The Pinay Solo Backpacker

I’m so used to the heat of the sun, I’ve accepted the fact that it’ll be hard for me to regain my original skin tone, unless I get sessions for glutathione injections. So I didn’t mind the heat as I was shooting the welcome sign, but I did mind the foreigner whom we nicknamed Mr.Kenny Rogers suddenly blocked my sight.  He  extended his hands to me and requested to have his photo taken.  “I have to go, I’m with my friends“,  I smiled and walked away after clicking the shutter.  But alas, he saw  them and called everyone beautiful and asked again that we take his photo!

It’s not surprising at all that you see foreigners & tourists travel in the province of  Pangasinan, it’s because of the famed tourist spot featured in our sibika at kultura books back in our elementary days, the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City!  I remember when we were in Batad last summer, the solo backpacker from Korea who joined us asked the European backpacker we met along the way about the best beaches in Luzon that he should go to, and the latter suggested the Hundred Islands.

In 2008, the Hundred Islands National Park appeared on the cover of the book entitled  501 Must-Visit Islands published in the United Kingdom. In the same year, the book Birdwatching in the Philippines was launched at the World Travel Mart in Great Britain which included the Hundred Island National Park as one of the 13 best bird watching sites in the Philippines.  Another honor that Filipinos must be proud of.

Mr. Reynaldo Livara Jr. is the 1st tour guide accredited by the Department of  Tourism in Alaminos and that day, we are privileged to travel with him.  He was wearing a white shirt shouting: “Proud to be Alaminon” as he sat in front of our boat.  I’m hearing shutter clicks everywhere as our boat passed by rock formations floating on the sea covered by trees with full crown leaves.  Although there’s 123 islets in Hundred Islands, only a few can be visited.  Our boat docked on an island  named the Governor’s Island.

My bare foot touched the white sands for the first time, then I wiggled my foot on the clear warm water, sat on the sands & clicked the shutter aimed at the rock formation which seems to be an ordinary sight in this tourist spot.  I turned around but everyone’s gone as they are already trekking the stairs towards the deck view.  This is the most photographed part of the Governor’s Island, we were looking at what appears to be floating lush green forests on huge rocks dotted on the sea.

Mr. Livara must have regretted pointing at the Virgin island and saying one could walk there from the main island because everyone agreed that we should!  The sand under the water is  white & fine but the dead corals and some rocks makes it hard for us to walk in barefoot, thus, footwear is a must.

After that, we got off at the less crowded island called Shell Island. The coast is hugging the islands and an opening separating the rock formations making it possible for the sea to create a shallow lagoon-like escape.  Some locals are fishing in the area using a bamboo strewn with nets and styrofoams attached on each end which is left floating at the sea until the fishes are trapped on it. It’s been said that before, illegal fishing was widely practiced here reason why some corals are dead & scattered all over the island, smashed to fragments by dynamite fishing.  It’s a good thing that the government of Alaminos City has implemented programs and projects to conserve, protect and use the resources in the most effective but sustainable ways to achieve growth and progress.

From Quezon Island, we kayak to Marcos Island.  I sat on the dock’s edge dangling my legs over as I balance the cockpit’s edge with my feet.  Swung one foot then quickly the other into the center of the cockpit as I crouched down quickly.  Each paddle stroke is a pull with the down stroke while the upward arm pushes the paddle shaft away from me. Paddling seems rhythmic – it  feels like an extension of  my upper body and it flows smoothly when I’m not so conscious about it.

We reached Marcos Island and we headed directly to the enchanting cave instead of going to the beach front. I wish I have a waterproof camera so I would’ve taken a photo of the beautiful cave withe the sun rays passing through its opening on top. Though I didn’t see any single fish inside the cove, it’s clear turquoise water was enough to entice me to take a dip!  One can also climb the cave, cliff dive or head towards the white sand beach adjacent to the cove to picnic.

We ended the island hopping at Quezon Island watching the sunset and kids frolicking in the waters.  Last May, I’ve planned on traveling to Pangasinan, particularly the Hundred Islands National Park but I know it’s not one of those tourist destination that I can travel alone.  This place is indeed better enjoyed in groups! And I’m glad that I’m with fellow bloggers : Mica, Anton,Ada, Marky, Darwin, Roby & Josh that day.  I  figured not all sunsets looks gloomy when shared with friends, like not all heat of the sun hurts when you’re enjoying the beach with friends at the Hundred Islands!

*Hundred Islands National Park*

Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City Pangasinan

Tel.No. (075)551-2505/552-7406

http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph

Special thanks to :

Alaminos City Local Tourism esp. Mr. Rey Livara Jr.
Mica and Anton, we greatly appreciate your efforts. Thank you!

*Island Hotel is our home in Alaminos City , Pangasinan!  A hundred reasons to stay!*

Barangay Palamis, Alaminos City
Province of Pangasinan, 2404 Philippines
Landlines:  +63-75-551-3683 / +1-718-255-5894

Mobile:  +63-916-334-7868

Email:  info[at]islandiahotelph.com or islandiahotel_corp[at]yahoo.com

website: http://www.islandiahotelph.com/

*Experience Filipino Dining at Island Tropic Restaurant!*

*********************************************************************************************** About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life.  Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com. **********************************************************************************************

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