Mama Bear’s Adventures

Whenever we have a chance to go out of town, our usual destination would be Baguio. But Baguio is becoming more and more crowded. So this time we opted for a less commercialized location.

At first, I just wanted to got to Hundred Islands, but upon doing some research, I found out that there are no beaches in Alaminos, except in the islands, which would cost P800 for a boat ride to one of them. There are cottages for overnight use in 3 of the major islands, but with very limitted resources, 1 barrel of fresh water, electricity coming from car batteries and would only last up to 10pm. And of course if there is an emergency, good luck… Oh, one of the islands has 24 hours electricity, and lots of water, but overnight stay would cost P10,000. So I decided to just have a day trip to the Hundred Islands but stay somewhere else.

Then in one of the tv shows, they featured Bolinao, so I did some research and, I was sold to the beauty of the place.

We stayed at the Rock Garden Resort. P1,500 a night, room has AC and shower/toilet. There are rooms with tv and ref for P2,500. There is a mini zoo, actually more of an aviary, plus some monkeys snakes and baby crocs. There is a kiddie pool and an adult pool. There is a beach, but sandy, but rocky (hello rock garden?). There are videoke machines open till 10pm argh P5/song! And there are billiard tables too, P7/game.

Day 2 we visited the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, boat ride for 5 people including
kids costs P800 if you will only visit the 3 major islands, and the "bankero" will drop you off in one island and will just pick you up in your requested time. However, should you prefer to have him wait for you throughout your trip and/or visit more than 3 islands, the fee is P1,400. We requested him to wait for us. We drove close by lots of islands, but we chose not to get out anymore, I just requested him to drive us around and drop us off at Quezon Island. Quezon island is one of the 3 developed islands, I chose this because among the 3 there are more marine creatures to be seen here. At about 2:30pm we were already tired, so off we go. Good thing we decided to let the "bangkero" wait for us.

Day 3, Bolinao

We visited the Enchanted Cave, we didn’t swim there because I don’t like caves :). We dropped by Cape Bolinao light house, there were no people there, no one to assist us, the gate to the lighthouse was closed. We found out that it was vandalized last holy week so now the do not let people up the lighthouse anymore. Then we went to Patar white beach, but the waves were too strong for the
kids, so we just stayed till lunch then we went back to the hotel.

Day 4, is spent swimming in the Hotel’s pool, well almost half of it anyway, since we need to check out by 12nn.

We had fun. There’s a problem with under developed areas though, you
have to bring lots of cash. Everything is cash only basis, the nearest
ATM is in Alaminos, which is about 40km from Bolinao. And at 7:30pm,
there’s hardly any shops and restaurants open.