It has been years I have not seen my hometown and now with a
group of few friends, I was able to visit the place that once took me as a
child.
I grew up in this small town of Bolinao, Pangasinan then
moved to Manila at the age of 13. I was still looking forward in seeing my
hometown as I remember it. So I rallied the TamaRaw! Hikers group in FB to set
a date and scheduled our Bolinao tour. I was planning this as my test travel
package I create. The package I took for the group (supposedly of 10 -13 pax)
is Php 4,000 – Php 4,500 which includes a ride back and forth Manila in safely
driven Hi-Ace.
Planning along, I scheduled a tour for the group and advised
them to prepare the following before we took off:
- Summer outfits (preferably comfortable, loose,
cottony, for beach… etc.)
o
Sando or razor backs or shirts
o
Swimsuit
o
Rash guard
o
Board
shorts
- Slippers or sand shoes
- Sunscreens
- Shades or sunglasses
- Head gears, Hat, sun visors, cap, and the likes
- Umbrella
- Camera
- Your own towel just in case vanity strikes
- CASH – there’s an ATM at Aliminos but it’s a far
travel once you get to Bolinao so better have cash handy.
·
Lani and I came first and I had a few sips of my
personalized caramel macchiato in Starbucks around 11:00 PM – 12:30 PM and soon
we moved to our meeting place. Not long waiting Son, Ellai, and Alvin arrived,
then Marz, after which Kuya Aaron, and Rhei. Time check: 1:30 AM and we (Lani,
Rhei, Alvin, Marz, Ellai, Son, and me) are left waiting for Rhose to arrive
from work at our meeting place in North Avenue and will depart at exactly 2:00
AM. At last she arrived and we are able to move our things to our Van with the
help of Kuya Aaron who drove as fast and safely to Alaminos around 5:00 AM. We
took some photo at Alaminos town center and had our pee break after the long 3
hour trip (but this really is sooooooooooo FAST) then we drove to Bolinao took
some photos at the Bolinao marker (arc) while enjoying the view of the sunrise.
We arrived at the Bolinao town proper and drove directly to
St. James Parish Church and the Municipal Hall. We prayed and took some photos
then I showed them the Binunguey Sellers at the church’s gate.
I called up my
Aunt, Jasmine Camba, then we drove to her restaurant (which turned out
we ate in her dining table) for breakfast. We famished ourselves along the way
with little of Puto Calasiao and Kuntsinta so we can eat more of Bolinao’s very
own Binunguey, a good grade of Danggit (oh so fresh!), and eggs. It was really
a great day seeing my aunt again and as well as enjoy those little breakfast
feast served wholeheartedly by my aunt and uncle. (Abaw a salamat Ante tan
Uncle! – Thank you very much Aunt and
Uncle!).
(To be continued...)
