Adams, Ilocos Norte

The beauty of Adams, Ilocos Norte

Welcome to Adams the last municipality of Ilocos Norte, located at the boundary between Cagayan & Ilocos Region.  I was assigned to do some field work which includes going to Adams. To make most of the trip, We decided to tour the municipality.

Population as of August 2016: 2,000

Hanging bridge challenge.

 Adams has lots of hanging bridges which they used when the river overflows. According to Ma'am Cherrie our guide, this is their longest bridge. For additional information Miss Cherrie is the MSWDO (Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer) of Adams, Ilocos Norte. The bridge is made of steel, so I tried crossing it knowing that it is made of strong materials even their habal habal crossed this bridge too.
Trivia:  Habal-habal are motorcycles, it is the main transportation in Adams. You can hire their habal-habal for Php 150.00.
 We got dizzy after crossing the bridge, for those with Acrophobia (Fear of heights) crossing will be a challenge.

BREATH-TAKING VIEW OF ILYN'S HOMEY PLACE

Kung Jeon Korean Palace

Kung Jeon Korean Palace

My mom wearing the Korean Traditional Dress at Baguio Korean Palace-Facade

If you are a fan of Korean Dramas & Korea Novelas I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to visit this famous Korean restaurant at located at Baguio City. If you're a Korean wannabe, I highly recommend this place for you! This restaurant is located at 38 South Drive, Baguio City, just the perfect restaurant and tourist attraction for our fellow Filipino-Korean lovers who wants to experience the taste of Korean Food. This is the perfect place where you can eat Korean foods and can wear Traditional Korean dress for free! Yes, that is true you can wear their traditional hanbok for free!

The ambiance inside is just perfect for the cold weather of Baguio City. The ambience inside & outside the restaurant, made me feel like I am already in South Korea. (Laughs!) Seeing all the Korean delicacies while wearing Korean dress, made me feel like I am Song Hye Kyo of Full House, I feel so pretty while wearing those costumes. (Laughs!)

It is already my 2nd time to visit Kung Jeon Palace and still planning to go back. This is one of my favorite restaurants here in Baguio. I have heard that it is a house turned into a restaurant by the Korean Owner. 

Location: 38 South Drive, Baguio City
Travel Time: San Fernando City, La Union-Baguio City = Estimated Time: 2 Hours

The food is great and tasty that keeps me coming back for more. They serve Korean Grilled buffet for Php 399.00 per person. In case, you're in a diet, and doesn't like buffet, you can order single servings of Samgyupsal, Pork Bulgogi etc.

Eat all you can buffet. These raw meats are all placed at the center, where you can get Samgyupsal, Marinated Pork, Pork Bulgogi and etc. 

My mom and my aunt while grilling our food.

Alaminos, Pangasinan: Home of the Hundred Islands

Alaminos, Pangasinan: Home of the Hundred Islands 

The HOME OF THE HUNDRED ISLANDS is located at the heart of Barangay Lucap, City of Alaminos, Pangasinan. Its a 3 hours drive from the City of San Fernando, La Union to Alaminos, Pangasinan depending on the traffic,you could reach the area via private vehicle within 3 hours or so and 3-4 hours via bus.

There are lots of island but there are these Top 3 Most well developed Islands, the famous one which is the Governors Island, Quezon Island and  Marcos Island. Every Island had its own unique name, there goes the Kissing Island, Devils Island, Cuenco Island, Childrens Island, Romulo Island, Virgin Island and etc. So if your planning to Island Hop at Hundred Islands here are a few tips and informations that I can share with you.

My picture perfect shot on top of Governors Island. I was drown in the beauty of nature. From all of the Islands, Governors Island had the most beautiful view. Climbing all the way here is another challenge. Tourists climb up here in order to take a selfie.

It's Crocodile's Island! There are lots of island who are not yet develop, you can see and visit them but it would be too dangerous to go down to these Island's who are not yet develop, there is nothing much to see on these Island just plain trees and rocks,  just be careful for their were scattered snakes on these kind of island.

Welcome to Turtle's Island!

How to reach Alaminos City, Hundred Islands?

If you are from the City of San Fernando, La Union, you could take an ordinary bus that will go to Dagupan. (There are no Bus that goes direct to Alaminos, so you have to take two rides.)

Bus Fare from City of San Fernando, La Union to Dagupan City as of July 2017: Php 95.00

Travel Time: Approximately more than 2 hours depending on the traffic

After reaching Dagupan City Bus terminal you can ride the PUVs at the Dagupan bus terminal
(Dagupan-Alaminos)

Fare: Php 65.00 

Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

But if you're from Manila, Travel time is 5 hours via public bus.

Barangay Lucap is quite far from the City town proper so in order to reach the area you need to ride a
 tricycle. Their mode of transportation is tricycle.

Minimum Fare from Alaminos City Town proper to Barangay Lucap is  Php 60.00. 

After reaching Barangay Lucap, you have to register at their Provincial Tourism Office just beside the
boating area in order to hire a boat. There was an environmental fee charge for the maintenance of the
Island. We took a Small Boat (1-5 persons): Php 1,500.00 environmental fee, already included. 

It is the cheapest boat we can hire so we decided to rent the small boat for Php 1,500.00.

A photo of mine while registering at their Provincial Tourism Office. You have to register first in order for you to hire a boat. You have to fill up their forms and lists your names for your own safety.

My picture perfect shot. I see pretzels in a rainbow colored sea. Hahaha

When you just want to escape the City Life

Picture taken last November 22, 2016. My second time to 

Island hopping is a lil bit expensive but I think the price is just right because now, you can go hopping on every Island but you should not exceed beyond 5:00 PM

Floating bridge from Governors Island that will lead you to another Island

Sadly, we only got to visit 3 Islands cause we already need to go back because its already getting dark and our boat doesn't have lights. And the day tour package is only until 5:00 PM.

This is my second time to visit Hundred Islands. And still the Islands never fails to mesmerize me. I am still in love with its beauty. 

We rented a small boat for only Php 1,500.00. Boating, Island Hopping

It was a taste of Paradise

Marcos Island where you can find Imelda Cave

What water sports activities to do in Hundred Islands?

1. Banana Boat Ride

This is a must try water sports activity in Hundred Islands for only Php 1,500.00 for 30 minutes.

2. Snorkelling

3. Helmet Diving

A glimpse of Romulo Island

Where to stay?

Governors Island, Quezon Island  Childrens Island have cottages and rooms too that can be rented for those who want to stay indoor. But, there are lots of affordable rooms and cottages at Barangay Lucap near the souvenir stores. There are lots of Rooms, Cottages, Hotels & Transient Houses near the area.

During our stay at Alaminos City, the City Social Welfare Development Office, CSWDO let us stay at La Esplanada Transient House, its a nice, cozy and safe place located at Barangay Lucap near the Hundred Islands. The Transient House is perfect for the tourists who plans to stay near the Island but one thing that I dislike at the area is that its too far from the City Proper, you need to ride a tricycle in order to reach the City Proper, minimum fare on tricycle is Php 60.00. The thing that I like about La Esplanada is that you could see the view of the Island at their tower and their rooms are air conditioned too, it had a separate kitchen, dining area, sala set & 2 bed rooms.

La Esplanada Transient House located at Barangay Lucap near the Hundred Islands.

I also recommend Asia Novotel, for those who are looking for a hotel just near the City Proper. The hotel is just a 2-3 minutes walk from the City Hall and Mcdonalds. Barangay Lucap where Hundred Islands is located. It is a lil bit far from the hotel, you will need to ride a tricycle in order to reach Barangay Lucap, Hundred Islands National Park. (Php 60.00 as of November 2015)

A sneak peak of Novotels Bed Room (Good for 2 persons)

Novotel is the perfect hotel for those looking for a place to stay while visiting Alaminos. It has a nice ambience with fully Air Conditioned Room, with a clean Comfort Room, and a Flat Screen Television with Cable.

It has been a good long trip, an unforgettable experience indeed. (On top of the famous Governors Island.)

What else sea has to offer. Its more fun in the Philippines!

Exploring Cuenco Cave at Cuenco Island.

What to Buy?

There are lots of souvenir items to buy. There goes the Island Souvenir Shirts, Keychains, Ref magnets, Mugs, Bags and clocks made of shell. And before anything else I highly recommend you to try their Alaminos Longganisa. It is one of my favorite, their longganisa is unique because they used atsuete in it. You can buy their famous longganisa at their market. Just be sure to buy early for their market closes at 6:00 P.M.

Souvenir Stores at Barangay Lucap located just beside the Provincial Tourism Office. They are open from 8:00AM~7:00PM

Souvenir Hundred Island Mugs for only Php 100.00 each.

This is one of my favorite mementos, a clock made of shells for only Php450.00

Here are their Souvenir Shirts for only Php 100.00 each for white shirts and Php 250.00 for colored Shirts. You could buy these items at their souvenir stores located at Barangay Lucap just beside the Tourism office.

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. I missed blogging so much! Its been a long time since my last update on my blog I dont know, I just suddenly felt the urge to start writing again. If you have any questions, queries, comments or suggestions feel free to comment below. Thank you!