Calesa : the Rolls Royce of the 18th Century Philippines

Having an errand in Vigan the other day, couldn't helped but go to the world-famous Calle Crisologo, but not for its' touristic allure. It can't be helped though that throughout a few blocks of it, a few calesas were either empty and waiting for tourists, the rest were carrying them to a few famous spots that the city is known for. As it's a slow transport, it might take a few hours tour, including a short stop outside the city parameter to see the famous Bantay bell tower of San Agustin Church.

On display near Plaza Salcedo.

A Calesa or Kalesa is a horse-drawn wooden carriage with two huge wheels, built also with wood at the center, with metal circumference. It's no longer being made so these calesas are quite old. Considered as antiques, collectors want to get their hands on to those wheels to serve as tables. They are quite pricey as there's not much being sold.

During the Spanish era, only the rich have these calesas for their personal use, usually to check their haciendas. Nowadays, they can only be found in some touristics areas where Spanish influences are noticeable like in Vigan and Intramuros in Manila.

Any tourist that comes to visit Vigan, a calesa can be rented to take you around the tourist spots for $15-20, it can accomodate about 4 to be comfortable. Tourists can also get down if wanting to buy souvenirs, get inside churches or the museum etc.

Keep in mind though that Vigan City is quite small and things to do is limited. Apart from the calesa tour, the dancing fountain in the evening and live music from a few bars, there's none that I can recommend doing except accessing Vigan's old tradition of weaving, going to the nearby beaches for swimming and watching sunsets, as well as visiting the nearby towns' Spanish churches. The town of San Vicente have an unknown ruins behind its' church. What I can advise is to incorporate visiting Baguio or Pagudpud then a short stop in Vigan.

When in Vigan, don't rush as to enjoy a rolls royce calesa ride, a few hours is needed to enjoy the sights of old Spanish walls and houses scattered throughout the city and experience the cobbled-stone streets of Calle Crisologo.

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