Category: Historical Sites

Fort Ilocandia, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Fort Ilocandia is located on the coastline of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte. The only 5-star hotel in the northern Philippines in an over of 77 hectares of land in the sand dunes and pine forests. The 2-kilometer sandy beach bar is overlooking the West Philippines Sea.

There are 5 function rooms for gatherings, events, conventions and conferences. There are 5 restaurants inside: Café Ilocandia, Red and Asian Restaurant, Palms Bar, Sunset Lounge and Piano Lounge.


What are the things to do in Fort Ilocandia? Since it’s a little far from Laoag City, you could enjoy your stay here doing different things like paintball, basketball, beach volleyball driving range, horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage, archery, tennis, and others.

There are water activities like swimming, snorkeling, boating and beach bumming in the sand. A few kilometers near Fort Ilocandia is the Paoay Sand Dunes.

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Laoag is the capital of Ilocos Norte. It is also known as the Sunshine City. It is the gateway to Pagudpod and Bangui Windmills.

Laoag Cathedral

One of the famous landmarks in Laoag is the Laoag Cathedral located after the bridge on the right side. It is also known as Saint William Cathedral that was built by Augustinian friars in 1612 which features Italian Renaissance design.

Sinking Bell Tower

Located near the church is the sinking bell tower. The tower sinks into the ground at a rate of an inch per year and used to have a big clock on the tower’s western face. Near the tower is a park named Aurora Park.

Museo Ilocos Norte

The museum was an old Tabacalera warehouse that showcased the cultural heritage of the Ilocos Region. It is located in V. Llanes Street, one block away from Aurora Park.

La Paz Sand Dunes

Another place to see in Laoag is the La Paz Sand Dunes, the original sandboarding in Ilocos Norte with an 85 sq. km. protected sandy coastal desert and beach.

Touring Ilocos Sur

The capital of Ilocos Sur is Vigan. Here are the other notable places of Ilocos Sur that I had been to. These are landmarks on the way to Vigan.

Sulvec Point

Sulvec Point is on the coastline of Narvacan, in which you can also see a grotto in a rock. The grotto can be viewed along the highways. it is also known as grotto by the sea and also called Paraiso ni Juan. The beach area is called Sulvec Beach with stunning rock formations and brown rock sands. A Spanish boat was shipwrecked in this coastline led by Captain Juan de Salcedo, hence the name of the place.

Narvacan Church of St. Lucy Parish Church

One of the famous places in Narvacan is the baroque church called St. Lucy Parish Church or Narvacan Church. It is established by the Augustinians and is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. There’s a belfry near the church.

Quirino Bridge

Quirino Bridge is an iconic symbol of Ilocos Sur. When you reached the bridge, it also means that you are near historic Vigan City. The bridge is traversing the Abra river. It is sandwiched between two mountains. The old bridge is preserved as a tourist attraction and is built in honor of President Elpidio Quirino.


The new bridge was a replacement for the typhoon-stricken old bridge and was inaugurated in 2009.

National Museum Vigan Branch or Padre Burgos House

The National Museum Vigan Branch or Padre Burgos House is located along Padre Burgos Street. It is one of the branches of the National Museum displaying archaeological artifacts from the Spanish era.


Padre Burgos House is included in the Vigan Heritage Tour. The entrance is also free and the museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. For weekends and holidays, the visit to the museum is by appointment.


The museum is the ancestral house and birthplace of Padre Jose Burgos. There are memorabilia of Padre Burgos and his family. There are artifacts from Iloco-Kankanay-Itneg material culture. Dioramas, old books and liturgical collections are displayed in the museum.

Villa Angela Heritage House in Vigan

One of the famous tourist destination in North Luzon is Vigan.  It is owned by a prominent Versoza family of Vigan.  The entrance of the heritage house is located along Quirino Boulevard but has a backdoor along De Los Reyes Street.  It is a few blocks away from the Vigan Heritage Village.

The house was built in 1870 and was named for their matriarch Angela Versoza Villanueva.  The house was a gallery of the mementos of the family which they displayed in the house and admired by the visitors and guests.

The house was restored by descendants in the eighties.  It is also one of the locations of the famous movie Jose Rizal.  Tom Cruise also stayed in the heritage house during his film shoot in 1989.  A picture of him hangs in the walls along with the photos of the Versoza clan.  

There are private rooms for the guests.  I was able to stay in one of the rooms with a bathroom inside and another room without a bathroom.  There is a common bathroom in the second floor outside the kitchen area.  In the first floor is a dormitory for groups.

Breakfast is served in their antique dining area were we could see the antique kitchen objects like pots, porcelain and china wares. Guests enjoys the living room area with huge windows made of capiz.  Old personal furniture of the Versoza clan are found in the house.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, three years after the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty.

It was the main royal palace located at Jungno District in Seoul. The palace was the largest of the “Five Great Palaces.”


Mount Bukhan is seen as the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace with Gwanghwamum Gate as the main entrance of the palace upfront.


There are 5 more different gates in the palace, different Ojeon or Outer courts, Naejeon or Inner Courts, Donggung of the palace of the Crown Prince, Pavillions and bridges.
Geuojeongjeon is the throne hall of the King where visitors and audiences come to the hall during the Joseon Dynasty.


One of the events that people would love to see is the changing of the guards in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is done twice daily when the Sumunjang or royal guard watches over the Gwanghwamun Gate.

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace

From the Jongno-3-ga Station, use the Line 3. Tickets are available outside the palace gate.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace and Huwon are located in Jongno-gu, Seoul It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage it is one of the “Five Great Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

It is also known as the East Palace. The palace was built between River Geumcheon in the front and Peak Maebong of Mount Bukhan at the back.


There are different places to see in the palace. The famous ones are the following:


Changdeokjong Injeongjeon or Changdeokjong Palace Complex is the main palace hall where the kings and officials would gather. In front of the hall are stone markers inscribed with the ranks of each court officials were.

Seonjeongjeon or King’s Council Hall was where the king and the high officials also use Seonjeongjeon to discuss state affairs.

Other places are Huijeongdang: King’s Residence and Daejeojon or Queen’s residence.

How to get to Changdeokgung Place and Huwon


Our hotel is in Hoehyeon using Line 4. We transferred to Seoul Station in Line 1 going to Jongno-3-ga Station and went to exit 6. Tickets are available outside the palace in Donhwamun or the Main Gate. There’s a separate ticket going to the Huwon or Secret Garden.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea

Famous Places in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of the expensive cities in the world. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is also known as Tokyo Metropolis with special wards. Below are the different wards we went to.

Chuo City

Lost in Tokyo Station

The last stop of the Shinkansen Tokaido Line is Tokyo Station. Tokyo station is the busiest intercity rail station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.  Aside from the three train lines, it is also the major intercity bus terminal.

APA Hotels

There are so many hotels in Tokyo with the APA line. We chose the APA Hotel Hatchabori Eki Minami in Chuo City. Chuo City is the main commercial center. From Tokyo Station, we went to the Hatchbori Station using the JR Keiyo Line.

You can use the JR Keiyo Line is the subway going to Disneyland in Maihama.

The famous district in Chuo City is the Ginza. It is also known for the different malls around the Ginza Station.

Shibuya City

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya city is famous for the Shibuya crossing. It is one of the busiest intersection and also known as the iconic scramble intersection with the view of the different malls and commercial centers. To get here we used the Metro Tokyo Yamanote Line.

Hachiko Statue

Another notable attraction in Shibuya is the statue of the famous dog named Hachiko. Hachiko’s statue is located near Shibuya station after you get off the Hachiko exit. Hachiko is a purebred Akita. Hachiko is a loyal dog who waited for his owner Hidesaburo Ueno even after he died.

Taito City

Ueno Park

Tatio City is famous for Ueno Park. To get here we rode the Tokyo Metro Ueno-Tokyo Line. The Ueno Park consists of Ueno Zoo, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Saigo Takamori Statue and Shinobazu Pond.

You can also see Cherry Blossoms and Bamboo Garden in Ueno Park.

Around the Park are different shopping malls, commercial centers and restaurants.

Keisei Skyliner

The best way to go to Narita Airport is the Keisei Skyliner. It is a highspeed train from Ueno to Narita and travel time is only 45 minutes.

Minato City

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is located in Minato City. It is a famous landmark in Tokyo. The FootTown is a four-story building under the tower with museums, restaurants and shops. The Tokyo Tower has an observation deck.

For other posts about Japan, please check: Sakura in Japan, Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan, Universal Studios Japan, Attractions in Osaka, Japan, A view of Mount Fuji

For Mt. Fuji tour click here

For Nara Cycle Tour click here