Hundred Islands Hideaway

There are One Hundred Twenty Three Islands in the Hundred Islands but only three have been developed for tourists. These are Governor's, Quezon and Children's Islands which were previously featured in this blog. In fact, if you rent a boat, the boatman will most likely land you at these three islands.

While some islands are undockable because of very sharp edges or there simply is no sand to dock on, still this should not prevent you to go near and wander at these amazing islands.

Children's Island

The Boat Kids heading to the Children's Island

Batad - Tappia Waterfall Hike

Trip to Batad takes practically the whole day and recommended only to strong hikers. Approximately 16 kilometers from town proper, 12 kilometers of which is traveled by either a jeepney or a tricycle and the rest of the distance to be traversed by foot on mountain trails. Going down to the falls is a much easier 1 1/2 hour trek but the challenge lies on coming back where it took me almost three hours of climbing and trekking just to go back to our jeepney.

Although this probably is my hardest hike so far, (and would probably not climb a mountain again this year), I consider this hike one of the most memorable because of the magnificent landscapes and beauty of nature that surrounded me.

Let me share to you these photos I have taken during my hike:

Hiwang

Nature at it's best. Hiwang definitely is Ifugao's hidden paradise. To wake-up one morning with these magnificent views is definitely priceless. So, I will just let these photos speak for themselves:

Hapao-Hungduan-Ducligan Trek

The Hapao-Hungduan-Ducligan Trek is one of the easiest and pleasurable hike in Ifugao. It will take you just barely four hours (back and forth) to walk through the dazzling rice terraces of Hapao and Hungduan which are spread out over the valley floor.

To walk to a small hot springs beside a river in Hapao, you need to take on the concrete steps behind the Hungduan Viewpoint and follow the paved irrigation canal for about 10 minutes until you reach a small group of houses. Then, it is another 20 minute hike to the river where you can cool off in the refreshing water or soothe yourself in the warm hot springs.

Here are some photos I have taken on the awe-inspiring hike featuring the Rice Terraces of Hapao and Hungduan, the walking trails, the river and the hot spring:

Banaue Rice Terraces

Hailed as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Banaue Rice Terraces showcase a truly mesmerizing display. These mus-walled rice terraces is North Luzon's most famous sight and has a pleasing, organic quality that differentiate the place from stone-walled terraces in most of the Cordillera.

World Heritage-listed, the Banaue Rice Terraces are impressive not only for their chiseled beauty but because they were created around two thousand years ago.

Ifugao Road Trip

The province of Ifugao is best known for its rice terraces, which can be found in almost all the municipalities of the province. Considered one of the eight wonders of the world, the famed terraces are a marvelous engineering feat achieved by the ancients to maximize use of the land for food production. But before my posts on these famed rice terraces, let me just feature here five municipalities in Ifugao that I have passed going to my target destination.

Quezon Island

The biggest and the most developed island in the Hundred Islands is Quezon Island. It is named after the late President Manuel L. Quezon of which a commemorative statue for his honor sits on top of the island. It is not only the biggest island but the most crowded as well. So after eating in one of their picnic tables and wandering around the island for about an hour, we decided to find our own isolated island to spend the day with. But before going to the next island, here are some shots taken at the Quezon Island:

Governor's Island

The Hundred Islands and National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan covers a land area of 1,884 hectares. It comprised of One Hundred Twenty-three islands of which only three were developed - The Governor's Island (featured in this post), the Quezon Island (to be featured on the next post) and the Children's Island. Here are some more shots taken in the Governor's Island of the Hundred Islands:

Look Up @ Lucap

This post will start my Hundred Islands Series. You may wonder why such title. Well, Lucap has one of the best skyline in Pangasinan that all photos in this set involve shots of the sky - thus, while in Lucap, you should look up.