Having a good day at the beach and having a good day with few good people around you. That's the two good dreams for a summer season before it ends. Seems like impossible for working adults but when it came, sure it will be worthwhile. For this summer 2019, My friends and I were blessed enough to have the best of both worlds. We were planning to pay a visit to a childhood friend in Pangasinan and look for affordable beach to stay for a day. At first, we were thinking of hundred islands then going back to bolinao or in Tambobong beach. We came to know about Abagatanen beach. That's where we thought we're going until the very last hour before riding a jeep.
It was late night of May 17, 2019 when we arrived at our friend's place in Dagupan City and until we woke up at 8am that finally decided to go instead to a nearer beach place and uncrowded one and maybe untouched by tourist and only enjoyed by the locals.
We have decided to go to the sleepy town of Sual, Pangasinan. 1.5 -2 hrs away from Dagupan city, we've boarded a UV going to Sual Town Market and from there we have to go for another trike ride going to wharf where boats going to Cabalitian Island located. I just can't remember the exact name of the place but according to most of the locals, one needs to have advance contact to any boat man or cottage/resort care taker for us to have boat ride. Good thing, our friend has a friend who can contact a boatman for us. before going to the island, one of us talked to the tricycle driver if they can wait for us until 6pm since there would be no or difficulty in access of transportation beyond the said time, and they agreed.
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| Sual Municipal Hall |
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| Waiting for the Boat |
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| Wharf |
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| Kingfisher boat 250/pax (RT) |
Boat ride takes about 20 to 30 min and we also got to pass by Milk fish farm and luckily saw the fishermen on harvest time. Not long enough, we've arrived to our destination. At first glance we were all speechless and stunned by its raw beauty. It was like untouched and unknown by tourist. Most of the People were locals, living near the town or relatives from locals' families. Upon arriving at our cottage, we hurriedly set up our lunch since our hearts and mind were both shouting to get dip into the pristine waters. It feels like we have the island to ourselves while taking our late lunch. We can't hear any party atmosphere not even plenty of People playing in the shore. Once finished, we were like kids playing in the shore and taking a good pose like we were the only guest. Not long enough of submerging ourselves to the warm and calm seawater, we tried to explore what's with the far stretch left side of the island. There's rocky side of the beach with the clear water good for picture taking. Keep on walking and we were heading to what they called Limahong cave. Before arriving at the cave there's this picturesque rock formation that's good for instragram savy. I can't even describe how gorgeous it is. A view deck is provided which also serves a resting place before the cave. Few step away from rock formation, there comes the Limahong cave. It is not actually a cave system with deep parts to explore, just a small opening with boulders that surrounds it.
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| sana all |
There's another good spot to go there. it was like birds eye view of the island. We just didn't push through with it since it was scorching heat in the afternoon. We just go back the beach area near our cottage and savor the remaining hours before leaving the island.
As an undeveloped island, there's nothing much to expect than less basic amenities. the make shift CR has no running water and we just get some water from the "poso". Only small owned grocery store in the place with not much of supplies. But, if you came to the place ready with all of what you need then, there's no need to worry. You'll just have to appreciate the beauty of laid back atmosphere, finding solitude in serenity and tranquility. One more thing, wait until the sun sets. We ride the boat almost 6pm and witnessed another one of a kind sunset by the beach. Resting our bodies on the boat and resting our eyes to that wonderful sun set before us. We left with smile in our face and gladness in our hearts.
Going back is another story. As we get into the town Market, it was already getting dark and trips going to Dagupan seems to be impossible. We have to make our way first to Lingayen then take another ride going to dagupan. Last thing we did before going home is to taste another delicacy of the place the so-called "Pigarpigar" it's not hard to find, every corner/eatery were serving the dish but the most delectable to taste it is in the market. different stalls lined like a street food, you just have to look for a table and make yourself comfortable and eat like a local. Pigar pigar is similar to beef steak but instead of beef they used Carabao meat. It is much enjoyable if served with cabbage and that's what we have. After that, we called it a day. we packed our things and get ready for we will leave the city as early as 4 in the morning and get some fresh Bangus before going home.
I can't deny that I never expect anything so much goodness about this trip since we've been to Pangasinan several times, but life has more good surprises. It was a great time to be in vacation with the People dearly close to you and much more with exploring new places like cabalitian Island. True enough that silence and undeveloped spaces could be a great escape to a busy and noisy routine life. I can never forget how the less basic and laid back atmosphere gives so much joy in our hearts where we were only thinking of how to extend our time with the gorgeous place like this. It was a good pause for a fast paced pressured environment we had as an adult. More than anything, I thank the Lord for giving us the time and space that we really need, the break that we longed for, and the pure joy of feeling like a child carefree playing in the shore. A much needed time for every one with a weary heart and soul. It wasn't our plan. But God's Plan always prevail which is always better than ours.
