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July 31, 2025

Food Trip at Hotel Luna

Since we had been to Vigan before, I already knew that food wouldn’t be a problem, as there are numerous restaurants and fast food joints in the area. And because of that, I did not research the “Must Try Restaurants in Vigan”.

Thirteen years ago, we dined at Cafe Uno for lunch and Irene’s Vigan Empanada for merienda. But last month, we only ate at Hotel Luna. We didn’t plan about it but since satisfied na kami sa food sa Hotel Luna, ayaw na namin lumabas pa, sa hotel na lang kami kumain.

Hotel Luna features three restaurants, including Azotea, Comedor, and Chula Saloon Bar. We visited Chula Saloon Bar and Comedor. I did not know about the Azotea, hindi tuloy namin napuntahan. Ito pala yung may magandang view.

Anyway, we ate dinner, lunch, and merienda at Chula Saloon Bar, and for buffet breakfast, we ate at Comedor.

Chula Saloon Bar

For lunch and dinner, we tried these dishes. Luna Bagnet PHP600, Luna House Salad PHP250, Sinigang na Hipon, Pork Belly Adobo, Rice, Burnt Dulce De Leche Cheesecake PHP250, and Halo-Halo PHP250. The meals are good for sharing.

Merienda Buffet

After our DIY Vigan Tour, we had late lunch at Chula Saloon Bar and sa sobrang late ng kain namin, naabutan na namin yung pagprepare ng afternoon feast. If we knew na meron Merienda Buffet, sana naghintay na lang kami ng konti kasi mas mura. Para lang kami bumili ng isang dessert. Hehehe!

Merienda Buffet is an afternoon feast of Filipino Treats for PHP299. It is from 2PM to 5PM. We checked the buffet spread and promised na babalik kami. We decided na magmerienda buffet na lang kami kaysa magdinner.

Actually, hindi pa talaga kami natutunawan, but we went back around 4PM. We only saw one occupied table, so fortunately, wala pa halos bawas yung food, and we were able to enjoy our meal. There are pansit bihon, carbonara, goto, Vigan Miki, pastries, okoy, and kakanin.

Breakfast Buffet

Our room includes a complimentary breakfast buffet, and for two days, they have the same menu for the main dishes. So we had fried rice, longganisa, daing na bangus, corned beef, tocino, and tapa. They also have bread, soup, salad, eggs, and others, so it was a satisfying breakfast.

We liked the food and service at Hotel Luna, so kaya siguro hindi na kami nagtry pa sa iba. In addition, hindi rin siya crowded.

Read: Hotel Luna Vigan Ilocos Sur

Hotel Luna

V. Delos Reyes cor. Gen. Luna Street,

2700 Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Philippines

July 29, 2025

Hotel Luna Vigan Ilocos Sur

Let me continue my North Luzon Road Trip series, and this time I am sharing Hotel Luna. When my husband told me that we would be going to Vigan, I suggested Hotel Luna for our accommodation. I heard and read good reviews about this hotel, and it is one of the popular hotels in Vigan.

Hotel Luna is a restored mansion, and it is the first Museum Hotel in the Philippines. It is the home of rare masterpieces of famous artists in the Philippines. They have two hotels, one is Hotel Luna and the other is Hotel Luna Annex.

Hotel Luna Annex is cheaper, but it is a block away from the main hotel where the restaurant, gym, pool, and museum are located. We chose Hotel Luna, and the staff suggested a Double Queen Deluxe room because the room is good for 4 people.

But we booked 2 rooms: 1 Standard Queen and 1 Double Queen De Luxe. To confirm the reservation, 50% down payment is needed via bank transfer or Gcash.

We arrived late in the evening, so check-in was smooth at wala naman pila. These were our rooms, and I was surprised when I saw the bathroom; it is translucent and has no lock. Also, the hotel has a modern toilet, tinalo pa yung ibang hotel sa Metro Manila.

Hotel Luna offers the usual room amenities like fridge, cabinet, coffee and tea, hair dryer, bathrobe and etc. There is a water dispenser on each floor, so no need to buy bottled water. For toiletries, they provided hand soap, shampoo, and body wash. I requested for room slippers since wala ako nakita sa room.

The hotel has free wifi, but weak signal inside the room, so mas okay tumambay sa restaurant, lobby, or swimming pool if you want a good connection. Even our own mobile data has a weak signal inside the room.

Hotel Luna has a gym, swimming pool, museum, and 3 restaurants. They have Azotea, Comedor, and Chula. Buffet breakfast is part of the room package, and since we were satisfied with their food, we only ate at the hotel. I will share our food trip in a separate post.

What I like about this hotel, it is located in the heart of Vigan, so we can explore the different tourist spots in the area by foot, calesa, or tricycle. The room has complimentary use of an umbrella so rain or shine, dinadala namin.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay here; we liked the room, food, and service. Our only complaint is, medyo madilim lang sa room kasi konti yung windows.

Read: 3 Days in Vigan Ilocos Sur

Food Trip at Hotel Luna

Hotel Luna

V. Delos Reyes cor. Gen. Luna Street,

2700 Vigan City Ilocos Sur Philippines

July 26, 2025

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Motorbike When Going Long Distances

Long-distance motorbike trips offer a unique blend of adventure, freedom, and connection to the open road. Whether you're cruising cross-country or exploring scenic byways, optimizing your motorbike's performance and ensuring your comfort can make all the difference. This is how to get the most out of your motorbike on those extended journeys.

Prep Your Bike for the Road

Before setting off, make sure your bike is in top mechanical condition. Conduct a full inspection or take it to a trusted mechanic for a pre-trip check-up. Pay particular attention to:

Tires: Check for wear and ensure proper inflation.
Brakes: Test for responsiveness and check pad thickness.
Fluids: Change the oil, top up brake and coolant fluids, and check for leaks.
Lights and signals: Confirm all lights are functioning properly.

A well-maintained bike is not only safer but also more fuel-efficient and comfortable for long-distance riding.

Invest in Comfort Upgrades

Even the most passionate rider can feel the strain of long hours in the saddle. Investing in comfort upgrades can drastically improve your endurance:

Padded or gel seat covers help reduce pressure and discomfort.
Cruise control or throttle locks allow your hand to relax on long stretches.
Handlebar risers improve posture and reduce shoulder strain.
Windshields protect against fatigue from wind resistance.

Plan Smart, Ride Smart

Strategic planning helps you avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue. Use GPS apps specifically designed for motorcycles or ride planners that take into account scenic routes, fuel stops, and rest areas. Aim for:

Daily mileage goals that match your comfort and experience.

Regular breaks every 1 to 2 hours to hydrate, stretch, and rest.

Weather monitoring to avoid riding through dangerous conditions.

Being flexible with your schedule is also important. Enjoy the ride, not just the destination.

Pack Efficiently

Packing light is crucial on a motorcycle, but that doesn't mean skimping on essentials. Use saddlebags, tank bags, or tail bags for storage. Prioritize:

Weather-appropriate gear, including waterproofs.
Tool kits and spare parts for minor roadside fixes.
First-aid supplies, snacks, and hydration.
Navigation tools like your phone, chargers, and mounts.

A well-organized pack minimizes time spent searching for items and maximizes convenience.

Know When to Ship, Not Ride

Sometimes, riding your motorbike to a distant location is not the most practical option. This is especially true if you're attending an event, relocating, or avoiding unfavorable weather conditions. In such cases, consider professional transport services. For example, if you're heading to or from the Mid-Atlantic region, Delaware motorcycle shipping offers a convenient way to get your bike where it needs to be without putting miles or wear on it.

Shipping your motorbike can also be useful if you're planning to fly to your destination and ride locally once there. This allows you to experience new roads without the exhausting trek.

Stay Mindful of Your Body and Mind

Long-distance riding demands mental and physical stamina. Stay well-fed, hydrated, and rested. Stretch during breaks, and don't ignore signs of fatigue. Drowsy riding is dangerous. Stay present and alert, especially on unfamiliar roads.

With the right preparation and mindset, long-distance motorcycle trips can be some of the most rewarding experiences for any rider. Treat your bike and yourself well, and every mile becomes part of the adventure.

July 16, 2025

3 Days in Vigan Ilocos Sur

Thirteen years ago, we had a four-day trip to Laoag, Vigan, and Pagudpud with my late sister’s family. At that time, we booked a flight because we are not fond of long driving and were lucky to score a PHP12 Seat Sale via Cebu Pacific. It was a good deal because, as far as I can remember, our airfare was cheaper than the bus fare.

Read: 4 Days Trip in Laoag, Vigan, and Pagudpud

We visited the majority of the tourist spots in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, so I never thought that we would be back again. But last month, we had a chance to do a North Luzon Road Trip. We started in Alaminos, Pangasinan, and from there, we traveled to Vigan.

Read: 2 Days in Alaminos Pangasinan

Traveling from Pangasinan to Vigan is not a problem, kasi smooth lang yung road. I checked our ETA and thought, “Maabutan pa namin yung Lightshow at Plaza Salcedo,” but I was wrong because 30 minutes before we reached the hotel, it started to rain.

Wrong timing talaga kasi gabi na, ang lakas talaga ng ulan, hindi na visible yung daan at may baha and first time ni hubby magdrive sa Vigan so hindi niya kabisado yung road. I was so scared at that time, feeling ko nga final destination na. Sobrang dasal na lang talaga na makarating kami ng safe.

We’ve made few stops kapag may nakitang gasoline station, kaso yung first gasoline station namin na pinuntahan, bigla nagbrownout kasi may pumutok na poste sa tapat. Toink, so scary at madilim. Thank God, after 1 hour and 30 minutes, we finally arrived at Hotel Luna.

Hotel Luna

Hotel Luna is our accommodation for two nights. It is one of the popular hotels in Vigan, so this deserves a separate post. And dahil nagustuhan na namin yung food dito, we ate breakfast, lunch, merienda, and dinner at the hotel. Hindi na nagtry sa iba,

DIY Vigan Tour

As I mentioned before, we already visited Vigan, so in my mind, there is no need to rent a van or book a tour. Makakapasyal pa rin kami kasi walking distance naman yung ibang tourist spots, and we can just ride a tricycle if we want to visit other places. But in the end, yung tricycle driver na nag-offer na itour na lang kami and we grabbed the chance na.

Walking Tour in Vigan

On our last day, we ate an early breakfast so we could explore Calle Crisologo without the crowd. Ang hirap kasi magtake ng pictures kapag ang daming tao. Of course, we bought some native delicacies before going home. Good thing na maaga din magbukas yung ibang stores.

We checked out early because we planned to eat our lunch at the Thunderbird Resort in La Union, Hindi ko na-feel na 3 days kami Sa Vigan kasi late check in and early check out. If I count the hours, 50 hours lang kami, but it is better compared sa first trip namin na day trip lang.

July 11, 2025

2 Days in Alaminos Pangasinan

Flashback Friday, so let me continue my North Luzon Road Trip. We left around five in the morning because we’re going to pick up my mom in Valenzuela, and off we went to Pangasinan, Since my in-laws live there, we visited them first before going to the resort.

After lunch at my in-laws, we traveled to Alaminos. We were supposed to stay in a hotel, but it was fully booked, and fortunately, my husband discovered Laylow Villas. It is a small boutique resort near the Hundred Islands. A thirty percent down payment is needed to reserve the accommodation via GCash. The night before our trip, we received their menu, so we needed to preorder our meals.

Laylow Villas

We arrived around 1PM and paid the remaining balance. They don’t accept credit card payment, so prepare cash or Gcash payment. After that, they allowed us to check in.

For an overnight stay, we only booked one room for PHP6,500, which is good for 4 persons. The room still looks new and clean. The bed and pillows are comfortable too.

The bathroom is spacious and there is a bidet but no hot water. They provided a dental kit, shampoo, body wash, and even makeup remover wipes.

There is complimentary bottled water too, and you can also refill water at their water dispenser. There is free WiFi, but the signal is weak inside the room.

We were lucky because the resort was not fully booked, 2 lang yung room na occupied so parang nirent namin yung buong resort kasi hindi rin kami nagkakasabay sa pool nung other guests.

One Island

There is “One Island” near the resort, so even though we did not go to Hundred Islands, may navisit pa kami na isang island. But in order to reach the island, we need to wait for low tide so we can walk. It was a long walk and buwis buhay din kasi may mga aso sa labas ng resort, and I’m not comfortable with dogs, feeling ko kakagatin ako.

This island reminded me of Bruholmen in Norway, same kasi na kailangan maglow tide muna bago kami makatawid.

Food at Laylow Villas

For dinner, we preordered Sinigang na Fish PHP380, Grilled Pork BBQ PHP350, and Rice.

For breakfast, we preordered Bangsilog and Longsilog. Breakfast is complimentary; it is included in our room package.

The resort only serves breakfast and dinner, and because of that, we decided to check out early and went to the CSI Mall for our lunch. I find it weird na from 12 - 2 PM, closed ang kitchen. Overall, we enjoyed our stay here at Laylow Villas. We liked the room, food, and service.

Hundred Islands

I visited Pangasinan numerous times since I was a kid, but Ihave never been to Hundred Islands. Nung nagka-outing yung family namin dito hindi ako nakasama, I can’t remember kung bakit hindi ako nakasama. And hindi rin sinasuggest ni hubby na side trip ito since nakapunta na naman daw ako sa Palawan so baka hindi ko na appreciate.