The Backpack Adventures

It was a decade ago when I first visited Taal Basilica . Since then, I have revisited it several times during pilgrimages and school field trips. I got to recently revisit Taal Basilica during my Cuenca - Taal Road Trip 2021 with my wife and daughter.  Taal Basilica Revisited 2021 Taal Basilica History For those who are unfamiliar with Taal Basilica , here's a brief history of the basilica for you guys. Also known as the  Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours , Taal Basilica was built in 1575. It was named after the town's patron saint - St. Martin of Tours.  Taal Basilica stands around 148 feet high and 315 feet wide making it the biggest Catholic Church in Asia. Taal Basilica - Taal, Batangas It witnessed numerous eruptions of Taal Volcano and was also damaged several times by the earthquakes that caused these eruptions. It also stood as a silent witness to the town's historical events like the end of Spanish Colonization, the Philippine Revolution, the American occupat

Located in Barangay Poblacion 3, Cuenca in the province of Batangas, Cuenca Church is a Spanish Colonial Era Catholic Church found in the heart of the town.  Cuenca Church Cuenca Church History Formally called San Isidro Parish Church ( St. Isidore Parish Church ), Cuenca Church was established in 1879, the same year the town of Cuenca was founded.  Cuenca Church has elements of Gothic architectural style which is evident in its arches and buttresses and arches. Cuenca Church - Cuenca, Batangas A convent was also built sometime in the same year under the supervision of Fr. Guillermo Diez. The convent doubles as a parochial should where the young people of Cuenca learn catechism, reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.  The convent was enlarged in 1898 under the supervision of Fr. Dionisio Ibanez. It was also during his time when the corridors and cemetery were added to the church convent.  Welcome to Cuenca Church Cuenca Church - Cuenca, Batangas Cuenca Church facade Cuenca Chu

It was only last year when I last visited Ginkakuji ( 銀閣寺 ) . It was also my first time visiting it. You can actually read my diary entry HERE . Ginkakuji Revisited 2019 For those who are not familiar with Ginkakuji , it's located at 2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture. This temple is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Site of the city.   Ginkakuji History Ginkakuji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Ginkakuji was originally built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa . The name Ginkakuji actually translates to Silver Pavilion as he originally planned to cover the building with silver leaf similar to the gold leaf-covered Kinkakuji which was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa's grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimasu. Sadly, Yoshimasa died even before the plan to cover Ginkakuji with silver leaf came to fruition.  Walking towards Ginkakuji from Imadegawa Street Ginkakuji Precinct Map Going in Ginkakuji's gate Ginkakuji 's ticket booth Ginkakuji Adm