I could barely remember the last time I went to Pangasinan. I was still a kid back then and we went there to attend a wedding ceremony.
As we plan on going to Pangasinan, the first thing that came up on my mind is the Hundred Islands.
Hundred Islands is one of the popular tourist destination in the Philippines. The magnificent scenery of multiple little green slopes over the blue water will surely put you in awe.
We surf the internet for more information and a place to stay, A two days - one night Island Hopping Package offered at Tropic Island Hotel and Restaurant caught my eye. And so we took the package, then the next day, we go all the way to Pangasinan.
As we plan on going to Pangasinan, the first thing that came up on my mind is the Hundred Islands.
Hundred Islands is one of the popular tourist destination in the Philippines. The magnificent scenery of multiple little green slopes over the blue water will surely put you in awe.
We surf the internet for more information and a place to stay, A two days - one night Island Hopping Package offered at Tropic Island Hotel and Restaurant caught my eye. And so we took the package, then the next day, we go all the way to Pangasinan.
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| Hundred Islands |
We expected about 5 to 6 hours of travel time from Manila to Alaminos City in Pangasinan via public transportation. Buses from Victory Liner in Cubao going to Alaminos City leaves every hour. I'm not used to sleeping while on the road so I just kept myself busy looking at the window, watching DVD movies on board (even though I can't clearly hear its sound) and eating different snacks sold by vendors going up on our bus from time to time.
It's almost sunset when we reached the city of Alaminos. From the bus terminal, we rode a tricycle going to the Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant and reached it in less than 30 minutes.
Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant is situated in front of the port. With its clean rooms and delicious food, I'm sure our stay in Alaminos City would be nice and worry-free.
Our Island Hopping package includes a big room for two, dinner, breakfast, lunch, snacks, boat ride for the tour and entrance fees on the islands. This complete package saved us time buying and/or cooking our own food. We had these extra convinience for an extra cost though. A more affordable option is to look for trancient houses around the city.
The six hour travel that we had took a lot of energy from us so after putting our things up in our room, we went straight to the restaurant for our dinner.
It's almost sunset when we reached the city of Alaminos. From the bus terminal, we rode a tricycle going to the Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant and reached it in less than 30 minutes.
Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant is situated in front of the port. With its clean rooms and delicious food, I'm sure our stay in Alaminos City would be nice and worry-free.
Our Island Hopping package includes a big room for two, dinner, breakfast, lunch, snacks, boat ride for the tour and entrance fees on the islands. This complete package saved us time buying and/or cooking our own food. We had these extra convinience for an extra cost though. A more affordable option is to look for trancient houses around the city.
The six hour travel that we had took a lot of energy from us so after putting our things up in our room, we went straight to the restaurant for our dinner.
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| Our dinner! |
Our dinner is delicious! I'm not saying it just because I'm really starving, but it's really delicious, and the serving is too much for us.
There is nothing much to do around the place after dinner so we went out to look for something to do or somewhere we can go to. The place is very quiet. The blurry silhouette of the small islands can be seen from afar as the cold breeze from the sea blow by. As we walk along the road we saw a number of souvenir vendors still selling their goods in the middle of the night. We decided to buy our souvenirs from them then we spent the rest of the night in our room.
There is nothing much to do around the place after dinner so we went out to look for something to do or somewhere we can go to. The place is very quiet. The blurry silhouette of the small islands can be seen from afar as the cold breeze from the sea blow by. As we walk along the road we saw a number of souvenir vendors still selling their goods in the middle of the night. We decided to buy our souvenirs from them then we spent the rest of the night in our room.
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| Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant |
The next morning, we had our breakfast. I enjoyed eating the Alminos Longganisa along with a crispy dried fish and fried egg.
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| The breakfast |
Then after it, we prepared ourselves for our island hopping tour.
Good thing the weather at that time is fine. The calm blue sea is so flat as if it was a solid floor. We passed through several islands before we get to our first stop: the Governor's Island.
Upon setting foot on the island, we were warmly welcomed by a serene surroundings and friendly smiles from the vendors. A small store which sells some basic needs such as snacks, drinks, shampoo and soap is situated in the island. Huts are available for those who want to spend more time there and restrooms are also available in the area.
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| Governor's Island |
There is a stairway in this island which leads to the viewing deck. A full view of the majestic hundred islands can be seen on this deck. During peak season, a lot of tourist line up to take pictures in this area. Good thing, at that time, we were the only visitors on that island.
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| At the View Deck |
After some picture taking and sight-seeing on the island, we went to Romulo island. It is a small island with white sand and beautiful rock formations. We enjoyed taking pictures, swimming and exploring the island. Afterwards, we get on our boat and proceed to our tour.
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| The view from Romulo Island |
As we continue our island hopping, we passed through several islands of different sizes and shapes. The boatman pointed a certain island shaped like a turtle and another one which looks like a crocodile.
From our boat, we saw a particular island which obviously is damaged. The boatman told us that it was damaged due to the earthquake that struck the area two years ago.
From our boat, we saw a particular island which obviously is damaged. The boatman told us that it was damaged due to the earthquake that struck the area two years ago.
We also passed by Marcos Island. We were supposed to stay there for awhile but the waves got higher as the wind got stronger. We also saw the cave on that island named Imelda cave. It is dangerous for us at that time to sail into the cave because of the high waves. Sadly, I missed the chance to jump off from the opening above down to the sea water inside the cave. That's one thing I want to do if ever I got a chance to go back there again.
The next island that we went into is the Quezon Island. One of the developed islands among the group, Quezon Island has two pavilions to where you can have your lunch. Restrooms are also available on that island. At that time, the island is being renovated. A statue of the former president Manuel L. Quezon is being repaired, and other walkways and bridges are under construction.
The next island that we went into is the Quezon Island. One of the developed islands among the group, Quezon Island has two pavilions to where you can have your lunch. Restrooms are also available on that island. At that time, the island is being renovated. A statue of the former president Manuel L. Quezon is being repaired, and other walkways and bridges are under construction.
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| At Quezon Island |
At noon, we had our lunch in one of the pavilions on the island. Again, the serving is too much for us. So we gave some to the vendors that we've talked to on that island.
After lunch, we roam around the island. We saw visitors enjoying the view of different islands from afar, sunbathing along the white sand and swimming with their families and friends. We also saw giant clams in a certain area to where swimming is prohibited.
We spent the next few minutes swimming before we decided to go to our next destination.
After lunch, we roam around the island. We saw visitors enjoying the view of different islands from afar, sunbathing along the white sand and swimming with their families and friends. We also saw giant clams in a certain area to where swimming is prohibited.
We spent the next few minutes swimming before we decided to go to our next destination.
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| The Giant Clams |
Cuenco island differs from the other islands that we've been during the tour. It has this large tunnel which leads to the other side of the island. Unfortunately, we did not reach the other side of the tunnel. The path was covered and we noticed a number of people were busy doing something behind the walls.
We went back to our boat and told what we saw to our boatman. An advocate against treasure hunting in Alaminos, our boatman immediately reported the incident via text messages to the authorities. Mining and treasure hunting on Hundred Islands is strictly prohibited.
It got me thinking, how did they managed to set up a wall on that tunnel and if ever the authorities knew that incident, will they do something about it?
We went back to our boat and told what we saw to our boatman. An advocate against treasure hunting in Alaminos, our boatman immediately reported the incident via text messages to the authorities. Mining and treasure hunting on Hundred Islands is strictly prohibited.
It got me thinking, how did they managed to set up a wall on that tunnel and if ever the authorities knew that incident, will they do something about it?
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| Cuenco Tunnel |
Children's Island as what the locals called it, is the next island on our itinerary. Its shallow water level makes it child-friendly. Like Quezon and Governor's Islands, Children's island has cottages and restrooms.
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| Children's Island |
Before going back to Island Tropic, we sailed around other islands in the area. There was this island were plenty of bats are nesting in and another one where rock formation looks like the ones in Coron and El Nido.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the hotel. We took a short rest then we prepared for a six-hour travel going back home.
Island Hopping on Hundred Islands is surely an exciting thing to do in a span of two days. I enjoyed the sight-seeing on different islands and the food that we ate. Swimming on every beaches on the island is fun although I suggest you to wear slippers because a lot of sharp rocks and corals can be found beneath. It was truly disappointing that I never experienced snorkeling in the area where corals are abundant and jumping off the hole in the Imelda Cave. But then, this trip is something that I will never forget.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the hotel. We took a short rest then we prepared for a six-hour travel going back home.
Island Hopping on Hundred Islands is surely an exciting thing to do in a span of two days. I enjoyed the sight-seeing on different islands and the food that we ate. Swimming on every beaches on the island is fun although I suggest you to wear slippers because a lot of sharp rocks and corals can be found beneath. It was truly disappointing that I never experienced snorkeling in the area where corals are abundant and jumping off the hole in the Imelda Cave. But then, this trip is something that I will never forget.
You can visit the official website of Island Tropic Hotel through this link: www.islandtropichotel.com and you can call them at telephone number +63 75 696 9405.
Killed Bills
100.00 - Native Ponkan (4 pieces)
393.00 - Bus fare from Cubao to Alaminos City
35.00 - Hotdog on Stick
10.00 - Pinipig
40.00 - Tricycle fare from Alaminos Bus Terminal to Island Tropic Hotel (80 for 2)
3000.00 - Island Tropic Hotel Island Hopping Package (6000 for 2)
140.00 - Souvenir Shirt
40.00 - Tricycle fare from Island Tropic Hotel to Alaminos Bus Terminal
403.00 - Bus fare from Alaminos to Ortigas
Php 4161.00 - TOTAL
Killed Bills
100.00 - Native Ponkan (4 pieces)
393.00 - Bus fare from Cubao to Alaminos City
35.00 - Hotdog on Stick
10.00 - Pinipig
40.00 - Tricycle fare from Alaminos Bus Terminal to Island Tropic Hotel (80 for 2)
3000.00 - Island Tropic Hotel Island Hopping Package (6000 for 2)
140.00 - Souvenir Shirt
40.00 - Tricycle fare from Island Tropic Hotel to Alaminos Bus Terminal
403.00 - Bus fare from Alaminos to Ortigas
Php 4161.00 - TOTAL
wow.... its really cool <3
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