VIEWED again after two decades, there they were: The Hundred Islands, Pangasinan?s top ecotourist attraction, an ecological wonder.
The rock formations ranged from minuscule to gigantic, with caves and beach coves, limestone cliffs, mangroves, trees, plants and wild vegetation; and sandbars in some cases. All are surrounded by clear, living waters.
There are actually more than a hundred islands in a vast area covering 1,844 hectares in the Lingayen Gulf.
An invitation from the Philippine Kayaking Association made it possible for this non-kayaker to experience once more the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City. The event was the Philippine Kayaking Series 2009, specifically ?Kayak Explore (Hundred Islands).?
The series includes the forthcoming ?Kayak historic/Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan? during the second half of the year and the ?Kayak Cebu-Bohol/Islands? in July.
The start of the kayaking competition was in Bolo Beach in Alaminos City, roughly a five- to six-hour drive from Metro Manila.
Alternative destination
Officials are promoting the site as an alternative destination to the traditional entry point to the Hundred Islands that is Lucap Point Wharf, which has no beach, while Bolo boasts of a big, wide beach cove and a clutch of budget beach resorts.
These are satisfactory if you are not the demanding or fastidious kind of tourist. The cottages and picnic huts are native-style, made of bamboo and bamboo slats, and the rooms have electric fans. The toilets are common. And on weekends, especially Sundays, families flock to the area.
The olice headquarters can be found at the Bolo Beach Resort.
The kayaking event was sponsored by a host of firms, including media partners like INQUIRER.net, and supporting organizations like the Department of Tourism and Philippine Windsurfing Association.
There were 40 participants, or teams of two. They were mostly fishermen and boat operators, browned due to exposure to the sun, and with strong, sturdy arms.
But there were two adventurous women, and one lone paddler. The challenge ahead of them was a 25-kilometer circuitous marathon around the gulf and many of the islands.
