Counting islands in Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines - What’s so special about a bunch of identical looking islands, even if there are over a hundred of them?

The answer to that question began at the Victory Liner Cubao terminal, where I caught the 11:50 p.m. trip – the last of the day – to Alaminos, Pangasinan. The fare is P393, inclusive of the P5 travel insurance. Fortunately, I booked a bus seat in advance so I didn’t have to join the long queue at the ticket window. I (surprisingly) enjoyed the long drive thanks to the well-maintained bus and exceptional air conditioner, plus strong Wifi connection.

We arrived at Alaminos at 4:30 a.m. I had a leisurely breakfast and by 8 a.m. took a tricycle to Lucap Wharf, the drop-off and jump-off point to the Hundred Islands. The tricycle fare is P70, but I joined other passengers and divided the fare.

At the tourism office, we rented a boat, P1,800 for six to 10 passengers. There is also a P40 environmental fee, P30 registration fee, P10 for insurance. The snorkeling fee of P250 includes snorkel, goggles, life vest and diving shoes.

We were set for island hopping. The islands – 123 in all – are actually ancient corals believed to have formed two million years ago. The lowering of the sea level revealed these mushroom-shaped islands, covered with vegetation and anchored by rock formations at their bottoms.

Because boats must be back at the wharf before 5:30 p.m., the number of islands you can visit depends on the amount of fuel on the boat – about a gallon.  Some boatmen may opt for a shorter route to save on fuel, so discuss your itinerary with your boatman beforehand.

The first island we visited was Governor’s Island, the largest and the main attraction here is a view deck that provides a panoramic view of the area. I took the 123 steps up to the deck and it was worth the climb! There is also a 576-meter island-to-island zip-line that connects Governor’s Island to the neighboring Virgin Island.

Our second island stop was Marcos Island with its shallow and tiny white beach. Sought-after here is the Imelda Cave jump where the brave plunge 20 feet into the crystal clear waters below. I basked on the beach then snorkeled with the group near Lopez Island, chasing some colorful fish as they scampered around their homes in the corals. We were a bit wary though because of some jellyfish in the area.

At midday, we went to Quezon Island for lunch. We ordered boneless bangus, tortang talong and Maling. The food and drink on the islands were very expensive. Bringing packed lunch is recommended, as well as two liters of drinking water per person, especially if it’s a hot day.

After lunch we tried out the banana boat and jet ski. A ride on the banana boat costs P1,500 for seven people. It was a fun thrill, and I especially enjoyed the gush of wind and adrenaline whenever the banana boat cut an S curve on the water.

The jet ski can be pricey but definitely worth it! The ride can cost from P1,000 to P3,500 depending on how long, from 15 minutes up to an hour. Even beginners can try this, for instructors will teach the basics before letting tourists explore on their own. 

Our last island was Children’s Island, where the water is very shallow and indeed perfect for children. Unfortunately, it was already 5 p.m. and I had to get back to catch the 7 p.m. bus back to Manila.

I got to visit only four of the 123 islands – definitely more than enough reason to go back!

For more information on bus trips and ticket bookings, visit www.victoryliner.com.