The Backpack Adventures

Since the Age of Exploration, explorers always bring with them their trusted tools. These help them navigate, take notes, and of course survive their adventures. Centuries later, with the invention of smartphones and the internet, the tools of the modern-day explorers also improved. 5 Google Apps for the Modern-day Explorer For those who are not aware, Google has several Apps (applications) that fits the needs of these modern-day explorers. Here are 5 of the most useful Apps of Google for the modern-day explorer. Google Maps Similar to: A map If you were asleep during your lesson about geography and map reading, don't fret. Google Maps is an easy to use app for your navigation needs. Just type down the name of your destination then click navigate and you'd already know the distance, estimated time of arrival, traffic conditions, and even alternate routes going to your desired destination. Oh and one last, it also talks like Dora's trusted map. Google Trans

Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces is a little-known place of culture and history. It is l ocated in Barangay Amgaleyguey in Buguias, Benguet in the Philippines. Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces Details Overshadowed by the fame of the Banaue Rice Terraces , the Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces are rarely visited by tourists. As a matter of fact, you won't see it in any travel blogs or tourist books.  To those who have seen this place, they can attest that it is equally beautiful as its counterparts in Ifugao.  Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces - Buguias, Benguet What makes Amgaleyguey Vegetable Terraces unique is the obvious fact that vegetables are the crops planted on the terraces instead of rice. What makes it more unique are the above-ground tombs that dot the terraces like dandruff on a green shirt from a distance. A perfect view from the view deck The culture of burying relatives on the terraces dates to the pre-Spanish period. Practicality w

Located in El Nido in the province of Palawan, 7 Commandos Beach is a beautiful beach destination that is part of Tour A of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour. 7 Commandos Beach 7 Commandos Beach Backstory If you're wondering about the origin of its name, so did I... Due to my burning passion to find out the origin of things, I asked our boatman about where the name 7 Commandos Beach came from. However, (no offense)his answer is doesn't have the drama that I expected. He told me that it was named by the owner who was a fanboy of anything military. So what I did was search the internet for more of the dramatic backstory that is worth blogging. 7 Commandos Beach - El Nido, Palawan The boat brings visitors to this beautiful beach Summer is always the best time to visit Beyond that "mountain" is the town of El Nido  Check out that view! Rest in one of the nipa huts available... There were several stories on the net but the backstory that stuck

Located in Gumaca in the province of Quezon, Gumaca Cathedral is one of the most historical churches in the province. It is also known as one of the biggest in Quezon. Gumaca Cathedral Gumaca Cathedral History Also called  San Diego de Alcala Cathedral , Gumaca Cathedral was established sometime in 1582 by Franciscan missionaries. The church got its name from Saint Didacus of Alcala or San Diego de Alcala in Spanish. He was a member of the Order of the Friars Minor or Franciscans. He was known as a healer who cures patients through divine intercession. He died on November 12, 1463, in the municipality of Alcala Henares in Spain. Gumaca Cathedral - Gumaca, Quezon  Gumaca Cathedral facade and bell tower Gumaca Cathedral bell tower From Gumaca, the cathedral was transferred to the island of Alabat (the island adjacent to the towns of Atimonan and Gumaca) in 1638. Sadly, it was burned by the invading Dutch forces in 1665. The church was then transferred back to its origin

Located in the Atimonan part of the Quezon National Forest Park in the province of Quezon, Cueva Santa is one of the highlights of the Mt. Mirador/ Pinagbanderahan hiking tour. Cueva Santa Cueva Santa Details If you'd Google it, little is only said about Cueva Santa  ( Saint's Cave ) except that it is one of the caves found near the route to Pinagbanderahan . However, it is actually the first of the two caves that you'd see if you're from the jump-off point (the other one is the Cueva Grande). Cueva Santa - Atimonan , Quezon   The Backpack Adventures inside Cueva Santa That is one deep hole... Its name is obviously derived from the Filipino words cueva which means cave and santa which means a female saint. I honestly don't know why the cave was given such a name (even our guide can't give an origin story). I have a theory though, that somewhere inside the cave is a rock formation that looks like an image of a saint. However, I was not able to p