Falls of Bolinao

This is another long overdue post as part of  our  Pangasinan Tour - Bolinao series.   It  just sitted on my mind  and my draft page for more than a month  now.   If you're lost with the topic,  hover your mouse to the  right side bar  and check the label,  Bolinao.  Oh sorry  if I am saying this,    I was just assuming  that this post  has  been stored  and  long preserved   due to  my over crushing. 

So here's our trip to the falls of Bolinao.

Tara Falls

We've lost our way  and entered the wrong unpaved road  twice.    Because we ended up a dead end,  we asked the farmer  that we met   which way to take  to reach  the Tara Falls.  We went back to high way again   and asked   some locals  that pointed  us to another direction.  The road  was narrow and  rough and it was already starting to get dark.   We were rushing because we still need  to go to  another falls, that is  Bolinao Falls by which the owner of  Bing's Resort  told us to be early because it was an off road and there were no electricity  along the way.

This is the  stiff curve and rough  road going to Tara Falls. 

Look at the photo above.   How did we get  there? :)     There were no people around except us.    We all thought we were lost again.  We just followed the sound of  the  water and there we reached  Tara Falls.

We couldn't do anything here. The water  was  not ideal to swim.  We  just  came here for  photo ops and to  see what the place can offer.   There were some picnic tables nearby and  we saw some disposable utensils around.  We  just took some photos and quickly left the place.

Bolinao Falls

Our next destination, Bolinao Falls was another rough road trip.  We  just  asked some locals and gave us a direction to get there.  We couldn't see any  sign.  We  were already near the falls  when we saw  this, see photo below.  You wouldn't notice it unless  you're eyes are good in it .

And a few more meters away,  we saw  another signs again.   There, we knew we're on the right track and  near the place,   at last!

And a few more trekking to reach the falls, about 250 meters away.
 

And finally..  Hurray  Bolinao Falls!

There were some people swimming at the falls.  It was nearing dusk so we just took some photos and did not explore much of the place.

The clear water  and the sound of  water  at the falls  were just so refreshing.

The natural pool..

We struggled  hopping from one rock to another.  The water was clear, however,   the rocks were  slippery and  we  needed  to walk carefully and slowly  for  accidents may happen  when we step on  mossy and slippery rocks.  I say,  the place is not ideal for little kids or even adults  if clumsy  like  me. 

After a few minutes of   trekking, we were like running out of breath and took some cold refreshment as soon we reached  the uphill side of the falls ..

Our  Bolinao adventures ended here and rushed to go back to highway.   Joy's son's craving's  was infectious that  spread  to us  and we're all   like little kids craving  for simple joy,  dining-in  Chicken Joy  at  Jollibee.

I will post a separate entry  of  the places to visit when  you're in  Bolinao and  my recommendation where to stay  in Pangasinan.  I  just  hope I'd be able to post  it  before Christmas. :)

Caves of Bolinao

Part of our  Pangasinan  Tour  is to  explore the caves of  Bolinao.  On the second day of our trip,  we headed to see these caves which  are  just a short distance away from each other.  We  were already tanned   but we made sure we're still  protected with sun block lotion  because  we're going around Bolinao.   The caves  naturally have fresh  water  and    serene so  we  expected a cooler  day  ahead  us, with   shelter to completely protect us from harmful rays of the sun.  And the  adventure continues..  

And so..  without further ado,  let me introduce  you the  three caves  that we explored,  their character,  looks  and beauty.   Sounds pageant, Huh.



Cindy's Cave

Upon entering the cave,   I  noticed  a  different  look of  a cave  that  I normally  see on  TV or  books.   It was already   cemented and developed   like you  are in the  park or  at the terrace of your  house.  The cave should look natural  but  not  this one  and all the caves that  we went to.   I told my kids that  the natural formation of cave  doesn't look  like  this and  what they saw  was not  the original cave because  the mystery and the natural charm was already  ripped off.

There's  a  part   of the cave where the owner told us not to go to  because it's quite deep and advised us  to be very  careful  with the electrical lights  with the ceiling that's too low.   He  shared us  a few  information,  rules  inside the cave  and  reminded us  to  take care  of  our belongings  just in case   other  visitors come in.

Nevertheless  even without  splashing  and playing inside the cave,    the kids  enjoyed  the cool water a lot, while we  kept an eye to them and reminded  to just swim in shallow water.

I asked the owner   about   the distance of  the cave leading  to the open sea and he said that  "Born to be Wild"  travel show already explored the cave in the  episode,  "Cave Diving,"   but the passageway was  quite narrow  to  squeeze themselves and   so they did not continue the  exploration.    If  people could explore  some unimaginable  space to be reached,   outer space or  some areas  of  the cave,   there is  certain part   of  the world  that  is yet to be  included in  the map  and  the nature  simply  wants  this part to be left  unexplored.

The high tide  that  night  washed away  the old water and  that turned the water in the cave  new  and  clear in time  of our  visit.     .

There is a public CR and a water pump for shower outside the cave.

Of the three caves, this is where we stayed longer where our kids got to swim in fresh water
.
Entrance fee to the cave is P50/pax if not swimming  and P70/pax if swimming  good for two hours. They have spacious parking area and you'll pass by a little trekking, I mean a pathway  about a  few steps away.

Wonderful Cave

Marian-like smile. My model for the whole cave  trip. :)  I was behind her  all the way and that results..  my cave photos are now watermarked with her charming face.  Now, this is natural.  Untouched. Unexploited.

Ooops.. be careful of the rocky ceiling..

Like the other caves, this one is developed too.    The stairs at Wonderful Cave are quite steep.   There were some tourists when we arrived.  When we asked the tour guide who own  the cave,  he said  that it's a  family owned property  like the Cindy's   and Enchanted Caves,   wherein they just discovered the caves  in their own backyard. 

Entrance fee to Wonderful Cave is P50/pax.  They only limit a number of person for 30 minutes during summer to accommodate  other visitors.



Enchanted Cave

Of all the three caves,  Enchanted Cave is the most developed.  As soon as we entered, we heard some people  screaming, I mean singing  with videoke machine at the picnic hut.. Oh.. in a place like this?  That scene  I've witnessed made me think the place less enchanting.     

Oops, careful again..  low beam..

There were some tourists swimming  inside the cave.  The  water could reach up to  14ft  during high tide in some parts of the cave.

Enchanted Cave has man made pool with the water coming from the cave too but it is strongly sanitized with chlorine as I could even smell it even from afar.

What makes me curious about the enchanted cave are the  rocks that surround the place. I  asked the tour guide  how these corals went up the hill.and he said that  it wasn't actually rock but dead corals.  The whole Bolinao  was believed to be  underwater  million years ago.  Now, that is enchanting!

See more corals...

I mean dead corals..

and  dead corals..

and a proof other than dead corals  that the province was once  under water is the giant clams found on top of  the coral  hill.

Giant Clams Fossils from coral mountain up 2KMS  away
Estimated age: 2-3 million years
carbon date: (not yet available)

The cave is enchanting as the name implies.    If not developed,  it could have been more enchanting. 

Just a little  note. It is best to bring aqua shoes, because the cave's floor is not sandy but rocky.
Entrance Fee is P90/pax if not swimming,  P120/pax if swimming.
There are tables available for rent outside the cave.  There are hammocks too,  I am not sure though if  they are also for  rent.   Above parking fees apply.



Of the three caves,  Wonderful Cave is the most appealing to me.  I based my opinion only on one criteria,  clear  water.    All the caves  were already  developed into tourist attractions  that look like  man made cave now,   thus  they  lost their  natural  beauty and  charm.  Honestly,  I  was  a  bit  disappointed  in this  cave trip  seeing  these natural wonders  in manicured path,  cemented  and  exploited.


Location:   Brgy. Patar Bolinao, Pangasinan

Bolinao Rock Formations

Rock formations,  a haven for landscape photography.

The sun down would be the best time to feel its majestic sight  but  those minutes when the sun is heading the horizon  weren't ours.    The sun was at its peak  when we reached  the place.  We  have other   sights  to  visit and  we're due to go back to Manila  on  the same day thus,  a quick glimpse is all we need.   Two more falls  were waiting  and  we need to go back to resort  to pack  our things before heading to next destination.

 

The fine white sand greeted  us but we came here for rock formations and not the sand.  Definitely  it has own magnetic charm  with young coconut palm trees,  not grown up but an added  attraction,  but we have enough  of   these  in  Hundred Islands  and Patar Beach.

 

And  this  main  view  startled  our  wandering thoughts.  This view of rock formations.    My imagination worked again with no limits  how  Bolinao looked like million years ago.  Picture this  in your mind.   A  view of  coral stones  underwater  with abundant fishes swimming and nesting  in  these  corals.

I was already tanned but my camera setting  was  in opposite color and the results were these bright photos.  The sun directly  hit my  body and  face and I couldn't stand  the hot temperature anymore. 

A  little bit to perfection  if only  with  sunset view  but I couldn't  wait  for  that majestic  time,  when the wind  creates  wave to crash the rocks and the sun goes down  the western horizon.   I wanted to stay a bit longer   and feel  the highlights  too.. fall in love again and be hurt to leave this place of  wonderful  sight.

Just natural. The blue corner over there looks likes  a man made pool.

I walked farther to investigate the seabed and found a few seaweeds that were abundant.  There were  some deep  holes in in some parts so I was  very careful in every step I  made.  Even very quick,  I did not let the chance pass  without stepping my feet,   with  the sun's zenith angle..  I touched,  felt and explored  a  place  believed to be the  seabed   during  ancient  times.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse  is the second tallest lighthouse  in the Philippines   with height of  101ft (30.8m)  and  351  feet above sea level  built by American, Filipino and Bristish engineers in 1905   located on top of the  hill of  Punta Piedra Point, Barangay Patar,  Bolinao.   The lighthouse aids  the vessels passing by the area and  overlooks  the South China Sea.     

All ours,  there was no one in sight.

With this empty road, so serene and so quiet,  you  wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to just get down the car and  walk the path leading to the lighthouse.

beautiful lighthouse up close..

We did not bother to ask permission  to climb up the lighthouse as we already knew  beforehand  that the place is restricted and no one is allowed to go inside.   The movie,  "The Promise"   was shot at  the lighthouse   where Angel  Locsin and Richard Gutierrez were the lead stars.

The  lighthouse of  Bolinao was   listed  only  as  our  side trip  on our way  to white beach and caves of  Bolinao  but   we realized  that it should be on the top list of  must-visit place  when  in  Bolinao.      Even if there isn't  much to do at  the lighthouse,  the beautiful  sceneries  from the viewing deck  is more than worth it to stop by.   With this spectacular sight,  this lighthouse is perfect for   prenup photo shoot and  location for movies.

just beside the lighthouse, you will see these beautiful fresh flowers,  siniguelas trees at the back..

and ruins..

I hope to get more information on the tale of this abandoned house.  When I searched online  about  the house beside Cape Bolinao,  I found this house   in good condition and the photo was taken in 2008.   I wonder  why  it was not  maintained and now  slowly deteriorating.

Do you ever wonder now  why many people fall in love with the lighthouse?

"There are no words to express the feelings that induce a sailor to offer fervent prayers when he sees this mark of sympathy expressed by his fellow men. Suddenly he sees that he is no longer alone in the midst of the ocean waves; he sees that people are caring for him with paternal solicitude."
-Lt. Lavrentiy Alekseyevich Zagoskin, on sighting the light house at Sitka, Alaska, in 1839 -Lt. Lav