Bolinao, Pangasinan

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse in Pangasinan

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Our tricycle increased its speed when we were approaching the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse but the road to the lighthouse was too steep that we stopped halfway and the tricycle scarily skid a little before we stopped fully. We quickly went out to lessen the weight of the tricycle. Our driver then advised us to walk to the lighthouse, even if he does not advise us we would happily walk than to risk getting into an accident.

Steep uphill to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Unfortunately, we were not able to go inside the lighthouse because it was locked. According to our tricycle driver if the one guarding the lighthouse was there we could have gotten permission to climb. O well, it was still great to see a lonely sentinel again.

3 Caves of Bolinao, Pangasinan

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One of the things I love about Bolinao are its caves. It’s not as adventurous as the one you will find in Sagada, but after a day on the salty waters of the beach a dip on the fresh cool waters of some of the caves of Bolinao, Pangasinan would be a must before you go back to the city.

Enchanted Cave

Enchanted Cave

Our first stop after our late breakfast at Adora’s Restaurant is Enchanted Cave. On my first time in Bolinao this is where swam before we headed back home for Manila. I love how clear the water is inside and how it wash the salty and sticky feeling of sea water.

A little bit of caution though because the rocks on the pool are sharp. Best if you could bring a sandal with straps so you could avoid being cut.

Inside Enchanted Cave

Contact Number: 0939-570-9901
Operating Hours: 8AM to 5PM
Entrance Fee: 50 Pesos/pax if not swimming; 70 Pesos/pax if swimming

UP Marine Science Institute at Bolinao, Pangasinan

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It was 7AM after our short stay at Dos Flores Hotel & Resort, we decided that before we get breakfast we should at least go first to UP Marine Science Institute (MSI).

We got a tricycle in front of the resort and asked to take us to UP Marine Science Institute and wait for us so we could have a ride back. According to the people I talked earlier in the bus stations, there were only a few tricycles going to the UP Marine Science Institute that’s why it is best for the tricycle to wait for us. The fare is P50/tricycle/one-way and we had to pay P100 for a round trip.

I did not know what to expect from the UP Marine Science Institute. It was my first time there and I only heard stories about it from my friends. We paid 10 Pesos each and the guard explained that it was for the entrance to the Outdoor hatchery. It was still too early for visitors, 7:30AM but they still accommodated us. The guard then called someone who can tour us around the hatchery. At first site of the hatchery, my eager-interested-geek mode turned on!

2 Restaurants that you should know when in Bolinao, Pangasinan

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It was my second time to go to Bolinao and I remember the problems regarding food due to time of arrival and the lack of food establishments in Abrac Beach in Patar. That’s why I would like to present to you 2 Restaurants you should know when in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

1. Adora’s Restaurant

When I noticed that we were arriving in Bolinao around 2 AM, I quickly asked the driver where we could stay or eat while we wait for daylight. He quickly answered a 24 hours opened restaurant named Adora’s that is located near the public market and Bolinao Church.

Arriving at Bolinao I noticed that there were a few karinderyas opened but since we were not hungry we first tried to talk to a few tricycle drivers around the station of Victory Liner and Five Star. After a while they suggested for a lodging where I could stay for a short-time to sleep, but I said no. They then said that if I do not want to sleep I should try Adora’s too.

There must be something about Adora’s that two different people would recommend it. Actually, the people at the Department of Tourism in Bolinao also recommended Adora’s. That’s why we ended up trying it.

It was a karinderya type of food establishment where you will just pick a readily available food for you to eat. It was good and their ingredients were fresh. Their also specialty are kambing cooking.

Inside Adora's Restaurant

Inside Adora’s Restaurant

Prices

P35.00 – Vegetables
P45.00 – Sinigang
P60,00 – Kilawin
P10.00 – 1 cup Rice
P24.00 – 12oz Softdrink

Short-Time in Dos Flores at Bolinao, Pangasinan

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Dos Flores Information Office

I decided to ride the last trip of Victory Liner Cubao to Bolinao, Pangasinan at around 9PM. The trip went too well that we arrived at Bolinao at 2 in the morning!

After some time walking around town and talking to different tricycle drivers, one of them noticed that I was sleepy. He asked if I wanted to sleep for a short while in Dos Flores.

I was reluctant to take the offer because it was obviously a lodging that offers what we popularly call “short-time”. Negative sleazy images of people checking-in short-time came flashing on my head. But lacking sleep for a few days did not help me withstand the temptation of checking-in short-time. I then realized that maybe checking-in short-time is not as bad as I associate it is. Maybe I should give it a second chance, I’m just only going to sleep nothing more. I want to sleep badly!

I rode the tricycle. It was somehow farther than I expected but to my surprise Dos Flores it not a building with rooms like what I associate motels to be, but it was actually a cozy beach front resort. I paid the tricycle driver 40 pesos as we agreed and talked with the lady at the resort who had only awaken because of my arrival. (Imagine 2 sleepy heads talking.)

“Gaano katagal?” – Lady at the resort
“Hanggang 7AM lang po.” – Me
“Exted nalang ng 1 hour. Bel, P350 para sa short-time at P50 para sa 1 hour extension.” – Lady at the resort
“Ok po.” (Sleepy and awkward moment) – Me

Went inside the room, dropped my bags, set alarm at 7AM, made sure that some windows are open for people to see me inside and slept soundly for 4 hours.

My room in Dos Flores Hotel & Restaurant

My room in Dos Flores Hotel & Restaurant

After waking up, I found a new definition of the phrase “short-time”. Not the negative sleazy definition that I usually associate it with. But a definition where a sleepy, tired traveller could slumber even for a short while.