When I initially booked my Filipino trip months in advance, I booked flights and accommodations first and looked up about airport transfer in both Manila and Vigan. Manila seemed easy enough but Vigan was a little worrying but I forgot about it until I was in Manila when I was notified about my forthcoming flight by Cebu Pacific Air. Long story short is that there really is no means of transportation from the Laoag Airport, the closest commercial airport for Vigan, and the city of Vigan except to take what the locals take, the bus and I did.
My ride.
I had seat 1D. I didn’t know until I got there that it faced backwards towards the rest of the plane. I fly a lot but that was a first for me. Perfectly comfortable BTW.
No one sat with me so I had the four seats to myself.
So I had read about a free shuttle from the airport to any Vigan hotel and I was surprised to find a counter for it at the airport. I asked the guy if it was still available as it was late and was told yes but it turned out that I was the only one traveling to Vigan and he decided to dump me at the bus terminal to take the long-distance bus which left at 10 pm for an hour and a half journey.
I thought this was rather interesting. This guy goes around the bus after departure asking where everyone is getting off and manually writes it down with a pencil. He goes away and comes back with a book which he punches making holes indicating what you’ve paid and other info. At one point you pay him but I cannot remember if it was after he comes back with the book. Seems anything is possible, no one correct procedure. I like that about the Philippines.
The journey went OK, got to my destination Vigan, took one of the tricycles to my hotel.
I think he kind of ripped me off. The same journey back was less than half what I paid him.
My simple and cosy hotel.
Little did I know the journey back was to be even more adventurous.
A blog by Ayako Mathies 