Years ago, travelers within Luzon would rather go on a roadtrip to nearby provinces where they can get access to the beach and beautiful sceneries. First of all, it is cheaper and more practical. I also think that the tourism industry in Northern Luzon was more in demand compared to now. With the constant promo fares and discounted deals, people would rather fly than drive.
^play the video for inspiration π ^
I am from Pangasinan and I can say that my beloved province has a number of tourist attractions. Although some are not yet highly-promoted, I do believe that the towns of ALAMINOS and BOLINAO tops the list.
In late 2010, I together with nine other travel blogger friends embarked on a weekend trip to West Pangasinan. Our Saturday is devoted for Alaminos, while we were blessed to spend a happy Sunday in Bolinao. More than half of the group had regular jobs then so we really need to squeeze everything for the weekend.
Let me share our simple itinerary for the Alaminos – Bolinao trip:
ALAMINOS (SATURDAY)
7AM – Arrival to Alaminos
Half of the group took a van from Dagupan to Alaminos (1hr) while those who need to attend work on Friday left Manila at around 1AM or later. Not sure LOL.
7:30AM – Hotel Check-in
For our Alaminos leg, we stayed in Islandia HotelΒ (check rates). We were given two rooms (for the boys and girls) and rested for a while.
8AM – Breakfast
Since we’re in Alaminos, it is a must that we try the Alaminos Longganisa. Some ordered the Boneless Bangus. It is fun to eat breakfast with a big group who are torn between eating and watching TV. Hehe.
We were also given a short tour around the hotel. Photos of Ms. Earth candidates are all over the place. Even the room names are influenced by the participating countries!
10AM – En Route to Hundred Islands Nature Park
The group was divided to three groups for a 20-minute tricycle ride to Brgy. Lucap, where the Hundred Islands Nature Park is located. We met up with Mr. Rey Livara, the tourism officer of Alaminos City whom we contacted prior to the trip. That time, he saw him helping out his staff for the Christmas decoration. He is one friendly guy with good sense of humor.
We bought packed lunch before we proceeded with the tour. There are hundred of islands seen, but you cannot really stay in all of these islands. We managed to visit the following:Β Governor’s Island (where the view deck and the PBB House is located), Virgin Island (you need to do a walkathon to reach this one), Shell Island (my favorite) and Quezon Island, the most populated Island hehe. We ate our late lunch there and at the same time had an on-the-spot Kayaking lessons.
So after the sudden Kayaking lessons, we were then divided into four and we kayak-ed (is there such term? but you get my point, right? hehe) our way to the Imelda Cave, where we did some snorkeling and some even jumped to take a splunge. Too bad we didn’t bring our cameras with us. We also went to the spot where the giant clams are located.
We went back to Quezon Island at 5:15PM, just in time for sunset! After a series of photo-ops, we went back to our boat for a trip back to Brgy. Lucap.
7PM – Back to the Hotel
– Change clothes and freshen up!
8PM – Dinner at Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant
– We’re all happy to be invited by Island Tropic Hotel & Restaurant! They prepared some meals for us and my favorite is the Squid π Mr. Rey Livara also shared more details about Alaminos City and how they’re planning to attract more tourists to go visit. It’s nice to know that in Alaminos, almost all hotels, restaurants, travel agencies etc help each other in terms of promoting the tourism sector.
9PM – Back to Islandia Hotel
Tired from the physical activities, majority went straight to their beds and slept in a snap. Too Tired!
ΓΒ BOLINAO (SUNDAY)
6:30 AM – Wake up! Wake up!
7:15 AM- Bus to Bolinao
– We took a mini-bus to Bolinao. For almost 45 minutes, we enjoyed the scenery!
8AM – Assembly at St. James Catholic Church
– A visit to one of the oldest church in the Philippines
8:30 AM- Breakfast
– Went to Bolinao Public Market and ate our late breakfast there. Loved the Lomi in Adora’s! We also bought Binunguey for dessert and baon.
9:30 ΓΒ AM – To Bolinao Falls
– Enchanted with the beauty of Bolinao Falls!
11:00 AM – To Puerto del Sol
– Puerto del Sol (check discounted rates)Β is the most popular resort in Bolinao and to be honest, I consider it as one of the best resorts I’ve been to here in the Philippines.
12PM Lunch and Resort Tour
– We ate our lunch at La Playa and did a little tour around the resort.
2:30PM – Tour to Bolinao’s Tourist Spots
There are more places to go to in Bolinao and I will update this part later π
6PM- Back to Puerto del Sol
– Since most of us wanted to swim some more, we decided to jump to the pool and have more fun! From jokes to intimate talks that was cut short when they mentioned that dinner is ready!
7:30PM – Dinner
– Thanks to La Playa for allowing us to have an outdoor dinner! Aside from the romantic feel (ka-date mo siyam na tao LOL), it is also a perfect way to celebrate Josh’s 23rd birthday!
9PM – Cocktails and Jacuzzi
Cocktails by the pool and jacuzzi bonding moment after. Love it!
1AM- Bound to Manila
– Those who didn’t file their leave at work needed to go back to Manila via Victory Liner Bolinao that drops passengers at Dau, Cubao and Pasay.
OPTIONAL: If you’re free on Friday or Monday, you can also do a Dagupan-Calasiao-Lingayen tour. Check the following posts for more information.
Day 1: Dagupan, Calasiao and Lingayen
So there you have it! If you want to take a roadtrip, please consider PANGASINAN! Have Fun in FUNgasinan!
~0~
This is my contribution to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for January 2012 with the theme Γ’β¬ΕThe 3 Days/ 2 Nights Challenge Γ’β¬Β compiled by Eileen Campos of Possibly Pinay.
Hopefully, we will have our family reunion in Alaminos-Bolinao on May… Nice IT π
Sakto! pala ang post ko hehe π Have fun in Pangasinan! Balikbayan mode ito π
yep! sna matuloy @.@ shame on me dpa ako matuloy-tuloy jan =))
I agree that I would rather fly than to endure long bus travels… that why, I haven’t really explored northern luzon that much… I’ve been to Pangasinan only once, when i was younger. We made a stop over in Manaoag Church on our way to Sta. Lucia Ilocos Sur. That’s the only memory i have of Pangsinan. Soon, I would like to do a trip to hundred islands and fulfill another dream of seeing it, and not just on textbooks. Hehehe!!! thanks for sharing this well-detailed itinerary… well, who else can know it better than someone from Pangasinan… I’ll definitely have FUN in Fungasinan! ^_^ Thanks Mica!
Thanks din Mervz! Don’t worry, you’re not alone hehe ako rin ngayon mas gusto ko mag-fly instead of taking the long bus rides. It took 23 years before I tried the Hundred Islands tour hehe pero never too late, ika nga. Hope to see you in Pangasinan soon!
sisingit lang ako, perness, 27 na ako and ni minsan di pa ako nakakayapak sa bahay ni emilio aguinaldo when im a kabitenya trhough and through ilang generations down na!
anyhoobaloo, thanks mica for joining my blog carnival! been looking for patar posts na medyo detailed with other things to do in the area. irerefer ko sana sa friend ko kaso umalis na yung visiting friend nya na gusto magbeach
Thanks din Eileen for including my entry! Punta na ng Bolinao soon hehe π Hindi ko pa rin napupuntahan yung kay Emilio Aguinaldo. Samahan kita one of these days? π
Very detailed IT, Mica. Will definitely save it as I haven’t explored Pangasinan much. Our office had an R&R in Hundred Islands once but I got left behind haha. I guess it’s time to go solo there!
Go Go Go! Ako naman never pa nakapunta ng Puerto Galera hehe π
First trip with fellow travel bloggers. Got fond memories of these 3 days in Pangasinan.
Thanks Marky for accepting my invitation that time. First time mo pala to go out of town with travel bloggers hehe π
ganda ng itinerary napaka schedule friendly at mukhang ang saya dito, gano po ba sya kalayo from manila?
4-5 hours ang Manila to Bolinao π
Hi there.. Was planning to go to pangasinan soon.. May i ask if you have some contacts to refer for the trip to hundred islands or hotels you’ve checked in? Thanks
one more place in the Philippines that I have to go to. Been long wanring to visit hundred islands:)
Hi! The itinerary is great! We’d like to visit Pangasinan this coming weekend. Can you give us more details on your budget?
Hi. May tour ba kayo ulit this coming holy week? I want to join kasi. Kaso solo backpacker ako.
Gusto ko maranasan din ung mga ganyan kaso di ko alm kung paano kasi solo lang din me.. Wala me nakakasama sa mga ganyan lakaran..how i wish someday maexperience ko nmn yung ganyan π
akalain mo un Mica. Sayo pala tong blog na to. hahaha.. sbi na eh pamilyar Senyoritamyx :)) More power to you Mica π
the itinerary was great.. want to visit Bolinao with my Hubby this october how much is the estimated budget? thanks thanks..
It depends on where you’re planning to stay, but if on a strict budget, I guess Php 2,000-3,000 is safe π
hi for bolinao tour on your own kayo? any contact person/#? ty
How did you contact Mr. Livara po? We’re planning to go to 100 islands po next week. Sya din po ba naging toue guide nyu? How much po yung nagastos nyu for this tour alone?
Hi, Dyan here I wonder if you have any contact numbers of a tour guide in Alaminos and Bolinao. Thanks, will be a great help.
Will go to Alaminos after my shift… Hopefully i could go to hundred island and bolinao falls in 3d2n.