Hundred Islands: Alaminos, Pangasinan

I have been long-time-ago planning to go to Bolinao, Pangasinan after my elder brother's birthday.  I have always read among the blogs that it has great beaches, and natural rock formations.  So, research, itineraries, and head counts for "attendees" were even drafted,. Everyone was excited.

However we ended up going to Alaminos, because recently, Bolinao was ravaged by the passing of the typhoon "Reming".  Good thing, the resort owner and our contact advised not to proceed with our planned escapade to Bolinao, and advised us to go to Hundred Islands. And yes, that was our Plan B.

Turns out our Plan B led us to the right decision. Hundred Islands in Alaminos is perfect. The sun, the sea, the food and the accommodation are all just right within our budget limit.  Although frequented by tourists and local visitors alike, it still remained unspoilt, because of its clean beaches and disciplined island dwellers.

Hundred Islands National Park is situated in the Lingayen Gulf. These islands are composed of ancient corals from the seabed of an ancient sea.  The unique mushroom shape of the islands and the islets are caused by constant hitting of the wave.

View from the peak of the Governor's Island.
Approximately 30 minutes trekking up upon reaching the viewpoint

A castanas tree.  This photo was taken from Governor's Island en route to the Hundred Islands viewdeck

Crystal clear waters of Quezon Island

Two boats docked on the beach of Marcos Island

Powdery soft sands of Marcos Island.

A yellow boat docked beside the wharf of Children's Island

We left at Novaliches at around 1:00AM. There were 16 of us who embarked on this journey towards the Hundred Islands in Alaminos Pangasinan via SLEX (South Luzon Expressway). We occupied a whole jeepney owned by Uncle Meling.  It was a smooth 7 hour ride going to our destination, the first 2 hours was filled with chats and jokes, then of course the spent remaining 5 hours sleeping, if not waking occasionally to check our whereabouts.

This is SLEX in the wee hours of the morning

Camera-ready. Em endorsing a customized tumbler from Starbucks

Camera-shy A.

Camera-shy B.

At about 8:00AM we arrived at the Alaminos town proper, from there we were greeted by the Manong Boy, a local tourism officer, and also our contact.  From there he accompanied us to the hostel owned by Aling Cecille.  The hostel is rather spacious, it is one big room divided by a concrete wall which has 5 beds in each division. And oh, it has it's a fridge, aircon, kitchen, and own parking space.

Backpacks everywhere.

From our hostel, we walked to the wharf for 15-20 minutes. Our boat, Trisha was waiting for us as we arrived.  And yes, picture-taking before boarding the boat.  The sea was calm as we expected, with few big waves.  It was a smooth-sailing ride going to our destination.  By the way, our itinerary was composed of the following islands: Quezon Island, Marcos Island, Children Island, & Governor's Island.

The local tourists ;-)

By the wharf, a sombrero vendor with her kid.

Yes, that's what I'm taking about. That's her! Trisha, our boat!

Bright orange paint inside the boat, matches the color of our life-vests

One of the many islands that we passed by.
The caving in of these limestone islets was caused by the constant hitting of the waves

T-shirts and other souvenirs are sold in these huts in Children's Island.
Children's Island was so called because it has wide beaches that is
relatively safe for children to bask on.

View mid-way to the peak of Governor's Island.

Coin-divers by the Alaminos wharf.

Islets. Islets everywhere.

A prominent tree in Quezon Island. Can somebody identify this type of tree.

A cave shed underneath Quezon Island.
Be cautious in staying in this spot, huge waves are expected to bump you. 

The Beachineering Society!
L-R: Manuel, Michelle, Manny, Gerryvic, Freddie, Vic, Tiki, Kaye, Em, Edna, Gary, Kevin, Flor & Sion

Crystal clear waters!

Underneath, you could almost see the shadow of the boat.  That's how clear the water is.

View from the other side of Marcos Island. This is perfect for diving!

Poser shot.  Forgive me, I really need to have a shot like this! ;-)

These kids at Quezon Island are amateur coin-divers.

Children's Island wharf.

Hundred Islands National Park is a jewel of Alaminos Pangasinan, it has one of the cleanest beach I have been.  There is only one minor setback though, of those four islands that we've been, there is no source of freshwater used for bathing after dipping at the sea.  Good thing our hostel is located nearby the wharf.  I was captured by the beauty of this park, and definitely will come back again in the near future.