A journey to Paradise...

Since holy week is a long weekend for most of Filipino family, and my hubby's rest day at work fall on a weekend, we make it our way to visit his home town by Good Friday and decide to visit one of Pangasinan's hidden paradise Villa Balinmanok, Dasol Pangasinan.

Dasol Pangasinan, is around 2 hours drive from my husband's home town, Aguilar, but in order to reach Paradise, it took us another hour or more since the road is bumpy, rocky, steep and very narrow.  Actually when we enter that most roughest and narrowest road, i kept on praying that there would be no other vehicle that will pass towards where we came from because it is really impossible that two vehicles even 2 small car can fit with the road…and my prayers where answered as we reach the short concrete road designed for "partially" two way street…

the road to paradise

rough road that can fit only one vehicle

but when we reached the destination… Whoa… the place is amazing and I can say that the place is very preserved and that it is one of the best place we've been…

the breathtaking view of villa balinmanok, dasol pangasinan

the view that will welcome the guests

Colibra Island from a distance

mini banca by the shore

tambobong beach (another beach nearby/across the island)

crocodile island (looks like crocodile's head)

another island/rock formation in the middle of the sea

mia in the clear water

Alger, resting in the tent

hiding in the sun but enjoying the clear water

\

very fine powdery beige sand of colibra island

under the mango tree (indian mango)

i think this is their function hall or area

a good spot for diving

enjoying the beach

Alger by the shore

another good site for cliff  diving

junction between two islands

colibra island

the famous ship wreck of villa bainmanok

got a starfish?… Alger got one...

approaching tambobong beach

the shoreline of tambobong beach

Villa Balinmanok is a private beach, but they opened it to public, when the time we went here, we made reservation. We went here using a private vehicle, but according to the caretaker there are trykes available from the main highway.  Make sure to travel in the morning coming in and if you're planning to just do a day tour, be out of the resort before 4pm so there's still daylight. For overnight tour, be in the road, they also have cabanas/ cottages and tents for rent.

On Parenting this Generation….

Youngster now a days are exposed early to a lot of things that I was exposed I think 2 to 3 years later when I was in their age.  I don't know if it is also because of technology or also even school lesson is also far more advance now than before.  I remember I started to learned how to do my addition when I was in Grade 1 maybe around 3rd to 4th grading, while my boy who was in pre-kinder learned it during the 2nd grading.  How to tell time using an analog watch was taught to us if I am not mistaken when we were in grade 2, whereas my pre-schooler's final exams paper was write the time the clock says.

These observation doesn't only goes to preschoolers but mostly with the adolescents.  As young as 9 years old, girls now are having their menarche ( first menstruation ) and boys (in the philippines) wanted to be circumcized by almost the same age (during their 3rd grade).  They learn sexuality, gender and gender identity younger than we had before, but the problem is, the source of learning these things.

Filipino youngsters today learn more from internet and their peers than from their parents or school teachers. And it is quite alarming that they depend on what they have read in a not so realible website and their unexperienced friends and try it on their own.  They are aggresive and usually doesn't think of the consequences their actions will bring. These may lead to more serious problem if not addressed properly. 

As a parent, I think its time that we must really sit with our kids and also learn from them.  Not always telling them what to do and learn from us, but also try to see what movie they watch, navigate the site that they are going in the net, and learn these together with them.  We can also try to loosen a bit the tightness of holding onto them with the things they want, like activities they want to experience, books/articles they want to read, places they want to go and the like.  Growing up with them in their generation will lessen the problems that may arise with the fast track type of life today.

Exploring Potipot Island

As a wife of a man working on shifting hours, me and my hubby's scheduled rest days/day offs doesn't always fall on the same day.  Usually only once in a month when he will have a chance to have his day off from work during weekends which is my regular rest days, so we make it a point to spend with it with the whole family and do activities that we love most… and that's travelling, exploring new places and food trip.

One of these weekend off we shared together was last March 21, and after our shift at work which was 4pm, we headed straight to candelaria zambales for another adventure in the road…

It was 6 and a half hour drive from Cainta, Rizal to Brgy Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales… we left home around 530 in the afternoon and reach our destination Sun Bloom Beach Resort by 12 midnight, where we were attended by their cool staff and resort manager Allan.  The staff were accomodating, helpful and attentive to our needs.  Their accomodation is good and they provide assistance even when we want to set up our bonfire.  The facilities are not excellent but just fine for your stay and the cost is reasonable enough (PHP 1,400) for four person in an airconditioned room with wall fan as well, private toilet and bath, 2 double beds, few toiletries and towel, side table and coffee table with 2 seats, and an adjustable table lamp for an overnight stay.

the grill area of the resort

beach front of the Sun Bloom Resort

The boat transfer going to the island cost PHP600 good for 6 passenger and they have individual life vest (It's a must for me cause I have this fear with open water) it only takes around 5-10 minutes boat ride, depending on the waves, to reach the island.  Manong bangkero is quite friendly as well and will brief you of what to expect during the ride.

our destination for today's family camping

our snapshot with manong bangkero

the peaceful, relaxing view of the island

clear water and white sand

The island doesn't have electricity, though there were some nipa huts for rent already and some wooden tables near the shore, it is still advisable that you bring tents, and cooking materials cause that will be the best bonding activity that you can do with the family… they also have provision for ihaw-ihaw and they have public toilets.

nipa nuts behind me are for rent

exploring the rest of the island

nature's beauty

the view of the sea

The hidden child in you will come out naturally as you will forget that you'll have sun burn under the sun, cause the clear water and white sand beach seems like tagging and pulling you to take a dip on it.

the inviting clear water 

powdery white to beige coloured sand

peaceful and clean water just nice for kids to waddle in the shore\

having fun in sea water and sun\

mia is hiding from the sun

starfishes all over the area

After the whole day in the island, we went back to the resort where we decided to spend the night.  Best ending of a day in the beach are good food, a bit of beer and bonfire date under the stars…

sunset by the beach

panoramic view of the beach as the sun sets down

our weekend date by the bonfire

mia, roasting some marshmallow in the fire

Some other captured moments of our great get away in Sun Bloom Resort and Potipot Island

our sand toys… ready to dig 

jelly fish, don't worry it won't sting cause I think its dead

family portrait before leaving the island

the family that travel together makes memories more fonder...

swim time 

sun shiny day