Refreshing Stopover at Pangasinan

Hundred Islands - the only attraction in Pangasinan that I had known. I was not fully aware that Pangasinan is a beautiful province with several beautiful attractions... until we had our stopover.

This is a late post. We went to Pangasinan in April 2014.

The original plan was to visit our relatives in Pangasinan and head to Baguio straight off. But due to my nephews' thirst for adventure,we visited two beautiful places. Before I forget, TPLEX (Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway) provides easier access to Region 1. Hence, we reached the place after a few hours. We were able to visit my cousin and his family.

The first spot we explored was Enchanted Cave located in Bolinao. There was a tourist guide who assisted us around the place and acted as our photographer too. Hihi! Enchanted Cave is a resort, I may say. There is a man-made pool and a man-made falls. Its main feature is the cave itself with natural spring in it. The tourist guide told us that water can be drunk in the morning, before tourists soak in, which never will I do. Hihi! Honestly, it is refreshing to dive in. It is amazing how clear the water is that make you see the corals at the bottom.

At the time, accommodations are still being put up. So, we stayed in a hotel.

Next morning was supposed to be a trip to Baguio. The adults (mama, papa, & Tito June) did not want to range over the place anymore. However, we passed by these huge vinyl wall letters forming "Hundred Islands". Oh dear! Who would not want to eye this spectacular tourist attraction of my homeland? No one, except the adults who could not endure the heat of the sun. Since we were not able to repress our excitement, we insisted.

We rented a big boat for 1,700 pesos. You can choose a small one for 1,000 pesos, but this kind of boat is a bit shaky and unsteady. There is more of a secured feel riding a bigger one. Each person has to pay environmental fee which I forgot how much.

Two islands were visited by us, but you can visit all the developed islands. We were just thinking of the adults who did not go ashore and stayed at the boat the whole adventure. Adults will always be adults. Haha!

After leaving Hundred Islands, we went to Jollibee to celebrate Kongkong's (my nephew) 5th birthday.

Next time I will visit Pangasinan, I will make sure to pass by Treasures of Bolinao.