4/12/08

Yesterday was an ordinary Friday summer day. Already, people were packing their stuff to get away for the weekend while I languished with the idea of being stuck in Manila. I was feeling terribly, terribly envious as status messages in Yahoo Messenger were all beaming with weekend plans. I think at some point I even felt feverish.

My week’s workload was done and so my idle hands led me to different airline websites. I normally check out these sites for promos and limited offers. And by God, Asian Spirit was giving seats away! It seems that they’ve jumped at the pre-selling bandwagon (which is all the rage in the airline industry these days) and timed it with their 12th anniversary celebration. I did a sample search and at Zero Fare, a roundtrip to Batanes came out at P2,480. F*ck that’s fu*king cheap!

Valugan Beach, Batanes

I immediately messaged people about my golden discovery and within minutes, Leia and Tyx of Travel Factor were all set to buy tickets! We agreed to spend 1 week in Batanes and chose October 1-8 thinking and hoping that by then, the rainy season would have passed already. By the next hour, we were convincing our usual travel buddies who attempted to resist but later on gave in to temptation. Man, Batanes is really persuasive! As of the moment, I think there are around 12 of us who’ve purchased tickets. Promo is available ’till April 15, Tuesday. Click here to book one!

I went to Batanes last year with my ticket costing almost P12,000. Although it wasn’t on my tab, that’s still an awful lot concerning that it’s just a domestic flight. I paid P2,480 for my roundtrip this time!

Anyway, the trip is still a million months away and I plan to completely forget about it ’till then. I’ve got months to save up to pay for that trip. Hehe.

Back to regular programming.

3/28/08

Our bonfire was a an abundant supply of fallen palm leaves and dried up, beached seaweeds.

Kuya Kolet: “Baliwala naman yang mga ahas. Hindi naman nila kayang gumalaw sa buhangin.”

Leia: “Eh bakit sa Discovery Channel o kaya sa National Geographic kaya nila.”

Rex: “Sa desyerto pa nga eh!”

Kuya Kolet: “Ah, ganun ba?”

Ced: “Hayaan niyo na, mas malaki naman tayo sa kanila eh.”

Rex: “Diba takot sila apoy?”

Ced: “Ewan. Diba na-a-attract nga sila sa init?”

Time for socials a.k.a. drinks. Being the cheapskates that we were, we burned our throats with none other than 2 bottles of GSM 4×4! It was a good thing that Kuya Kolet didn’t drink, but I think it he had a hard time sleeping because we were too noisy.

And because we noticed we lacked group pics, we shot some. I mean we shot alot.

Four Drunks and An Abused Inflatable Red Horse.

It was a long and fun night to say the least. We were more presentable / web-worthy the following morning. Here we are basking in the morning glow.

Here are some photos of our campsite and us breaking camp.

And a final shot of Snake Island.

I know I’ll be back.

Snake Island or BUST!

3/28/08

Another white sand beach discovery! In one of our YM conferences before this trip, I suggested that we visit Brgy. Tambobong which is a distant coastal community in the town of Dasol. After seeing some of the pics on the net, we agreed that this would be our campsite for our second night.

From the national highway, we turned into a small street with a marker that said “Tambobong Beach 22 Km.”

Well that wasn’t too far. We’ve been driving around for around 2 days already, how hard would an additional 22 kilometers be? I thought.

A bit hard because almost all of the 22 kilometers were made of rocks and dirt. And we were getting real hungry!

Pulling into Brgy. Tambobong, we immediately noticed the abundance of pumpboats which was very distracting and somewhat disappointing since the shore was really good and the waters were clean, clear and sandy.

Out in the distance, we sighted a small island with a clean stretch of white sand hugging its chores and about 6 or 7 palms standing tall. This was Snake Island, we were told. Back in the day, the wizened Brgy. Captain told us that a thriving community of snakes lived on the island and were notorious in coming out in the night, most probably to feed. The Kapitan even went on recalling how he served as Noli De Castro’s (currently the Vice President of the R.P.) guide when he was still hosting Magandang Gabi Bayan (MGB) a weekly magazine show on ABS-CBN.

We asked if travelers regularly camped on Snake Island. They said NO.

With this, we loaded our stuff into a well-sized pumpboat and sailed on to Snake Island. We resisted camping in a residential area. Para kaming naghahanap ng pasakit sa buhay.

Again, I missed out on the sunset but the memory of this huge ball of light dipping into the South China Sea, of our boat see-sawing to the pouncing waves, of the salty wind in our face, will not be forgotten.

After setting-up camp, the moon emerged from the clouds and threw this blue-purple cast all around.

We practically had the whole island to ourselves. Which was eerie and at the same time exciting.

Again. I am overwhelmed.

F*ck the snakes. We would deal with that thought later on.

Oh. And don’t you just love the word “Tambobong” ? How soft the sound escapes your lips. How bouncy. Say it with me. “Tambobong, Tambobong, Tambobong.”

You’re saying it aren’t you?

3/27/08

There’s a reason why the province is called Pangasinan. Derived from the word asin, Pangasinan literally means land of salt.

Traveling to the extreme west of Pangasinan, to the distant town of Dasol, we soon discovered fields upon fields of salt. Kuya Kolet, our magical driver, was resourceful enough to bring us to a local community who live off the salt of the earth.

Salt water from the South China Sea is pumped into these salt fields which are made to be as shallow as possible to facilitate drying. Salt crystals or chunks are then collected.

Most of the salt fields we saw had a brick bedding. Don’t ask me why. I just saw.

The collected salt chunks are then processed and purified by boiling in water. Here, Rex is sifting out the salt from the boiling water. The wet salt is then transferred back to the basket where it is left to dry. The excess salt water drips back into the hot pool below.

Here are two baskets full of Pangasinan salt ready for trade!

The two baskets in front contain yellowish or discolored salt since these came from the last batches which most likely are burnt

Tutong kumbaga.

If you’re visiting prepare your senses as the place is mighty hot and the salty steam wafting all around is hard on the eyes and nose. Other than that, you’re set to go!

The salt-making community we visited was located just along the National Highway in Dasol, Pangasinan. There are also similar communities in the neighboring towns.

3/27/08

Leia asked me if her beach preference standards were too high. We probably have the same standards, I replied, having seen many beaches already.

“Mababaw lang naman ang kaligayahan ko. Basta malinis, hindi maingay, kaunti ang tao. Kahit nga hindi white sand, basta malinaw ang tubig, ayos na.”

When you’ve visited almost all the popular beaches around, and you really are a natural beach bum, you’ll probably develop an indeliberate but steady stream of consciousness dedicated towards finding that next ultimate beach. Hoping that you’ll top, if not equal, your last beach experience, risking money, safety and logic along the way. Such is the path needed to attain beach nirvana.

I guess it also comes with age (Haha!). At first we’re drawn to the peopled beaches, Boracay and Puerto Galera come to mind, what with their throbbing beats and boozed-out nights. But pretty soon all the noise just gets old, you become territorial and you are relegated to the fundamentals.

Frustration was already written all over our faces after visiting Governor’s Island, Quezon Island and Children’s Island. The three islands stood for everything we were avoiding! On the way though, we chanced upon this small island with a small piece of shore. It had already one tent pitched on it and another group was beginning to set-up their tent. We decided to join the fun thinking that if ever the tide claims our campsite at least we would have companions.

When we disembarked our boat it was already drizzling and we were losing the sun fast. So immediately, Rex and I began pitching the 2 tents while Leia and Ma-ann began setting up our kitchen. I was looking forward to shooting the sunset but the drizzle prompted my camera to stay dry in the tent. I had lots of shots earlier anyway.

Our journey began 10PM the night before, scrambling for a ride in Cubao. Eating siopao in Chowking Dagupan and working our way throughout Bolinao, Alaminos and the Hundred Islands. My shirt reeked of sun and sweat and white salt maps were already showing. With that, I lunged for the gin-clear waters and impossibly fine sands of Scout Island.

It was like a reset button. Forget sleep deprivation. Forget fatigue. It was one of the most organic feelings I felt in a long time. RESET.

After wolfing down a generous serving of rice and corned beef, we started downing our cheap and reliable GSM 4×4 which was really funny because our next door campers were drinking Absolut Kurant, which they shared along with their singkamas (turnips) and tahong. We humbly shared back our cheap gin and our mangoes. Later into the night our group and theirs even shared 3 Bangus (milkfish) and 1 Yellow Fin (tuna) we bought from a visiting fisherman. Here’s to the kindness of strangers.

That moonlit night we kept on coming back to the clear, clear water to cool down and rinse off the fine, fine sand which kept on attaching to us. An REM song comes to mind.

“Night swimming deserves a quiet night.”

With rested, albeit mildly under the influence, minds, we retreated back to our tents and called it a night.

Here’s a picture (without me) the day after.

Rex, Ma-ann, Denise, Dino, Beth and Leia.

This is Scout Island. Our home for the first night.

Note: The boatmen will tell you that camping is not allowed on the undeveloped islands but it is. Just argue your way.

We spotted other undeveloped islands which looked like good, clean campsites too. Some of these are Romulo Island, Lopez Island, Marta’s Island and Marcos Island. I’m just not sure how the tides behave. I’m sure there are many more since there are 123 islands in total. If you choose Governor’s, Children’s or Quezon, know that you have been warned.

And if you’re camping be aware that they charge up to P200 per pitched tent per night and a certain entrance fee. Also, make it a point to bring with you everything you came in with.

A clean campsite is a happy campsite.

3/27/08

I was probably 7 or 8 years old when I last visited the Hundred Islands. Trying to dig deep into my memory arsenal, I remember in washed out color (like the color of stale photographs from the 90’s) short, white sand shores and clear waters.

I didn’t remember being next to a billion cars and seeing a billion bancas cramped in a murky substandard pier. I just haven’t been in a tourist-overrun place in a long time.

Seeing the Hundred Islands is an easy affair. They have a centralized information booth where you can book bancas to suit your tour group. Since there were only 4 of us, we hooked up a small boat which cost us P1,400 (P350 each) for a drop-off and pick-up arrangement since we planned on camping on one of the islands.

The tourism officers at the information booth would tell you that the island hopping tour only includes visits to 3 islands: Governor’s Island, Children’s Island and Quezon Island. These are the three islands which are “developed.” They would also tell you that camping is only allowed on these islands. Relying on my almost-sepia memories, we happily cruised on.

We first figured into Governor’s Island which even from afar, did not impress us. There were lots of bancas already docked all around the island and people, with all their trash and shit, were everywhere. They had some sort of a cave there which despite the presence of a restroom, functioned as a urinal. On the other side is another tacky development, the Big Brother house they used for the ABS-CBN reality show of the same name. The beach, minus all the people, would be okay I guess. The view deck, which requires a little climb, provides a great view of the neighboring islands. This was Governor’s Island’s saving grace.

We’ve also noticed that corporate sponsorships were spread like sari-sari stores in the Hundred Islands. It is just so TACKY. I’m sure there’s a way for this eco-tourism site to be financially sustainable without making a quick and ugly buck from branding. All the islands have markers with Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs on them. I like TJ hotdogs just as much as the kid next door, but not on island markers. Sheesh.

Children’s Island is a lot like Governor’s Island only, they have a better swimming beach and it smells much filthier. There was no way it was gonna be our campsite. No freakin way.

Of the three developed islands, I may have some sort of a soft spot for Quezon Island because it had a sand bar which opened up to two adjacent beaches. But then again, I may have felt this because this was our last island on the itinerary and I didn’t get to explore its developed parts which interpolating data from the last 2 islands, would be another tragic disappointment.

On the way to the 3 dumb islands, we kept on passing smaller, undeveloped coves and islands which held our eyes the most as they had enormous potential for our campsite for that night. The problem was we were unsure whether the tide would claim the shores which would be potentially dangerous for us and our precious stuff.

Our campsite on my next post. Woot!

3/25/08

Built in 1609, the St. James Cathedral located right in the heart of the Bolinao town proper , imposingly stands. Made of coral bricks (or blocks), it also doubled as a fort protecting the town from incoming pirates. I’m not really that into churches. I’m rarely inside one.

Here’s one of the angels flanking the main aisle of the church.

And a picture of Leia and Rex shooting side by side.

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.

Aha! I’ll be damned if I don’t go out this weekend. It’s Anawangin again, but this time, it’ll be a road trip and I have to bring gear. Presenting, my stuff!

1. Regulation Ultimate Disc - The one that the white team won with (Oops, gloating. Sorry.) ! For bored out moments.
2. Nalgene Water Bottle - My dear, dear friend. Holds my water.
3. Tupperware-kinda-thing / My Mess Kit + Spork (inside)
4. Butane - Let’s keep the fire burning yeah!
5. Portable Stove - Okay. It’s not really small. But it’s lightweight though.
6. 6L of H20 - We LOVE water!
7. Board Shorts - Beach time! It’s new! It was on sale (50-70% off at Surf World)
8. Coleman Tent - Sleeps 3. But there are 4 of us. We’ll make do. Kandong.
9. Shemagh/Scarf - All around piece of cloth.
10. North Face Badlands 60 - Because I’m hauling baggage for 2. (Hmp! at Irene.)
11. My Humble Velbon Tripod
12. Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream - Favorite! Comfort food.
13. Tamrac Adventure 9 - It’s gonna be an adventure!
14. Photo Gear - Canon 40D, 10-20, 17-40, 70-200 + small stuff.

I end this post with a thought:
Why pack light when I can put up a fight!

Now let’s all pray for good weather!
Have a great weekend everyone!

I found this Seair Advert (just click on it to zoom in) offering cheap packages. It’s cheap already considering how expensive Seair flights are to Caticlan especially during the summer months.

So if you have plans of going to Bora after the Holyweek I suggest you give them a call.

Sheesh. Bora.

Direct link here.