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Patar Beach in Bolinao is undoubtedly the most breathtaking during sunrises and sunsets. And I was lucky to have witnessed the beautiful color of the morning sky meeting the broad sea when we visited the beach last April of 2018.
A much-needed escape from reality is all we need, but with traveling currently off our calendars in the unforeseeable future, I'll only share my experiences from my previous travel.
I'm the type of person who enjoys looking through the window while traveling. It was still dark outside when we left home, but the road of Pangasinan was very much alive with all the lights on. When we were near our destination, the coconut trees started surrounding us. It looks exactly like the instagrammable posts I see!
We arrived, the first thing I noticed was how peaceful the place was. Only the sound of waves and the singing birds is what you will hear. There were two tourists and my family present. I expected that there would be more tourists around, but the absence of many people just added to its charms.
I jumped into the cold water and played with the white sand. As the day progress, vendors started offering us their freshly caught fish and sea urchins. Some were even offering us souvenirs. Later, we went to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, one of the top five lighthouses in the Philippines. It is a century-old and the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines and provides a panoramic view of the West Philippine Sea. The sight from the lighthouse was therapeutic. I couldn't resist but record the moment!
After enjoying the beauty of Patar beach, we decided to go next to Tondol Beach in Anda. The place is famous for its long sandbar where you can walk in ankle to knee-deep water. There, I get to see different species of starfish and crabs.
We met with our tour guide and also our mamang bangkero. He toured us to Cory Island, named after former President ย Corazon "Cory" Aquino. There was nothing so special about the islet except for the fact that we're stepping in piled-up dead corals. And the stories our tour guide brought with him.
He told us how tourists help them get by. Their source of income comes from harvesting salt but mostly comes from the tourists. The only downside of their job is when undisciplined tourists leave their trash in the water, which he admits that he dislikes about them.
My expectations were high coming to these places, and I wasn't disappointed! The whole time for me was so relaxing. It was a great experience to see the white sand beaches of the North. Also, adding my realization from our mamang bangkero's stories. To come across people who depend on the beauty of nature and its benefits is rewarding. You'll feel their sincerity and appreciation towards their home and for the people who come to admire them as well.
The trip is much more rewarding when you meet the locals. You learn to have a deeper appreciation of the place, new insights, and gain a sense of satisfaction. My experience will surely stay with me for a long time.