PANGASINAN | TAWINTAWIN, ALAMINOS – BOLINAO TRIP

A friend invited us for a town fiesta celebration at Tawintawin Alaminos, Pangasinan.  The town is located between Alaminos and Bani and is accessible from Alaminos-Bani highway through a narrow access road.  We left the City around 9am and by 130pm, we reached the City of Alaminos.  We did a quick glimpse of the Hundred Islands and by 3pm, we arrived at Barangay Tawintawin. 

With 7 kids on the trip, instead of exploring the barangay, we opted to stay indoor to savour the simple feast tendered.  Local kids also joined while the adults are doing socials.  In the early evening, we witnessed the traditional fiesta celebration where people go from house to house to share the feast; and there’s always a happy host that welcomes each and every guest with a sweet smile.

On our second day, we left Tawintawin for Bolinao and after nearly 2-hours drive, the Bolinao marker greeted us.  We dropped by the town market for our rations, water refill, groceries, and visited the Church of St. James the Fortress.  Afterwhich we headed to Patar Beach where we spent the rest of the day and camped for the night.

On our third day, we packed up early with kiddos reluctant still.  My kiddos love for the beach prevails no matter how freezing the water or how blighting and blistering the sun.  I used the “lighthouse” and the “cave” to convince them that there's more to this trip and alas, it worked. 

First, we checked the Lighthouse of Bolinao then the Enchanted Cave.

The 100+ year-old Lighthouse of Bolinao or Cape Bolinao Lighthouse lies on top of Punta Piedra Point guiding ships and vessels along the West Philippine Sea.  

The Enchanted Cave is known for its crystal clear fresh water and beautiful limestone formations.  I’ve been to this cave before it became a tourist attraction and I’m happy that they were able to preserve the cleanliness of the cave.  It was a first for my kiddos to experience a real cave and swimming inside it was a PLUS.

By 4pm, we’re back on the road for our trip back home.

Map and Direction -- Bolinao, Pangasinan:

From Metro Manila, proceed to NLEX then to SCTEX.  Exit at Tarlac City and proceed to Alaminos, Pangasinan via Romulo Highway. From Alaminos, take the Alaminos-Bani Road and turn right for Bolinao.

 

Travel Date: February 2012