The City of Vigan is the capital of Ilocos Sur in the Northern Luzon islands of the Philippines. Vigan is where my grandparents are originally from. It is on the World Heritage list as an example of a Spanish colonial town in the Asia Pacific region and is well-known for its cobblestone streets (no motorized vehicles are allowed to pass on these area of town)and a unique Asian/Spanish architectural design and construction like the old churches
.....here's a photo of a horse and carriage ("calesa")is used when touring the town. The modern Vigan is so different from my memories of it in my girlhood. Now in addition to the historic Plaza Burgos, next to it is the Plaza Maestro shops and other modern establishments. (It also showed Cafe Leona - my fave international cuisine restaurant and where I first fell in love with "bagnet" ..all over again...)
On some more of the gastronomical experiences, my family made sure we sampled the local or "Vigan longganisa" as it is called (pork sausage), bagnet (air-dried, deep-fried pork), bibingka (rice cake) and the empanadas at the Plaza Salcedo and at the hotel. We stayed at the Vigan Plaza Hotel where they said the original narra floors were retained.
We also scored a few ceramic bargains at the "burnayan" (pottery stores).
I then continued my retail therapy at the Calle Crisologo boutiques for the antique (both authentic and faux) decors and bric-a-bracs and handwoven textile. 
Thus my Vigan happening..I could tell more of it but I hope that I have shown enough proof for you to go there and see for yourself.
Keep on reading or blogging in 09!
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