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Published: March 20th 2009
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Floating colors before sunrise
We are always fascinated by boats. The old people believe that they are not just used for fishing...these floaters are the carriers of the living and the dead. It's one of the places least traveled because the place is not as popular as Hundred Islands or Manaoag. Aside from a 6-hour travel, the bus we rode has no TV!!! Imagine a long trip with nothing to watch? Both of us were almost out of topics to talk about so we just decided to enjoy the wide rice lands and counted Smart Broadband antenna. It was almost midnight when we arrived to this quiet little town. There are no street lights. The houses along the main streets illuminate the area. As soon as the bus stopped, tricycle drivers swarm like flies. We decided to stay at the town proper first so we could see what's life like in Bolinao.
First Night
A driver suggested that we go to Dos Flores Resort because it has cheap rates and it's just 15 minutes away. When we arrived at the place, we were quiet surprised that the rooms look like abode for short stolen moments. Plus, the rooms look so bad (worn-out screens, unclean beds, non-functional toilets, no double locks) and the owner would like to charge us P750 for non-aircon room or P1,500 for aircon room. Is she for real??? We
Waiting for the Sun
Local folks woke up earlier than the sun. Sitting and watching the horizon, these men were like saying---"We're ahead of you today, Mr. Sun!" immediately called the tricycle driver and requested him to take us to another resort.
The adjacent resort-- El Pescador-- was really a winner!!! The non-aircon cottage accommodation is just P800!!! The room is clean and we have a little balcony. The toilet and bath is separated from the cottage, which is okay. It's like a bahay kubo beside the sea.
We immediately washed ourselves and the next thing we knew is that we were lying placidly in bed...snoring.
First Day
El Pescador is not just a resort but it's a haven for leisure fishing. Anglers from different places visit this resort for their quarterly competition. We took photos by the seashore and welcomed Mr. Sun.
The hotel has different sets of breakfast for P150 per meal. Quiet expensive but hungry tummies have no choice!
We agreed to check-out and find another place closer to the sea.
Manong Driver arrived at El Pescador and took us to the Church and to the public market. He is so kind that he accompanied us to buy seafoods for our lunch and dinner. It's quiet interesting why most places here in the Philippines have churches and markets build
Sea Shells by the Sea Shore
Yup! The tiny clams we eat are gathered early in the morning while the tide is still low and the sea is still calm on one place. hmmm...
After the Mercado adventure, we went to UP Fisheries Research Center. It was quiet disappointing to see the shoreline where this institution is built coz it's so dirty!!! UP naming mahal, is coastal cleaning not included in your mandate? We suggest that we better live up to the mandate of this research center.
We stopped over a bridge. We just love bridges especially if the body of water under it is clean. We took some photos and talked to local kids.
We arrived at the next resort but unfortunately a brood of young people already occupied it so Manong driver suggested that we transfer to the next resort which is a lot nearer to Cape Bolinao. Without second thoughts, we grabbed our things and went straight to Cool Spot Beach Resort.
Cool Spot Beach Resort
A colorful parade of flags, red bouganvillas and cute native cottages welcomed us. Suddenly, we felt that this place was destined for us. Walk 5 more steps and you can see a clean beach...rocky but clean. It was like a scene seen on travel TVs. The place was just perfect and we both agreed to stay there.
Peeping
Wake up Mr. Sun...let your light shine upon this little town... The non-aircon cottage is just P800 per night.
The owners welcomed us. Mr. and Mrs. De la Cruz may look common on their ordinary clothes but they owned a 3-hectare land and 1.000 sq meter of beach front! Big time yet they remained humble. They prepared a good meal for us and ate with us and treated us as if we're part of their family.
After lunch, we immediately got our swim wear and jump into the cool waters. The 2pm heat of the sun did not matter as we walked the shoreline.
We also visited the Cape of Bolinao. Build in the early 1900s, this lighthouse served a lot of small-scale fishermen and cargo boats passing by Lingayen Gulf.
With just an additional 10 minute ride, onw could see a wide stretch of peach sand. The locals call it "White Beach." The afternoon wind are so strong that it produced big waves good enough for surfing. We had fun chasing and being chased by the sea billows.
We retreated to a very "waistline-fattening" dinner of seafoods and a good laugh with the owners of the resort.
More than the beauty of the place,
The king has just arrived
exactly 6:14 in the morning, it shown its glory on mankind... it was the warmth of the people that caught our hearts.
Bolinao is worth a second visit.
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