food, so great I would probably willingly drive all the way and spend a night in Candon if I can eat lunch, dinner, and breakfast there before driving home!
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| My favorite pizza - Sunny Vigan Longganisa. Look at that egg! |
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| Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza - also a great dish |
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| Good food is INDEED meant for sharing. |
Another amazing surprise was the restaurant in Cordillera Inn. The food was also very good, if not a bit pricey. Pricey in the sense that in the eateries outside you can get a meal for around Php60. But the price here is definitely worth it. The food is just great. The fact that the restaurant is air conditioned is just a lovely bonus. I am just glad my mom also recommended we eat here. I honestly didn't have any plans to eat here since every time we passed by the restaurant it was always empty.
 |
| Cordillera Inn's Bagnet Sisig |
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| Poque-Poque, Fish Croquetas, and Bagnet from Cordillera Inn |
Another reason to go back is the Ilocos Empanada. I only had one the whole trip, and to be honest it wasn't as great as the empanada from Laoag or Batac. I think I have to go back there to try Vigan empanada and not just from one branch.
Finally a good friend of mine recommended we try Tongson's Royal Bibingka. Good thing Maica went there early to buy because the lines were already getting long. Their bibingka was heavenly. It was made of cassava and was a lot chewy and creamier than the usual budin I eat from Quezon Province.
 |
| Tongson's Royal Bibingka - bite sized and very delicious |
So on the only whole day in Vigan Maica, Martina, and I took a calesa city tour. We were lucky our kutchera (female calesa driver) was very nice and pleasant. Aside from that she was also a very experienced tour guide. She brought us to the two places I wanted to visit -- Bantay Bell Tower and the Pottery places. If ever you want to take a city tour in Vigan, look for Manang Ditas.
 |
| Manang Ditas with Maica and Martina taken at Baluarte |
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| This building is older than me. Obviously. |
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| One of the Spanish era houses in Vigan |
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| Calle Crisologo at night |
Finally, Vigan has two Churches to look at. San Agustin Church with Bantay Bell Tower and Vigan Cathedral.
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| San Agustin Church |
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| Bantay Bell Tower - Decorated for Christmas Season |
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| View from Bantay Bell Tower. The left mountain range is Cordillera and the right is Benguet. |
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| Vigan Cathedral at Night |
Of course time spent with my family was the best reason to go to Vigan. It was a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company in a different environment. We spent around 72 hours together, for good or for bad.
 |
| Our family photo just outside the hotel. The start of our city tour. |
Anyway that's all I have as reasons for going back to Vigan. I would definitely love to save up for another trip there.
Out.
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