Travel Photo Diary: Vigan

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I left the East coast winter, flew back to the Middle East, unpacked my suitcases in the hallway, washed my winter clothes, packed my summer clothes and flew 15 hours to Southeast Asia (that would be the roundup of my life in the last week, to say the least).

It is SUMMER here. I cannot fathom this heat as I was just freezing my ass a few weeks ago. I made it in time and met friends in Manila as I was invited to visit the province of Vigan for the Holy Week. Phew.

I still have a few posts for New York, but I had to share the shots  that I have taken on this recent trip.

Background Literature:

The City of Vigan is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur. The old city was established in 1572  and is located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon in the Philippines, facing the South China Sea.
It is a World Heritage Site in that it is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines, and is well known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture. (source: Wikipedia, just because I’m too lazy to write my own description)

A friend owns the mansion where most of these photos were taken. He is an avid antique collector and is obsessed with restoring old Spanish colonial homes.

The most interesting fact is: Scenes from the 1989 movie, “Born on the Fourth of July” was filmed in this house. The Tom Cruise love scene was taken in the bedroom next to the room I was staying in.

Happy Travels! XX

out of the closet: sun, sea and daiquiris

On my tropical island getaway with the hubby…

My favorite beach tote has to be this Hervé Chapelier that I bought from their charming little boutique at rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. I think I spent 2 hours there the last time I visited. Totes in every color imaginable!  I’m not sure if they have stores in the U.S. but you can check their website at Hervé Chapelier.

( post-sunblock application, pre-sun exposure!)

  1. bikini: Roberto Cavalli
  2. hat: Zara
  3. beach tote bag: Hervé Chapelier
  4. flip flops: Diane von Furstenberg
  5. aviators: YSL
  6. scarf: Zara
  7. iPad cover: See by Chloe

The view from our cabana…

Postcard colors of the sky and the sea.

And of course, a frozen mango daiquiri at sunset. I’m sun-kissed and happy.

Enjoy the sun, wherever you may be ! xx