Old Woods by the Sea Eco Resort, Bani Pangasinan

At the resort's main entrance which is fronting two-storey old style Fiipino-wooden-house reception area. 

Old Woods by the Sea Eco Resort located in Bani, Pangasinan is a cozy mountain resort with breathtaking views of the ocean in West China Sea. It is perfect for those who are looking to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life yet opted to unwind and enjoy nature in a tranquil place. Visitors can enjoy stroll in their beautiful garden, short walk to the beach and by just having a personal quiet time and nourish their spirituality. The resort is also very close to Bangron, a protected mangrove area that serves as a home to hundreds of migratory birds. This could also be the best option for those who wanted to do some spelunking in the Nalsoc caves or take a hike to their very own Baliwanga Falls.

One can wait comfortably at this cleanest and coolest oriental inspired largely wooden made  reception area. 

Walking through one of their beautiful cozy gardens

Sweating profusely with the resort's gym equipment

A 360 degree full view inside the reception area

By the pool at night

A combination of old-fashioned and contemporary Filipino style air-conditioned 4-persons bedroom accentuated with drift wood headboard and hanging decors and frames

Hundred Islands Exploration

At the Lucap wharf, the entrance to the National Park

Exploring Hundred Islands National Park in the City of Alaminos Province of Pangasinan is another dream come true. I've been hearing a lot of good things abut this national park in the Philippines which is totaling to 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide. These islands are covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers and are scattered in Lingayen Gulf. Governor Island, Quezon Island and Children Island are the only three islands which have been developed for tourism. The Lucap wharf in Alaminos, the entrance to the National Park, is about 240 kilometres north of Manila and could be reached by about 3.75 hours drive by private vehicle. By public transportation from Manila, the bus ride takes about 5 to 6 hours. Some of the wildlife found living in the park are crab-eating macaque; common palm civet; dugong; fraser's dolphin; gecko; monitor lizard; sea turtles; sea snakes; various bat species and various rodent species. 

At the back of Governor Island 

The stairs going down from view deck

Upon reaching this viewing deck one has to climb up almost a hundred step stairs.

Dalugan: Mag-Asawang Bato

Fearless diver took his share in diving

Another special feature that Casiguran offers is this twin huge rocks which locals called “Mag-Asawang Bato”  that children, youth and adults can play around. This is located in Sitio Dalugan a coastal area of Brgy San Ildefonso. Again, this area is fronting Pacific Ocean and oftentimes visited by local and foreign surfers, especially during summer,  who’ve said that waves here gives more thrill than the typical waves they used to encounter. Beneath this Mag-Asawang Bato  is a pool-like waterbed, unreached by waves, where both children and adults can dive and swim at the same time. At the top most part the rock or any side of its body atop the water is serving as a diving board. Said rock can provide one a rock-climbing experience as well.  Underneath the water are tamed small striped colored fishes which tickle one’s feet sometimes.   

Swimming with the Dumagat tribe gives happier experiences

For a more unique experience, mounting a tent or placing a picnic mat under a canopy is best.

Since this is part of San Ildefonso Peninsula, this could be reached only via motor boat and kolong-kolong (a tricycle-like vehicle).  Regular fare rate will cost one for only Php90 per person (Php60 for a boat ride and Php30 for kolong-kolong). But special trips are most common for tourists who don’t have luxury of time to wait for other passengers to join then in on the ride. Special trip for boat costs Php500 (maximum of 10 persons) while Php150 for kolong-kolong (5 persons max).

Rock climbing moment

Upon reaching this Mag-Asawang Bato beach resort of Sitio Dalugan,  one can immediately notice the three cottages available for rentals at Php300 each whole day. But for a more unique experience, instead of renting a cottage people usually opt to mount a tent or settle to place a picnic mat under a canopy of a tree.  Alongside you can cook food by using firewood and bamboos for pans for rusticity of ambience purposes.   

Motiong

A cottage in APECO, Motiong being made available for rent to those who wish to stay here and relax for a night or more. 

A serene place sets one soul sound – provides a heaven like spiritual ambience. Much if such place is inhabited with laid back, peace-loving individuals. Resting in a Province of Aurora, MOTIONG is one Sitio of Barangay Esteves, Municipality of Casiguran that is relatively unconquered. It is known for its richness in mangroves and sea living creatures like high end fishes namely yellow-fin tuna and blue marlin. It has a long stretch of light brown sand beach perfect for family outing and camping. It also has a vast land for rice crops and coconut trees which provides locals their main source of living.

A very inviting clean light brown sand beach on its calmness and finest.  

            

One of the executive houses also being made available for rent

A Blissful Summer

PACIFIC OCEAN BAY

San Ildefonso, Casiguran. Aurora Province

Summer 2013

Rock Formations, Dumagats, Caves and Bats, Mountain Trails, Fresh Coconut Juice, Rock Climbing, Boating, Spring Water

A blissful summer adventure I had in 2013. It’s in the Pacific Ocean bay of the peninsula of Brgy. San Ildefonso, Casiguran, Province of Aurora, Philippines. It took us almost an hour via motorboat from a seashore of Brgy. Esteves, a barangay fronting the peninsula.  Hereunder are the photos that say it all.  

Oftentimes, waterbed on this part of Pacific Ocean is calm during summertime.

It’s night time when we got there. Some Dumagats were waiting for us. Katol, their chieftain, who drove the motorboat to transport us, ordered them to welcome us with indigenous lamps. Due to absence of the moonlight, the entire place was enveloped with darkness. Only their flickering lamps could be seen from afar.

We could hardly see the entire surrounding of that seashore.

Sun rose as early as 4:30 in the morning

                                                                                            

Every morning while preparing  for their breakfast, the Dumagats  usually grouped themselves   outside their indigenous tents. Mothers are talking with each other while children are playing. Fathers are either cooking for their first meal  of the day or go fishing. 

 

Stunning various rock formations accentuate the bayside

 

Slept over in one cave                                                           Plunging in a cool water of  the other the next day

 

Rock climbing                                                                       Mountain trekking