Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!
Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.
More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!
Unique Visits
Baluarte: The Leaning Watchtower of Luna, La Union
Several baluartes (watchtowers) can be found on the coast of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union built by the Spanish authorities to guard and warn coastal communities of any suspicious ship coming to shore and thus warn people of impending danger from marauders, usually Moro or Chinese pirates slave traders, snatching young girls and women during summer. The watchtowers were mostly constructed about 400 years ago, made of adobe blocks and coral stones joined by lime and egg whites, typical construction styles of Spanish churches.
Watchtowers: the sentinels of the sea against marauding pirates and unwelcome visitors
Tutubi already visited and posted several of the watchtowers and this one, located in the town of Luna, La Union (formerly called Namacpacan and now named after one of the towns famous sons, Gen. Antonio Luna (brother of Juan Luna)) is no different but in such sad and forlorn state, just waiting for a strong typhoon, tsunami or apathetic humans to topple it down to oblivion. The watchtowers foundation is already eroded probably due to seepage of seawater making it look like the leaning Luna watchtower that urgently needs restoration, if there are still people out there who appreciate heritage.
the ruins of the Luna Watchtower sits on a pebble beach, where people make a living of gathering pebbles to be sold to traders and exporters of white, gray or sometimes colored pebbles for use in landscaping, construction and aquariums here in abroad
the leaning watchtower, held in check by crude wooden planks, children nearby add scale to the photograph
the watchtower has been split in two due to cracked foundation and a tree further poses risking damage to the heritage structure
Other baluartes in La Union province can be found in Carlatan, San Fernando (a small town formerly known as Pindangan), Balaoan, Bacnotan and San Juan, all yet to be visited by Tutubi.
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Luna Watchtower, Barangay Victoria, Luna, La Union GPS Coordinates: N16 51 24.8 E120 22 22.0
I've been to La Union very recently but it was for work. I'm definitely adding this to my itinerary next time.
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Watchtowers: the sentinels of the sea against marauding pirates and unwelcome visitors
the ruins of the Luna Watchtower sits on a pebble beach, where people make a living of gathering pebbles to be sold to traders and exporters of white, gray or sometimes colored pebbles for use in landscaping, construction and aquariums here in abroad
the leaning watchtower, held in check by crude wooden planks, children nearby add scale to the photograph
the watchtower has been split in two due to cracked foundation and a tree further poses risking damage to the heritage structure
Vikki said...
Post a Comment
If you're not using Blogger or any OpenID, Tutubi recommends selecting Name/URL on the form field below so Tutubi can return your visit (Remember to use http:// in the URL field).
Tutubi welcomes critique of photo, negative feedback, reactions and corrections but please do so in a civilized manner. Also, if you're commenting just to advertise "house and lot for sale/lease," "apartment for rent," or "sex scandal videos," you're just wasting your time. Tutubi welcomes, however, tips on free wifi Internet access, free beer or other desirable stuff ;P