Exploring Ilocos Region: Pangasinan

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Related Posts:
Exploring Ilocos Region Day 1: Ilocos Norte
Exploring Ilocos Region Day 2: Ilocos Sur
Exploring Ilocos Region Day 3: La Union

The last day of our backpacking trip across Ilocos Region was spent in Pangasinan. Pangasinan is the southernmost province in the region and the nearest to Manila.

As I have mentioned in my previous post, we stayed overnight in Lingayen, the provincial capital of Pangasinan. After breakfast, we went to the Lingayen War Memorial and the historical Lingayen Beach which played an important role during the second world war.

Lingayen Beach (taken by me on June 26, 2007)

Lingayen War Memorial (taken by Lor on June 26, 2007)

After this, we decided to go to Bolinao on the northwestern tip of Pangasinan. Bolinao is famous for its beautiful and virgin beaches. We were actually choosing between Bolinao and Hundred Islands, but because we needed one whole day to fully explore Hundred Islands, we decided to go with Bolinao. From Lingayen, we rode the bus to Alaminos, and from Alaminos, we rode another bus to Bolinao. The first thing we did when we got to Bolinao is to have lunch and then we visited the nearby St. James Parish.

St. James Parish (taken by Lor on June 26, 2007)

After this, we rented a tricycle for the whole afternoon and our driver took us to the Enchanted Cave, Bolinao Lighthouse and the beautiful Patar Beach. By the time we got near the beach, it was already raining hard but that did not stop us from enjoying beautiful Bolinao. The rain actually made this trip more memorable. At around 7pm, we left Patar Beach and took the long tricycle ride back to the town center. At 9pm, we rode the Five Star Bus in Bolinao back to Manila.

Entrance to the Enchanted Cave (taken by Lor on June 26, 2007)

Clear water inside the Enchanted Cave (taken by Lor on June 26, 2007)

Our tricycle (taken by Lor on June 26, 2007)

Bolinao Lighthouse (taken by me on June 26, 2007)

Patar Beach (taken by me on June 26, 2007)

2 years ago, we did not know anything about Bolinao, and neither did we know that it would it be one of the famous destinations in Pangasinan now. Looking back, I am thankful to have seen this place before commercialism spoils it. But I am praying that day won't come.

Access from Manila: Buses such as the Five Star Bus, Dagupan Bus, Victory Liner, Philippine Rabbit takes the Manila-Bolinao route daily. Travel time is around 6 hours.