My Paradise Philippines Blog Features: Ilocos NortePhoto taken by: Ryan Joseph Salayo
What to see and do (A Paradise Philippines travel destinations and attractions)
Located at the northermost tip of Luzon, Ilocos Norte is famous for its natural and cultural scenery. It's a favorite destination of many foreign and local tourists for its wealth of attractions. The capital of Laoag City features the Sinking Belltower, which was sunk to the ground because of its weight. It's half-buried entrance once allowed a man on horseback to enter. Beside the Cathedral of St. William is the plaza complex with its historical Abolition of the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, Ilocos Norte Capitol, and the Ilocandia Museum. The La Paz and Suba sand dunes are favorite movie settings ranging from classic local films such as Nora Aunor's Himala to Hollywood gems like Tom Cruise's Born On The Fourth Of July.
Garlic is sold and tobacco fields can be seen along the highway. Batac contains the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum where the preserved remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos are displayed. Paoay is home to the grand Malacañang of the North overlooking Lake Paoay, once Marcos' summer residence. The town's most famous attraction is its church. With its blend of Spanish and Oriental architecture. Paoay Church is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The centuries-old edifice is supported by massive buttresses found nowhere else in the Paradise Philippines.
Other old churches can be found in Sarrat, Dingras, San Nicolas, Bacarra (which has a leaning tower), and Badoc. Badoc also has the Juan Luna Shrine, once the home of the famous painter and now a museum. Farther up north is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, a charming strucure set on hilly terrain.
At the end of the road is Pagudpud, considered as the Boracay of the North. Beautiful white sand beaches are set against deep-blue seas and mountains. This is undoubtedly the best beach area of the entire Ilocos region. On the road to Cagayan is the Patapat Viaduct hugging a seaside cliff.
