The Backpack Adventures

Located near Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte, La Paz Sand Dunes is widely known as the Desert of the North. La Paz Sand Dunes La Paz Sand Dunes details La Paz Sand Dunes covers an area of approximately 85 square kilometers. It is locally known as  Bantay Bimmaboy . With an elevation that ranges from 10 to 30 meters, La Paz Sand Dunes has a very appealing panoramic view of the West Philippine Sea. La Paz Sand Dunes - Laoag City, Ilocos Norte The West Philippine Sea is seen from La Paz Sand Dunes. With its unique landscape, typical to those in the Middle Eastern countries, La Paz Sand Dunes has become a popular site for shooting local and foreign films. This might be due to the cheaper production cost compared to those of the Middle Eastern counterparts. Great place to do some modeling Some of the local films shot in the area are Panday , Himala , and Temptation Island . Portions of the Hollywood films like Born in the Fourth of July and Mad Max were a

Located at Barangay Zone 1 -Poblacion in the municipality of Atimonan in Quezon Province, Iskong Bantay Watchtower is the last of the seven Spanish-era structures of its kind built in Southern Luzon . Iskong Bantay Watchtower Iskong Bantay Watchtower History Iskong Bantay Watchtower was built sometime in 1752. It has a good view of Lamon Bay and the island of Alabat. The tower served as an observation and defense tower during the times when pirate raids were rampant in the southern parts of Luzon. Iskong Bantay Watchtower - Atimonan , Quezon Iskong Bantay Watchtower also served as a weather observatory, which determines if the fishermen of the town could do their jobs or not. As seen from the belltower of Atimonan Church NHI marker of Iskong Bantay Watchtower My cousin leading the way Thanks, Eloi for the tour! Iskong Bantay Watchtower was named after Francisco Tandas, fondly called Isko by the townsfolks. He was the chief defender of the town during

Located adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III in the City of Pasay, the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus  has one of the most eye-catching architectural designs among the churches in Manila.  Shrine of St. Therese, Doctor of the Child Jesus Also called Shrine of St. Therese and Columbarium , this unique-looking church actually started as a makeshift chapel constructed in 1947 by a chaplain assigned in the Philippine Air Force. Originally, the church is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. It was expanded and reconstructed several times in order to serve the spiritual needs of the increasing number of Philippine Air Force personnel. St. Therese watches over all who pass by. The church underwent a major reconstruction in the 1980s. It was then consecrated on December 16, 1983, and was dedicated to St,. Therese of the Child Jesus by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. Interior of the church C

Located in Tagaytay City in the province of Cavite, People's Park in the Sky was built to accommodate (and please) a visitor who never came. People's Park in the Sky People's Park in the Sky Details Built sometime in 1979 under the instruction of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, People's Park in the Sky was formerly known as the  Palace in the Sky . In order for the "mansion" to be built the highest point of Tagaytay had to be leveled off to about half its size. People's Park in the Sky - Tagaytay City, Cavite The main reason behind this permanent change in the natural landscape is simply hospitality. The Palace in the Sky was intended to be the guest house of the visiting former California Governor Ronald Reagan -he never came. The park transmission towers as seen from South Luzon Express Way A foggy experience in People's Park in the Sky A gloomy afternoon view from People's Park in the Sky The only route to g