PANGASINAN 2015: SAN ANDRES, BOLINAO

For some, having kids is synonymous to saying goodbye to the "good stuff". Of course, being responsible parents, we need to save up for the future (FACT); but this doesn't mean we need to pass going on trips and enjoy what the Philippines has to offer. Like what I always say, travelling need not be expensive. And so here's our very tipid-trip to Pangasinan to spend the holy week.

Since we got Whitey (our car) last year, we realized that driving is the most convenient way to travel when you have a kid. (We reserve the "backpacking" part when it's just the two of us or with our -karen friends):

1) no rush in meeting PUV schedule 

2) child safely seated in the back 

3) can sleep whenever they want 

4) toilet break whenever 

5) stopover whenever. 

And so we drove from Paranaque to Pangasinan, (photos below)

DAY 1 - MARCH 30, 2015 (MONDAY)

Our darling comfortably stationed at the backseat :)

mommy and daddy

Skyway north-bound

First stop: Breakfast at Jolibee (NLEX) :)

 

And off we go :)

saw this DIRECTIONAL GRAFFITI. I was so relieved we're not lost ;)

My handsome driver

see what I'm telling you? 

And after 6 or so hours of driving, we finally reached EL PESCADOR RESORT & HOTEL

ADDRESS: SAN ANDRES, BOLINAO PANGASINAN

CONTACT NUMBERS: 075-554-2559 / +639999926184

*photo property of El Pescador

We were booked to the LEGACY QUEEN BED room located at the far south part of the resort. We originally rooted for the Kubo accommodation, but as per the booking officer (sorry I forgot her name), all rooms are already booked (which I accepted since it is the holy week)

THE LEGACY ROOMS (facade and driveway)

*photo property of El Pescador

LEGACY QUEEN BED (interior)

*Photo property of El Pescador

After we checked-in, we decided to have some late lunch. There is no intercom in our room, so whenever we need something -- food order or whatever request, we need to go out our room and walk for about 2-3 minutes to get to the reception counter.

UNSOLICITED ADVICE: List down items that you may need so you won't be going back and forth just to request for stuff. Also, you may order your meals in advance and request them to be delivered to a certain time.

After eating our lunch, we decided to go for a dip in the pool. El Pescador is the only resort in the vicinity that has swimming pools. They have one kiddie pool with slide, and an adult pool with a giant slide

shot with my Sony Xperia Z2. Ava just loves the water -- even going under it ;)

Bolinao sunset

After swimming, we decided to tour the resort. We found ourselves in one of the gazebos 
overlooking the beach. The beach in El Pescador isn't really for swimming. You'll find fishermen boats parked on the shore. Sand isn't really that fine, and unfortunately we found litters on the sand (bottles, candy and junkfood wrappers, cigarette butts, etc)

UNSOLICITED ADVICE: Anywhere you go, please bring a plastic bag where you can place all your trash. A candy wrapper you decided not to throw on the ground would save a million water species.

DAY 2: BREAKFAST

Filipinos love -silogs for breakfast, and El Pescador offers the standards with free 3-in-1 coffee. I personally am a tapsi and toci person, but whenever in Pangasinan, never miss out on their famous LONGANISA. I think they call it the ALAMINOS LONGANISA. It is very similar to the Vigan longanisa, but it comes in small round shapes. You will find a toothpick-like stick on each end (they don't really twist or tie the skin). Taste-wise, it is salty and garlicky. 2-3 pieces of it will satisfy your big breakfast tummy.

For those fastfood junkies, don't despair, Bolinao has a Jolibee truck. Menu is limited -- they don't offer chicken, spaghetti, and the more expensive ones. But you can get cheeseburgers, jolly hotdog and tuna pie :)

THE REAL JOLIJEEP -- in the flesh!!!

ROUGH BUDGET REPORT:

PARTICULARS	COST
Accommodation	3500
3D2N stay at Legacy
Free breakfast for 2pax
Meals (approx)
Lunch (day 1)	200
Dinner (night 1)	500
Drinks	350
TOTAL	4,550.00

UNSOLICITED REVIEW: 

El Pescador is one of the better places to stay in Bolinao. They offer affordable accommodations with free breakfast, free use of the pool and free 1 hour love boat ride (too bad we were not able to try it). Staff were nice, though there weren't really enough people to accommodate your requests 24/7 (given that we visited the resort during the Holy Week).

If you are a beach person, San Andres may not be the best shore for you. Like what I mentioned earlier, theirs is a working shore where fishermen dock their boats early morning with their fresh catch (though it might be a beautiful view from the gazebo in the morning).

I really liked that our room has its own terrace/veranda. It became our dining area and here's where we had our night caps. Aside from the pool area, the verandas are the best chill place. (recommended for big groups)

The resort has a 24 hour security, but it will be really dark at night (even inside the resort premises), there are street lights outside, but tricycles are not always available if you wish to stroll at night. There are sari-sari stores near the resort if you wish to buy snacks and drinks. 

If you are planning a not too expensive "huwag-naman-laging-pansol" family outing, then El Pescador in San Andres Bolinao may be the perfect venue. 

Overall, I give El Pescador a 7 out of 10.

Will be writing about our Patar experience in my next post. And of course, don't miss our Hundred Islands adventure. 

Till then..