Tondol Anda Pangasinan

Tondol 

It was the last few days of Summer 2012 when we visit a hidden beach gem in the northern part of Luzon, Anda is dubbed as the Mother of Hundred Islands, the popular escape of Pangasinan.

It was about 9PM when I met my plus one, we met at Shaw Blvd and headed to Fivestar Cubao, there was a non AC bus going to Anda but since we wanted to catch some Zzz, we chose the AC one going to Alaminos. We started our first bus trip at around 11PM, the travel was cozy and presto I least we had a good sleep, We arrived at Alaminos with the fear of not being able to catch any trip going to Anda, good thing that non AC bus that we refused, arrived.. such a blessing, so we boarded that bus going to Anda, We reached Anda proper at wee hours in the morning when everybody sleeps, we stayed and waited for the sun at the Fivestar bus station which had few decent bench to sleep with.

And she slept again. Try looking behind those bags. :)

I made arrangement of asking few directions going to Tondol and transact with Manong tricycle driver to take us there early in the morning. We first headed to the local market to buy food and other goods for our camp, people are nice, give us free condiments, and give discounts for food that we bought. Thank you.

Pitstop at the Tondol public beach area, I asked the driver to take us further because I wanted more privacy, I asked to take us to JCT Beach Resort. I asked the caretaker to allow us to camp on beach front, of course for a fee, I transact for camp and kitchen and bath use, fair enough for its price.

Camp now set, and breakfast done. Kids were all through out the area and we were overwhelmed by their service, I felt like a boss, asking kids to help us for lunch, even our bankero help us grilling our lunch, and so lunch was done. Happier tummy, grilled pusit and bangus plus ensalada. Yum.

The first IT was going to Cory Island, a small island made o corals, pebbles, NO sand. It was scorching hot and the breeze was warm, so wee look forward to the hut on that island.

We met some fishermen resting and waiting for a good catch. we squeeze in.

Fear not, these men were gentlemen.Funny thing was these kids followed us with their rafts, oh these little men really wanted to join us. Well, that made our trip even more happier. 

Hey Look, this island is a remain of pebbles, stones and corals.

I told you, I can hardly JUMP.

And so..

Walking to the nearby small islands.

 Sailing Anda's calm shores

For whatever reason, the clouds were a little stubborn, it was just crystal bright then after few hours, the clouds warned us for the upcoming rainfall, the boatman said that it was obvious that heavy rain might come as it already showered water in Anda mainland, So I guess you knew what happened next.

But hey it never rained, not even a single drop. WTF.

So there, we just continue walking and exploring Tondol.

Holla Sun sets on low waters.

So, after Cory island and a cool afternoon walk at Tondol shores, I prepared and finished dinner, Since I was tired from our travel to exploring, I ended up drinking Tequila alone, she prepared the local grown lemon and I started to drink few shots.

It was windy and cold, of course I couldn't  finish the small bottle, I felt warmth so we decided to call it a day and sleep.

Good morning Tondol, it was a great first day, We hope for another great day!

Magandang Umaga sa iyo Tondol

Day Two.

Since our first island hopping was screwed by the fear of rain and we couldn't get any refund for a supposed complete island hopping, We just ended up walking to Tanduyong island, it was such a brave idea since we brought our mobiles and camera with us and we were told that some part were about neck deep, accompanied by the kids, we started walking. Kids were kind enough to offer keeping our stuff so we can swim, be careful, this calm water can be tricky sometimes, it has rocks, sea snakes and hundreds of sea urchins, thank God, water is clear enough to watch our steps. it was about half an hour of swim and walking until we reached Tanduyong.

We met the local and the caretaker of the islands, we took pictures and they offered local kuba crabs to try and eat. Since we only had rafts we could explore the entire Tanduyong shores, so the boatman offered his fishing boat, since we got it for free, we did use its engine, so what did we do then, of course, we rowed that big boat, all of us, thank you helpful kids.

The lovely kids that helped us and made or getaway even more memorable

Natural Waste

After walking under the heat, Holla Tanduyong!

Anda is such a hidden gem, many may have already known about it but forgot to befriend with its smiling and beautiful people, what I really love about this short summer escape is the experience of meeting young men and become short friends, the hospitality of the elderly to the simple lives of their locals, I may not always understand what they say since Pangasinan has its dialect, I knew that they never will tell anything bad to us.

It may be a short escape from the busy metro but we are glad to experience every single thing Tondol has to offer. Our stories, our smile, our travel is really worth a treasure.

Backpacking teaches me to appreciate things that other people treasures, making me treasure them as well, We will back here for sure.

We found a lot of reasons of getting back to this northern gem and will surely experience another moment worth keeping. :)

Salamat Anda Pangasinan.

Tha FAT Backpacker.

Enjoy more Tondol Snappies. :p

Padre Burgos

The FAT Backpacker Images 2012

Padre Burgos Quezon 

I have seen this hidden paradise from another backpacker and it easily captured my attention. 

I have seen great pictures and I heard about its beautiful people.

I came from work that morning and I waited until my plus one arrive around 7am, We met at Mcdonalds Boni and decided to have breakfast there. After eating, since I knew  that buses going to Lucena passes by EDSA, We decided to just wait there, We boarded Lucena Bus around 8am and paid PHP 209.50 going to Lucena Grand Terminal. The first bus trip was almost 5 hours and even if I didn't have any sleep at all, I enjoyed the scenic view of going south.

Final stop at Lucena Grand Terminal. Since it was past lunchtime we ate at her fave fastfood, Chowking.

After fueling up, we headed back to the terminal and looked for mini buses to Unisan paid PHP45 for our bus fare. Since, we don't know any idea how to get there, we asked the conductor to drop us off at UCRB Bank Padre Burgos, I forgot to leave my schmuck acts, LOL. I saw UCRB at Pagbilao, I was panicking and asked the driver to pull over as soon I saw that local bank, it was a wrong bank,haha so the conductor called us and asked us to get on the bus and said that it was still a long trip before we reach our destination.

Hello Padre Burgos. 

We were welcomed by their beautiful smiles, their heartwarming help. Indeed, this place is such a sleepy town  and peaceful community for people who just wanted a short escape from the busy metro.

I bought goods from a big sari sari store, We pretty much bought all of the things we need from foods to other basics.

Sir Ron, helped us accommodate a banca for PHP1000, fair enough price, I heard this can cost PHP1500, so at least we had a discount. We of course ate at his carinderia and power up our mobiles as we know we will never be able to charge up there, no  electricity at the island. 

we heard alot of great and fun stories so we were just so excited!

We take a tricycle going to Aplaya, there you will see a small fishing port, we met our bankero there and help us with our things. We boarded a small boat going to Dampalitan Island and holla paraiso, the sun is approaching to kiss the mountain range as we go there around 4pm.

I took pictures as we tour the shore, on our way you will see few rock formations stunningly standing at the deep shores. 

shortly we reached Dampalitan and set up a camp there, pines trees are fair and hey I see a lot of duyan. but that did not tease me, I have to set up our camp, I took few photos of the setting sun, and tried to set the gas range, unfortunately, the porty gas stove is faulty, I failed to check on it, it let us cook pancit canton but hey, I was afraid of an explosion. 

So Azel, the caretaker, took care of our rice and adobo for dinner. Thank you savior. 

Finally I was able to lie down beside her and try to get a short rest. I was up again because the sun finally bid goodbye, hello darkness. 

I lit up the camp and ate dinner, busy walking around making sure everything is taken good care of, and hey my plus one is of course, sleeping, peacefully sleeping on slowly swinging duyan.

Here is the catch, there is no fresh water there, you pay PHP45 for a small container of water, Oh I forgot, I have to shower. I smell myself.LOL

Social Time.

We had a great time talking and drinking Empi lights whilst enjoying bonfire.

Lights off. 

I anticipate the cold since I knew that it will have cold breeze, oh for whatever reason, it was hot, nakakabanas ng kaunti, ika nga. 

I felt warm since we drink liqour but hey I am still sober, so we decided to get out from our tent and sleep at shore.

We lay down at the creamy sands facing thousands of stars.

We were greeted by star showers, it was the wee hours in the morning and the experience was just great. :) 

Good Morning Dampalitan.

Breakfast at the rocky sandy beach, just a simple bread and coffee.

See that. I know you will agree, this is such a hidden paradise!

Since, we don't have something for lunch we called a fisherman and bought local fresh fish for PHP100, well, it was just for PHP80 but I decided to buy the rest of my bill, we were given a bunch of fresh fish enough to feed even Azel's family. :)

Dampalitan and Borawan Explore.

Dampalitan. Hidden. Unexplored. 
Virgin.

The famous Borawan Rock formation. Superb!

One tired but happy feet.

Side by Side

After Dampalitan and Borawan escape, we headed back to Dampalitan, took our own space for resting, We knew we had to get back to the metro, sad part, we really had to leave we need to catch the mini bus going back to Lucena, We fixed our camp, dried our wet clothes and of course shower up. packed our things and bid goodbye to Azel's family. Our boatman, patiently waited for use until we get everything done.

We went back to Sir Ron's carinderia and ate spaghetti for merienda, charged up or mobiles and travel back to Lucena, 

Sign of going back to Manila.

Thank you Padre Burgos.

The FAT Backpacker

Padre Burgos Fares

Boni to Lucena grand PHP 209.50

Lucena to UCRB Padre PHP 45

Tricycle to Aplaya PHP50 special trip 

Boat PHP 1000

Camp

Entrace fee to Damapitan PHP 30

Entrance fee to Borawan PHP 20

Tent: PHP 150

Table: PHP 150

Water: PHP 45 per container

Uling and Dried Wood: PHP 100

I am Dam Alone

It was just one of my boring restdays. My budget was tight and I really don't have anybody to ask, this is what I gain for having a weekday off. But I came up with a smarter idea than bumming around and watching TV. So here I was, I found myself going to Wawa Dam, Montalban Rizal.

I have researched for this place along time ago, I heard so much stories, I guess I have been curious enough, I am no photographer, I knew that, I don't even have much time to learn Onin's manual settings but I guess I take fair photos.

I headed to Cubao and take FX going to Montalban, it passed Aurora blvd to Marikina and I think San Mateo going to Montalban. I am very much familiar with this route as it was like a home to me. At the very end of the FX route I reached the town proper, I guess this was not the end of it. I took another jeepney and there passing the beautiful elevated land of Rizal.

Welcomed by the stunning trees

I started my so called photowalk and observed the the small community, pretty much it is just the usual barrio community then, I came far from the summer months so I hardly see any tourist, I find it more interesting though. I really can say..

I am dam alone. :)

I bought candies, softdrinks and cigars, as I told you my budget is tight, I guess that explain everything.

I headed for a short hike going to the raging waters. I heard its sound and it was inviting, Oh no not so brave enough for a dip. I guess It isn't really needed. I took photos as I realized that the sky is getting dark, I arrive late afternoon, Onin's manual settings is really undiscovered so I better be hurry.

I just spend a short time here but it made me think of alot, this was just one of the drama scenes. We jsut had a death in the family and by sitting on top of the tall white rocks made me imagine that I was just close to her, I miss her so much, I never miss someone like the way I fee for her. I love her.

The Dam

Boy delivering uling as his daily errand 

Older man delivers heavier load

The White Rocks

My intention was just to escape metro and take some fair photos, Not much of the observation, I took this time to think of what has happened in my life recently and that is too much personal but enjoyed talking to the locals and of course learn from them. This is just one of the what others call soul searching. maybe I really don't know. But this kind of quick photo escape is really helping alot, It is also fun doing it alone anyway you will never run out people to talk with, believe me it will never be boring. 

 SALAMAT WAWA DAM!!

         More photos on http://www.facebook.com/FreaKFatKid

Wawa Dam, Montalbal Rizal