Our 100 Isla (Hundred Islands) Adventure

OMG! Summer is here again and still, I am not done sharing our adventures last summer! Am I really that busy?! Well, I guess so. hahhaha!

Anyway, I really do believe in the cliche, "Better late than never", so I will be continuing to share our experiences in visiting the beautiful Hundred Islands now! :)

Hundred Islands National Park (yes, it's a National Park, as declared by then President Manuel Quezon in his Presidential Proclamation 667) is composed of 124 islands when low tide, and only 123 islands during high tide ( o di ba, parang Miss Universe lang ang peg?! ), scattered in the Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers. The Lucap Wharf, which serves as the entrance to the National Park is located in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Actually, it was not my first time to visit Hundred Islands. I've already visited it when I was still young. I even remember going up the lighthouse together with a childhood friend. I really had fond memories of the place as a child, that is why I've been wanting to go back there ever since I got a family of my own. I also want my children to see and experience the wonder that Pangasinan has to offer, which up to now is considered as one of the wonders of our country! Visiting it is really a must, especially for us Filipinos! It is really something that we should all be proud of! :)

The Alaminos Lighthouse

And at last, last May 7 to 8, 2016, I was able to come back again to Hundred Islands, this time with my dearest family! Actually, it was not just the four of us, we went there together with the officemates of my husband, which made the journey a lot more fun! :)

We used a private vehicle in going to Alaminos, Pangasinan so I really don't know how to go to Hundred Islands via public transportation (sorry). And once we got to Lucap Wharf, we already boarded a boat that will take us to one of the islands.

groupie during our boat ride going to Quezon Island! :)

As a tourist destination, the Hundred Islands National Park is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling. But among the hundred islands, there are only three islands that are developed for tourism - Governor Island, Children's Island & Quezon Island. The rest of the islands are not yet commercialized and some are still untouched, although some of the islands, such as the Marcos Island is also sometimes being visited by the tourists.

Quezon Island

Named after the former President Manuel L. Quezon, Quezon Island is the first National Park in the Philippines, as declared by the former president himself on January 18, 1940. The island is actually composed of 3 islets interconnected to each other. 

Quezon Island

Welcome to Alaminos City! Welcome to Quezon Island!

The Triple Joys!

Yours truly at the statue of President Manuel L. Quezon

My daughter Renee Joy, enjoying the view of Quezon Island.

Enjoying the beautiful sunset...

Among the three major islands, Quezon Island is the most developed island which makes it the ideal choice for visitors who wanted to stay in the island overnight. And it is also for this reason that we decided to stay in this island for the night. Although there were no available room accommodations yet in the island during our stay (well, that was based from what I know), there are open sheds/cottages with tables and chairs which can be rented. There were also tents that are available for rent, as well as open spaces wherein you can put up camping tents.

Quezon Island at night

The tents wherein we spent the night...

More camping tents at the other side of the island...

Look at that beautiful sunrise! :)

Aside from swimming, which my kids truly love, there are many other things that you can do in the island. There are kayaks, banana boat and speed boats that you can rent and enjoy. Don't worry about safety because there are really personnels in the are that really ensure everyone's safety!

My mini MEs truly enjoyed playing with the beautiful sand of the island!

Hubby with his officemates...

We are ready for our next adventure! :)

And Banana Boat it is! So excited as it was my daughter's first time to ride the Banana Boat!

As for these two kiddos, as they are still not of age, they are only allowed to ride the speed boat that was used to pull the banana boat! Exciting still, right?! :)

We really enjoyed our stay in Quezon Island. But for those staying overnight, be reminded that they do not have fresh water/ drinking water in the island, so bring as much water with you in the island. And for shower purposes, they only have salt water. :)

Also, bring enough foods in the island because although there are stores available in the island, the prices are really high! So if you really dont want to hurt your pocket that much, bring your own baon! ;)

Children's Island

Children's Island

The following morning, we went island hopping as planned. The next island that we visited was the Children's Island. The beach in this island is calm, which makes it perfect for swimming, especially for children. I guess this is the reason why the island was name as such. :)

The Bahala Gang at the Children's Island!

There are also stores and comfort rooms in the island. Souvenir items are also available.

Look at these beautiful shell souvenirs! 

Governor's Island

Our next and last stop was the Governor's Island.

The entrance to the Governor's Island

I think, if you want to have a more comfortable stay at the island, this is where you should opt to stay as there are available rooms here, complete with all the amenities and comfort of a home. I just don't know why the officemates of my husband didn't considered staying here. Oh, well...

Upon entering the island, there are stairs which will lead you to the Peak of the Governor's Island.

Off the stairs we go! :)

It was a long and tiring climb, but once you reach the Peak, you'll know that it was all worth it! The view is really breath-taking at the Peak! Ang saya lang sa pakiramdam!

Panoramic view of the island..

Governor's Island is also known for as the place where one of the most famous show in the Philippines was shoot, the Pinoy Big Brother(PBB)! I know I was able to get a photo of the PBB house, but can't seem to find it. hahaha

Anyway, this is a view taken from the outside of the PBB House.

There is a floating bridge going to another island (sorry, but I forgot the name). We were not able to cross the bridge though because my daughters were already tired and all they wanted was to swim! :)

See that kiddo on our back? haha She doesn't to have a photo anymore. All she wanted to do was swim! :)

Reena Joy is really having a great time swimming! She's truly a water baby! :)

Another interesting view in the island is the cave. If momentarily you want to escape the extreme heat of the sun, this is surely the best hiding place! :)

There are also stores in the island, if you want to have some snacks and refreshments.

Perfect quenching moment! ;)

Halo-halo, you like?! They also serve halo-halo in the island! Yum!

Here is one last look of the amazingly beautiful island of Governor's Island! And I would surely keep on coming back again and again! :)

Forgot to buy some souvenirs? Fret not as there are more available souvenir shops near the Lucap Wharf!

So there it is, our 100 Isla Adventure! I hope you really had fun reading our adventure and viewing our photos! I really hope that I had made you realize that Hundred Islands is truly a beauty that our country, the Philippines should really be proud of! 

Till our next adventure! :)