April 2018
We have scheduled a trip to Alaminos, Pangasinan from Baguio City. It is only more than 2hours by van and there are many accommodations available. There are beach resorts in the coastal area but Alaminos City is really famous for the Hundred Islands. There are literally hundred (123) islands that comprise the National Park. Tourists flock to the area on summer vacation since it is less than 3 hours from Baguio and only about 5 hours travel from Manila to Alaminos City.
Obviously, the locals are used to having many guests coming and leaving after a quick tour of the islands. For those who are staying overnight though, the city government provides entertainment (live bands) and the food courts offer different food choices but mostly grilled seafoods. Toilets are numerous and clean, and policemen and tourist assistance staff are on duty in the evening. There are also bikes for rent and a lot of souvenir shops near the wharf and there are also numerous boats that ferry tourists to their island destinations.
The hundred island island-hopping tour package includes Pilgrimage island where the faithful can follow the way of the cross which culminates at the peak where there is the gigantic image of Jesus Christ and mass can be held.
Marcos island is more preferred by adventurous guests especially the youngsters as it has a nice swimming/bathing area as well as cliff jumping inside a cave which makes the experience more memorable.
The Quezon Island is another favorite with its hanging bridge and the picturesque view. It has also unique rock formations and crevices where you can take shelter from the heat of the sun. We just passed by the Bat island and saw colonies of the nocturnal organisms having their rest. Because there were many of us though, some bats got disturbed although we did not get so near. I would have liked to linger a bit in other islands because some islands are considered as bird haven, the Wild Bird Club members have identified more than 50 bird species in the Hundred Islands National Park. Anyway, I still had a great time exploring a few of the hundred islands with our ‘Itchy Feet’ family.
We also dropped by the Enchanted Cave in Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan. It’s definitely a tourist destination with modern swimming pools aside from the natural cold spring hidden in a small cave believed to be enchanted, hence the name. Limestone formations dot the landscape, a telltale sign of their origin indicating that the area used to be submerged in the sea. The enchanted cave offers a different feel of Patar, Bolinao which is pretty well-known for its numerous white sand beaches.
Images: Other Journeys 