TAMBOBONG SOJOURN

the island in Tambobong given with so many names
A typhoon left the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The sun decided to shine with all its might yet the traces of drops of rainfall during the night remained on the unpaved, bumpy and long winding road towards a coastal municipality. That was the day I together with travel buddies, Christian and  Carla  were bound to Tambobong White Beach, Dasol, Pangasinan.



After an hour of a bumpy tricycle ride from the Burgos Public Market, the sight of the coastline with sea weeds prominently occupying the beach welcomed us.  Rainy season indeed produces a complete contrast of landscape compared to summer months. It was a totally different view from what I experienced two years ago on a summer month.  But no matter what the landscape is, it never dampened our wandering souls to explore the coastal municipality of Dasol.      

the vast playground
The shores of Dasol Pangasinan harbors a fine white sand and bountiful sea harvest. Though the sea weeds covered the anticipated landscape, we surely find ways on how to enjoy the scenery.  Apart from chill drinking under the shade of coconut trees, there are a million ways to declare "Yes it was a memorable trip."

my shade while lying on the sand and drinking beer
R Paradise Resort

Ate Vi was our host for this transient sojourn in Tambobong.  As a traveler herself, she knows the needs of the kind of specie she belongs to.  Every guest is treated as part of the family.  R Paradise Resort, owned and managed by Ate Vi, is no doubt a haven for travelers and backpackers (if there is distinction for such nomenclature).


The resort is situated along the coast of Tambobong White Beach of Dasol, which can be easily accessed as Ate Vi is popularly known by almost all tricycle drivers and locals of the coastal town, though she was not born and raised in the said town.

The resort's architectural layout is themed for a rural living, with rooms designed as cottages surrounded by a shade of trees.  It felt like home.

featuring the slide on a double-deck room
The interior design of the rooms is quite interesting as well.  But I was particularly amazed at the comfort rooms design where stones attached to its flooring and walls mimics that of bathing in a rain forest.  Or take a shower and imagine drenched in water cascading from an elevation.

comfort room
Room rates ranges from 1200 to 2500 depending on type and number of occupants.  For contact details:

FB Page:  click here
Mobile No.: 09088202016
Look for Ms. Vivian

A personalized service is what every guest shall expect while at R Paradise Resort.  In our case, we were assisted by Auntie Nora, a resident of Tambobong and who has served Ate Vi for quite a long time. Hospitality beyond our expectations.

Auntie Nora
With a scenic beach front and remarkable hospitality, R Paradise Resort is my top resort in Tambobong.

Island Hopping

Being a coastal municipality, fisher folks of the municipality is given the opportunity to gain additional source of income in the aspect of tourism.  I truly admire their hard work.  Fisherman at night and tour guides at day time.  

Taking advantage of the calmness of the sea and the good weather, we chartered a boat (at PhP800.00 minimum) for an island hopping adventure.

Balinmanok

Taiwanese vessel
Centuries ago, a Taiwanese vessel sunk loaded with the drug methamphetamine (shabu) of an unknown quantity.  This was the opening statement of our boatman as he points on the remnants of the said vessel. So, this is a drug den? I said to myself.  Can we swim and who knows what happens next?

The landmark of Balinmanok is quite intriguing yet devoid of historical value.  I thought it was a remnant of the foreign invasion in our country.  Nevertheless, the clear waters that surround gives us a peek of the rich marine life underneath.

Colibra/Culebra/Snake Island

From a distance, the ocean seem so calm as our boatman navigated towards an island with three prominent coconut trees on sight.  This is the island with so many names and a usual destination for island hopping when in Tambobong.

approaching the island
As soon as we were getting near the island, the waves greeted us from varied directions.  The possibility of capsizing is of high percentage.  During summer months, it was a breeze to dock in the island.  But on this revisit of mine, our boat man had a hard time getting near the island, prompting the swimmer-travel blogger, Carla, to jump from the boat and swim towards the island.  Yes, she must be a mermaid in her previous lifetime.


After a few minutes we were all in the island, as if we own it.  No visitors and uninhabited.  Since we could not unload the beer from the boat and for lack of shaded areas, we need to get back to the boat and off towards the next destination.

During rainy season, it is advisable to follow the advice of your boatman. Never insist to dock near the shores if the boatman says it's not safe.  As I stood on one corner of the island, I felt the strong underwater current, which made me realize it was dangerous to stay longer and swim towards the boat.

the long stretch of the cream sand
Undoubtedly, this island has one of the finest cream sand in the Philippines yet the time of visit should be scheduled for a more safe and enjoyable trip.

Balas Nagtaros

If there is one destination that is unexplored and not known to many on this side of Dasol Pangasinan, it is the Balas Nagtaros Island.  Due to the swell of the waves, a not the usual route of the island for tourists was our jump-off point towards the island known as Crocodile Island by tourists and geographically named Cabacungan Cove.  The usual-jump-off point when visiting the cove is on the other side of the island which has direct access to the rock formation.

our view and natural swimming pool while drinking

souvenir picture
The shaded trees that surround the waters of Nagtaros is a postcard scene in itself.  We settled at one corner, usual beer drinking and shared stories of varied sorts.  If only we had unlimited beer and the boatman had no time constraints, then we would have stayed longer on this part of the island.  The fresh air, clean waters and sound of the waves from a distance was soothing to the ears and truly relaxing.

Upon consumption of a number of bottles of beer, we had a short trek to the other side of the island - the Crocodile Island.

Welcome to Crocodile Island!
Crocodile/Cabacungan Cove


the Crocodile Island also known as Cabacungan Cove

A number of islands in the Philippines are named as Crocodile.  If one expects sightings of crocodiles, then you might get disappointed as these islands are named as such for the reason that there are rock formations prominently resembling a crocodiles head.  Thus, the name of one of the islands in Tambobong, Pangasinan.

inside the cave - violent waves smash each nook and corner within
The small cave within the island from which the crocodiles head is formed is a good place to swim as well, taking refuge from the scorching heat of the sun.  This I recall years ago.  But this time around, the violent waves makes us feel unwelcome. The splashing waves were indeed strong, all coming from varied and unexpected directions.

the usual jump-off point
After a few photo shoots, we ended the island hopping adventure and went back to the shores of White Beach.

White Beach


the fine white sand overpowers the sea weeds

If there is a consolation for staying at the white beach of Tambobong during a lean and rainy season, it is the idea of isolation and more intimate interaction with the locals in a less commercialized way.  There are no peddlers strolling around and we get to witness what time the fishermen leaves the shore and bid farewell to their respective wives as the sea will be their home for the night.

my ally...sana isponsor naman ako nito. haha
Sitting at the beach front of R Paradise Resort with a bottle of beer, life unfolds as fast as the blink of an eye. There were no dull moments when with travel buddies who share the same interests.  The spontaneity of conversation and laughter is a moment to treasure for me.  For two days, we have no itinerary but to lie on the sand, drink and laugh.  What a life! haha!

love letter scribbled in the sand
Interesting local personalities revealed themselves as we stroll along the long stretch of the white sand beach of Tambobong.  From afar, we saw a timid lady making scribbles on the sand.  As we get near the scribbles, the lady ran and hide into the nearby trees.  We don't intend intrusion of privacy but as we try to decipher the scribbles, it was some sort of a love letter.  I hope the addressee gets the message.

catch for the day
The children of Tambobong are indeed fortunate.  Their vast playground have no room for imagination as they experience the real world - the rich marine life and the rural living anyone in the metro dreams of living. As we stroll along the long stretch of the white beach and locate the best place to swim, we were followed and guarded  by two girls smiling innocently and showing their catch for the day.  And so we ask, anong ulam nyo?  (what's your viand?)

our new friends - ano ulam nyo? 
Tambobong sojourn is truly one of the getaways that will forever be imprinted in my memory bank.  With a great travel experience and travel buddies, whom I respect in the travel blogging industry, I so declare...this shall be followed...

You May Also Like

8 comments

  1. I beg to differ, I was not a mermaid! :P

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, alam nyo po ba ano yung pinakamalapit na market sa R Paradise? Yung burgos market po ba o mas may malapit pa po? Tas po yung Island hopping, 800 po minimum tas ilang tao yung kaya ng bangka?

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi po ask ko lng kung need po b tlga mag deposit thru bdo pag nag pa reserve ng room sa r paradise resort?

    ReplyDelete
  4. ho ask ko lng po kung totoo po n need mag advance deposit thru bdo account pag nag pa reserve po ng room sa r paradise? TIA

    ReplyDelete
  5. ho ask ko lng po kung totoo po n need mag advance deposit thru bdo account pag nag pa reserve po ng room sa r paradise? TIA

    ReplyDelete
  6. ho ask ko lng po kung totoo po n need mag advance deposit thru bdo account pag nag pa reserve po ng room sa r paradise? TIA

    ReplyDelete
  7. Where can you see a dead stinky animal inside a resort? ONLY in R PARADISE RESORT! You will be welcomed with a very stinky smell of this dead creature. YEP, it is the MOST DISASTROUS PLACE i have ever been. Rooms are so dusty and suffocating. NOT enough supply of water. Water coming from the faucet is murky and stinky. There is a big garbage pit INSIDE the resort and half of the place are junks and woods full of termites! I WILL NEVER EVER COME BACK TO THIS RESORT AGAIN!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Where can you see a dead stinky animal inside a resort? ONLY in R PARADISE RESORT! You will be welcomed with a very stinky smell of this dead creature. YEP, it is the MOST DISASTROUS PLACE i have ever been. Rooms are so dusty and suffocating. NOT enough supply of water. Water coming from the faucet is murky and stinky. There is a big garbage pit INSIDE the resort and half of the place are junks and woods full of termites! I WILL NEVER EVER COME BACK TO THIS RESORT AGAIN!

    ReplyDelete