PRIDE OF BOLINAO -article
Your Proprietors,geotechnical consultant Dr Ian McFeat-Smith and his Ilocandian wife Aileen Respicio discovered a rare and stunning piece of coastline at Bolinao and in a few years designed, developed and recently opened a remarkable beach resort called Punta Riviera Resort at Barangay ILog Malino, Bolinao in Western Pangasinan. In this short article they describe the romantic and cultural attractions of the Bolinao area and their new resort.
History and Environment
To say that the 20 km long, coral fringed coastline between Bolinao and Patars white beach is steeped in Philippines history and well preserved romantic surroundings would be an understatement.
As the most westerly point on Luzon Island with a protected harbour that offers mariners sanctuary from the typhoons that ravish the South China Sea, new rumours abound that the Vatican is researching the story that an Italian Priest, Father Ordico first held mass in the Philippines here in the early 1300s. The Portuguese built the Fortress Church of St James in the heart of Bolinao in 1609 and hence celebrate its 400th Anniversary next year. Somewhat later Spanish Explorers established themselves here, British sailors sited a cemetery in the town, in the early 1900s Scottish engineers from Cable & Wireless brought the first telecommunication cables across the South China Sea from Hong Kong, and in 1909 the Americans built the famous Cape Bolinao Lighthouse on the hillside above Patar.
This rich history is however matched by a similarly rich environment and each mornings sunrise catches villagers engaged in a wide variety of novelty fishing activities and farming bangus or milk fish along the beaches, fringing reefs, sea caves and rugged coral atolls with its myriad of aquamarine and emerald green pools.Meanwhile, in the background, huge turquoise foaming waves crash on to the edge of the reef as the odd Aussie surfer whoops with delight. In the evenings,big sunsets with awesome kaleidoscopes of colour dominate the endless horizon whilst refreshing sea breezes sweep inland creating new life and expectations for the future.
This fascinating area with its laid back village life, has lost none of its natural ambience.There are several oceanographic marine laboratories here and the University of the Philippines Marine Service Institute are proud of the many varieties of giant clams that they breed near Santiago Island. Snorkelling is carried out here as well as at the marine sanctary just off the coast at Balingasay.
From Bolinao and the mouth of the Balingasay River with its century old mangroves, fleets of large bancas regularly sail out into the occasionally treacherous seas bringing back a wide range of sea creatures.
The open market at Bolinao is, not surprisingly, rife with all sorts of local seafood including tuna, flying fish,durado, bangus, swordfish, blue marlin, squid, octopus, lobsters, crabs, green lipped mussels, clams, sea urchins and oysters and a few of the local, upmarket resorts like Punta Riviera Resort specialise in seafood cooking. Other local attractions include swimming in the local inland caves, expert surfing and kayaking in the Amazonian-like Ilog Malino River.
Jewel of the North
Like the Hundred Islands National Park, which is located only 40 minutes to the South by road, the Bolinao Patar Coastline is becoming a key tourist destination in Western Pangasinan that the Department of Tourism is keen to promote as part of their Rediscover the North campaign.
The title Jewel of the North seems most appropriate.It was into this paradise that my Ilocandian wife Aileen Respicio and I and came from Hong Kong to build our retirement home early in the 2000s just at the mouth of the Ilog Malino River. However Aileen had somewhat grander ideas and,before long, our sea frontage was built with our infinity pool standing above the river and a stunning section of the sandy coastline. Our accommodation,including both Mediterranean and Cabanas style was built in an U shape around a large central landscaped garden facing the sea to maximise incoming sea breezes and the view from all three sides.
Since then the resort has been developed into one of the most romantic, secluded environmental havens to be found along Philippines Sunshine Coast.The new resort, which was opened in April 2006 is proving to be popular for weddings and honeymoons as well as for families and companies seeking relief from Dagupan,San Fernando- La Union, Baguio, Tarlac, Angeles, Subic and Manila and overseas tourists looking for Something New Something Different in the way of beach resorts and quality cuisine in the Provinces.
So if you are looking to Rediscover the North, to check out The History of Bolinao, or are seeking to explore the Amazon by kayak or simply looking for a romantic, laid back honeymoon resort with wide horizons and big sunsets look no further.
The resort runs avariety of land and marine tours for in house guests as listed below:
Day 1
Educational land tour & Eco-tourism land tour;
Day 2
Marine (snorkelling)tour;
Day 3
Punta Riviera Special Discovery Tour;
Day 4
Hundred Islands Tour
The above order is suitable for a 4 day tour and a 5 -7 days stay at the resort. However tours can be booked separately and in any order.
TOUR GUIDE PACKAGES - COSTS
DAY 1
EDUCATIONAL LANDTOUR & ECO-TOURISM LAND TOUR
|
No of Persons |
2 - 4 |
5 -8 |
9 -20 |
|
Total Charge Pesos |
2250 - 2850 |
3400 -4300 |
5300- 8600 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
1225 - 710 |
680 -540 |
590-430 |
Guide, entrance fees and parking charges are provided by the resort. P100 reduction per child. Tour includes soft drink, light snack with lunch at the resort. Rubberised beach and water shoes and buoyancy aids recommended together with sun protection for eco-tourism tour. Exclusionsroad transportation.
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EDUCATIONAL LAND TOUR CHARGES ONLY Pesos(with lunch)
|
No of Persons |
2 - 4 |
5 -8 |
9 -20 |
|
Total Charge Pesos |
1740 - 2260 |
2610 -3390 |
3790- 6650 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
870 - 565 |
522 -428 |
421-333 |
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ECO-TOURISM LAND TOUR CHARGES ONLY Pesos(with lunch)
|
No of Persons |
2 - 4 |
5 -8 |
9 -20 |
|
Total Charge Pesos |
2230 - 2810 |
3350 -4220 |
5210- 8400 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
1115 - 703 |
670 -528 |
579 -420 |
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DAY 2
BOAT TOURS(Snorkelling)
|
No of Persons |
2 - 6 |
7-15 |
|
Total Charge Pesos |
5,300 7,500 |
11,350 15,750 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
2,650 1,250 |
1,621 1,050 |
Guide,snorkelling gear and boat fees are provided by resort.P100 reduction per child.Rubberised beach and water shoes and buoyancy aids are recommended together with sun protection. Tour includes a soft drink and a light snack and packed lunch. Exclusions road transportation
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DAY 3
PUNTA RIVIERA DISCOVERY TOUR
|
Total Charge Pesos |
3,100 4,300 |
5,850 8,350 |
10,500 14,700 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
1,550 1,075 |
1,170-835 |
955 -735 |
Guide, kayaks and entrance fees are provided by resort.P100 reduction per child. Tour includes soft drink,light snack with lunch at resort. Rubberised beach and water shoes and buoyancy aids recommended together with sun protection. Exclusions road transportation.
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DAY 4
HUNDRED ISLANDS TOUR
|
No of Persons |
2 - 4 |
5 -8 |
9 -20 |
|
Total Charge Pesos |
3,900 5,000 |
650 8,300 |
12,950 18,000 |
|
Indicative Charge/Per |
1,950 1,250 |
1,330 1,038 |
1,439- 900 |
Guide, boat fees and snorkelling gear are provided by resort. P100 reduction per child.Tour includes a soft drink, a light snack with lunch at resort. Rubberised beach and water shoes are recommended and buoyancy aids together with sun protection.Exclusions road transportation.
NOTES:
1. The above packages are available only for Guests of Punta Riviera Resort
2. Guests are assumed to provide their own land transportation
3. For parties over 20 guests assume same rate as for 20 guests
4. A minimum of one days notice is required for land tours and 1-2 days for boat tours.
5. Booking is only confirmed once a deposit of 50% of the tour package fee is paid. The deposit is returnable only if the resort cancels the tour due to inclement weather conditions.
6. Tour details and rates may be changed or cancelled without prior notice so check with our reception for up to date information.
7. Guests undertake the above tours at their own risk; must be physically fit; children must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their safety. Buoyancy aids are recommended for children and non -swimmers. A limited supply of buoyancy aids are available but must be claimed by guests before departure. All guests must sign an indemnity waver for themselves,families and children.
8. The resort is responsible for providing guide services and specified facilities only.
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