The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 609

PINATUBO PRACTICALITIES
The SCTEX highway has made getting to Pinatubo much easier, and it's now more feasible as
a day-trip from Manila. Trekking Pinatubo ( T 02 310 5036; W trekkingpinatubo.com) has
day-trips for P3750 per person (minimum of four people), which include return transport from
Manila, all entrance fees, and a local guide. It's far cheaper to organize trips with the Capas
Municipal Tourism O ce at MacArthur Highway, Capas, Tarlac (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; T 045 925
0112 ext 109, E [e-mail]). Prices are dependent on group size, but count on
at least P1500 per person.
Partas, Victory Liner and Philippine Rabbit have frequent departures north from Clark to
Baguio, La Union, Aliminos and Vigan, and there are almost continual departures to Manila.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus The closest bus terminal is in the nearby town of
Alaminos, where you'll also find ATMs and internet facilities.
There are regular Victory Liner buses to Baguio (4hr) until
5pm. Several bus companies serve Manila (hourly; 6hr).
From Alaminos it's a 15min tricycle ride (P60) to Lucap, or an
hour by jeepney or bus to Bolinao.

emerald green waters and spectacular
surrounding views. However, swimming
in the crater lake is ill advised given the
sulphuric water, which can cause skin
damage and is harmful if ingested.

HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL
PARK
hese emerald-like tiny islands (there are
actually 123) make up a national park
covering almost twenty square kilometres,
nestled in the Lingayen Gulf. Some
islands have beaches, but many are no
more than coral outcrops crowned by
scrub, and unfortunately much of the
coral has been decimated. To prevent
further damage, you can only snorkel in
approved areas - Taklobos Reef is the
nicest, where the government has been
reintroducing giant clams, and the
underwater life is beginning to return to
pre-dynamite fishing levels.
Boat access to the islands is from Lucap ,
but it's far more pleasant to stay in pretty
Bolinao , an hour away, where there are
good accommodation choices. Either way
you can island-hop by day (you'll need to
take your own food and water), returning
to a shower and a comfy bed in the
evening. Don't expect Robinson Crusoe
solitude, especially at weekends when
many of the islands are overrun by
day-trippers. You can find your own piece
of paradise here (try Marta, Marcos or
Cuenco islands), but you'll have to make
it clear to the boatman that you're not
interested in the bigger islands.
he only three islands with any form of
development are Governor's Island ,
Children's Island and Quezon Island ,
where there's basic accommodation.

INFORMATION AND BOAT TRIPS
Information The park is accessible year-round: the only
restriction is that you have to register and pay a fee (P20;
overnight P40) at the National Park/Philippine Tourist
Authority o ce at the end of the pier at Lucap (daily 24hr;
T 075 551 2505, W hundredislands.ph).
Island-hopping The tourist o ce is the best place to
arrange a boat, as prices are set by the DOT. A motorboat
for up to seven people visiting one island is P800-1400 for
the day. The latest pick-up time from the islands back to
Lucap is 5.30pm. It's much more fun to tour the islands by
kayak (P500/day); contact the tourist o ce or the Hundred
Islands Eco-Tours Association ( T 0910 574 3582).

8

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
You can pitch a tent on Children's, Governor's and Quezon
islands for P200, payable at the park o ce. Also enquire
here about renting nipa huts on the islands. You'll need to
bring all your own food. While there are several places to
stay in Lucap, Bolinao is a far more attractive proposition.

LUCAP
The Boathouse Great fresh fish and steaks served in
this small octagonal building, close to Maxine . Fri-Sun
6-10pm.
Helden Resthouse T 0918 7 31 21 51. Very basic fan
cottages with shared bathrooms. P700
Maxine by the Sea T 075 551 2537. While the rooms
aren't cheap, they are clean, tiled and quiet. The seafood
restaurant here is the best in the area and j ustifiably
popular, not least for the romantic views. P1840
Villa Antolin T 075 696 9227, W villa-antolin.com. Homely
and friendly option right on t he wate r with small, cosy,
comfortable rooms and cable TV. P1800