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My U.S. counterparts would always look at me cynically whenever I tell them that the Philippines is composed of 7,100 islands. More, during low tide. You know that look when someone is about to burst in laughter? Yeah, that’s the look they would always give me. It came to a point when they actually searched over the net, and then grudgingly tell me that apparently, I’m telling the truth.

I told them 100 of those islands can be found in one place, in Lingayen Gulf, to be exact. Again, that look. Haha. Who can blame them? If you think about it, it can be quite unbelievable. So I told them, I will visit the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan someday, and will be sure to send them pictures when I do, with the caption : Bleh, told ‘ya.

Harhar.

We left Manila around 3AM Saturday, and arrived 7ish in Alaminos. We had a hearty, albeit pricey, breakfast in a resto at the dock. Around mid-day, we were on our way to the islands. The boat ride was a little rough, specially for a non-swimmer like me. Yeah, the sun worshipper doesn’t know how to swin. Isn’t it ironic? (Incidentally, Alanis’ song was one of our topics, whereby we argued about whether the situations are indeed ironic. The verdict: who cares? It’s a good song, Alanis is a great singer. So let’s all charge it to poetic license. Hehehe!)

There are three islands that have been developed for tourists (meaning they have lodging facilities and other amenities) namely: Quezon, Children’s and Governor’s Islands. The rest of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped.

We settled in one of these islands. Papaya Island was ours for the day. Bliss. We swam, talked, laughed, and while the others went up the top of the island, I decided to catch some zzz’s under the shade of the huge rock, since I didn’t have a wink of sleep Friday night.

We dropped by Cuenco Island on our way back, where a short cave cut across the whole island. Soon, we reluctantly left the Hundred Islands, which I learned soon after, is actually composed of 123 islands during high tide, and 124 on low tide. No one can really explain why these islands are next to each other in the gulf. If you know why, ping me. I’d like to know =)

The rest of the Pangasinan trip was spent in Bolinao, which is the tip of Western Pangasinan. As a coastal town, it reminds me so much of my beloved Cebu, specially my parents’ hometown in Daanbantayan (tip of North Cebu). We managed to catch the sunset when we got to the resort. So very lovely. (One loves the sunset when one is so sad - The Little Prince)

Cape Bolinao lighthouse is the 2nd tallest in the Philippines, and it’s still functional. The view from there, looking out to the South China sea, is magnificent. I spent many years wanting to go back to Costa Rica to enjoy all its wonders and because I just seemed to fit there like a fish in an ocean. But I realized everything that I love there has been here all along. Of course, in matters of the heart, things may not be quite the same. Hehe.

I would of course mention the great company I was with. Fun. Tons of laughter and stories. Made the Pangasinan trip all the more sweet.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 18th, 2006 at 7:17 am and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.