Bolinao: Hidden Jewel of the North

After spending some generous time in Hundred Islands National Park, we headed off to our next destination, Bolinao Pangasinan! The quaint and sleepy town of Bolinao is just an hour away from Alaminos City by car. Yes, it  may be a sleepy town for some (as in wala masyadong establishment e.g. fast food restaurant, town center) but the lush greenery and the peaceful ambiance is just perfect if you want to escape the angst of a city life. 

We arrived in Bolinao before sunset and went directly to SCL Garden Paradise Resort which we booked a month ago. It's not a hotel so don't expect much especially their beach front. Their rooms and facilities are typically okay and comfy. 

TIPS: If you're activities in Bolinao are basically outdoors, CHOOSE this resort! It is not pricey compared to other hotel/resort within Bolinao but will not give you grief compared to some cheaper but uncomfortable cottages near the beach. Their staffs are so friendly and very accommodating too.

SCL Garden Paradise Resort

Here are some of the most popular destinations that we visited during our stay in Bolinao.

CAPE BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE

The century-old Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is located at Barangay Patar atop Punta Piedra Point. It is a towering hill of solid rock measuring 351 feet above sea level. The lighthouse provides a panoramic view of a land area for ipil-ipil plantation and archaeological excavations. You should visit this place when in Bolinao for a nice photo op.

PATAR WHITE BEACH

Just a short distance from Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is Patar White Beach. Its creamy off-white (sometimes light beige) sand is soft but not as fine as the sands in Boracay but the beach has a certain allure that will make you fell in love with the place. Though there's not much water activities here (compared to commercialized Hundred Islands), we do enjoyed our time here lazing by the sand and swimming in its cool and pristine water. I might considered Patar beach as one of the best beaches I've ever been because of its peaceful and relaxing provincial ambiance.

BOLINAO FALLS 1

Going to Bolinao Falls is quite a disappointment for me. Its distance from the town proper is quite far and the only road in getting there is rough and dusty. When we got to Bolinao Falls 1, I didn't expect that the water is 'deteriorating' (parang tubig sa gripo ang patak, look at the pics). Maybe because its summer, and its scorching hot these past few days, so I think that explains why the water is not cascading in its grandeur. Well, we just enjoyed our time here swimming (the water is turbid) and eating halo-halo. I hope the local government of Bolinao will improved the facilities here (e.g. bathroom, changing rooms, water supply...and the road of course!) because I believe that this place is a very promising tourist destination worth a visit.

BALINGASAY RIVER CRUISE 

(With lunch via Sungayan Grill)

Ah! This is one of our favorite spots in Bolinao, Balingasay River! According to what I've read a while ago, Balingasay River is the cleanest river in Luzon. It's a fact. The water here is really clean and clear (I could actually see fishes underneath the crystal clear water). I really, really love this place. 

We also enjoyed the river cruise while eating a sumptuous lunch that comprises of grilled fish (bangus, tilapia, sungayan), hinalabos na hipon at alimango (shrimp and crab), one vegetable dish, generous amount of steamed rice and a pitcher of iced tea. Sungayan Grill and Restaurant offers the best tasting grilled sungayan (unicorn) fish in town. Don't miss out this exotic grilled fish when you visit Bolinao.

TIPS: Make a reservation at Sungayan Grill and Restaurant a month before your trip. Their boats are always full. Walk-ins often can't avail the river cruise because Sungayan Grill prioritize those who made an early reservation. 

So that's a wrap for today's entry. Feel free to comment and inquire regarding my travels. Ciao!

“Adventure is worthwhile.” – Aesop

Hundred Islands Tour (Do-it-Yourself Edition)

Hiatus no more, thanks summer! Just recently, my family and I had a wonderful do-it-yourself tour in Pangasinan. Though it might be underrated as a tourist destination in the Philippines compare to powerhouses like Boracay and Palawan, I must say that the place actually satisfied the wanderlust in me. 

This post will feature the best and top things to do when in Hundred Islands ( I have a separate post for Bolinao!).

HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

(Alaminos City, Pangasinan)

It's my first time to handle such big group for a DIY tour (our family comprised of 10 adults and 6 small children). Since we have small kids with us, I opted for convenience so we rented a private vehicle as our means of transportation. 

TIPS: If you're traveling in small group, without any "excess baggage" (kids!), commuting is a best option to lessen travel expenses. From Cubao terminal, you may take a Victory Liner bus bound to Alaminos, Pangasinan. It may cost you around Php 400 (ordinary A/C). Travel time may vary from 4 to 6 hours depending on traffic conditions. 

We left  Montalban, Rizal at 12 midnight, and we arrived at Lucap Wharf, Alaminos City in as early as 4 a.m! It was so early that we have to wait until 6 a.m. before we could register our names for the island hopping activity so while we are  waiting, we just ate breakfast at the nearby food court within the complex. 

TIPS: Foods here might be a bit pricey for a shoestring traveler so it's better to bring your own 'baon' (food).

Food court located at Lucap Wharf

At 6 a.m., our group proceeded to the Hundred Islands Office to register our names, pay certain amount of services and fees for the Hundred Islands Tour. Click Hundred Islands National Park Rates and Boat Rates for the list of prices that you could avail for the tour.

What to do?

Hundred Islands National Park has a total of 123 islands. You may only visit at least 5-6 islands for a day tour (and only three of them have been developed for tourism) but worry not, there are various island activities to choose from to enjoy your Hundred Islands tour.

Island Hopping

Day Tour with Service - Small Boat (1-5 passengers) Php 1,400

Medium Boat (6-10 passengers) Php 1,8000

Large Boat (11-15 passengers) Php 2,000

We opted to avail day tour with service because it covers island hopping to all islands that we want to visit including caves and coral gardens. It also has no time limit and the boat will stay until 5 in the afternoon. Wherein day tour without service is limited only to three major islands including Quezon Island, Governor's Island and Children's Island with 20 minutes allotted time per island. 

Viewing deck at Governor's Island

Marcos Island has fantastic view  and pristine waters.

Island hopping at its best!

The largest and most developed island in Hundred Island s National Park

Cliff Diving


Rates: Free

Cliff Diving is one hell of experience! I chickened out so I didn't try it. But my husband, my sister and my brothers-in-law are so damn fearless, they jumped off from the rocky cliff (20 feet high!) and plunged straight into 8 meters-deep waters! I so envied them! (I promise to do cliff diving next time). 

Helmet Diving

Rates: Php 400/ dive for 20 minutes

Yey! This is a dream come true for me! I always want to feel deeply connected with marine species and the best way to do this is to visit them under the sea. It's so amazing to encountered live giant taklobos underwater while variety of colorful fishes were soaring over us.  

Well, don't expect for a very lush marine life in this area cause it's just a shallow coral garden. But to encounter some of these sea creatures up close and personal in their natural habitat is a superb experience.

Snorkeling

Rate: Php 150 (snorkeling gear rental)

What I love most about snorkeling is that it boosts my confidence in water. It can be enjoyed by almost anyone including kids. Since Hundred Islands has shallow reefs, snorkeling is a must do activity. While in Lucap Wharf, just inform manong bangkero (boatman) that you want to rent snorkeling gear before the start of your island hopping.

OTHER ISLANDS ACTIVITIES

• Zip-line (546m) (Governor Island) Php 250.00 
• Zip-line (120m) (Quezon Island) Php 100.00 / Jump
• Wall Climbing – Php 50.00 / Pax
• Rappelling – Php 50.00 / Pax
• Banana Boat (max 7pax) – Php 1,500.00 / ride
• Kayaking (max 2pax) – Php 250.00 / hour

Some island activities maybe a bit costly especially for shoe-string travelers. Well, in that case, plenty of time for beach bumming and swimming is not bad afterall.

TIPS: Choose the less crowded Marcos Island if you want to stay longer for beach bumming and mere relaxation. It has the most scenic view and the water are more pristine. On the other hand, Quezon Island has also clear waters but its just too crowded. If you're travelling with kids, you may choose Children's Island because of its shallow water though it may be too crowded like Quezon Island and the water is a bit turbid. 

So that's a wrap for this entry. I hope that this post could help you if you want to explore Pangasinan in the future. Ciao!

"Just the smell of the beach can make me forget my cares..."

P.S. Well, I may not be a seasoned traveler but I wanted to make this blog updated as soon as possibly I can so that I could share some travel tips and ideas that may help some people out there who also loves traveling like me.  =)

~GDA

Rekindlling my Love to the City of Pines

There is no doubt that Baguio is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines. It may be a common destination for some but for me, Baguio has a distinct charm that is somewhat very homey and relaxing. This Yuletide break, my husband and I spent our 5th wedding anniversary visiting the Summer Capital of the Philippines. This was my third time in Baguio and since it's my husband’s first time (after 32 years, for Pete sake!), he was the most excited! I was also excited because we road-tripped from Manila to Baguio together with our kids and my husband's nephew and niece using our car for the first time. If your'e a first timer (just like my husband), you may consider adding to your itinerary some of  the destinations that we've visited during our quick getaway in the City of Pines.

LION'S HEAD

My husband, who is so fascinated with lion (his name is Leo after all), insisted that we should stop at the Lion's Head monument and took some selfies first before heading off to the city proper.This 40-foot limestone head is a famous landmark along Kennon Road that you don't wanna miss out.   Alongside the monument were souvenir shops where you can buy stuffs like "I love Baguio" T-shirt, bonnet and scarf that you could wear during your Baguio tour.

TEACHER'S CAMP

My husband's mom and sister were in Baguio three days before our arrival and we had to meet them up at Teacher's Camp before their departure back to Manila. We also reserved a room at Teacher's Camp since rates for hotels and pension houses is way costly during holidays. We're lucky to get a room that is good for 4 adults and two kids. Since I am a public school teacher, they gave me a 10% discount so we had to pay a minimal fee of Php 720 for an overnight stay! Not bad, eh? Just never mind the ghost stories... =D

BAGUIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

Baguio Botanical Garden is one of my favorite destinations in Baguio. You can do a lot of sight seeing here from the towering pine trees, sculptured statues, themed gardens and of course the Art Gallery of the Baguio Arts Guild. You can take photos with real life Igorots who always graced the entrance gate with a minimal fee (Php  10/ Igorot). 

           

THE MANSION

Say hello to the official summer residence of the Philippine President - the Mansion! 

Did you know that The Mansion's gate is considered to be the most photographed gate in the country? Well, don't forget to say cheese!

WRIGHT PARK

The Pool of Pines

Just across The Mansion's gate is Wright Park, a 27-acre estate devoted for trees (arboretum). It's main feature is the scenic body of water which is called "The Pool of Pines". Some activities that we enjoyed doing here are horse back riding and dressing up like Igorots for picture taking.  

Things to do at Wright Park

Hot strawberry-flavored taho for a cold afternoon. This is the best tasting taho for me so far!

BURNHAM  PARK

Nestled at the heart of Baguio City is a 32.84 hectare urban park named after the American architect and city planner, Daniel Burnham. Burnham Park is the "mother of all park" in the city. It's main feature is a man-made lake situated at the center of the park where tourists can enjoy boating with rented boats. Other attactions include children's playground, skating ring, themed gardens, the Melvin Jones Grandstand and a lot more. This must be the most vibrant and merriest park in Baguio City.

CAMP JOHN HAY 

The beautifully landscaped Camp John Hay is a resort in the mountain. It served as a recreation facility for the US Armed Forces during the American occupation in the Philippines. Today it boasts numerous attractions from its lush pine forest, golf course, museum, shopping centers like the Ayala Techno Park, and several hotels and lodgings like Forest Lodge and The Manor to name a few. It's crisp mountain air and stately pine trees made me feel that I was in the US soil. No wonder it has made Baguio the "Little America" of the Philippines. 

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET

The best way to end Baguio getaway is to visit La Trinidad Valley in Benguet. Referred as the "Strawberry Capital of the Philippines", La Trinidad has a refreshingly cool climate that is best for vegetable and flower production.  After an unfortunate chance of not being able to pick some fresh strawberries (due to its shortage), we've just toured the farm and my husband was contended in lettuce picking instead. I was solaced on the other hand by buying veggies (leaf lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower to name a few) from variety of stalls within the farm complex. Like many tourists, I opted to buy veggies when in La Trinidad because the price here is lower compare in Manila. As a vegetable lover, this place is a haven for me!

A day or two are not enough when in Baguio City. We wanted to stay even just for an extra day but we have to go back to Manila to prepare things for the coming Holiday. The next time we'll visit Baguio, I'll consider adding some destinations in our itinerary especially Sitio La Presa (Sitio Pungayan) though I'm not a LisQuen fan. =D

~GDA

Nuvali But You!

I was so eccentric to the idea of a fine sunny Monday morning and no classes in our town due to some provincial sports event. You read it right! No classes and it's Monday! So when my husband asked me if we could go somewhere else to unwind, preferably not too far away from our place, I suggested if we could go to Nuvali Park. The idea of going to malls for the sake of unwinding is actually a nuisance for me. I always prefer places that are close to nature whenever I want to relax. When he finally agreed, I was singing my heart out ala-Wonder Girls!

"I want Nuvali, Nuvali but you...". Lol.

"You're so corny", my husband chuckled as he starts the car engine before hitting the road to Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

With my kids, Sabina and Caleb

Nuvali is located in Sta. Rosa, Calamba and Cabuyao, Laguna. It is 40 minutes drive away from Quezon City and accessible via different exits along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) so its an ideal place for a quick getaway. 

Since its Monday when we got there, there were very few people swarming around the complex. We just took some pictures first because of the beautiful landscape before we realized that there were some activities that we can do in Nuvali. My two kids actually enjoyed some activities like fish feeding, boating and bird watching. I personally enjoyed sightseeing and walking in a tranquil environment together with my family. 

FEEDING THE KOI

 This man-made lake is a wonderful attraction in Nuvali because of the koi fish. Visitors are allowed to feed them with fish feeds available at the nearby cashier booth for only Php 15/ bag.

Our finned friends came rushing to the surface.
 It seems like they already knew we have some fantastic treats for them!




My two kids enjoyed fish feeding so much that we bought more bags
  - and the fish became more friendly to us. =)


WATER TAXI RIDE

Water Taxi ride is a must-do activity when you are in Nuvali. It costs Php 30 per person with a minimum of 6 passengers. We really enjoyed the gust of cool winds while riding the water taxi and savoring the beautiful scenery around the lake.

I took this picture while waiting in our queue.
 Its scorching hot that day but we patiently wait for our turn 
because we don't wanna miss this boat ride. 

My two kids squealed in enjoyment when the boatman sped up 
the water taxi and made turns in every directions unexpectedly. 
It causes some medium size waves that a bit of some splash 
wet my camera and shirt. Kudos to the boatman!

My little Caleb wants some more...

.

SIGHTSEEING 

If you want to do a lot of sightseeing, Nuvali won't fail you. Nuvali has a beautiful, quiet and well-planned landscape. The vast grassy area near the lake is ideal for family or barkada picnics. Kids could roam around freely or play Frisbee here perfectly under the blue sky. 

BIRDWATCHING

Nuvali has a sanctuary for the migratory birds and for the bird watching enthusiast as well. We're just lucky enough to see some flocks of migratory birds in the afternoon but my camera was shutting down like crazy so I couldn't take some photos of those feathered beings.

EAT, EAT and.... EAT!

You can do a lot of eating in Nuvali. If your'e a certified foodie like me, you may dine at any restaurants located in Nuvali Solenad 1 and 2. You may choose from a variety of restaurants here  such as Domo Tomo, Italiannis, Contis, Starbucks, Clawdaddy's, Buffalo's Wings and many more. But if you are a shoestring budgeted traveler when you got there, you could buy some foods at Robinsons Supermarket located in Solenad 2 and just have a simple yet nice afternoon picnic beside the lake. Enjoy!

At Clawdaddy

A PROMISING NEW DESTINATION

For me, Nuvali is a promising new destination near Metro Manila. It has a lot of potentials be it an ideal residential or commercial complex. Its feels like living in a first world suburb, I reckon. Indeed, my dream community - modern yet close to nature, just true to its tagline "a haven where man and nature coexist". 

~GDA