Balaki Island, Infanta, Pangasinan

Ian Limbonis in Balaki Island, Infanta, Pangasinan

Having been to beaches in Anda, Bolinao, Alaminos, and Dasol, i thought there was nothing else left to see in Pangasinan. Not until
One day, i was watching tv, and i saw a feature on yet another supposed white sand beach..balaki island.

The morning after, i immediately searched it on the net, and a lot of the available posts are narratives of tambobong beach which include balaki as part of their day tour, in addition to colibra island, balinmalok, cabacungan, crocodile island, hermana etc.

headed to balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Had there been other places available to check out, i would have scheduled the trip myself, no matter if i have to be alone. But then, there's really nothing else..

Then, one of our best friends cum beach buddy is booked for a sat flight to the Phils from SG. That's when i thought about conquering balaki island. We can't leave fri night cause we have to wait for her arrival saturday 8pm, and a daytrip would be very appropriate for such itinerary.

cooking in balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Our arriving friend landed 8pm, and it was past 9 when we left DMIA; after some sideturns here and there, we arrived in tArlac around 12mn.

In cAmiling, 3 kilometers before the T diversion to malasique, there was a horrible accident that took place just a few minutes ahead. It was among a motorcycle, container van, and an L-300 passenger van. The rider was dead om the spot, and his body was just lying on the road bleeding and no hope for revival. It has caused blockage and it took almost half hour before we were allowed to move.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

At a bit past 2am, we stopped at a Caltex petrol pump to stretch out. We initially thought of making coffee but because of the balikbayan's longing for videokeing, we sat for a bottle of Red Horse instead and sang.

It was almos 3am when we left. Heading straight further passing through Burgos, Dasol and eventually Infanta,

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

By 5:46am, and after 247 kms from Pampanga, we reached the barangay outpost. We were only going to ask for directions there but Brgy kagawad Mandy Collado said he can actually get us a boat from there.

We waited a bit while he fetched his kumpare who owns a boat. As soon as they were back, we took the car to his comrad on the coast and waited to be boarded.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

From the coast it seems as if the island is so close, but it took us close to 30mins to reach, considering it was an almost flat current. It was low tide at that time and the boat can hardly dock close.

The sand isn't white. It's Cream brown just like that of bolinao. I have expected it to be like that of tambobong since it was close but i was wrong.

The place where we camped was also quite rocky; a little bit later, the waves are becoming more rough. We couldn't really have beach fun. Since everyone didn't get enough sleep, after having our meal, all of them slept.

Meanwhile, i took the chance of touring the island. It would have been better if we camped on the side facing colibra island. Water was more quiet, less rocks on the bed, and it was sun shaded.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Walked back and checked out the other side. That one was great for pictures because of the fallen trees, just like that of potipot's trademark. The trash of previous campers are everywhere though.

After some pictures, walked back again and everybody's still asleep. If only i had a number to reach the boatman, i would have asked him to pick us up and we'd rather go tambobong beach. After all, we'll have to drive back to Dasol; Anyway 3 of us haven't been there yet. Unfortunately, the boatman does not have a mobile.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

*Pangasinan's best beach is Tambobong... shall be on priority before anywhere else (though Patar in Bolinao is most convenient for transport, especially commute).

Ian Limbonis in Balaki Island, Infanta, Pangasinan

Having been to beaches in Anda, Bolinao, Alaminos, and Dasol, i thought there was nothing else left to see in Pangasinan. Not until
One day, i was watching tv, and i saw a feature on yet another supposed white sand beach..balaki island.

The morning after, i immediately searched it on the net, and a lot of the available posts are narratives of tambobong beach which include balaki as part of their day tour, in addition to colibra island, balinmalok, cabacungan, crocodile island, hermana etc.

headed to balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Had there been other places available to check out, i would have scheduled the trip myself, no matter if i have to be alone. But then, there's really nothing else..

Then, one of our best friends cum beach buddy is booked for a sat flight to the Phils from SG. That's when i thought about conquering balaki island. We can't leave fri night cause we have to wait for her arrival saturday 8pm, and a daytrip would be very appropriate for such itinerary.

cooking in balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Our arriving friend landed 8pm, and it was past 9 when we left DMIA; after some sideturns here and there, we arrived in tArlac around 12mn.

In cAmiling, 3 kilometers before the T diversion to malasique, there was a horrible accident that took place just a few minutes ahead. It was among a motorcycle, container van, and an L-300 passenger van. The rider was dead om the spot, and his body was just lying on the road bleeding and no hope for revival. It has caused blockage and it took almost half hour before we were allowed to move.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

At a bit past 2am, we stopped at a Caltex petrol pump to stretch out. We initially thought of making coffee but because of the balikbayan's longing for videokeing, we sat for a bottle of Red Horse instead and sang.

It was almos 3am when we left. Heading straight further passing through Burgos, Dasol and eventually Infanta,

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

By 5:46am, and after 247 kms from Pampanga, we reached the barangay outpost. We were only going to ask for directions there but Brgy kagawad Mandy Collado said he can actually get us a boat from there.

We waited a bit while he fetched his kumpare who owns a boat. As soon as they were back, we took the car to his comrad on the coast and waited to be boarded.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

From the coast it seems as if the island is so close, but it took us close to 30mins to reach, considering it was an almost flat current. It was low tide at that time and the boat can hardly dock close.

The sand isn't white. It's Cream brown just like that of bolinao. I have expected it to be like that of tambobong since it was close but i was wrong.

The place where we camped was also quite rocky; a little bit later, the waves are becoming more rough. We couldn't really have beach fun. Since everyone didn't get enough sleep, after having our meal, all of them slept.

Meanwhile, i took the chance of touring the island. It would have been better if we camped on the side facing colibra island. Water was more quiet, less rocks on the bed, and it was sun shaded.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

Walked back and checked out the other side. That one was great for pictures because of the fallen trees, just like that of potipot's trademark. The trash of previous campers are everywhere though.

After some pictures, walked back again and everybody's still asleep. If only i had a number to reach the boatman, i would have asked him to pick us up and we'd rather go tambobong beach. After all, we'll have to drive back to Dasol; Anyway 3 of us haven't been there yet. Unfortunately, the boatman does not have a mobile.

balaki island, infanta, pangasinan

*Pangasinan's best beach is Tambobong... shall be on priority before anywhere else (though Patar in Bolinao is most convenient for transport, especially commute).

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Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

My group has been to Mt stomas for god knows how many times. In fact, 3 in the group as just been there last month.

While it has been initially planned for Mt Damas, since the group is climbing Mt pulag early march, they thought about diverting the plan to Mt Sto Tomas as dry run for the upcoming climb. Due to the 2weekend days+1weekday required time, i thought it is so much loss on my part considering how much I will be spending to get there plus what i'll be loosing if i time off from work. I thought i'd rather wait and join a group that'll try to fit it in a sat-sun (plus i'd rather take the more challenging akiki trail).

Ian Limbonis in the Jump off point for Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Due to my consistent tardiness, it was already past 10am when we left Gerona Tarlac. I was supposed to meet them in Pampanga but because of the glock of peiple in the bus goibg to the hot air balloon, i told them to go ahead and that i will meet them instead in Gerona where were supposed to meet the rest of the group.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

It was past 2am when we got to te jum off point. Along the palispis highway, right in front of the the petron gas station is the entry to brgy green valley, dontogan. Just a few hundred meters from there, will be rough road, just like that going to sagada. There'd be occasional landslides and totally steep inclines that our hyundai getz 1.1 couldn't handle; we had to get off for it to climb.

We left the car in front of the Church and trekked from there. The rest of the group in the van drove even further 500 meters further.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Just an estimated 100m from the jump off are the PAGASA weather radars. Then, From that point, I could see clearly the path to the camp site; where the Globe Telecom towers stand (which were very visible from Kennon Road). I heard that that is the highest point in Baguio.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

It took us an hour and a half walk to get to camp. And since it's getting dark, cold begins to strike.

Immediately after getting set with our tent, we got the balloons and cupcakes ready for a senior member's birthday surprise. By about 7pm, dinner was served. Our staple camp dinner, tinolang native na manok and adobo; and, even more a surprise, a huge watermelon came out of someone's 40L bag.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Then came the Remy Martin; since we're more used to emperadors, GSMs, or da Bars, half of the group was drunk in less than 2 bottles and an hour. I also did not like the taste so I quit it..after all, none of those left awake are really drunkards so i knew i'll be left alone in a deuce with the bottle with a bonus headache the following day. Besides, it was getting very very uncomfortably cold.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

I went inside the tent but i just couldnt stand the 6 degree celcius cold. I wore all my spare shirts,5 of them, slid in my other spare pants and socks, wore my shoes, wrapped my hands with some more cloth, took out my blanket, wore my jacket..nothing helped. The wind is even making it worse. I was about to turn out the butane stove inside the tent but i was more worried about not having gas for coffee the next day. I couldnt get enough comfort to get to even sleeping level 1. More than an hour later, i heard someone moving his tent somewhere closer to the transmission facility gate. I realized there's less wind there because it hids in the summit side; pulled my stuff out and pulled my tent...there you go. Problem solved.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Consequently, Everybody woke up quite late the next day. We would look up every so often checking out the sun, but to no avail. It was still very cold. Til the time we left, i did not feel like dropping a sweat.

My group has been to Mt stomas for god knows how many times. In fact, 3 in the group as just been there last month.

While it has been initially planned for Mt Damas, since the group is climbing Mt pulag early march, they thought about diverting the plan to Mt Sto Tomas as dry run for the upcoming climb. Due to the 2weekend days+1weekday required time, i thought it is so much loss on my part considering how much I will be spending to get there plus what i'll be loosing if i time off from work. I thought i'd rather wait and join a group that'll try to fit it in a sat-sun (plus i'd rather take the more challenging akiki trail).

Ian Limbonis in the Jump off point for Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Due to my consistent tardiness, it was already past 10am when we left Gerona Tarlac. I was supposed to meet them in Pampanga but because of the glock of peiple in the bus goibg to the hot air balloon, i told them to go ahead and that i will meet them instead in Gerona where were supposed to meet the rest of the group.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

It was past 2am when we got to te jum off point. Along the palispis highway, right in front of the the petron gas station is the entry to brgy green valley, dontogan. Just a few hundred meters from there, will be rough road, just like that going to sagada. There'd be occasional landslides and totally steep inclines that our hyundai getz 1.1 couldn't handle; we had to get off for it to climb.

We left the car in front of the Church and trekked from there. The rest of the group in the van drove even further 500 meters further.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Just an estimated 100m from the jump off are the PAGASA weather radars. Then, From that point, I could see clearly the path to the camp site; where the Globe Telecom towers stand (which were very visible from Kennon Road). I heard that that is the highest point in Baguio.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

It took us an hour and a half walk to get to camp. And since it's getting dark, cold begins to strike.

Immediately after getting set with our tent, we got the balloons and cupcakes ready for a senior member's birthday surprise. By about 7pm, dinner was served. Our staple camp dinner, tinolang native na manok and adobo; and, even more a surprise, a huge watermelon came out of someone's 40L bag.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Then came the Remy Martin; since we're more used to emperadors, GSMs, or da Bars, half of the group was drunk in less than 2 bottles and an hour. I also did not like the taste so I quit it..after all, none of those left awake are really drunkards so i knew i'll be left alone in a deuce with the bottle with a bonus headache the following day. Besides, it was getting very very uncomfortably cold.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

I went inside the tent but i just couldnt stand the 6 degree celcius cold. I wore all my spare shirts,5 of them, slid in my other spare pants and socks, wore my shoes, wrapped my hands with some more cloth, took out my blanket, wore my jacket..nothing helped. The wind is even making it worse. I was about to turn out the butane stove inside the tent but i was more worried about not having gas for coffee the next day. I couldnt get enough comfort to get to even sleeping level 1. More than an hour later, i heard someone moving his tent somewhere closer to the transmission facility gate. I realized there's less wind there because it hids in the summit side; pulled my stuff out and pulled my tent...there you go. Problem solved.

Mt Sto Tomas, Benguet

Consequently, Everybody woke up quite late the next day. We would look up every so often checking out the sun, but to no avail. It was still very cold. Til the time we left, i did not feel like dropping a sweat.

Read More »