Wow, time surely flies by. Just then, we were celebrating the holidays and now it's the summer and easter has gone by.
The summers here in the Philippines are definitely scorching hot! Just the other day, provinces just reached the highest heat index of 48°c and it's predicted to go over that. It's a total hell of earth, and I just remembered temperatures in Japan reaching 30°c and there were already companies turning off power and deaths from the heat. Goodness... (update just as they announce that it will reach 50 degrees, gladly mother nature cools off by giving isolated rain showers and pausing from extreme heat. Thank you Mother Nature!)
But since everyone's sharing their summer escapades, I figured out I should share mine but well to be honest it's not really taken during the summer but we went to the province last January when it was so cold from the holidays season.
The province we went to is one of those that reach 30°c to 40°c on a daily basis but during the December or January, the place is icy cold!! Quite the contrary, yes.
So without further ado, here are our Vacation in the province.
And to top it off, I challenge my daily gas mask for a gruelling more than 8 hour period no taking off, no eating travel (times 2 since its trip to and from, also wore it there during day trip) and see what happens.
Keep in mind, I don't have vaccine yet on this time and was careful since new evolution of the covid virus is still rampant.
We were really anxious in this trip at first but proceeded since we know that somewhat the progression of the virus is better than before.
BOOKING A BEACH FRONT INN
It's the family's first trip outside and we think that getting to a familiar place is better. The countryside is bf's province and he knows the place well. He contacted his mother earlier and booked a room in an inn that they know the staff so we're all safe and sound.
I checked the inn at their facebook page and gladly they have good reviews, a place to barbeque and a fantastic beach view.
So with all that, it leaves only the tickets booking.
RIDING A VICTORY LINER'S PET-FRIENDLY RIDE
Gladly, Victory liner posts updates on their schedules on their facebook page, so I looked closely, inquired, waited and confirmed for the pet friendly ride that comes the first and last trip.
We decided to get the last trip for going to the province. The ticket range around P500 including the dog.
PREPARING DOG'S ESSENTIALS DURING RIDE
I prepared all of the dog paraphernalia in advance. As per memorandum, dog must be on a crate, with leash and diaper. But being a furmom, there are still many things the dog will need, they don't put this on the manual so here are the real essentials to bring for travelling with your fur baby.
Wet wipes (important)
Poop bag (definitely important because those diapers don't contain the poop inside, only the pee)
a retractable leash with trash bag holder and led light (suitable for small dogs so they have the freedom to go farther)
water container (the ones that has the button flow so if the dog doesn't finish it you can just push it back to the container)
Extra clothes for swimming and occasion
small pillow in the caddy
I realized there's a lot to go being a furmom, but I'm really happy that I get to have these things for Tweety.
RIDE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE
Anyway, we took a grab car to the bus station and they are fine with Tweety as long as it's on a caddy. BTW, the caddy we have for her is sooo cute! I'm happy with my purchase!
The tickets were taken care of by bf and we just waited for 30 minutes in the terminal and eventually hoped on the bus.
GAS MASK EXPERIENCE:
First hour of being in a gas mask from the house to grab car and bus terminal is comfortable.
However, since I decided to wear my coat and a bit warm clothes preparing for the aircon in the bus (which they say were cold) I felt uncomfortable at the terminal as its hot to wear it there!
6 HOURS BUS RIDE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE
The subtitle is actually very lucky as its usually 8+ hours just to get in Lingayen, Pangasinan. We took the last trip pet-friendly bus around 9pm and this amount of time we had was actually faster than expected and the ride is comfortable since its night time, its cool to move around even if you wear a coat.
GAS MASK EXPERIENCE FOR 6 HOUR BUS RIDE
3 hours after when we got into a bus stop, I really want to take it off. Pressure from the sides are making my headache but I never took it off nor wipe anything at inside as we have coughing passengers left and right. My bf never took it off too even with my mom telling him to eat.
On the few hours before departed, my headache were there and I'm hecka impatient to take it off. I miscalculated the aircon from Victory Liner I thought it was going to be icy cold but since the trip is packed with people it wasn't cold anymore and I experienced heat cramps.
ARRIVING AT LINGAYEN 3:00 AM
When we arrived, bf's mom was surprised since we arrived earlier. She met mom for the first time and as usual mom and I were nervous but was happy to see her well.
She picked up 2 Tricycles for us, if you ever get there at this time, there are tricycles at the terminal waiting and they can take you to your destination. Tricyles are the main transportation of Lingayen as the roads are so small.
Surprisingly, it was so cold and comfortable. Seriously, not what I was expecting. But they told me that during December and January it's really cold there like Baguio, making it the best favorable time to visit Lingayen!
Anne's Beach Inn and Lodge
Anyway, we took the tricycle ride to the beach inn and surprising the whole place still had christmas lights turned on but there are no more people walking, most have gone home and are sleeping.
We were immediately scorted to our rooms, they oriented us of the schedules in the morning. And my mom, still could not believe that the room is just for the three of us, me, mom and tweety.
The bed is huge! It could fit three persons on the main one and one more on the pull up bed. The place is neat and clean love the minimal design of the cr but I noticed the lack of heater which is fine for the summers but not during december and January.
We were supposed to sleep but I could not. Tweety was also anxious of the unfamiliar place, and would not eat nor drink.
She was sleeping with my mom (mom was crying for some reason that I do not know but shes not talking about it)
Anyway, just when I was about to get a sleep we need to go. The sun was beautiful and the sight of the sea from the window was just tropical dreams but outside its actually icy cold!
GAS MASK EXPERIENCE
Finally, I was able to take it off after 8 hours! I got red marks on my face and the pressure hurts a lot. What a relief to be able to take it off at that moment, I didn't know I was able to pull it off but its not done.
BREAKFAST AT DOK'S GOTO AVENUE
Early in the morning, bf and his mom came picked us up to grab breakfast and they decided to have us eat at DOK's Goto avenue taking a tricycle cab there. Everything looks different in the morning the colors are so blue! The sky is so blue much like the sea and fresh air is far different unlike the one in the manila capital.
Anyway, back to the Goto place. This is famous place to get porridge but they do serve rice meals which I ordered.
GAS MASK EXPERIENCE
For the first time, we took off our gas masks. We are anxious AF. Bf decided to sit in a outdoor area where there are lots of ventilation.
Bf ordered the biggest Lugaw and mom had too. Meanwhile, after breakfast it was just the perfect time that a dried seafood vendor visited, mom was able to buy Espada ( Eel) and other dried fishes.
Next, we went to the destination which mom loves. We took her to the sunday's plants fair, its where they sell really affordable plants and rare ones too!
PLANTS FAIR
It's located at Lingayen city Fish port, stalls line up and plants ranges 100 pesos up and we definitely got a good lot of bargain.
After this, we planned to go to the wet market however, since we bought a lot plants we decided to head back to the hotel inside and they decided that I catch a snooze till 4 pm. Well, I am thankful for this since I could not get any sleep last night at all.
LINGAYEN AT NIGHT TIME
In the afternoon, we headed to Epiphany of the Lord Parish and took a moment to say prayers. The church is so cute, with its prominent structure near markets and lively establishments. They still had the Christmas tree up since it was just January 6 when we got here, Philippines still celebrate Christmas until the Three Kings so you'll normally see it.
LUNCH AT LAZARO'S GRILL
My second time eating here and we're back, this time they had extended their second floor and we were the only one that got to dined there, the air breeze is so nice even though the sun is high enough every is so refreshing.
Lazaro's Grill is being renovated to extend its seating area, and it's so much better. I love the all-wood theme of the restaurant, believe me or not but the second floor is super cool especially when winds pass by even on the hottest temperatures.
We ordered their Specialty Pigar-Pigar and Kaleskes, the Pangasinan's favorite dishes. Pigar Pigar is made out of stir-fried carabeef, liver and onion in thin slices.
Kaleskes has carabao or cow's intestine, tripe, pancreas etc with soup seasoning of vinegar and spices.
Grilled Squid, tilapia, Igado(pork liver dish), caldereta, barbeque, ginisang labong ( bamboo shoots), chopsuey are among the dishes that we ordered as well.
The delicious dishes we got are
Pigar-pigar and Kaleskes, lots of rice and carbonated drinks.
I think I may not be adjusting to the room yet as I did not get a snooze the whole freakin night. Tweety was sweet with mom and slept with her.
LIMAHONG CHANNEL TOURISM CENTER
Bf and his mom took us here in the afternoon and I loved the beautiful plants and the scenery of the Limahong Channel, you can see people parked fishing and enjoying the scenery. Meaw has told me of the urban story that "if you made it to the end of the beach you'll go insane in a specific time and place, when then sun, wind and the sea talks with each other". That's how the locals tell the same story and it's fascinating. I may be curious but I don't want to check it out and go insane, haha.
FULFILLING MY PROMISE TO BRINGING TWEETY ON THE BEACH
When we got back to the hotel, we took a walk by the beach, I was finally able to fulfill my long-term promise that I would bring her to one but the waves and sky looks scary and intimidatingly high for her so she did not want to dip at all, she also hates the sand on her feet and made me carry her. Well, I did try once at least.
LINGAYEN NIGHT BAZAAR
When we returned to the hotel, we just walked a few steps to the Bazaar and there are booths and beverages offered with energetic music on the beach side.
Further away we walked to the restaurant, supposedly we wanted to eat at Consuelo Hotel and restaurant but we were surprised that its closed at 7 pm already!
Yeah, restaurants close reaally early here.
So we just went back to Lazaro's grill since it's still open at that time.
PACKING UP
The next Pet-friendly bus is at 3:30:00 am and we're planning to catch it early so we packed up and said our goodbyes and thank you to meaw's mom for taking time giving us the tour and welcoming us in their hometown.
BUS TO METRO
This part was the most painful one since I didn't sleep for 2 days already, I was so tired at the bus and fell asleep hard. I now experienced the heaviest feeling carrying the mask while sleeping, gravity pulling my head in front and my sleep gets interrupted all the time. How I wish I can strap my head on the bus seat so it wouldn't fall and this time we rode for 10+ hours, traffic plus loading of passengers and finally when we got home, I breathe and took it off with the ultimate relief and satisfaction and set it aside for the next journey.
MESSAGE TO YOU:
Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed and please do let me know in the comments if you like more of these. The video is on my youtube channel @trixiasalonga, I'll see you next!
Vlog links:
First Episode - https://youtu.be/IJTGnib9FdA
Second Episode - https://youtu.be/J2aIOL00Dpo
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Thursday, April 20, 2023
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