Hop to Hundred Islands

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment - Hilaire Belloc

It’s a trip I’ve been waiting for a very long time, I went to Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan with my friends whom I’ve been with for the past 3 years of my life. It seems like it was only yesterday when I met these wonderful people and now, we are about to enter our 4th year. After a sem which is definitely full of hard work and sleepless nights we all deserve to take a deep breath, relax and celebrate!

We ate our packed lunch before we proceeded with the tour. I forgot how they call this place, if I'm not mistaken it's Lucap Wharf but however they call it, this is the place where boats for island hopping were anchored, I guess it's necessary to call this as their port.

 (L-R) Rosa, Bien, Barbie, Jeba, Ten (Me), Janine, Daryl

The Hundred Islands National Park is located in the Alaminos City, Province of Pangasinan. It is a good site for island hopping. Islands are scattered along Lingayen Gulf. Locals said that they are about two million years old and because of the lowering of the sea, they were exposed into a mushroom like form which has been caused by the ocean waves all these years. 

cathedral cave

We proceeded with the tour after eating our lunch. Our agenda for that day is to get sun stoked around Hundred Islands.You cannot stand by all of the islands; however, most of them are a good subject for your photograph souvenirs. Most of the islands are “rocky at the bottom part and plants vs. zombies on top”.  LOL.. Can't really find the exact words to say but that is how I can describe most of the islands in this popular national park in the Philippines.

There are three islands developed for tourist, these are Governor's Island, Quezon's Island and Children’s Island. Our first stop was in Governor's Island. This island is ideal for family and friends get together. This is also where you can find the Pinoy Big Brother's House that was used by Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu of PBB Teen Edition before. 

After some photo ops, we decided to visit other islands. Since it was summer time, expect flocks of families and groups of friends around the Hundred Islands National Park. That is also one of the reasons why we did not intend to go to Quezon Island and Children's Island instead we asked our boatman/tour guide to find an island where we could spend our afternoon for swimming and eating merienda with no one but us, that is OLD SCOUT ISLAND.

OUR SUPER FAIL TANNING EXPERIENCE :))))

The view from the island was fantastic, the water was so clear. After some time, we had to ride our boat back to the resort because it is already getting dark. But our boatman did a side trip to Imelda's Cave.

After the Hundred Islands experience, we went back to our shuttle and travel again going to Maekrisanne Garden Resort (Brgy. Ketagan, Bayambang  Pangasinan) where we are going to spend our night. It's owned by Rosa's family. They let us used the biggest cottage of the resort, The Antique House. I was really surprised when I asked for the renting fee of it per night. You could have it for 10,000 Pesos but we only paid 3,000 Pesos for electricity and "pakonswelo" :))) It's really big! good for 20 pax i think but we were only 10 that time, It has two air conditioned bedrooms, a veranda, a dining and kitchen area, a toilet and bath area, and a living room. This is not the only cottage that they got, if you're on a tight budget you could rent one of the rooms in their apartelle and the other one that I forgot the name. But if you are really craving for privacy and you do not mind spending that much then I guess The Antique House is perfect for you!

 The Apartelle

The Antique House

veranda

view of living room, dining and kitchen area, toilet and bath area

the boys' room

the girls' room

Night Swimming (Maekrisanne Garden Resort)

The following day, we had to leave Pangasinan, bound to Manila. 

At around 6 PM We stopped over at Angeles, Pampanga (Place of Rosa's aunt) for dinner.

What I really enjoyed in Hundred Islands National Park is the island hopping activity. It’s endless! We took the chance to set foot in most of the islands just to feel the spirit of the activity. It’s like hopping from one stone to another. Stones that were scattered long time ago, way before you did your first hop ever—with your own feet. 

So there you have it! If you want to take a roadtrip, consider PANGASINAN! Have Fun in FUNgasinan!