About Me

My photo
Braving the unknown. I wonder and I wander.

August 23, 2014

Bolinao Hidden Paradise


BOLINAO – never did I realize that I’ll meet you this soon!

By 7am, all of us are all ready to face the 4hr trip to Bolinao. Around 8am, we are already traversing NLEX, our first stop--tarlac to fetch Aris (the certified traveler). Then stop over at  Alaminos for some groceries.
The long ride from Manila to Bolinao was crazy-funny-loud-amazing! I’ve got wonderful people on board the van, and ‘coz of them, there’s never a dull moment. One hell of craziness!

We had a stopover somewhere in Pampanga, raided McDo for some chicken, fries and burger for our lunch while going to  Bolinao.
While travelling, I was amazed by the vast sugar-cane plantation at Hacienda Luisita.

WaterFalls!

Our Bolinao adventure start with visiting waterfalls,It was surprising then that Bolinao has not one, but two three waterfalls in its vicinity. The road en route to the falls is unpaved and quite rocky. We were lucky, we have our own van to visit the place.  The first one we visited was  named after the town.  and after some bumpy-rocky ride,  viola! Here we are!
We walked a few meters then we are greeted by this staircase.
Few more steps and tadaaa!

We deserved this photo’opt while on that stairs.hehe

Presenting, the TARA Falls of Bolinao!
Bolinao Falls’ basin is quite huge, spanning around 20 meters at its widest. The water is shallow around the perimeter but gets deep quickly as you start to wander towards its center. 
And its a must to have a group pic as Tara Falls your backdrop!

The rest of the guys visited the other falls which you can reach in about 15minutes walk.

Fast forward to stretching my legs and upon arriving at Rock Garden resort, all I remember was looking for some food as  my tummy is growling from hunger, fortunately we had the best dinner that time! Thanks to Crista, Aris, Aivan, Gerard, Monique, Xann and the rest who prepared our dinner.

I was so tired that night that I opted to sleep than to have some bottle of beer, the rest had some drinks, and as expected some get drunk and had their usual dramatic antics afterwards.hehe

GoodMorning Bolinao!

Around 7AM the next day, all of us are ready for a long day tour.  Our first stop is CAPE BOLINAO.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines after the Cape BojeadorLighthouse, which is in Ilocos Norte.

Built on top of the rocky hill Punta Piedra Point, the lighthouse overlooks the South China Sea. Also visible from the lighthouse are archeological sites where artifacts from the 14th to the 15th centuries have been uncovered, the 1,269 hectare Cape Bolinao Dendro Thermal Ipil-Ipil Plantation, vast white beaches, and coral reefs. Cape Bolinao Lighthouse was constructed in 1905 by American, British, and Filipino engineers to guide ships and boats plying Cape Bolinao in order to prevent sea disasters.

Almost a Pefect JumpShot

After Cape Bolinao, we headed to Patar white Beach, It is their Boracay of Bolinao. Though Im not sure of its color, but truly a nice place to bum with friends, and a perfect place to watch sunset.

After havin’ our late lunch at Patar Beach, we are now ready for our caving adventure, which for me would be the highlight of my Bolinao trip. There are three to four caves in Bolinao, we visited WONDERFUL CAVE.  The caretaker showed us around; we just walked past his house and headed straight to a short path going to the cave. There’s an entrance fee of P70/pax for walk’in guests, but we haggled it for P50 per head.hehe

A small hole leading down to the cave greeted us, You will take about 20 steps before you can dip into the ice cold water inside the cave.


When you enter the cave, you will be spellbound. You will definitely wonder about its formation. It is one of its kind caves that hold emerald green and fresh pool of water within its womb.

After a priceless journey, I told myself that truly traveling will never be that great without awesome people. And to quote Addie, this Bolinao trip and this group the FC19 is #AwesomeGreatAndPerfect!

Oopppps wait!


This guy deserve a super thank you! For all the Photos and for being equally crazy just like us, you will forever be sibling to FC19, after all we have the same 'Mother' ayt?

NOTES:
Aside from beaches and caves, One must try their -“Binungey” a rice cake delicacy made by steaming a bamboo segment which is filled with coconut milk and sticky rice.


Don’t leave Bolinao without visiting Saint James the Great Parish (Bolinao Cathedral) and offer some prayers, be thankful that God creations are so abundant in this province,and yes you are there to witnessed it!
PhotoCredit for this Cathedral Photo:  Great Sights Travel and Tours Corp.


Say What?
Say Hooray for these Amazing People!
looking forward for more travels!
#SoarHighFC19

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW TO GET THERE:


Via bus (from Cubao or Pasay)

There are 3 major bus line companies which cater passengers going to Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Victory Liner (Cubao Q.C. terminal)
FiveStar Bus Inc. (Pasay City terminal)
Dagupan Bus Line (Cubao Q.C. terminal).

They offer day and night trips and you can book on ordinary (nonair-con) or air-conditioned bus.
Fare cost: 
PHP 451.00 – 459.00 for air-conditioned bus
 PHP 300.00 – 350.00 for nonair-con bus (one-way trip).
Travel time: 5 to 6 hours and has three stops to Dau Terminal, Tarlac Terminal, and Alaminos terminal.

Upon arriving at Bolinao end station, ride a tricycle and ask them to bring you to your beach resort accommodation or penthouse where you wanted to stay.
Lemme just remind you, its a rocky road out there,so travel time from Bolinao terminal to resort or hotel accommodation is another 20 to 35 minutes via tricycle or car.

Via car or own transport (from Manila)

Take the SCTEX (Subic, Clark, and Tarlac Expressway) route and pass by Alaminos and Bani Pangasinan — this is the recommended route for first timers. It is very convenient to go to Bolinao if you have your own car.


 ****
Only did I realize that I made it to another part of the country on an impromptu trip.

Hey peeps! I think now is the time for you to experience its unspoiled beauty before exploiters invade it!  Go aja! 



2 comments:

  1. nice one sistah....very informative blog ha.....kabog ka dito....at salamat sa special mention....first time ko ata ma mention sa blog sa net....I just wished may talent ako sa paggawa ng ganito sa kabila ng sandamukal na byahe ko....hehehehe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oo nga sana mgBlog ka din bout ur traveLs, sa dami nung imm sure mas maraming ma iinspire to travel. iPush na natin ung Abra, or Kalinga kaya? tara! file na ng PTO :)

      Delete