Friday, April 25, 2014

Vigan In Less Than 24 Hours: Series #3 Riding Horse-Driven Carriages

Here's the third part of our Vigan in Less Than 24 hours Series which started with our Stay at Vigan Plaza Hotel...In case you missed that post you might wanna check it out here first.

The "Kalesa" Ride Around the City


A kalesa looks like an inclined cart, and is drawn by a single horse. It has two round wheels on each side and two rows of seats that can accommodate four persons. The driver sits on a block of wood located at the front of the cart near the horse.-Wikipedia

 
It was the primary mode of transportation way back the Spanish era in the country. Arriving in Vigan at around two o'clock in the afternoon my travel buddies and I left Vigan Plaza Hotel and walked towards the Heritage Village where we earlier planned to just enjoy the sight and sound of horse gallops.

It wasn't long before one particular horse driver charmed us and managed to lure us to take the tour around the city on his carriage.

We named him Captain A horse, I think you must have figured out why by now :)

We were told by the driver the ride will cost us 150 PHP per hour. My eager boy was quick to say "yes" and immediately got himself up the cart!

It wasn't our first time to ride one yet the protective mom fearful side of me in me asked the driver how we should properly climb into the cart and he said we must use our left foot to step on the foot rest and then use the right foot to propel us up into the seat.

Now, my travel buddies (sis-in-law Grace and son Roel) are ready for the ride! I was a bit scared the horse might go wild and we'd all be thrown across the street LOL but apparently these horses have mastered the art of giving people joyous rides and we had one magnificent tour!

Kalesa #34- RAINE
The friendly driver also turned out to be an expert tour guide giving us bits of information about the tourist spots we were to stop at.


I wondered how he managed to make the horse stop at intersections and he said he simply pulled on the reins. Drivers around the city are all alert for carriages passing by and would give way most of the time.


The combination of modern and olden means of transportation made me appreciate the slow yet blissful lifestyle our ancestors had.


It was like going back in time and wishing some things never changed. Everything seems for SALE in this time and era and somehow we've complicated things by fully embracing technology and focusing on material wealth rather than appreciating and nurturing nature's gifts.

I was lost in those thoughts when we arrived at our first destination which I will share next in this series- BANTAY CHURCH AND BELL TOWER. My buddies have already gone down and I was left figuring out how to jump off the cart LOL.

See the kiddo cheering me on to alight? haha...so to solve my dilemma I once again consulted dear "manong" driver who instructed me to first sit on the block he sat on and then bring my right foot down on the foot support and the rest of my huge body will follow.

Whew! That wasn't too difficult! hehe :) We went to three destinations in around two hours and we enjoyed every second of it. Going back to the hotel though we chose to take a tricycle to get there faster because I had an event to catch.

Hmmm Captain A horse must have had a tiring journey but am pretty sure Mr. Raine driver gave him lotsa food and drink to enjoy after a day's work and he had the exercise he needed. Keep posted for part 4 of our Vigan in Less than 24 Hours series.

Have a great day folks!

Sincerely,

5 yorum:

  1. that kalesa ride looks fun, I can tell from that very joyful face. :) wish i could join you in kalesa ride one day

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  2. Captain A horse! The last time I rode calesa was in Angeles City years ago. I want to ride one soon.

    Love the photos esp the first one. Happy weekend! :)

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  3. Wow! That sounds so much fun!! Also, reminds me of horse riding we have in Mumbai! Love your thoughts on the ancient world zen, that world sure still has a lot of charm. I wish I could ride a kalesa with you too, someday. :)

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  4. i miss riding a kalesaaaaaa! kelan mo ako dadalhin dyan? hehehe! hi baby R! did you have fun making bantay of mommy? :P

    ReplyDelete
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