Horse and buggy in Vigan
There are 105 horse buggies registered to take tourists around the town of Vigan in northern Luzon.
100 are driven by men and 5 by women.
This seems like a unique way to get around the historic district of this beautiful town.
Vigan Philippines
The horses seem undaunted by the traffic and they all have big blinders so they don’t get distracted.
Vigan Philippines
It seems that the horses and drivers spend most of the day waiting for fares.
I have not yet checked into how much it costs to get a tour on one of these carts.
I am inclined to try to get a ride with the girl in the first photo later.
She seems to really care for her horse.
These guys are shoeing their horse.
On the spot horse shoe replacement.
These pictures don’t look like they were taken in the Philippines!
Calle Crisologo – Heritage Village Vigan – Horse and buggy
It costs 50 pesos for a quick tour but it might cost 150 for a longer trip covering a bigger area. I did a few short rides with different drivers.
Historical District – Vigan Luzon
These drivers do take good care of their animals but it’s a long day for both the horse and the driver. I see them returning home late at night in the dark with no lights.
One of the horse drivers.
Horses in Vigan
The last ride.
Horse and buggy
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
If you been to Manila say some 50 years back, you will be surprise that calesa is one of the main form of transport. And just 25 years back calesa are favored by Chinese while moving around in Ongpin (the Chinatown) and in few select places in Manila.
All those years, I havent seen a woman rig-driver.
As always, your blog is worth following!
Really cool pictures of horses there and their carts. So you’re a Dutch traveling all over Philippines?
edwinic is right ur blog is worth following!
have you been in batanes? hope to to read something about batanes someday soon..
may the lord god bless you with good health then..
Gee you sure get about DP, brought back many memories when I viewed this page. Last there a long time ago and agree beautiful old place loved bit.
You pictures are wonderful, must of been a long ride, beyond me Im afraid.
Keep up the great work DP cheers.
Bruce
Hi Jell,
For sure – going to the Batanas is a dream of mine that I hope to fulfill sometime this year!
Thanks for the encouragement!
dp
Hello Bruce,
Vigan is a cool town isn’t it?
I looped around the north and am now in Sagada. Spent 3 fantastic days in Tinglayan. Heavy rains caused a few rockslides blocking off the road but it was clear sailing to Bontoc today – but muddy.
I have been without a signal for 3 days but just received a txt from Bruce in New Zealand that he can not log on to the site. I am trying to figure out why.
dp
No problem logging on here in So. Calif. this morning. Been following your site for a few years now. My wife of 2 years is from Arawane, Daram, Samar and went to high school and college in Catbalogan, so you can see why I found your blog so interesting after I met her. Hope you’re doing well. I envy you a bit, but I know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Happy trails!!!
Eric
Oh my god! What is that person doing, tying that poor horse’s leg up with a rope while he’s filing the hoof? Dangerous and uncomfortable for the horse, and completely unnecessary! Clearly this guy needs some lessons from a properly trained farrier. And would it bloody kill the lazy people to unhitch the poor horse and take the weight off his back for a few minutes while they shoe him? Wow.
Travellers, please pay attention to the health of the horses and how they are treated when selecting a rig to hire, in any country. Check for sores under harness, lameness, or other signs of illness or injury. Reward the owners who care properly for their animals with your commerce.
– Zach
Hi Zach,
The rope seemed to help the horse steady his foot on the stand but I can’t say for sure because I know nothing about shoeing horses!
These guys seemed to have the system down and the horse didn’t seem to mind a bit.
just my 2 cents :)
dp