By Eva Visperas

There’s something in the sea that keeps me coming back, especially at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

At the Hundred Islands, I feel serenity, enjoy life’s simplicity, tickle my mind’s curiosity about the mystery of the Islands’ beauty, and bask at the sun and the sea, as if hours pass by unknowingly.

It was still work yet a time to at least de-stress when we had our brief journey at the Hundred Islands on a bright Thursday. It was to soothe my weary soul.

The tour we had on July 28 was among those unexpected, unplanned yet worth remembering and retelling. Four of us from the local media, two from another newspaper (Yoly Sotelo and Ray Zambrano of the PDI), trooped to this majestic place, our nth time to do so, being natives of Pangasinan.

We had no extra budget for the trip so off we went riding a UV Express van that cost each of us P60 from Dagupan City to Alaminos City.

Assembly time was 6:00 a.m. at the van terminal. The group fetched me from my hometown Binmaley around 6:30 a.m. where the van would pass by enroute to Alaminos. Then next pick-up was Cesar Ramirez, our STAR photo journalist from Lingayen town.

Before 8:00 a.m., we arrived in Alaminos City and had simple breakfast in a carinderia in front of the city hall.

Next we rode in tricycles, one for the two photographers and another for me and colleague Yoly.  A measly P120 was all we paid for the two tricycle fares. Not bad, we chorused.

Fun never stops

The fun never ends at the HINP as tourists’ influx is recorded all-time high, thanks to the water adventure activities introduced to spice up their stay, aside from the usual beach swimming and frolicking.

Although rains have started pouring in the past months, yet tourists, both local and foreign, keep coming to explore Pangasinan’s top tourist destination and enjoy the adventures at the HINP for total relaxation, excitement and fun, like us.

Aside from its famous sights where islands, totaling 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide are scattered in Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers (6.47 sq mi), its crystal clear waters that appear blue and green and its fine sand are so inviting one could not help but dip at the sea upon arrival. But no, we did not do that, we just wandered around. We were not ready with our swimming attire.

The adventures

If your last journey here was some years back, expect many changes to see and enjoy when you return.

For one, the Lucap Wharf, the jump-off point to the Hundred Islands, has been renovated to become a spic and span, well-lit boulevard that could easily match or even surpass other baywalk areas, with wooden and steel benches, trees aligned along the area with a post card perfect sight of the waters which has also become a favorite rendezvous for lovers, fitness enthusiasts, or family bonding for those who simply stroll around, jog for health reason or simply to unwind.

Solomon Tablang, head of the City Tourism Office, greeted us. He joined us in our half-day sojourn in the Hundred Islands using a speedboat.

While enjoying our speedboat ride, I could feel how the waves smoothly carried us to our destination, overtaking three other motorized bancas loaded with local and foreign guests. It was as if the ride reminded me to just go with the waves of life.

But two other male jetski riders sped off ahead of us, while waving their hands as a sign of greeting.

Normally it takes 30 to 45 minutes motorized banca ride to reach our first destination, Governor’s Island. But we landed on Governor’s Island in less than 20 minutes, thanks to our speed boat driver.

Smiling City Hall staff assigned in Governor’s Island greeted us. They assist visitors or tourists who would like to enjoy the adrenaline-pumping zipline ride.

I had experienced a 180-meter long zipline ride, in another Island, the Quezon Island, out of curiosity and peer influence some two years back, when a small group of local newsmen had our overnight stay here.

That was enough zipline experience, I promised myself, because I had already conquered my fear of heights.

The zipline ride at the Governor’s Island costs each rider P250.

It is 546 meters long, 230 feet above sea level and a excitement-packed ride of 30 to 45 seconds.

“The heavier the rider, the faster the ride,” one of the employees honestly said, as she glanced smilingly at our size.

The zipline adventure is part of the renovation of some of the islands now with its pavilions, guesthouse, picnic areas and new structures that made this tourist site fit for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

The zipline facility is unique of its kind as the rider enjoys the scenery of blue waters and the scattered islands, believed to be about two million years old, that appear in mushroom-like shapes which are actually ancient corals that extend well inland.

The zipline was made possible when Mayor Arthur Celeste, former congressman of Pangasinan 1^st district, took over as the local chief executive here.

Since its opening, the zipline facility is making people, young and old alike, go gaga over it, as the riders shout on top of their voices as they conquer their fears in their most exciting, heart-pumping adventure.

The facility is being maintained by the city government with properly-trained personnel manning its operation, securing every detail of the harness worn by every rider, putting with utmost care their safety and ensuring they would cherish to their heart’s content their unforgettable experience.

“This (zipline) laudable initiative is an added attraction to invigorate the influx of both local and foreign tourists to visit and rediscover the magic and wonders of the famous HINP and make their stay worthy and memorable,” Celeste said in his Facebook page.

It added, “Come and join us as we all witness this breakthrough which would surely bring back the glitter of the world class HINP as a premier tourist destination not only in the local scene but in the International world.”

Due to the growing popularity of the zipline ride in Quezon, another zipline which is 500 meters long, was constructed to connect the Governor’s Island and the Virgin Island.

But wait, before one takes off from the ride, he or she has to climb a 388-step high stairway where the exciting zipline ride starts. That’s a bonus attraction.

As our photographer-companions busied themselves taking pictures, we, seated in a gazebo, enjoyed hearing screams of excitement from the riders who appeared like big spiders playing on long cable above.

Beach frolickers can also try the Hundred Islands’ kayaking, rappelling, snorkeling, spelunking, helmet diving and wall climbing, to augment the usual island hopping, bird watching, diving, hiking, trekking, among others.

While at the Governor’s Island where the Pinoy Big Brother house, named after a famous reality television show that had its episodes shot there, one can see the majestic view of the islands at its view deck.  To get to the top, hikers must climb the 165 steps and another 123 steps downward to get a 360-degree breathtaking view of the islands.

Swimmers can also enjoy the waters at the Marcos Island where the sand is the most powdery than elsewhere in the islands and go inside the Imelda Cave for more exciting sights and discoveries.

For families that have kids, the Children’s Island is for them as it lives up to its name with its shallow waters ideal for kiddie swimming.

With 123 islands to explore, one would never run out of fun and excitement while in the Hundred Islands, Tablang said.

From the Governor’s Island, one could walk through another Island, the Virgin Island (called as such for being unexplored) using the pontoon bridge or floating bridge. It is sometimes called Lasing Bridge for an experience to walk like a drunken person as if cruising on top of the waters as the structure sways. It has interconnected plastic float to support continuous deck for pedestrians as they cross from the Governor’s to the Virgin Islands and vice versa.

The beauty of the islands has been drawing people from all walks of life, including foreign guests, to visit the place. No wonder foreign cruise ships have been coming over the past years. Even couples are drawn here for the exchange of their eternal love in perfect wedding sight.

In the city’s website, the HINP is described as, “Sparkling like diamonds, the waters glisten as the sun’s golden rays touch the pristine sea. Delightful in one’s eyes is the powdery blue sky casting a bright gleam beneath. The spread of white sand shimmers against the stream that changes hue—from emerald green to turquoise and azure—as the briny deep goes unfathomable.”

It added, “A stroll along the beach ends up with a dip into the soothing warm waters. Colorful tropical fish glide in somewhat orchestrated manner among a many coral gardens. Out of the water, discovery envelops that it is not only one isle but a throng of numerous islands ambling along each other. The count, even greater (actually 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide), sums up the grouping of isles scattered incidentally along Lingayen Gulf, many of which are still unexplored”.

Before noontime, we had a snack break of halo-halo to quench our thirst and the heat of the sun at the foot of the view deck at the Governor’s Island. Then off we continued with our island hopping–Mayor’s Island, Children’s Island, Marcos Island, Lopez Island, Quezon Island, Romulo Island, Clave Island.

Yes, there are many other islands we have yet to explore. That means we shall be back for more tours.

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