COLIBRA ISLAND, DASOL

Colibra Island

Our Pangasinan roadtrip continues...

We just came from Cabongaoan beach and the Death Pool. Drove about 15 minutes from Cabongaoan beach to Tambobong.

TAMBOBONG WHITE BEACH

A surprisingly beautiful little beach in a quiet rural community. This is the jump off point going to Colibra Island.

Tambobong Beach

Boat rental to Colibra Island is P900, up to 5pax. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the island.

COLIBRA ISLAND

This little circular island is beautiful. Has got a nice sandy beach, some part are stony shore. Other part has got awesome rock formations. I also found zen areas. The island gives you a great sunset-view.

There are picnic shacks available for a small fee.

After a few sunset pictures, we headed back.

Back in Tambobong beach. We ate at a local eatery, not much eateries to choose from that time. Then headed to Alaminos after that.

BILANG BEACH

Sometime ago before this trip, when I first visited Tambobong, we also visited a nearby beach. A place called Bilang beach.

Further down the road from Tambobong White Beach is a surprisingly beautiful hidden beach. Suggested to us by this local lady. The road leading to this beach was not exactly made for cars, but more for carabao sleighs and carts or 'karitons'. It is muddy and very narrow. But once you see the beach, it's all worth the difficult drive.

After traversing thru bushes and under many coconut trees, we ended up parking in a field under the canopy of coconut trees.

There was a lone bahay-kubo (hut) where a family live. The man said its OK to park the car on the premises.

We crossed over a barbwire fence and walked toward the beach. Stunning. We had the beach all to ourselves.

A picture-perfect stony beach. It’s got the most glorious of stones. Secluded and what a reward to see the stunning view of the sunset from this beach.

Bilang Beach

 

EXPENSES:

By car:

· P2,000 – full tank gas would normally enough for a round-trip from Manila.

- P500 - approx toll fees one way.

Commute from Manila:

· P427 – bus one way to Alaminos (Victory)

· P60 - bus to Burgos

· P300 – tryk to Cabongaoan or Tambobong

· P500 – cottage

· P900 - boat rental to Colibra Island (5pax)

ACCOMMODATION:

A safe bet would be to stay in Alaminos City. There are plenty of accommodations to choose from in the city center. 

Where to eat in Cabongaoan?

Bring your own food or buy food by the beach proper (unpredictable).

How to get there.

It is not necessary to pass thru the town proper of Dasol to go to these beaches. If you're coming from Alaminos City, drive off to the town of Burgos, and then ask your way to Cabongaon or Tambobong. The drive to the beaches from Burgos is an adventure in itself!

We drove for about 30 minutes of fun easy drive from the town of Burgos to Cabongaoan or Tambobong with almost no cars in sight. We practically had the road to ourselves. The drive offered some breathtaking views of rolling hills. We passed by some goats crossing the roads, cows, carabaos. Horses grazing the green landscapes on both sides. We passed over some small villages with their dogs lazily lying in the middle of the road. Farmers going on with their day-to-day activities.

Farmer on a carabao sleigh

GIANT TIRE MARKER

There's a giant yellow tire marker going to Tambobong. If going to Cabongaoan, just turn right instead of left. From this marker, it's another 15 minutes of slow and extremely bumpy ride to Tambobong beach. A very rough single-lane road, with lots of big water potholes. But the view from afar is so awesome. Hills and mountains.

Giant tire marker

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BOLINAO, PANGASINAN

Patar Beach, the amazing networks of falls namely Falls 1, Falls 2, Falls 3, Enchanted Cave, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Tara Falls, and Guiguiwanen Beach. These are the points of interest in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines.

PATAR BEACH
The white sand beach is where you needed to be when going to Patar. It is located pass the lighthouse; passing through all the resorts. The resorts along the way does not have the quality of this white sand beach, so keep on going until you reach this better part of the beach. It is a public beach. Free access except for a parking fee of P50 per car. There are huts/table available for rent. 'Paluto' (cook to order) are also available plus shower and toilets for a small fee.

FALLS 1 (PENDING)


FALLS 2 (PENDING)


FALLS 3 (PENDING)

ENCHANTED CAVE
Located along Patar Road, just before you reach Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. It is a privately operated cave with a natural pool inside. The pool is 7 feet deep and the cave itself is only 30 meters long. P100 per head to view the cave. If you opt to swim into the pool, it is P150 per head. There are plenty of covered tables and hammocks inside the park. Food is also available to order.
 

CAPE BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE
This lighthouse is definitely worth the long drive. It is kept beautifully over the years. A gorgeous structure with its gleaming white color. The view from the ruined house deck next to the lighthouse is just breathtaking. Located atop Punta Piedra Point, just above Patar White Beach.
 

GUIGUIWANEN BEACH
Located on the other side of Bolinao passed the town’s old market, about 15-minutes drive towards UP Marine Science Institute. Going to the beach can be a refreshing coastal drive except the beach area is not best for swimming. A very rocky beach, favorite hangout by locals.
 

TARA FALLS
The signage along the highway directing to where the falls is, has been long gone. Now, it is difficult to locate this falls without asking the locals. My landmark is a makeshift basketball court on the opposite side of the road, where I had parked my car before. It’s an easy and relaxing 30-minute trek before reaching this unspoiled low-level falls. Its aquamarine pool-like basin is a welcoming place for a nice swim.
 

BOLINAO CHURCH
St. James the Great Parish Catholic Church.
One of the few remaining rustic old churches in Pangasinan.
 

BOLINAO
Bolinao is the tail end of Pangasinan province. About an hour drive from Alaminos City or 7 hours from Manila. It is a coastal town facing the West Philippines Sea.
 

Accommodations:
PUERTO DEL SOL
A surprisingly nice hotel. Highly recommended. Please search for updated rates.
 

TASTES OF BOLINAO
Bolinao is synonymous with binungey. It is said that they make the best binungey in the entire province of Pangasinan. A suman-like taste rice delicacy cooked inside a cut bamboo. An anytime-great snack. Perfect for breakfast paired with coffee.

Note: binungey is sold in front of the main gate of the old church, usually in the morning or until it’s sold out. Binungey – P35-50 depends on the size.
 

Pana-pana (sea urchin) – P5/piece, tastes like pâté, great for cracker topping, 2002

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AGNO, PANGASINAN

Abagatanen Beach, Umbrella Rocks, and a Bamboo Footbridge. These are the points of interest in Agno, Pangasinan, Philippines.

ABAGATANEN BEACH
It is a beach in a small fishing barangay. It takes more than an hour drive to get to this beach from my hometown of Alaminos City passing thru the town of Bani on mostly open fields, then gradually turned into a mountainous road as you get closer to Agno. From the town proper of Agno, drive another 20 min or so towards the seaside areas. The view of the sea is very nice from up the hilly road. Then cross a river over a short bridge into a village where the beach is.
 

UMBRELLA ROCKS
These giant rocks are looking like some monstrous mushrooms sprouted along the beach. Located at Sabangan Beach.
About 15 minutes drive from the town proper. From the road, we entered into a very narrow dirt road going to the seaside. They are actually limestone rocks that formed over a number of geological periods. They are standing right at the mouth of the Balincaguing River where the water meets the sea. They are called Umbrella Rocks, probably because they offer shades from the searing heat of the sun? I don't know, but they looked more mushrooms to me than umbrellas.
 

BAMBOO FOOTBRIDGE
As we headed out of the town proper, we saw this sort of hanging bridge over a river. Naturally, being adventurous and all, we did check it out. The river below the bridge has a steady flow but I felt the river's might as we went across. It looked beautiful but at the same time scary. It seemed really deep with its milky green color.
 

AGNO CHURCH
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church
A pastoral looking church located across the town plaza.
 

AGNO
This small, seemingly quiet town of Agno is about an hour drive from Alaminos City or seven hours from Manila.

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ANDA, PANGASINAN

Tondol Beach, the salt field, a mighty river, fishponds by the Katubig bridge, and the rolling hills. These are the pride of Anda, Pangasinan, Philippines.

TONDOL BEACH
It has grey sand. It feels so soft it almost feels like mud but not exactly mud. It’s got calm water that retreats to many meters away during low tide exposing many tiny creatures that burrows in the light grey sand. This beach lacks organization. The placement of huts are so random, it creates one messy shoreline.

KATUBIG BRIDGE
What makes this bridge so cool is the priceless view. The view of the fisher folks below doing their day-to-day living.

On our way back home, we stopped at the Katubig Bridge to watch the crimson sky during sunset. We’re lucky to have witnessed the most amazing crimson-colored sky as it reflected on the river below. The silhouette of the Sister of the Poor convent atop the hill added an element which made it a picture-perfect scene.


ANDA
This off-the-beaten-track small town is about 40 minutes drive from Alaminos City.
 

sunset view at Katubig Bridge.
 

below Katubig Bridge, 2008


 

salt field community

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DAGUPAN CITY, PANGASINAN

Bonuan Blue Beach and the Dawel River Cruise. These are the points of interest in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines.

BONUAN BLUE BEACH
It's a long streach of light-grey sand, lined up with videoke huts, inns, and hostels.

DAWEL RIVER CRUISE
Similar to the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol, only this doesn't offer food. It’s a 45-minute boat ride passing through a surprisingly clean river; moss green color. This river is nicely bordered with thick mangroves on both sides. It also passes the ruins of Dagupan’s first railway system, which gives a nice touch to the tour.

DAGUPAN CITY
When you see a welcome arch fashioned in the form of swimming bangus, you have arrived Dagupan City. This city is synonymous with bangus (milk-fish). And why not, the city is surrounded by rivers and so much fish ponds of milk fish.
 

TASTES OF DAGUPAN
I'd say don't miss out on bangus meal when visiting this city, although now I don't eat bangus anymore 😊
 

Bonuan Blue Beach,
Fish vendors early morning

Fishermen selling his catch of the day to the cruisers.
 

The boat station is located adjacent to the bridge of Bonuan Gueset. Visitors are greeted with multi-colored statues of bangus. And let me also add that this cruise was free! Well, at that time we went anyway which I find it unusual. I'm not sure if it's always like that though.

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LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN

Lingayen Beach is the pride of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines.

LINGAYEN BEACH
Lingayen beach is a vast space of sandy gray beach facing the blue sea of the Lingayen Gulf. Lined with a mix of establishments, from videoke bars to big resort hotels. Frequented mostly by a huge number of locals, especially on weekends, from dusk to dawn until evening.


LINGAYEN CHURCH
Epiphany of the Lord Parish Church.
Located along the busy thoroughfare of the town.
 

LINGAYEN
Lingayen is the capital city of Pangasinan. I remember in my younger years, we go here for family beach outing. A bustling city with busy thoroughfares. Business establishments are concentrated along the main road where traffic is just plain mad.

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SAN NICOLAS, PANGASINAN

The Ambayaoan River. This is the pride of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, Philippines.

AMBAYAOAN RIVER
This river looks placid but they say that, at any given moment, it can create a powerful flash flood because its a tributary of the enormous Agno River.
 

SAN NICOLAS
It's one of those towns in Pangasinan that is quite remote. It is so out of the way from the main highways, that it feels very remote to me.

My aunt's husband's family is from this town. A town with mostly farmlands. I went with them to visit his family in 2011.

My uncle's family lives in a little barrio right across the big long bridge above the Ambayaoan river.

Images in the barrio.




Coupling grasshoppers


Dead bird


Tindahan




Everyone's helping out in preparing food and cleaning.




 

Fried snake anyone?

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