holy weekend (day 1)

Not holy holy.... Can't think of a blog entry title that could describe how the weekend has been for me. I'm spending my last night in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in my hotel room--enjoying the AC, cable TV, and free wifi! I decided to just spend the entire weekend not in Isabela because I really wanted to just get away and explore. I was supposed to spend just one night here, but opted to extend it for one more night so that I could rest before driving back.

As much as I love road trips and old churches, it would be more fun to have friends or family with me. Alas, I need to get used to going solo on my trips for the next few months. I am hoping that the group trip I've signed up for going to Sta. Ana Cagayan Province will push through.

Anyway, I do hope you enjoy these pictures I've taken during my stay here in Cagayan this weekend :) I'm sharing the Friday pictures first--taken at the San Pablo Church in Isabela, and Calvary Hills/Iguig Church in Iguig, Cagayan Province.

San Pablo Church, San Pablo, Isabela Province - the oldest church in the province! It was built in 1646 during the Spanish colonial period.

Here we go again with my bell tower obsession, hehe...

View from Calvary Hills, Iguig, Cagayan Province

Iguig Church, Iguig, Cagayan Province

The Calvary Hills are known for the life-sized statue depictions of the 14 Stations of the Cross. These are located on 4 hectares of rolling hills (according to the Iguig website hehe). Can I just say the pictures do not do justice to how amazing and beautiful this place is.

View of the Iguig Church from afar. Spectacular!

** So here's what I noticed...whenever I research online about where to go and what to do in different provinces, I rarely see articles with directions. I will try my best to remember how I went to each place I visited, hehe...

San Pablo Church: Take the left side of the juntion on the national highway (Maharlika HIghway) coming from Isabela going to Tuguegarao. The landmark is the carabao statue with the San Pablo sign (duh, hehe). Once you've entered that road, just go straight and you'll see the San Pablo Church on the left side of the road.

Calvary Hills: Take the national highway (Maharlika Highway) going to Tuguegarao City. You should be able to pass by the Provincial Capitol, DOST, NSO, and BFAR (these are the ones I remember). Once you reach Rizal Ave (landmark is the Flying V Gas station on the left), turn right on that road and just go straight. You'll see the arch of Iguig and just follow the road. You'll pass by stalls selling pottery. Still go straight and you'll see a sign on the left side of the road indicating Calvary Hills. Calvary Hills is about 17 kilometers from Tuguegarao City.