The first travel of the year was set to Western Pangasinan. Some of us in the batch formed a travel core group, which basically are people ready to go somewhere in a week's (or even just a day's) notice! Hahaha. This 2013 pilot travel campaign was joined by John, Jeff, and myself, a.k.a. the EDC boys but sans Kevin. :(
The plan was to visit the white beaches of Tambobong in Dasol and make our pilgrimage to the Hundred Islands National Geologic Monument in Alaminos. As geologists, it is important for us to go to these sacred grounds and experience the majesty of these phenoms. We only had the regular weekend allotted for this trip, and I guess it sufficed.
We left Manila on a rainy Friday night, worried that the same weather condition will prevail in the north. Luckily, the skies remained tame when we arrived dawn at Dasol proper. We had breakfast from the only open carinderia and then hired a trike to take us to Tambobong. Man, the trip was long and bumpy. We arrived at the resort at about 7 AM.
 |
| This accurate sculpture of a mermaid welcomed us. |
After negotiations about accomodation, meals and boat rentals, we started touring coastal Dasol. First on the list was the shipwreck. It was not really a prized historic wreck like a galleon or merchantship. I think it is valued because it accents the coastal seascape of Dasol.
 |
| The shipwreck |
Our boat then proceeded to a craggy limestone stack nearby. We were not yet in total appreciation, but it was slowly building. Anyway, we were having fun.
 |
| Looking for faults, as they always are. |
Then we sailed to Culebra Island, so called because of its rumored snake population. I particularly enjoyed the ride, because the waves progressively got higher as we were going perpendicular to it. My innards loved it! Also, the water surface was surprisingly very calm that it acts like a perfect mirror. We were like gliding in a sea of mercury.
Upon reaching Culebra Island, we took a few minutes walking around. The island is small, vegetated by thorny bushes and a handful of coconuts. The sand was very nice, in terms of color and texture: soft like brown sugar but cream-colored. We were not able to swim because of the intense wave action but we sure had other ways to have fun.
 |
| we rollin' |
 |
| John as Ariel. Ariel Rivera. lol |
 |
| Jeff in deep thought. |
We had our second breakfast here (haha) then headed back to the coast to the crags of Cabacungan, where we did some snorkeling (I did not have pictures). Then it was time to grab lunch at the resort. The rest of the day was spent on the fine, white, sandy shores of Tambobong.
 |
| Kids in rafts doing their cannonball stunts. |
 |
| Chill under the palm trees |
 |
| Rays penetrate through the braided palm roof |
 |
| Hearty lunch! |
 |
| These guys are wasting time on siesta! |
We were initially planning on drinking on the shorefront that night but we were dead-tired plus it's high tide, so we just hit the sack. Early next day we left Dasol to head for Alaminos City. Of course there's a group picture before we departed.
We arrived at the Hundred Islands National Park plaza at about lunch time, and we were quick to charter our boat rides to some of the islands. Unfortunately, the rain clouds rolled in and it started drizzling just as we left for the islands. Strong waves met our small boat, which was both thrilling and scary. I was scared for my camera. Haha. Although the weather forbade us to do a wider survey of the islands, we were able to visit the popular ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment