The sand dunes of Ilocos Norte
La Paz, or the Desert of the North, as it is called. After a long trek on dusty roads along Ilocos Norte, two sceneries will surprise the weary traveler at the end of his journey – that there is a desert. And there is a beach.
La Paz Sand Dunes is a protected national part covering 52 square miles of sand and beach. At one end is the cool waters of the China Sea and the other stretches to inland Ilocos Norte. It’s located just outside the city of Laoag, so 
it is easily accessible, although walking the length of the beach can take more than one hour.
The sand dunes are favorite movie settings, from classic local films such as Nora Aunor’s Himala and Fernando Poe, Jr.’s Panday, to Hollywood greats like Tom Cruise’s Born on the Fourth of July.
Anton has several remarkable photos of his visit to the sand dunes. You can clearly see desert formations. And apparently people live there, as evidenced from the scattered small nipa huts hiding among the rolling hills.
Calvin gave a tip for vacationers planning to see the desert- “the best time would be late in the afternoon when it’s not too hot and the sun is not too high.” He toured Ilocos without a car, and it didn’t cost much, he wrote.
image: Flickr/Storm Crypt
2 Comments
…yeah!
M PLANNING TO GO TO FORT ILOCANDIA THIS MONTH END, WANT TO KNOW FROM FORT ILOCANDIA, HOW CAN I GO TO SAND DUNES IF I WAS TO COMMUTE? IS THERE ANY PUBLIC TRANSPORT THAT I CAN RIDE?