3/25/08

No. It’s not an attraction in EK. After visiting Patar Beach, Kuya Kolet (our handy driver-slash-tour guide) brought us over to Enchanted Cave. Owned privately, the cave is flanked by gardens and cottages where guests can lounge and have picnics. The entrance to the cave is P20 but if you want to take a dip inside, you’ll have to shell out P30 more for a total of P50.

The cave isn’t really large and is very similar to the Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island, Bohol. The water was clearer at Enchanted Cave though.

This one’s for all of you. Off Limit!

Pricing is steep if you ask me.

3/24/08

A day before, Leia, Rex, Ma-ann and I were conferencing at YM trying to finalize a plan for our Pangasinan ocular inspection for Travel Factor. We were only sure of one thing: that we were headed for Pangasinan. Our conference ended with Leia’s instruction to pack our bags.And so I packed my bag and I packed it well. I decided to bring my 60L North Face Badlands since I didn’t want to scrimp on my packing. I brought my 3-person tent, a sleeping bag, clothes good for 4 days, a portable stove, a small pillow, my tripod and of course, my photography gear.

We decided to meet 8PM, Wednesday night at the Victory Liner terminal in Cubao. I knew that that night was the mass exodus of people fleeing Manila to spend the Holy Weekend at the provinces but I didn’t know that they would be so many. I’ve taken buses to La Union in the past, also during the Holy Weekend, but it was manageable. Maybe because it was the first wave and Victory wasn’t prepared yet so we abandoned the idea of riding their Dagupan-bound bus and opted for a private van instead.

Leia, of Travel Factor was tasked to do rounds in Pangasinan in search of a future destination for one of their tours. She asked around and I accepted her invitation instantaneously. I’ve traveled with Ma-ann and Rex before.First stop was at CapeBolinao in Brgy. Patar, Bolinao.

We arrived at the Bolinao before sunset so we had to wait a little while for good light.

After shooting the lighthouse, we went to the nearby beach, Brgy. Patar to check out some resorts and to see the beach.

Although the sand in Bolinao really was white enough, we knew that it could and would get crowded. The best beach front for me was that of Punta Riviera’s since the shore was really long and it wasn’t too rocky. Bolinao’s beaches are generally sprinkled with rocks and sea grass.