I have never been to Hundred Islands and though I heard about it from some friends, never did I put it on my to-go list, but after browsing blogs and seeing amazing pictures of the place, I changed my mind and decided for it to be my first summer getaway. With two of girl pals (Cath and Rhea) and Dy, we waited at the bus terminal of Victory liner Cubao where we bought tickets for the last trip to Alaminos. We left Cubao at 10:50pm and set our bodies to the best sleeping/sitting position for the 5-6hours drive.
We arrived in Alaminos by 530am, got into our tricycles and straight to our resort at Island Tropic. I found the place thru Yahoo, the room was decent and very clean, and there were 3 double deck beds, for a total capacity of 6 persons per room. We got the island tour package for Php1,500 inclusive of full board meal and am/pm snacks, own boat, entrance fee to the islands, and one night accommodation, not bad at all. For the second night we only paid for the room of Php2,000 inclusive of breakfast. For me, the place is the perfect accommodation for anyone who would like to visit Hundred Islands.
We tried to sleep some few minutes but we couldn’t get any more power nap in our system, so after coffee and more chitchats, we changed to our island hopping outfit and off we went for a day at Hundred Islands.
We first went to Governors Island, another hundreds that we saw are jellyfish, the locals told us it’s that time of the year again. Our tour guide (2 boys) told us we have to climb the cliff…time to do cardio while on vacation by climbing 123 steps to reach the perfect view of the famous scattered islands. The huffing and the puffing to get to that spot was worth it, but the place was too small, not advisable for a big crowd at the same time.
- Jellyfish!
view from the top
After clicking our cameras away, we went around to see another “hundreds” … of bats! one island is called Bat Island, where you can spot the bats on the trees….yay! We told our boatman to bring us to another island where we can stay and if possible there are no other tourists.
Right across the Children’s Island is the small Scouts island. Surprised by the white sand, the crystal clear water…I couldn’t believe that I ignored Hundred Islands for so many years! Except for few dead jellyfish, the place was perfect. I loved it there. We decided to stay until after lunch.
The packed snacks/lunch for us was a feast. For morning snacks, we had suman and puto, and for lunch…my favorite Pinakbet (Ilocano style! Loveee ‘et!) with famous Alaminos longanisa on top and two big grilled boneless milkfish. I gained 5lbs already just the thought of it.
enjoying the sun and sand of Old Scout’s Island
It was time to explore another tourist-less island. We passed by the crowded Quezon and right across we saw an empty place and decided to stay there for a little bit of sun and more swimming. This time we all enjoyed snorkelling, too bad, we all forgot to bring one, so we borrowed the one from the boatman’s kid and we alternate on using the kid’s abused goggles. I can advise that people should bring their own snorkelling gear.
one of the 123 islands in Hundred Islands
- the boatman’s kid
We went back to our resort few hours after lunch. Showered and decided to take a nap. Market trip that afternoon to check out the famous mouth watering Alaminos longanisa and bangus (milkfish) Dagupan. We decided that we would buy our pasalubongs the next day so it will not stink in our room.
Back in the resort for dinner, though I can’t remember what we ate, the quantity and the quality is just superb! The owner even gave us fresh tuna that they served as sashimi complete with wasabi and soy *yum* and tales of the Hundred Islands, where the resort owner revealed that “actually, it’s 123 Islands” Dinner while we watch cable tv, the place was quiet, the waiters are helpful, the owner and his family are friendly and one thing I couldn’t forget was…I was full. Amen for good food!
Full and not up for sleeping yet, the girls together with Dy and I went for a night stroll in their town plaza where they celebrated a local holiday (sorry I wasn’t able to get what was the celebration about) but there was live band, food stalls and tiangge (shopping stalls for souvenirs). After going around, we felt hot and sticky already, we remembered the vodka that we bought earlier, we thought ice, vodka, humid night…perfect!
The waiters of Island Tropic, were kind enough to give us freebies! (a bucket of ice and usage of their glasses). The Bar, salty chips and watching Hating Kapatid…it was a laid back night or to sum it up, a gimmick for 30-something people. Our happy hour ended up as soon as I start yawning. We went to bed and snooze until we fell into a deep sleep…except for Cathy who is so scared of our room thinking there were ghosts.
The next day, Alaminos is bright and shiny and happy to greet the tourist! It was a perfect day for another beach trip. We had our mouth watering breakfast of Alaminos Longanisa, fried rice and fried boneless milkfish, it was again, yummy….
At 9 in the morning we were all set to travel for one hour to Bolinao where we decided to spend our last day. We went to town by tricycle and as per direction of the helpful waiters we got into the van going to Bolinao. For Php55 per person and an hour travel, no traffic, we reached Bolinao town in no time! We got off the old Bolinao Church, but we didn’t go inside to respect church goers, as we were all in beach outfits. We arranged another tricycle ride going to Patar Beach and the old Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. This is going to be my second time to visit Bolinao, previous company outing was the first one.
After almost an hour of bumpy ride, we got off our 3 wheeled service and ask Manong driver to wait for us. For the ride, he was asking for Php500 for the whole trip, beach, lighthouse and caving, but the haggler in me acted out and we got him for Php400 (since we are 4 I think it was just fair, Php100 each).
Patar beach is beautiful, it was worth the trip. There were huts for rent and stores where you can buy food and ice. The sand was clean and creamy, though when you get to the water, its a bit rocky.
- under the shade in Patar Beach
- the beautiful Patar beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan
We stayed there until 2 in the afternoon and went to lighthouse and another stop over at enchanted caves (where hundreds of Koreans are dipping and we decided to skip the cold dip. Finally we found our way back to Alaminos, where we bought our pasalubongs before heading back to our resort.
Anyways, Cath’s daughter was scheduled for a pictorial on her ballet recital so we decided to go home early than the original plan. We took a nap after dinner and 30 minutes before midnight, we were on our way to bus terminal waiting for the 12:30 first trip, but then a bus pass by so we went ahead to save time.
Bolinao old Lighthouse
By 5:30 am we were strolling on the busy streets of Cubao. Cath waited for her husband to pick her up, while Rhea went to ride her bus going to Sta. Cruz Laguna and Dy took me home to Pacita.
All in all it was a pretty great vacation, cause we were able to enjoy the sun and the beach of Pangasinan and by Sunday, we were already with our families and still have time to rest before we go back to being a corporate slave the next day.
For information of where we stayed and package tour : http://www.islandtropichotel.com/
Expenses:
1. Cubao-Alaminos (Victory Liner) – Php370 (one way)
2. From Alaminos bus terminal to resort via tricycle Php100 per person
3. Island Tropic Resort – Php1,500 (Island package tour)
-inclusive of overnight accomodation for 4/full board meal (1 day)/ entrance fee / boat service
4. Alaminos – Bolinao via shuttle van Php55 per person
5. Bolinao town – Patar Beach/Cape Bolinao lighthouse service (roundtrip) Php100 per person
6. Bolinao town – Alaminos town via bus (cause we missed the van) Php65 per person
7. Alaminos – Cubao Php350 each
Total: P1,415
liveloveandtravel 
Wow.. The place is very nice. I will add this one to places that I wish to go. 🙂
I hope we can visit this someday.
you should Ave, it’s a long road trip, but worth it!
why 123?
Because according to the locals, there are 123 islands, not just 100 as others call it.