2013 1st Half Recap

Thanks to Cleo, Ate Lea and Raf, I was able to go here.

It's a food haven! Will try to capture photos of the food next time.

Pretty awesome sunset photo in Potipot Island, Zambales.

 Late lunch at Bigg's Diner Naga

Back in CWC Sports Complex

First time to attend Make Your Own Havaianas.

 With Jay 

 My first pair from MYOH.

 Went as far this and just this.

Voted wisely.

Momo Cafe's beef tapa. Super love this!

 Calaguas sunset

 Tent's first time here.

3rd time for this one. 

 Sunrise

 Promise of an exciting day ahead

Feet mark

Alaminos trip on a separate blog entry. 

Father's Day celeb.

Shamcey (Shih tzu) and Britney (Chow Chow) gave birth to cute puppies.

Gallery of Panoramic Shots

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Potipot Island


CWC Sports Complex

Alaminos Solo Trip

It's the US Memorial weekend and my mind is battling where to go. Should I go to Tabuk or to Alaminos - Bolinao? I decided to go to Tabuk instead. I learned that I must be at the bus station by 10pm but when I woke up around 8pm, it's pouring really hard outside that I slept and waited for the rain to stop. It's 11pm when I got up and thankfully it's no longer raining. Finally I opted to go to Alaminos. Got off at Victory Liner terminal in Cubao and looked for the bus to depart for Bolinao but I was told that the last trip was 10pm and the only bus leaving 1am would be to Alaminos, Pangasinan. Bought a ticket and hopped on the bus.

What made this trip different is that I am travelling alone. This is also the first time that I am going to a place that is not quite familiar. 

Around 5:30am, I arrived in Alaminos, Pangasinan. I rode a tricycle headed to Lucap Wharf, the drop off point to the Hundred Islands. I  need to maximize my time and money for this trip so I decided to look for other travellers to share the boat rental with me. I registered at the tourism office and paid Php20.00.

Day tour rate for boat only includes visiting the three most developed islands, Governor's, Quezon and Children's while the service boat rental will let you go to other islands as long as it's within the 8 hours rental. We went for the service boat so we can explore as many islands as we could. I was able to find two female travelers from Manila who let me join their boat. They are on their way to Manaoag.

I found out that the food and water is expensive on the islands so I bought water and packed lunch from the nearby carinderia.

Where the boats dock

 The PBB house is also located on this island.

Few of the 123 islands, taken from the Governor's View Deck.

Entrance fee here applies only during Holy Week. 

 Other side of Cuenco Tunnel

Bat Island

One can jump in the water below.

 Marcos Island Viewdeck

 To the ocean

 My favorite island, Lopez.

Clearest water and finest sand.

Quezon Island as background. That island is where we had our lunch.

There's a giant clam sanctuary and snorkeling spots here but we weren't able to check it out. Our boatman is not proactive in giving information where you should go next so be sure to do your research and ask what island you want to go next and the activities you want to do.

We went back around 2pm because my companions have to go to Manaoag while I ponder on going to Bolinao or not.

Not only did I get to travel solo but found myself with two acquaintances who would later join The Outdoor Freak's Ilocos trip. :)

Looking forward to more solo trips! 

US Independence Day Weekend Brings Ilocos Trip - Day 3

Hello Day 3!

Cha woke me up around 5:15am so we could see the sunrise.

We had our light breakfast then headed to Paoay. It's going to be my first time to try sandboarding and ride a 4x4 like this.

Thanks Cha for the last two photos.

Photo by Kuya Bong of Van for Rent with WIFI

So this is how being in the desert feels like. Our Manong driver did an awesome job giving us an extreme adventure! Different kind of stoke. :)

For our super late dinner, we ate at Isdaan and tried Tacsiyapo.

 Entertained by the Singing Cooks, Waiters atbp. Hilarious!

Photos by Kuya Bong of Van for Rent with WIFI

Got home tired but thought this weekend was a blast. Can't wait for the Labor Day weekend...