Tambobong beach - my annual affair

It has been three consecutive years that I get to Tambobong beach every summer. I have opened this years summer starting february, and its already june and i have yet to find out where to fit tambobong in. The other thing is, tambobong beach catches all the rubbish fr the sea during rainy months.

This weekend, i was supposed to have my dive certification, but plans changed and I had to redirect. Tambobong then was my next top alternative.

Instead of taking the usual burgos/dasol dirt road, we were picked up from the bridge near dasol market by our host. I never really thought there was a delta that leads to tambobong. I was wondering how we'll boat from market and eventually tambobong, but it wasn't for me to worry.

From this route, we passed through the balinmalok wreck; So, even before getting to our host's residence, we thought about dropping by for the meantime.

It was quite lowtide and half of the wreck is over water. I also didn't see the same fish I've seen before.

It was already late in the afternoon when we got to brgy tambobong, so, we spent the rest of the day swimming and called the island hoping for the next day.

The morning after, i was surprised that there are a lot of people docked in the colibra island. After several years, this is the first time I (or my company) will be sharing the island with others.

I was also told that there are no more seasnakes nesting the island having been flocked by visitors. 

What's also ironic was that the visitors were rather locals or from nearby barangays which,  i'd say, weren't (as) keen about the island before; bottles here, wrappers there.. The island is obviously begging for some care and regard.

After colibra, we head next to cacupangan cave. Instead of docking close to the brgy, this time we docked right next to the opening of the cave. We passed by it's opening and we saw some nice cliff dive spots. Little did i know that there was a hole up where you can jump right inside the cave pool ;-).

We've also spotted schools of tiny fishes in the reef of the cave.

It has been three consecutive years that I get to Tambobong beach every summer. I have opened this years summer starting february, and its already june and i have yet to find out where to fit tambobong in. The other thing is, tambobong beach catches all the rubbish fr the sea during rainy months.

This weekend, i was supposed to have my dive certification, but plans changed and I had to redirect. Tambobong then was my next top alternative.

Instead of taking the usual burgos/dasol dirt road, we were picked up from the bridge near dasol market by our host. I never really thought there was a delta that leads to tambobong. I was wondering how we'll boat from market and eventually tambobong, but it wasn't for me to worry.

From this route, we passed through the balinmalok wreck; So, even before getting to our host's residence, we thought about dropping by for the meantime.

It was quite lowtide and half of the wreck is over water. I also didn't see the same fish I've seen before.

It was already late in the afternoon when we got to brgy tambobong, so, we spent the rest of the day swimming and called the island hoping for the next day.

The morning after, i was surprised that there are a lot of people docked in the colibra island. After several years, this is the first time I (or my company) will be sharing the island with others.

I was also told that there are no more seasnakes nesting the island having been flocked by visitors. 

What's also ironic was that the visitors were rather locals or from nearby barangays which,  i'd say, weren't (as) keen about the island before; bottles here, wrappers there.. The island is obviously begging for some care and regard.

After colibra, we head next to cacupangan cave. Instead of docking close to the brgy, this time we docked right next to the opening of the cave. We passed by it's opening and we saw some nice cliff dive spots. Little did i know that there was a hole up where you can jump right inside the cave pool ;-).

We've also spotted schools of tiny fishes in the reef of the cave.

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Ang yet another Tambobong trip

ian limbonis in tambobong beach, dasol, osmena, pangasinan

After a whole day tour of the hundred islands, during dinner, i was asked what our activity is for the next day. I have told the peeps there isn't but to wait until our scheduled departure time which is 12noon.

I could tell that they want more so offered tambobong beach, which would just be less than 2 hours away from Alaminos. 

We left at 9am, and reached tambobong almost noontime. I wasn't expecting tambobong to be as clear as my very firt visit years before, but colibra and cabacungan will always be worth it.

Surprisingly, tambobong beach is back in its greatness. The community started a livelihood on dried seaweed, thus the beach is back to being very clear.

Meanwhile, we had to start with the boat tour right away so we can go to all te possible sights we want. Our fisrt stop was the cabacungan cave. Again, from the cave, we swam out to the open, to climb up the rock and get ino a hole we could jump through to the cave pool.

Some latter visitors saw us do it, so followed us, and did exactly as we did.

After cabacungan, we head next to colibra island. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a group, which I happily greeted back. The next scenes are just as common. I sat with them to help them out with their Emperador Brandy. The group (my new frieds) were locals of dasol who had done a sunday picnic to the island.

At first, they planned in staying until the night, but was surprised that they left early ahead of us; And i'd say they were the happiest drunk fellows of the day.

We too left immediately after they did as we're starving. Nanay precy have prepared already for our lunch, so it was just chow chow time for me when I arrived (and they pulled some coconuts for me too).

And if I may just add, this is the first time i've seen a manta jump off the water. Im used to dolphins and flying fishes do shows while sailing, but not a manta. Facing the sea while waiting my turn for the brandy, I was surprised at some jelly creature coming quickly out of the water to a heaight of 1.5feet. I was told it's a pagui.. Whew ;-)

ian limbonis in tambobong beach, dasol, osmena, pangasinan

After a whole day tour of the hundred islands, during dinner, i was asked what our activity is for the next day. I have told the peeps there isn't but to wait until our scheduled departure time which is 12noon.

I could tell that they want more so offered tambobong beach, which would just be less than 2 hours away from Alaminos. 

We left at 9am, and reached tambobong almost noontime. I wasn't expecting tambobong to be as clear as my very firt visit years before, but colibra and cabacungan will always be worth it.

Surprisingly, tambobong beach is back in its greatness. The community started a livelihood on dried seaweed, thus the beach is back to being very clear.

Meanwhile, we had to start with the boat tour right away so we can go to all te possible sights we want. Our fisrt stop was the cabacungan cave. Again, from the cave, we swam out to the open, to climb up the rock and get ino a hole we could jump through to the cave pool.

Some latter visitors saw us do it, so followed us, and did exactly as we did.

After cabacungan, we head next to colibra island. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a group, which I happily greeted back. The next scenes are just as common. I sat with them to help them out with their Emperador Brandy. The group (my new frieds) were locals of dasol who had done a sunday picnic to the island.

At first, they planned in staying until the night, but was surprised that they left early ahead of us; And i'd say they were the happiest drunk fellows of the day.

We too left immediately after they did as we're starving. Nanay precy have prepared already for our lunch, so it was just chow chow time for me when I arrived (and they pulled some coconuts for me too).

And if I may just add, this is the first time i've seen a manta jump off the water. Im used to dolphins and flying fishes do shows while sailing, but not a manta. Facing the sea while waiting my turn for the brandy, I was surprised at some jelly creature coming quickly out of the water to a heaight of 1.5feet. I was told it's a pagui.. Whew ;-)

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Fund raising trip to Hundred Islands, Pangasinan #stroll4bohol

After the horrifying earthquake in Bohol, the climbing group has thought of organizing some budget trips whereby proceeds will go as donation to bohol. (The group normally organizes non profit trips where costs are equally shared among joiners including the head of the trip, but for this, we added added between 300-400 pesos to the per head cost).

It was about 3am when we reached the selected resort so we took some nap to recharge before starting on the island hopping.

After breakfast, and before leaving, I scouted some fish that we can grill in the island from the nearby fisherfolks. I was actually intending to get bangus, but They said it wont be available until evening. Instead, i was walked into a cooler box and was made to choose from some of the unfamiliar fishes. I took some of what seemed to be family of bangus except having more lustrous and bigger scales. I also asked the fisherfolk to spare 3kilos of bangus and 2.5 kilos of crabs of their afternoon catch for our dinner.

It was about 8am when we left the resort for the island hopping. Our first stop was the Marcos Island.

Immediately after we docked, we trekked to Imelda cave to for the cliff dive.

I was the first to jump (having done it in my first visit last year) and off did 5 others. After all, that was the only thing to be done there since the sandy part would have been the parking area for the boats, leaving no space to swim freely.

At about half past ten, we decided to move to another island. I have specifically asked for kind of secluded island with beach where the waves would be a little calm. Our boatman drove towards Lopez Island.

It was a very good choice as there were some shades below the bulky rocks. Others took a nap while food is being prepped, and others gambled to whatever fund they have in excess. I must say, it's my kind of card game too, and wasn't too bad for winning close to 200 pesos

At 3pm, whereas everybody would have been all rested, we asked to move to governor's island for the viewdeck. 

Meanwhile, in passing, we dropped by the snorkelling area which wasn't frustrating at all for the schools of fishes we spotted. There were also some huge clams being grown in the area ( not sure though if council is even monitoring the protection of these clams).

At the governors island, i told the team to go ahead with the short trekk as I wait for them in the beach. 

Meanwhile, i see some people snorkelling around so went to check whats in there. It was just clams again.

A little while later, while sippong through coffee I got from the store, a small boat arrives. It's actually a tourism patrol.

I thought about asking if they can let me drive the boat around for even just 10mins. I had to tell them about my fascination to driving a boat myself, and how i did in Misamis just weeks ago; Gladly, My request was granted. I was accompanied by the junior from our rented boat, but I asked him to just sit back, and pretend like he's not around. I tied the rope into the rotor, pulled hardly, and got the engine started after some 10 attempts.

Thereafter, one by one, the folks came. It was also almost dark, so everybody was ready to go home.

Upon arrival, i received a message from the nearby fisherman saying my order is ready for delivery. Both the crabs and bangus were just 500 pesos (although the bangus was distinctively not, and dont come close to the taste of dagupan). The dayms culmination was a seafood fiesta ;-).

see here for our tambobong trip, right after hundred islands




Looking to travelling to this destination? Talk to me and we'll let's talk about your accomodation, transpo, and tour options

After the horrifying earthquake in Bohol, the climbing group has thought of organizing some budget trips whereby proceeds will go as donation to bohol. (The group normally organizes non profit trips where costs are equally shared among joiners including the head of the trip, but for this, we added added between 300-400 pesos to the per head cost).

It was about 3am when we reached the selected resort so we took some nap to recharge before starting on the island hopping.

After breakfast, and before leaving, I scouted some fish that we can grill in the island from the nearby fisherfolks. I was actually intending to get bangus, but They said it wont be available until evening. Instead, i was walked into a cooler box and was made to choose from some of the unfamiliar fishes. I took some of what seemed to be family of bangus except having more lustrous and bigger scales. I also asked the fisherfolk to spare 3kilos of bangus and 2.5 kilos of crabs of their afternoon catch for our dinner.

It was about 8am when we left the resort for the island hopping. Our first stop was the Marcos Island.

Immediately after we docked, we trekked to Imelda cave to for the cliff dive.

I was the first to jump (having done it in my first visit last year) and off did 5 others. After all, that was the only thing to be done there since the sandy part would have been the parking area for the boats, leaving no space to swim freely.

At about half past ten, we decided to move to another island. I have specifically asked for kind of secluded island with beach where the waves would be a little calm. Our boatman drove towards Lopez Island.

It was a very good choice as there were some shades below the bulky rocks. Others took a nap while food is being prepped, and others gambled to whatever fund they have in excess. I must say, it's my kind of card game too, and wasn't too bad for winning close to 200 pesos

At 3pm, whereas everybody would have been all rested, we asked to move to governor's island for the viewdeck. 

Meanwhile, in passing, we dropped by the snorkelling area which wasn't frustrating at all for the schools of fishes we spotted. There were also some huge clams being grown in the area ( not sure though if council is even monitoring the protection of these clams).

At the governors island, i told the team to go ahead with the short trekk as I wait for them in the beach. 

Meanwhile, i see some people snorkelling around so went to check whats in there. It was just clams again.

A little while later, while sippong through coffee I got from the store, a small boat arrives. It's actually a tourism patrol.

I thought about asking if they can let me drive the boat around for even just 10mins. I had to tell them about my fascination to driving a boat myself, and how i did in Misamis just weeks ago; Gladly, My request was granted. I was accompanied by the junior from our rented boat, but I asked him to just sit back, and pretend like he's not around. I tied the rope into the rotor, pulled hardly, and got the engine started after some 10 attempts.

Thereafter, one by one, the folks came. It was also almost dark, so everybody was ready to go home.

Upon arrival, i received a message from the nearby fisherman saying my order is ready for delivery. Both the crabs and bangus were just 500 pesos (although the bangus was distinctively not, and dont come close to the taste of dagupan). The dayms culmination was a seafood fiesta ;-).

see here for our tambobong trip, right after hundred islands




Looking to travelling to this destination? Talk to me and we'll let's talk about your accomodation, transpo, and tour options

Read More »