Exploring Tondol, Anda and Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Unwind with adventures in the Island of Anda, Pangasinan where Tondol White Sand Beach is located. It is one of the beaches in Luzon with white fine sand thus; it is called the “Boracay of the North”. For a weekend getaway, we traveled from Baguio City to Tondol, Anda, Pangasinan via motorcycle that made the travel more extreme. We spent the night there, then had our sightseeing in Bolinao before going home passing Patar Beach.

Map of our Itinerary:

Day 1-7:30 AM-3:00 PM >Baguio to Tondol, Anda, Pangasinan. It took us more than 7 hours to reach Tondol as we traveled passing Bauang, La Union and including our stops along the way to have meals.
How to get there:
There are buses going there however, you'll need to ride tricycle from the main road to the island in case you'll commute. If you have vehicle, the place is easily located, use maps available on your phone (we used google map), it's really helpful.

Along the way photos with Travel Buddies.

Lunch and Sightseeing at Dagupan Pantal Bridge

Here are some beach resorts in Tondol, Anda where you can stay. Just search their Facebook page for more info. I think normal rates of accommodations there starts at Php 1,500.00. We planned to stay at 828 Gems Beach Resort since they have good feedback specially with their paluto services however, since it was an unplanned trip, we were not able to book for accommodation thinking it was not peak season (March 16, 2019), unfortunately upon arrival, they were fully booked then, they don't have meals/paluto services as there was an event they were catering. 

Try exploring also the public beach where "I 💗 Tondol" is located.

We stayed at Villa Cecilia Beach Resort, at first, their room cost Php 2,500 though we got discount so we payed 1,500 good for 3. Bring your own toiletries as you'll only get bedding, no towels. We requested but they only gave us one.😏 They have paluto services but then, better if you can bring your own food. They also have stores around in case you forgot to bring something. The good thing is that the whole duration of stay is 24 hours, unlike other accommodations which has specific check-out time regardless of what time you checked-in.

The room we rented in Villa Cecilla Beach Resort

What you can see in Anda, Pangasinan

Tondol Beach has a fine white sand with wide shoreline, good for kids as the water is shallow. If you are a swimmer, you'll need to walk at least 5 minutes (200 meters) going to the deeper part of the water. There's also a little Island you can explore, you can even swim going there.

Excited to take photos upon arrival 😅

You can bring your own ball for beach volleyball, there are also videoke for rent.

Chill with the Relaxing View

Wide Shoreline

The Sunset

Early morning photo ops before continuing our trip

Day 2

09 AM-11:30 AM >>Tondol to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

12:00 PM -4:30 PM>> La Parola de Bolinao to Dagupan

5:00 PM-8:00 PM>> Dagupan to Baguio City via Agoo-Nangalisan, Asin alternate Route

We had our lunch at Am Strand Resto Grill, the view from the resto is really nice and the food taste good however, as for me, the serving is not that "Sulit" since sobrang konti lang siya for its price specially if nasanay ka sa servings ng Baguio na sobrang dami with same or cheaper price. 😊

Open view from the resto.

Menu Price

This is the exact serving that costs Php 1000.00

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse- The second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines.

View at where you can take photos at the Lighthouse

Around 12 PM, we rested at La Parola De Bolinao as the sun was scorching hot. The resort has fine cream color sand located near the lighthouse.

 Here's their Contacts for updated rates

 Open Cottage, they have shower rooms-Php15/Head

At 4PM we started our ride back to Baguio

Stop over along the way, yummy pakwan!, Ate who's selling these under a mango tree even allowed us to pick mango for free (Samalat po!).

Ice Cream House in Dagupan

Travel &  Explore while you can, It doesn't have to be expensive. Just be with the right company, it's the experience that matters.

Budget friendly travel to Pinsal Falls and Badoc Island

For a weekend getaway, we planned a target destination: Pinsal Falls and Badoc Island. 

We started our travel at 7a.m. from Burnham park, Baguio City and reached Savemore, Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur around 11:30 a.m., where we purchased foods and things we needed since the trip was decided a night before the travel thus, we only prepared our personal belongings. 

We had our lunch first at Ally’s Restobar, which is located just beside savemore before continuing our trip to Pinsal Falls around 12:30 p.m. and reached the destination at 1 p.m. 

➤Pinsal Falls is a hidden scenic spot located in the town of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. It will take 20-30 minutes’ drive from the main road (Landmark: Savemore). The road is concrete thus; the location is easily accessible up to the boating area going to the falls. 

It’s really worthy of a road trip destination since aside from its remarkably well maintained beauty; fees are reasonable which I personally admire. 

Fees:

Parking Fee: Php30.00/vehicle 

Boat fee: Php10.00/head (Back & Fort: Php20.00) 

The stairs going to the top of the fall where the "small pools" are located.

⇓View at the top of the Falls. There are lots of small pools where you can dip/swim.

The water is NOT freezin' cold unlike other falls I've been to, so we really enjoyed swimming.

sobrang ganda mag picture dito 😊

After exploring Pinsal falls, we continued our travel around 4 p.m. to Badoc, Ilocos Norte. We planned to have an overnight at the Island however; it was already dark when we reached Sinait. We therefore decided to go to the Island the next morning. We looked around where we can pitch our tent, we inquired at Sinait Floating Cottage and it will cost you Php550.00 overnight. We drove further until we reached La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel, it has a wide beachfront where we freely pitched our tent; we only gave donation to the Brgy. Tanod for the Church. The church is also a landmark to one of the boating area going to Badoc Island that costs Php1, 200.00 (6pax). 

In the morning, we went to Pagsanahan Norte, 5-10 minutes’ drive from La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel where you can actually view the whole Island. Boating fee here cost cheaper (Php1, 000.00/6pax). We were informed that boats will start at 9-10 a.m therefore; if you wish to go earlier you need to coordinate beforehand. We then went to Badoc Public Market for Breakfast that is 10-15 minutes away, then returned at 8:30 a.m. to the boating area. 

Badoc Town Proper

Boating area to Badoc Island (Pagsanahan Norte)

➤Badoc Island is an uninhabited island located about 1km away from the mainland. Badoc has crystal clear water, and powdery sand that has lots of shells and rocks. During our visit, we only saw 2 sheds wherein we used one for free although, I am not sure if it’s the same during peak season. You must buy everything you need before going there since there were no stores around. One good thing if you camp there is that, you can go around the Island and hike early in the morning since the sun is scorching hot as early as 9 a.m. otherwise, you can explore the island if you don’t mind the sun. 

Badoc Island view from the mainland

Badoc Island experience

We head back at 12:30 p.m.; by the way, there are shower rooms near the boating area that costs Php 20.00. 

Travel date: November 17-18, 2018
Video:

Baguio to Dagupan-Mayos Beach Resort

Unwind in Dagupan 

insert Jez 😂

For a weekend getaway, one of our colleague suggested this place, Mayos Beach Resort. It is a 2hours 30mins drive from Baguio via Marcos Highway. We started our travel around 9:30 and reached the place around 12PM. 

The place is a back to basic resort, a nice venue for group outing/relaxation (barkada, family etc.) or for events since it is privately used per reservation. Mura pero sobrang sulit yung ibabayad mo since you really just need to bring your personal belongings and foods to be cooked. You’ll also have to enjoy the company of your group since kayo lang ang tao aside from the caretaker. 

Rate for overnight stay (as of 2018): Check-in: 1PM| Check-out 12NN 
➤Minimum to reserve the place: Php 2, 500.00

• 11 y/o & above: Php300/head 
• 4-10 y/o: Php240/head 
• 3 y/o & below: FREE 
• Use of LPG & kitchen: Php200.00 
• Videoke rental: Php800.00 

Rate inclusions: 

• Cottages with complete beddings & electric fans 
• Kitchen with complete utensils and free use of Refrigerator 
• Free bonfire & beach volleyball- Although, we were not able to try since everyone was engaged in singing (videoke), cooking and swimming, late na namin narealize nung pauwi na kami 😁😃😂 
• There are stores nearby for uling, mineral water, etc.

Some Photos taken:

• Function Hall and Grilling Area

➤I think you can bring your electric grilling pan if you want less hassle however; I am not sure if there is additional cost. I just noticed that they had lots of sockets inside the cottages and function hall. We were able to use freely, charging our phones and never heard of any restrictions.

•  Cottage/Accommodation-At first, we were all excited to stay at the cottages nearest the beach but then, when we checked the others; we were amazed with their unique and cute designs thus, any cottage is actually all right for me. They have 7 cottages, each has a double deck good for 4, except for cottage 1 that has 2 double decks for 8 persons. 

• Kitchen with complete utensils

➤For other things you need, you can just nicely ask for help from their kind caretaker. 

• Activities

***They have this cute steel framed pool for adults and kids where you can dip and have conversations with your friends/group. Its not that convenient for swimming in group however, you certainly have the beach as an option.

Video:

➤also, the owner of the resort was very kind in giving us extended free time as long as no one reserved next during the stay. 

➤They are accommodating and easily reached thru their Facebook page for inquiries/reservation.