Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan (May 18, 2013)

Basic Expenses:

194.00 Php - Ordinary bus fare from Dau Terminal to Alaminos City Proper via Pangasinan Five Star Bus Co Inc 

60.00 Php - 1 tricycle from Alaminos City Proper to Lucap Wharf

1000.00 Php - small boat (day tour, back and forth) from Lucap Wharf to all Islands. We are 3 persons

*We are initially wanting to get the 800.00 Php boat for the day tour which would cover 3 islands but we were given a discounted price of 1000.00 Php which according to them is usually 1400.00 for an all-island tour.

70.00 Php - 1 tricycle from Lucap Wharf to Victory Liner Bus Terminal

253.00 Php - airconditioned bus fare from Victory Liner Bus Terminal to Dau Terminal (This is supposed to be a Cubao bus that will have a stop over at Tarlac terminal but since we should stop at Dau terminal the conductor agreed to stop over at Dau terminal as well)

400.00 Php - snorkeling mask for 3 people with life vest but no aqua shoes

Lucap Wharf, Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

one of the landmarks at Lucap Wharf

We're originally planning to go to Potipot Island in Zambales however we had a change of plan due to transportation issues. We were at the Dau Terminal by 11:00 pm and we learned that there are no Zambales buses that go there so we had to ride an Olongapo bus instead however we missed the last Olongapo van and the next Olongapo bus is said to arrive at 7:00 am so we decided to go to Alaminos Pangasinan instead to see the Hundred Islands. It was a very short trip to Alaminos City Proper. We left at about 11:00 pm and arrived at a little past 2:00 am. The moment we disembarked from the bus tricycle drivers approached us and offered a ride to Lucap Wharf however we had to take our breakfast first and buy some food so we declined. After eating breakfast and buying what we need for the day another tricycle driver offered us a ride to Lucap Wharf for 100.00 Php but we haggled for 60.00 Php and the driver agreed.

*Beware of fixers. Don't entertain boat offers from outside sources. you can get boats from the Lucap Wharf office. 

Lucap Wharf: where the boats dock

We we're already at Lucap Wharf by 3:00 am. We waited for the sun to rise at a hut 

the hut where we waited for the morning

waiting for the sunrise

from afar the Hundred Islands look connected to each other but if you get closer they are not

We left Lucap Wharf at 6:30 am but the sun rose early that day. We're just halfway through the boat ride and it's already hot but that didn't dampen our spirits. We first visited Governor's Island.

Governor's Island

A sunny day at Governor Island's view deck (it's hard to take pictures when it's very hot

Pinoy Big Brother House at Governor's Island

PBB House (back view)

PBB House (front view)

view deck at PBB's House

Then we went to Marcos Island. This is where we did the Imelda Cave jump. It's about a 10- feet jump from rock to water. I was nervous at first but i eventually jumped and now that I was able to do it I want to do it again. I can still remember that subtle jerk in my chest when I jumped and the couple of seconds that I was going down of the water like I would not float. I want to do it again preferably to somewhere higher.

people going up to Imelda Cave

Marcos Island (view from the top)

finding the courage to jump

the frog jump

we did it :)

After Marcos Island, we went to Coral Garden. I was getting impatient because I can't wear the snorkeling mask, good thing I persisted on wearing it and our tour guide coaxed me as well or I'll deeply regret it. It was my first time to snorkel and it was a very relaxing, and overwhelming experience. The corals at Coral Garden are pretty decent. They are not very colorful but I was still amazed (and it's funny because it's my first time to see corals underwater so I really have no idea how the corals at Coral Garden would fare if compared with other corals).

 I just have this paranoia that my life vest might get untied so i didn't go that far in the middle of the ocean but perhaps on my next snorkeling I would venture further.

At Coral Garden

It's fun to snorkel in the Philippines

Then we went to Old Scout Island where we had planned to spend the day. But sadly, 

other people went there as well so the island got crowded quickly and we had to 

leave which was both good and bad. Good because we had the chance to see Quezon 

Island and bad because we didn't have the chance to snorkel at Old Scout where there 

are also different-looking corals. The water is also clearer at Old Scout, the 

sand is beautiful and it's shady. The only downside is it has a very short coastline 

so it gets crowded pretty quickly.

Old Scout Island

After Scout Island we went to Quezon Island. Quezon Island is a developed island so expect most of the people there. I think you can appreciate it better if you go there during off-peak season. It has   various spots for swimming.When we went there I saw 3 pools where you can swim. 

First Pool: Near the Entrance

2nd pool: Opposite the 1st pool

3rd Pool

3rd pool on a different angle

After looking around Quezon Island we went to Clave Island. We swam for an hour or so then 

decided to call it a day as we're afraid we're getting too sunburned.

Lighthouse at Lucap Wharf

Upon touching the shore of Lucap Wharf we proceeded to the comfort room to take a shower for 10.00 Php fee then rode a tricycle which took us to the bus station which brought us home.