Where It All Began In Pangasinan (Part 3: Hundred Islands)

Our third day found us to where we first travelled together as Skroo Family (the name of our extended family).  From Tobuan Beach, we went straight to the Hundred Islands National Park via boat.  It was more than an hour ride from Tobuan but the scenery along the way kept us from getting bored.  We passed through the bangus (milkfish) farms of Pangasinan along the way.  

Our ride parked at the beach of Mayor's Island

Still sleepy but ready to go!

We rented three boats to prevent overloading

Bangus (milkfish) fish pens along the way

We passed by Sual Power Plant too

Halfway there...

Almost there!

 In our first trip to the islands several years back, we found an island for ourselves with a small mini cove where the kids could play.  This time, we headed straight to Mayor’s Island (Romulo Island).  This is because of the new regulations around the islands.  After some years of abuse, the local government stepped up its effort to preserve the islands.  One of the new rules is the ban on eating on any of the islands.  Eating is allowed only in designated cottages and we witnessed how strict they are when the security/care takers of the islands asked some of those eating at the beach to stop.  We paid a minimal fee of P700 for the cottage.  The fees collected most probably goes to the preservation of the Hundred Islands National Park.  They even provided black bags where we could put our garbage.

Touch down!

Staircase leading to the cottages at Mayor's Island

View from the staircase

Some areas of the islands was also turned into coral nursery and transplantation site to restore wildlife after years of damage and the government seemed to be doing good at that.  I literally lost track of the time snorkeling and viewing the different colors underwater.  The restoration process is still at its early stages but the marine life there is already a wonder to behold.

The plaque displayed at Mayor's Island

We followed these angelfish around coz they're a joy to watch

One of them has to be Gill from Finding Nemo (Shark bait huhaha!)

Different species of fish swim around the coral transplantation site...

...including these blue beauties.

Those steel frames serve as coral nurseries

Lots of fish come to these steel frames

New corals are starting to grow

Here are our friends again, but one of them is missing

We also saw giant clams around the area

There he is, doing a solo number at the "drop off"

The water around the island is very clear and shallow, sloping just gradually to get deeper.  Since we were at the Hundred Islands, the nearby islands were almost just a stone’s throw away.  These features also make the place generally safe for kids as long as the adults could see them.  We just let the kids play in the cool, shallow waters, occasionally checking to see that they’re ok.  Our special one most especially enjoyed floating on his back in a relaxing manner.  He had his life vest on all the time because lying on his back on the water is his favorite thing to do.

Some islands are just a stone's throw away

Shallow & relatively calm waters make it perfect for the kids

Our special one having the time of his life!

We can let the kids just play around

Kids tried to snorkel too but in shallow waters

Noon time sun? No problem, there are shaded areas around!

They also enjoyed the creamy, fine sand

There were also two fishermen on a boat who approached the island and offered to sell us some seafood.  We bought some fresh live crabs from them which they also cooked for free using the portable stove on board their small boat.

These fishermen were selling live crabs

Cooking is allowed beside the cottages

Lunch with a view!

Our third day was surely a blast especially for the kids who already had wrinkled fingertips for being in the water the longest time.  Fortunately, no one seem to have gotten sunburned because there were shaded areas.  We started packing a little early because we had to travel by boat back to Tobuan beach and we didn’t want to get caught by the late afternoon waves.

Just hanging around!

Family selfie!

Our compulsory family feet photo! 

Back at Tobuan and it's time to rinse

Kids had a blast!

It was once again a summer getaway full of fun memories for our family.  Researching through the internet, we can see that there are a lot more places that Pangasinan can offer.  It would most probably take at least a month to cover everything about Pangasinan.  So if we find ourselves in the province again in one of our future travels, we’re very sure that there will always be something new to surprise us!

Tips:

Travel means:

Getting to the Hundred Islands is a cakewalk since this is already a popular tourist destination.  The usual jump off is at Alaminos either by private vehicle or by bus.  But since our group was staying at Tobuan, Labrador, we simply rented a boat from there.  The travel from Tobuan is about an hour.

Kidsentials and advise for autism families:

• ·     Aptly named Hundred Islands, there are a lot of islands to choose from where you can spend your day.  Just be aware that the local government is very strict in implementing the new rules to preserve the national park and that includes ban on eating anywhere else except on cottages.  So if you plan to eat there, go to the big, popular islands.
• ·     There is a child friendly Children’s Island that is very much suitable for kids.  Some other islands like the Mayor’s Island where we went can be child friendly as well because the waters are quite shallow and calm.
• ·     Life vests are recommended because some parts of the sea can get deep.  Inflatable vests are good but we found that standard life vests with lightweight polyethylene foam floaters are better and more convenient.  One is that the kids don’t have to wear the oversized life vests of commuter boats during the boat trip. Two is that these lightweight vests are slimmer and more comfortable to wear than the inflatables which could get bulky when worn.  The kids will be freer to move around using these vests.  These vests are more expensive than the inflatable types but if your family will be going to beaches or water parks multiple times in a year, it will be worth the investment.
• ·    If your special one needs it, a non-metallic child wrist strap can also be useful here.
• ·    First aid kit.

Other general tips:

• ·    Be sure to take your snorkeling gear with you when you visit the islands.  The government project to restore the corals made the place an amazingly rich and colorful habitat for marine line.  Just be sure never to touch anything and to leave the flora and fauna alone.  Appreciate their beauty without causing harm so that other generations can enjoy them as well.
•       As always, keep the place clean.  If you will rent a cottage, you will be provided with a black bag for your garbage.

Where It All Began In Pangasinan (Part 2: Patar Beach)

The next day, we decided to visit Patar beach in Bolinao.  It was about an hour’s drive away from Tobuan.  We brought everything we would need with us so we would not need to buy anything there.  Coming from Labrador, we decided to take the inner town roads from Barangay Tiep instead of the wide, paved highway.  It looked like a shorter route from the map (and indeed it was) but the road got rougher and rougher as we went further especially as we got closer to Bolinao Lighthouse.  Anyway, it seems that rough roads had become the trademark of our group that all our adventures almost always involved difficult paths.

Morning view at Tobuan Beach, Labrador, Pangasinan

The rough road begins...

...and it got worse... but we're almost there!

Bolinao lighthouse... from a distance...

There were many tourists around the lighthouse so we didn’t bother take a group photo there.  The first beach we surveyed was the public beach and to be honest, the sight did not give us the awe we were looking for.  We could see further beyond the public beach but for us, it didn’t feel right for us so we went to the other side, going beyond “Treasures…” resort.

We finally found a nice, serene place to spend the day at Carandang resort just beside the “Traditional Filipino Resthouse.”  There were a few people there at that time.  We already cooked all our food before we left Tobuan so everything was ready to eat when we got there.

The beach we chose had few visitors

View from our cottage

Resort grounds

Calm and shallow waters

Unfortunately for us, some of us, got struck with stomach flu that day for reasons that we still didn’t know so they just stayed in our cottage to rest.  On the brighter side, we were thankful that none of the kids got ill for the whole duration of our vacation.  We were also thankful that the place we went to was again generally safe for the children.  Beyond the white sandy beach was a big, flat rocky formation under the water, similar to the one at Umbrella Rocks Beach in Agno, Pangasinan.  The rock had occasional holes that’s sandy at the bottom and like the one at Agno, the holes served as “pools” where the kids could play.  So it was still safe even when some of the adults could not join the kids to swim because of their stomach flu.

Kids enjoying one of the "pools"

The mandatory underwater selfie!

Our special one was also very pleased because we could just leave him be to swim around inside one of the pools.  Beyond the rocky floor was the deep open sea and the waves were also more violent there.  But it would be a challenge to get to the edge of the rocky floor because some parts had sharp rocks while some parts was covered with lots of seaweeds that could entangle the feet and make walking to the edge all the more difficult.  These features served as protection so the kids would have no choice but to stay in one of the pools.

A split-shot attempt with our regular point-and-shoot

We braved going near the edge of the rocks (with lots of extra precautions)

The beach with shallow calm waters

Another split-shot attempt!

Since there were very few people there, it was a breeze taking a shower and getting ready to get home.  The shower rooms were all vacant that late afternoon so we had all the time we had getting the kids cleaned up.  In fact, we even got the kids to get ready for bed and put on their sleeping clothes.

Mandatory family shot

...and group shot!

...and of course at the boundary of bolinao

...don't forget the group shot again!

Going home, we used the longer route because it was getting dark and we didn’t want to be caught in the isolated, rough roads.  Along the highway, we passed by the boundary signage of Bolinao where we had our group photo.  It was already dark when we got back to Tobuan beach and good thing that the kids were already dressed for sleeping time.

Tips:

Travel means:

Private Vehicle:  Going to Patar Beach is pretty straightforward as this has become a popular destination already and the road to Bolinao is already a major thoroughfare.  From Tobuan, Labrador, we headed to Sual town proper via Labrador-Sual Road then through Alaminos-Bani Road, turning right at the Regional Highway then left to Patar Road.  This route is longer but as mentioned, this is the main thoroughfare so the whole stretch, up to Bolinao Lighthouse, is paved.  There other shorter routes through inner town roads (which we took) but as you go deeper into the barangays, the roads turn to rough roads.  Then as you get closer to the lighthouse, the rough road begin to be tougher to navigate.  There are a lot of resorts at Patar Beach so parking will not be a problem.

Public Transport:  Five Star Bus Company has daily trips from Metro Manila going to Bolinao, Pangasinan.  Upon reaching the town proper of Bolinao, you can take a tricycle there that will take you to your resort of choice at Patar Beach.

Kidsentials and advise for autism families:

• Although the shores of Patar Beach is sandy, there are portions that are rocky and the sand can get quite hot so aqua shoes are really recommended.
• At the resort we went to, life vests are not necessary because the waters are shallow and it will be difficult for the kids to get to the deeper areas because of the big rocky formation at the sea floor.  Just always keep an eye on your kids at all times because the beach area is quite long and there is a possibility that your special one might run towards the deeper area.  Even if it will be difficult for them to walk on the rocky sea floor, it would definitely be difficult for adults too to chase after them.
• Something that we found useful, especially on our trips to the beach is a child wrist strap.  The use of child harness/wrist straps has been a center of controversy among some parents as some view them as degrading.  However, we believe that every parent and every child are unique and we can’t really generalize the needs of each family, most especially those of special needs families.  We’ll be writing a special article on this particular device on a separate post.  But in the meantime, we recommend the non-metallic type of harness for trips to the beach because the ones with metallic cable inside a PVC sheath can easily rust in sea water.
• First aid kit.
• Again, the sea at the resort we went to was very much alive with lots of marine life.  We even saw a small, colorful eel there.  Kids will definitely enjoy viewing them.  Also, the waters in the “pool” are generally calm so these are good places to introduce the kids to snorkeling.  You can bring cheap but good quality snorkeling sets at the beach and teach your kids how to use them.  The ones we got from Decathlon costs PHP 280 for the set (PHP 100 for the snorkel & PHP 180 for the mask).  For your child in the autism spectrum, it may be difficult to teach the use of snorkel because breathing will have to be done through the mouth.  A good alternative will be the new snorkeling masks that cover the face because this way, they will be able to breathe through the nose as normal.  Just be sure that the mask fits snuggly to avoid water coming in and keep the snorkel opening above the water.

We found this beautiful starry (snowflake) moray eel

Starry (snowflake) moray eel close encounter

Let your kids enjoy these pretty creatures in their natural habitat

Getting a snorkel gear for kids can let them appreciate nature more

Something's hiding in the rocks

Sea mantis in color

Got this quality set from Decathlon at a cheap price

Other general tips:

• Patar Beach is lined with numerous resorts so looking for a place to stay (day trip or overnight) will not be an issue.
• There are also lots of stores in the area to buy your supplies but it would be better to buy from the town proper if you’re on a budget.
• Always remember to clean as you go, even when you paid to use resort facilities such as cottages and tables.  It may take some time before the caretakers could clean up your rubbish especially during peak seasons.  Some of the plastic wrappers might be blown by the wind to the sea or animals such as dogs could snatch some trash away and scatter them.   Remember also that the property of private resorts do not extend to the beach area, so keeping the beach area and the sea clean is everybody’s responsibility.  Always make it a habit to be conscious and care for our environment.

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