Directions in getting to Alaminos City
From Cubao to Alaminos
• 5:00AM
• 6:20AM
• 7:40AM
• 9:00AM
• 10:20AM
• 11:40AM
• 1:00PM
• 2:20PM
• 5:00PM
• 6:30PM
• 12:00MN
The motorboat rates are as follows:
Day Tour
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 800
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,000
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 1,110
Overnight
Small (1-5 pax) - Php 1,400
Medium (6-10 pax) - Php 1,800
Large (11-15 pax) - Php 2,000
So below is a step-by-step commuter’s guide to get to the hundred islands:
1. Ride a bus (ticket costs Php 381 or Php 270 for students) in a terminal such as Victory Liner heading for Alaminos City.
2. Once you getto Alaminos City, ride a tricycle (costs Php 50) heading to Lucap Wharf.
3. Get down near a hotel of your choice or directly to the Hundred Islands National Center.
4. Hire a motorboat heading towards the Hundred Islands.
That's it! Hope this guide was useful. =D
In finding a place to eat, there are different kinds of places to choose from. One can eat at the place you are staying at whether you bring your own food or buy food that the place you are staying at offers (provided they do offer or sell food for there are lodgings that do not provide food.) If one did not bring any food or the place you are staying at does not sell food, there are eateries one can choose from to eat at. Our group as an example ate at an eatery near Maxine by the Sea even though Maxine sells food.
Alaminos Longganisa (Specialty Food)
At that eatery, there were a lot of meals to choose from: beef or pork or chicken or vegetables, a meal was available. The food selection was not also limited to local cuisines like the Alaminos style longganisa (Filipino style sausages) since I saw that some eateries offered fried chicken, pasta and pork spare ribs. One can also choose what beverage to buy to compliment the food one is eating. One can choose from sodas, bottled ice teas, bottled water, and even alcoholic beverages are available.
Food and beverages are also available at the islands. There are small stores selling sodas, bottled water, chips and other snacks. One may also stumble upon ice cream vendors roaming around the islands selling different kinds and different flavors of ice cream. I for one bought a cookies and cream flavored ice cream from an ice cream vendor while some of my friends bought chips and beverages at the nearby store while we were hanging around the island.
Got the patience to go back to the city? Fast Food Chains
Although, if you have the patience and time, you could go back via tricycle to the city and eat out at establishments like McDonalds, Jollibee, and other fast food chains.
The Hundred Islands National Park, actually 123 islands, is believed to be at least about 2 million years old – the islands were part of an ancient coral area that extended inland, a large area that used to be part of an ancient sea. When the sea levels lowered, the islands were exposed, whilst hundreds of thousands of years slowly eroded the base of these islands invariably forming the mushroom shaped limestone islands filled with lush vegetation and strips of white sandy beaches in the middle of stunning emerald waters.Out of the many islands, 3 are primarily developed for tourism. Quezon Island (named after former president Manuel L. Quezon whose statue can be seen among the islets) is probably the most visited due to the various establishments it houses. Another well-developed island is Governor’s Island in which the Big Brother house is located; this is most likely the first island your guide will take you to. Last but not least of the 3 main islands is Children’s Island where the water is shallow enough for little kids to swim.(Governor's, Children, Quezon and Cuenca. L-R)
Sometime ago, fishermen used to fish with dynamite and trash was all over but with some swift action from the local government and with help from the University of the Philippines rehabilitation strategies were formed and the islands are regularly patrolled so it would return to its rich marine grounds.
Now the trash has been greatly reduced and care of the islands now seems to seep into the consciousness of the locals whose main livelihood also happens to depend on tourism. Dynamite fishing also disappeared and fishermen started to fish at night time, if you ever happen to see a light in the water it’s probably the friendly local fisherman.
Maxine by The Sea During The Day
If you are the type of person who wants to stay at the mainland, Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant is a place you may want to consider to stay. Our group for one stayed at Maxine by the Sea. Upon reaching Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant, we immediately saw souvenir shops at its entrance to the right and the place where the boats parked to the left. There might be a chance that you will be greeted by boatmen willing to render the services of their boat if you plan to venture to the islands. That actually happened to our group. But before renting the boat, we wanted to get a room first to have a place to rest and store our things.
Front Desk
Inquiring the front desk of their rates, some of us checked out the rooms we were supposed to be staying at. Some of us on the other hand, stayed near the front desk checking out the other things Maxine had to offer. From the front desk, there was a waiting area, a restaurant area spanning two floors, and even an al fresco like area where you can eat out rather than the usual restaurant area. Each room in Maxine by the Sea is air conditioned and has two beds that could cater two people per bed and a bathroom in each room. And with a group consisting of five people, we were able to stay in one room and just rented an extra bed for the fifth person.
Though if you are the adventurous type or want to experience staying at the islands, there are islands where one can stay either through camping or staying at some houses built specifically as a place to stay at the island. If you want to rent a house in an island, there is one available, the Big Brother house. Originally used for Pinoy Big Brother as a house for the housemates, this house can be rented for ten thousand Philippine pesos (PHP 10,000.) We were able to see the house when we docked in Governors Island where the house is located. Yet, we were unable to look inside the house since there were people renting it that time. On the other hand, if you are the camper type, wanting to sleep in tents in order to admire the night sky without the lights from establishments in the mainland, one can camp out on Quezon Island for a smaller price than on lodging at resorts.
Here are some pictures of Maxine: Lodge and Restaurant
Their logo
shops in front of Maxine
the fresco wing
the sala
the mess hall
their presidential table
Price and Reservation:
Rooms: Php 2,000.00 (4 pax)
Additional Pax/Bed: Php 300.00
Contact:
Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Telephone: +632 75 551 2537
Mobile: +63 9216428551
Email: maxine@maxinebythesea.com
www.maxinebythesea.com