Bolinao, Pangasinan: The Tricycle Driver’s Itinerary
This was actually my first time to travel without even knowing every single detail of the place I’m visiting. No friend-turned-tourguide, no friend’s house to stay at (I don’t know someone who lives here, really).
Okay. Everything started when I browsed the internet. “Bolinao, Pangasinan”, I typed in the search engine. As I scanned, there were ample of good beach resorts appeared. Then I asked my friend, who’s living in Pangasinan, for suggestions. Apparently she has been in Bolinao, and she excitedly recommended Puerto Del Sol (happened to be the most popular, and the most expensive too). I visited its website, and it was love at first sight. The place was…divine.
We decided to have three-days-two-nights vacation, and where else to go, google? My vague research said there are caves and falls along Bolinao where aliens like us can visit and do picture-taking. Cape Bolinao is on the list, too.
The target mainly was to go to Puerto Del Sol, however, check in time is at 2:00 pm, and we planned to leave Manila at around 10:00 am. The ride is approximately 6 to 7 hours, ergo we cannot make it at 2! We had no choice but to spend our first night somewhere else. Luckily I discovered Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages, offering the cheapest accommodation but the best beachfront in town, ever-reliable google said.
Okay. Everything started when I browsed the internet. “Bolinao, Pangasinan”, I typed in the search engine. As I scanned, there were ample of good beach resorts appeared. Then I asked my friend, who’s living in Pangasinan, for suggestions. Apparently she has been in Bolinao, and she excitedly recommended Puerto Del Sol (happened to be the most popular, and the most expensive too). I visited its website, and it was love at first sight. The place was…divine.
We decided to have three-days-two-nights vacation, and where else to go, google? My vague research said there are caves and falls along Bolinao where aliens like us can visit and do picture-taking. Cape Bolinao is on the list, too.
The target mainly was to go to Puerto Del Sol, however, check in time is at 2:00 pm, and we planned to leave Manila at around 10:00 am. The ride is approximately 6 to 7 hours, ergo we cannot make it at 2! We had no choice but to spend our first night somewhere else. Luckily I discovered Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages, offering the cheapest accommodation but the best beachfront in town, ever-reliable google said.
Here are some of our epic experiences in this adventure. (Skip if you don't want to be discouraged. :p)
1. It was raining, and we were not sure whether to take the bus in Cubao or Pasay terminal. After few minutes of brainstorming, we decided to go to Cubao.
2. We arrived in Victory Liner Cubao terminal, thoroughly drenched. Bus going to Bolinao was scheduled to leave at 3:00 pm, and it was just 11:00 am! We don’t want to waste our time waiting there. Good thing there was a bus going to Alaminos, and the bus conductor said we can take this option, and just take another bus ride from Alaminos going to Bolinao. Sounds better than waiting!
3. Touchdown: Alaminos! The kind-hearted conductor again suggested we take a non-aircon bus going to Bolinao. Okay. As if we had a choice. Hello, bad hair day.
4. Tenacious tricycle drivers, offering us a ride. I asked one of them, “Magkano po hanggang Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages? Alam nyo po ba ‘yun?” He answered, “O sige, 250.00 pesos na lang.” Again, we’ve left with no choices at all.
5. The road was…horrible. Such a rocky road, in every sense of the word. Gosh. We’re dead tired. Almost 6-hour bus ride from Manila to Alaminos, 1-hour non-aircon bus ride from Alaminos to Bolinao, and another 45-minute tricycle ride on a not-so-smooth, super duper rough rather, road from Bolinao terminal to Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages. Wow. “Ginusto ko ‘to, ginusto ko ‘to, ginusto ko ‘to.” Sigh.
6. 7:30 pm. Finally, we’ve reached our destination, and my hope was shattered into pieces. There. Was. No. Electricity. And. There. Was. No. Signal.
I just wanted to end that day.
1. It was raining, and we were not sure whether to take the bus in Cubao or Pasay terminal. After few minutes of brainstorming, we decided to go to Cubao.
2. We arrived in Victory Liner Cubao terminal, thoroughly drenched. Bus going to Bolinao was scheduled to leave at 3:00 pm, and it was just 11:00 am! We don’t want to waste our time waiting there. Good thing there was a bus going to Alaminos, and the bus conductor said we can take this option, and just take another bus ride from Alaminos going to Bolinao. Sounds better than waiting!
3. Touchdown: Alaminos! The kind-hearted conductor again suggested we take a non-aircon bus going to Bolinao. Okay. As if we had a choice. Hello, bad hair day.
4. Tenacious tricycle drivers, offering us a ride. I asked one of them, “Magkano po hanggang Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages? Alam nyo po ba ‘yun?” He answered, “O sige, 250.00 pesos na lang.” Again, we’ve left with no choices at all.
5. The road was…horrible. Such a rocky road, in every sense of the word. Gosh. We’re dead tired. Almost 6-hour bus ride from Manila to Alaminos, 1-hour non-aircon bus ride from Alaminos to Bolinao, and another 45-minute tricycle ride on a not-so-smooth, super duper rough rather, road from Bolinao terminal to Benjie’s Kubo and Cottages. Wow. “Ginusto ko ‘to, ginusto ko ‘to, ginusto ko ‘to.” Sigh.
6. 7:30 pm. Finally, we’ve reached our destination, and my hope was shattered into pieces. There. Was. No. Electricity. And. There. Was. No. Signal.
I just wanted to end that day.
It was another day, indeed. Woke up at around 7:00 am, wishing that day would be a lot better than yesterday. I think my prayer was answered!
Wow. I was mesmerized by the beach, really. I've never seen a white sand beach with strong, enormous waves! The weather was perfect, the beach was perfect. Everything was perfect. (I hoped.)
Wow. I was mesmerized by the beach, really. I've never seen a white sand beach with strong, enormous waves! The weather was perfect, the beach was perfect. Everything was perfect. (I hoped.)
The driver from yesterday came back to pick us up. He was nice, really. He offered to tour us around the place. It costs 1,500.00. Quite expensive, but we didn't know where to go, and he was nice, really nice, so... here’s his itinerary.
First Stop: Cape Bolinao
Cape Bolinao, is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines (first is Cape Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte). It is also popularly known as Bolinao Lighthouse.
Cape Bolinao, is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines (first is Cape Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte). It is also popularly known as Bolinao Lighthouse.
Second Stop: Enchanted Cave
There are lots of caves you can visit in Bolinao. Among them are Cindy’s Cave, Wonderful Cave, and Enchanted Cave. We decided to visit one of them, and we chose the Enchanted Cave. Why? It was suggested by our tour guide, the tricycle driver himself. The most beautiful among the three, according to him.
There are lots of caves you can visit in Bolinao. Among them are Cindy’s Cave, Wonderful Cave, and Enchanted Cave. We decided to visit one of them, and we chose the Enchanted Cave. Why? It was suggested by our tour guide, the tricycle driver himself. The most beautiful among the three, according to him.
We didn’t dare to swim in the underground pool in the cave. Rocks looked sharp and we planned to accomplish the entire tour before 2:00 pm.
Third Stop: Rock Garden Resort
For only 10.00 pesos, we had access to this unique beach resort in Bolinao. It has mini-zoo with various animals and exotic birds. Quite an attraction for those who love wildlife, but definitely a no-no for beach bummers.
For only 10.00 pesos, we had access to this unique beach resort in Bolinao. It has mini-zoo with various animals and exotic birds. Quite an attraction for those who love wildlife, but definitely a no-no for beach bummers.
Fourth Stop: St. James the Great Parish
Said to be the tallest church in Pangasinan if not in the entire Northern Luzon. Its history said an earthquake toppled it into half and some of its parts were accidentally burned.
Said to be the tallest church in Pangasinan if not in the entire Northern Luzon. Its history said an earthquake toppled it into half and some of its parts were accidentally burned.
Fifth Stop: Fatima Hill
Few minutes away from St. James the Great Parish is the Fatima Hill, where a Grotto of Mama Mary is found. On top of the hill, a nice view of the seas surrounding the area and the large Santiago Island of Bolinao is waiting. It was indeed a picturesque view on top. Manong driver said that this place could have been a lot more beautiful if the local government would allot some money for its maintenance.
Few minutes away from St. James the Great Parish is the Fatima Hill, where a Grotto of Mama Mary is found. On top of the hill, a nice view of the seas surrounding the area and the large Santiago Island of Bolinao is waiting. It was indeed a picturesque view on top. Manong driver said that this place could have been a lot more beautiful if the local government would allot some money for its maintenance.
Sixth Stop: Puerto Del Sol
Checked in at 2:00 pm! We were welcomed with refreshing drinks and handmade necklace in the front desk (I'm impressed!). Staffs were definitely very warm and accommodating (another check!).
Checked in at 2:00 pm! We were welcomed with refreshing drinks and handmade necklace in the front desk (I'm impressed!). Staffs were definitely very warm and accommodating (another check!).
The place was simply perfect. Pictures just don't do it justice.
The resort has nipa huts, mansion villas, bahay kubos, casitas and family rooms, depending on the number of guests.
Ours was Mediterranean-style mansion villa surrounded by the garden with lovely vines hanging and flowers in bloom.
The cozy atmosphere of Cafe Del Sol restaurant makes their food more enticing. The yellow wall is adorned with China wares mingled with wooden boat paddles, and the ceiling is decorated with blue and yellow sheets.
The ambiance, the rooms, the pool, the jacuzzi, the beach, the food, everything is a reason to go back. <3
We were picked up again by our tricycle-driver-turned-tourguide the other day, end drove us safely to Bolinao bus terminal. Thank you very much, manong driver for your itinerary, and for being nice, really nice!
Conclusion: Whether this escapade is a failure or a success, it doesn’t matter! It was horrible going to Bolinao, but it was all worth it. Most importantly, we survived! :)