Hundred Islands, one of the natural wonders that we Filipinos can be truly proud of, a place that I’ve only seen on post cards since I was a kid…a part of my grade school history homework-”magagandang tanawin” until I have personally encountered its averred wonder.

Hundred Islands National Park is located in Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos in the province of Pangasinan some 250kms. (4-5hours) from Manila. Covering an area of 1,844 hectares, the islands are believed to be some two million years old. According to certain folklore, the islands were tears of a primeval giant who lost his ladylove. Others tell of tall-tale of mermaids that once inhabited its seas.

This place has been on our list for some time now, and we had every reason to go there this past long weekend (Nov 1-4). We’re so glad to have visited this place for a number of reasons:

1. We’ve never featured a travel destination, North of Manila.
2. Because of the 4-day weekend, its unwise to spend it in our houses and sit all day.
3. Our friends Marie and Tan invited us, which makes also the trip easier on the pocket since we’re travelling as a group.
4. I’m itching to try my newly acquired Pentax K100D dSLR.

We started our trip at around 4am from Cubao, and we arrived at Alaminos, Pangasinan at around 9AM. Most of the hotels are located along the road leading to the wharf. Don’t expect a beach front room here because you won’t find any, travelers check-in to one of the hotels and rent a boat to spend your day island hopping, kayaking or snorkeling.

As soon as we arrived, we just took our breakfast and went on to the wharf immediately, where a boat arranged for us by the hotel is waiting for us.

Less than 15minutes on the boat and you’ll see the main event of this trip, the Hundred Islands!

Most of the islands were inhabited because they are too small and doesn’t have a beach to dock, but they are truly a marvelous and breath taking sight – an art that has been crafted by time and forces of nature. There are only 3 Islands developed for tourists, Children s Island, Quezon Island and Governor’s Island. Only Governor’s Island have electricity and fresh water. More on these later as I opted to create multiple posts on this than a really long one.

I wasn’t able to take swim at the sea as I was very busy taking pictures and I’m too afraid to leave my gear in the sand. I also have been unfortunate as one of my SD cards got corrupted, twice! I lost some good pictures in there, well lesson learned, its better to invest on multiple and reliable memory cards than on a big one, good thing I used my 1GB as my main storage.

We weren’t able to finish our island hopping tour as our boat failed to fetch us from Quezon Island. Apparently, the boat has been damaged by the razor sharp corals and the waves. To save his face, he agreed to take us to the rest of islands the next day.

We had our dinner back in the resort, with grilled Barbeque Porkchops, Chicken Adobo, and Rice yum yum!

Dinner time

Travel Tips:

- Bring lots of food and drinks, as there are no restaurants in any of the islands (except for the sari-sari store in Quezon Is.)
- Bring sarong, umbrella and sun block. There are little to no shades on some of the island.
- Its better to leave around 2-4AM so you still have a full day when you get to Alaminos.
- In case you don’t know (I don’t), they speak Ilocano in Pangasinan its better if you can bring someone who can speak Ilocano. Thanks to Jefferson.
- Book your hotel before going there, its a lot easier.

How to get there:

If you’re driving a car - I wasn’t the one who drove so I have a faint memory on how to get there, just look at the map above and I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out. If you don’t have any idea on how to get there, just grab a copy of EZ maps available at Gasoline stations, 711 stores or National Bookstore, they’re very helpful and very detailed.

If you’re taking a bus - I saw a couple of buses along the way going to Bolinao, most are Victory Liner Buses, you can check their website at http://www.victoryliner.com . Just tell the “Konduktor” to drop you at Alaminos, Pangasinan and you’re goin to hundred islands. From there you can take a tricycle to your resort or room.

• Bus fare is around 400 pesos more or less from Manila to Alaminos, last bus leaves at 12mn.
• When you get to Alaminos, hire a tricycle to take you to your resort, fare from 40-80pesos, try haggling.

Getting to the Hundred Islands – From your resort, you can hire a tricycle or walk to the port. From there you can hire a boat for 800 pesos, you may have to pay entrance fee to some of the islands. Getting a boat ride is not that difficult since they have an organized system. You can hop into different islands that is open to the public, Children s Island, Quezon Island and Governor’s Island.

For more information:

The Hundred Islands Resort Hotel
Alaminos City Official Web site
Hundred Islands web site

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