A Quick tour at Baluarte's Safari Museum in Vigan City, Philippines

in Pinmapple3 years ago (edited)

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Hello itinerants all over the world and hive community! What's up with you guys? It's me @itinerantph bringing you another travel episode which I hope could put another positivity in this little corner of the internet and give you information about the places you might get interested travelling to in the future. If you've been with me for quite some time already, you probably already know that this is also my way to promote local tourist destinations in our country, Philippines. I make contents about travel, life, adulting, education, meet-ups, volunteering, food and community challenges.

For today's episode, I am bringing you to the Northern part of the Philippines. There are three major islands in the country namely Mindanao(south), Visayas(central) and Luzon(northern). The capital city of the Philippines which is Manila is located in Luzon but for today we are going to have an eight hour drive by bus from the Metro going to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

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If you are from an international flight bound to Manila, you can go to Vigan by bus, private car or hire a taxi. It's almost 400 km. away from Metro Manila so be ready for a long sitting journey and make yourselves comfortable. I can personally say that Northern Luzon has the best GEMS in the country from beautiful beaches, landscapes and heritage sites. It's the most convenient getaway from the hustle and bustle in the city of Manila.

Today, I will be featuring about the Baluarte's Safari Museum in Vigan City. I may have mentioned this before that I am really into museums because aside from it tells stories about the place itself, it's also because museums often have no entrance fee so it's one of the most practical way to enjoy your trip specially for frugal travelers like me.


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Vigan city is a world heritage site known for its old European inspired architecture and cobblestone streets and buildings. It's one of the few places where they still adapt the oldest mode of transportation which is riding a Kalesa, a ride being pulled by a horse. Travel agencies normally offer tour packages in Northern Luzon however I always prefer DIY travel because I think that way I could enjoy my trip more by not rushing so I can explore more places and meet some locals. And to be honest some tour packages are just overpriced so I recommend to always plan your trip and make your own itinerary.

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Ilocos Sur actually has so much to offer but we will be visiting them one at a time. Vigan City is just a very small town but one of the most visited attractions in the country. One of these is the Baluarte's Safari Gallery. It is a museum built by Chavit Singson, the mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos sur.

The Museum displays Singson's collections of different preserved wild animals from different parts of the world as a remembrance of him being a hunter. The place will show various preserved animals, trophies and paintings of him hunting animals.

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I just don't like the idea of hunting animals but it's very interesting that he's able to collect them and well preserved for a long time. He must be really passionate about hunting animals back in the days. I'm just curious why would people ever consider killing animals as a hobby and collect them and let the people know it? Does it give them a bragging right that they've killed animals in their life? I'm just asking haha.

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It's actually educational as well knowing these animals are not normally seen in the Philippines just for example this rhinoceros(is it even a rhino? haha correct me if I'm wrong). This is my first ever encounter of this creature in my life. For sure most of us haven't actually seen one. It really gives you a feeling that you're visiting Africa because if I'm not mistaken where most of the animals displayed are found.

You can see standing preserved wild buffalo, deer, beasts, bisons, tigers, lions, bears, elephant, giraffe and some of them are being displayed on walls.

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There are also animal skins used as floormat in the place. I can personally say that museum of preserved animals being hunted is the least like museum I've ever been to. On the positive side, you learn so much from it because the gallery has labeled and provides information about the animals where they can normally be found.

The experience was more like of creepy than fascinating. Imagine seeing these real, huge but dead animals in front of you that's honestly weird. I guess that's really how rich people spend their money if they can't think of more how to right? haha

That's basically it,

If it happens that you have visited the place already, please care to share your experiences in the comment section below. Everyone's glad to hear the stories of yours! Just always remember that learning is a lifetime process. You can learn from your experiences, trips and from other people. The world is so vast. Explore and Learn! Traveling isn't is as expensive as you think! There's a so called travelling on a frugal way with a purpose! Stay tuned then!

DEUCES!

Regards,
@itinerantph

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I love museums and will do all mine in my city now that I am so into making quality posts, well I guess my quality is subjective, lol but I try. Thanks for sharing your post, have a blessed one.

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