My best friends from high school and I had been planning an out-of-town trip since forever. After much deliberation, we have finally settled on a destination, Bolinao and Alaminos, Pangasinan. We gathered all we could from this thing called the internet and have planned our own DIY trip.

Day 1 Bolinao, Pangasinan

We arrived in Bolinao's Five Star bus terminal at 4 in the morning. The bus ride from Pasay was long and bumpy and did not allow for a good night's rest. We ended up taking a 2-hour nap at the terminal before starting the day's adventure. After the short shut-eye, we hired a tricycle for the much-awaited tour.

A map at the terminal

Resorts and contact #s

St James Parish Church

A 5-minute tricycle ride away from the Five Star bus terminal, the church built out of black coral stones has definitely earned its spot on the list as the first place to visit.

Bolinao Falls

The 19km ride to Bolinao Falls lasted for almost an hour on a tricycle. It was difficult trying to hold on at the back of the tricycle because of how rough the dirt roads were. When we arrived, we were covered in dust. From the parking lot, we walked a bit towards the Bolinao Falls #3.

The path toward the falls

The falls isn't impressive in the dry season

But the water is still so crystal clear and refreshing!

We visited Bolinao Falls #1 but were too tired to go for another dip. We satisfied ourselves with a group pic and went on our merry way.

Bolinao falls 1

Enchanted Cave

The Enchanted Cave resort is one of the most interesting resort I've visited. This is made by how the whole place is covered with fossilized corals.

The place is perfect for a photo op!

The cave itself is not too interesting. There is a small pool for swimming.

The way to the cave

Enchanted Cave

Hammocks for chilling

Did I mention the fossilized corals?

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

The panoramic view is amazing!

Patar White Beach

Before the trip, we reserved a cheap room at some resort. When we arrived at Bolinao, we discovered that the resort we booked a room in was very far from Patar White Beach. Thank heavens there was no reservation fee. So what we did is that we searched for available rooms at the beach. We got ourselves an air-conditioned concrete room (as opposed to a closed nipa hut). It isn't by the beach front but we liked it because it was quiet. The beachfront was noisy and crowded.

La Parola air-conditioned room

low tide around sunset

Sunset skies are the prettiest

Some rock formations at Patar White Beach

We weren't able to swim much because it was starting to get dark. We got to sit by the shoreline and chat for a while. I like how the sand is fine enough to not hurt your butt when you sit.

Day 2 Alaminos, Pangasinan

We contacted the same tricycle driver we hired for our Bolinao trip. We left the inn around 7:30 am and found ourselves in a van headed to Alaminos 45 minutes later.

A van to Alaminos. Gets full of passengers pretty quickly

When we arrived in Alaminos, we hired a tricycle driver to bring us to Lucap Wharf. But not before buying ourselves lunch and some fruits for sustenance.

Alaminos City Hall

Hundred Islands Tour

It was around 10-ish in the morning when we got there. Lucap Wharf was unexpectedly a long way from the town proper. When we got there, all the boats were out on the tour. We got frustrated because we weren't informed right away that the reason we were being made to wait so long was because there was no available boats. We would've understand since we arrived so late in the morning. If you plan on going, be there at around 6-7 in the morning. Our tricycle driver said they'd accept reservations but if someone else comes before you, they'd prioritize them. So basically, a first-come, first-serve kind of service.

Lucap Wharf

Also, there was a couple who wanted to share a boat with us. The flyer our tricycle driver gave  us said a small boat could carry 1-5 persons so we agreed. Unfortunately, the boat guy didn't so we had to go our separate ways. When we finally got on a small boat, I realized that there was no way 5 persons could fit in it. Not even four. I just wished they didn't advertise falsely.

The rates as of April 2016

Way too tiny for five

The way our boat guy rushed us throughout the tour disappointed me very much. I was too exhausted with everything to argue.We were back in Lucap Wharf and ready to go home by 4 pm. We saw the couple who wanted to share the our boat earlier and found out that the islands there boat guy brought them to were way more interesting. They were also able to snorkel for an hour and a half! I only got to do so for around 20 minutes. I have never been so heartbroken from a tour before.

Governors Island

Cuenco  Island

Bat Island. I have never seen so many bats before!

Lots of people at Quezon Island

Snorkeling area near Quezon Island

Giant clams are everywhere!

I have no idea what those are. Maybe for growing Corals?

A closer look

A lovely day for island hoppping

Our tricycle driver arrived and brought us back to town. We had dinner at McDonalds. Honestly, our first decent meal in days. We rode a bus heading back to Cubao and arrived around 12 in the morning. That concludes our DIY trip to Bolinao and Alaminos!

We had a week off from work so my coworker slash flatmate and I decided to spend it in the north. It's a good thing the flatmate has relatives there. Free accommodation, ftw!

It was half a day's worth of travel time from Partas Terminal, Cubao up to Laoag. The travel was easy and comfortable because you'd be in the bus all the way. When we arrived, it was 1 in the morning. My dear flatmate's relatives fetched us from the terminal and drove us back to their humble home, which was, by the way, right smack in the middle of Laoag City! Talk about convenient.

We began our official Ilocos tour the following morning.

Day 1

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Burgos, Ilocos Norte

We arrived in the parking lot on a sweaty afternoon.The Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as the Burgos Lighthouse, is situated high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill, so we had to do some walking from the parking lot. You can opt to hire a tricycle if you like. From the lighthouse, you can see an overlooking view of Cape Bojeador.

The lighthouse in all its glory

The breathtaking view from the top

The parking lot

Kapurpurawan Rock Formations

Burgos, Ilocos Norte 

Bangui Wind Farm

Bangui, Ilocos Norte

I don't think any sane traveler would take a pass at visiting one of Ilocos Norte's iconic tourist spot, the Bangui Wind Farm. I've always seen photos of it on my Facebook wall but I never thought I'd be so enamored by the wind mills. It is an entirely different experience up close.

No swimming allowed. Aww

The wind farm from afar

Patapat Viaduct

Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte

Blue Lagoon

Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte 

If you've read some blogs, you'll learn that the Blue Lagoon beach is now very crowded due to all sorts of resorts popping here and there. One of the famous ones is Hannah's Beach resort, which showcases not only a couple of pools but an assortment of plaster sculptures all over the place. As for the beach itself, I'd say it is still very much spectacular. I am loving how the waves are strong and playful.

These are the rates for entering Blue Lagoon

The rates for Hannah's is php100 (entrance only) or php200 (swimming included)

The whole gang is here

The infinity pool

You can try the zip line that starts from that hill to the beach

The place is conveniently loaded with inns and stores

Day 2

Marcos Museum

Batac, Ilocos Norte

We only had the ordinary one but there is a variety of empanadas if you're interested

Yum

In Batac city, we are

Be mindful of the rates and schedule

Oo, row 1 ako, bakit?

Andyan na ang mga hapon!

The photo gallery

Baluarte Zoo

Vigan city, Ilocos Sur

This goose walked in front of me and went inside a containment where its buddies are at

The fences are open but the animals are too busy grazing to care

I am in love with these wallabies and how the carrots seem to take them somewhere out of this world

Some of the animals are, of course, behind the fences

You can take a tram for free

There is a museum containing the tokens of Chavit's hunts

My friend has found here long lost cousins

Bantay Bell Tower

Bantay, Ilocos Sur

The Bantay Bell Tower

Calle Crisologo

Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo, the next place on our kalesa ride, was one of the spots that I was itching to go to since this trip was conceived. I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get there before the sun was down but it turns out the famous historical street is just as spectacular at night.

The streets were lined with restaurants and souvenir shops and the road was flooded with tourists and kalesas. The crowd made it difficult to get a decent photo. Luckily for us, we got a photo or two in there that was profile picture worthy.

Calle Crisologo

The brick road and the Spanish houses make for a good background

Day 3

Fort Ilocandia Resort

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Such fancy lobby

The fountain

It's more fun indeed

Malacanang of the North

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Entrance is php20

The interior has this Spanish feel to it

You can see Paoay lake from the veranda

Paoay Sand Dunes

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Sandsliding rather

The tour guides know their SLRs

There is a beach

You'll see a sculpture of FPJ and Ate Guy because this was where Panday and Walang Himala was filmed

Paoay Church

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Don't forget to step on the camera spot

Herencia

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Pinakbet pizza is harthart

Ordered some fries, which were very good

The pancit is tasty as well.

And that concludes are colorful Ilocos tour. It wouldn't have been possible without my friend's kind relatives. I find the Ilocanos to be very kind and accommodating. What a wonderful stay.