Both are temples, a Catholic church, and the other a Taoist (Chinese) temple. Both are equally interesting not only in terms of architecture but also the devotions done by their respective faithful.

I wasn’t just prepared to see a queue for branded items outside two of the brand name stores along Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and I don’t know what to think or how to react.

Looking farther along the stretch of beach, there are several more men and mound. Its really an industry here with the natural products probably making their way to construction sites in the city or beyond.

The costs of progress.

What greeted me was disheartening. It has lost its balance, leaning on the sandy shores of Luna’s beach. Broken and probably left with no more tears to weep as the descendants of the ancestors that this structure protected from the Pintados from the Visayas, looking for slaves, left it under the merciless elements.

It was a no brainer. The ruins in Pindangan, a sitio in San Fernando City, La Union is old judging from the primitive construction technique of mamposteria, stones, placed one on top of the other.

One great thing about exploring the country’s many provinces is that there is always a reason to stop, gawk and be awed. This can be pristine beaches, spectacular rock formations or just scenic vistas. Taggat Bay, more like a lagoon, actually, in Claveria, Cagayan is one.

It seems, I like going to North Luzon or North Luzon loves me. If one has to check this blog, one would surmise that I often go to this part of the Philippines as I have lots of posts devoted to the northern provinces. Lakbay Norte Redux starts a new series on travel to Cagayan and Ilocos Norte provinces.

I admit, places I’ve visited in Calayan: Cibang and Caniwara Coves and Nagudungan were the most pristine I’ve seen and been to. Its just so beautiful, a piece of paradise. But will it stay the same for years to come?

The best time to go there is during April when the monsoons switch. It is possible to go there at other times of the year but the unpredictability of the weather makes it difficult and there is always the possibility that one can get stranded.

At the edge of Caniwara Cove is another spectacular place, Nagudungan Hill with its rolling terrain and gnarled pine trees with some, especially located near the edge to the sea are permanently inclined due to the strong winds.

Caniwara Cove has a sandy beach but a flat rocky shore shallowly and evenly submerged to a few meters to the sea marks this beautiful and enchanting cove.

Once bets are placed, all is in a hush as the battle ensues, all eyes are at the center as the cocks fight it out to the death. Within a minute or two, its over. Another death at the arena.

It was the best beach place I’ve been to. Better than Boracay, not in terms of sand but the pure delight I had in plunging and bathing into its crystal clear waters that we just had to ourselves. Even better than Flower Island.

There are two things that strongly comes to mind when Calayan town is mentioned: the row of Bitaog trees in one of its streets and the pieces of corals, shells and small pebbles sloping at an incline that makes for its beach.

It’s so out of the way, with travel very much dependent on the status of the Babuyan Channel where for most part of the year, can be very trecherous. Couple this with uncertain travel days and you’ve got a place that is so off the beaten path.