day 1&2: ZAMBALES...

My fingers are feeling it, so the blogging shall begin... 

Let's start the 10 day trip with...

Parang wala sa Pinas diba? but really, it is in Pinas!

From the airport we headed straight to the Victory Liner Bus Station in Pasay to catch the earliest possible schedule for Olonggapo then hoped off for another bus to San Antonio then Pundaquit. It took half a day butt massage/ ride, but heck it's nothing to what awaited us.

If you think this is it, it's not! What you see is just the everyday vista of the locals at Pundaquit. The place to be for the bangkeros to park their colorful ride. 

You actually must have to hop on their colorful rides in order to say "at last!....

So so so beautiful. This is wholesome nature tripping at it's best. 

 Upon jumping off the bangka, you will immediately notice two things -- Pine trees and the glittering fine black sand. 

I am so in awe of the fine black sand, it's nothing like you've seen, especially when what you've seen is that of Talisay's very own black sand at Larawan beach. So amazing in fact that when Motha and I dipped into the waters under the glittering night sky, the beach was also behold.. glittering. VERY AMAZING that it's bordering on scary, especially when your companion brings up a scary movie to the conversation. I just had to ask the caretakers why the waters glitter but they too don't have an explanation. However, I later found out the next day that those glitters were actually just reflections of the tiny fishes swimming near the shore. Hay Manang pa mysterious effect ka pa! But still, I'm amazed. 

The Pine trees were another story. I think part of what makes this Anawangin Cove parang wala sa Pinas is that it is abundantly surrounded by Pine trees. I may be wrong but I don't think I remember seeing a coconut tree around. Again it's an amazing thing, considering that in Pinas da coconutnut is ebrywer.

Then there is also another part of nature that can grab your attention... hunger. Intense distracting grumbling hunger.

I would have loved to feed my hunger with an immediate chow at some resto bars or something, but Anawangin is so down to earth that they only have one sari sari store. Everything in it is imported... imported from Pundaquit so it's quite pricey. And who am I kidding, we're on a budget so additional sari sari store expense is out of the question. Budget people goes hand in hand with budget meals .. skyflakes and canned goods. But we indulged a bit with the lechon manok and rice that we brought from the town center ;)

The lack thereof the basics in this hidden paradise is probably one of its great assets. Camping is the only way there is to survive, and sleeping bag will be your favorite buddy. The kind of buddy that no other can give warmth on a very cold breezy night.

 

GOOD MORNING BEAUTIFUL!

Such a sight to wake up to.

If you're a nature lover and get natural high from being one with motha nature, then Anawangin will be your best go to. 

There are several things you can do... swim, roll in the sand, dip in the lake, chase the fish or shock your vitals with a climb on the hills (trust me up there on the hills, the view, it's worth the shock). But whatever it is you'd want to do, i'm pretty sure it'll be worth your while, if not then there will always be that nearby island hopping option.

@ CAPONES Island

 We braved the strong current and waves just to get to the lighthouse we were all so curious of. Understandably, our cameras safety were more important than our lives so we opted to leave it in the bangka away from the raging waters as we had to jump off and then swim to get to the shore. Because of this, we have no pictures to show as evidence that we really did went up to see the lighthouse. Instead, I'll just describe it in detail. It was a white abandoned tower with light on top. The end. 

Seriously, the lighthouse wasn't really as old, though they said it was built in the spanish era and that there used to be a house sitting on its foot. It wasn't really the highlight for me but the view of the neighboring islands and the walk back down to the other side of CAPONES were. I know it'll sound silly but I never felt more cool trekking down in my bikini, holding on to rocks while watching out for the waves that might slam into us. You might not get it, but it's the closest we could get to ala Roxy video, where the surfers are looking waves in the far off beaten paths. Still whatever, no one can take away my feeling cool moment. 

 

The rock formations at CAPONES Island was very cool, I was not. Though that's the best try I've got. Excuse me... just living up to my feeling Roxy moment. Errr...failed! Now I know why there are models and viewers. The latter can't just keep up with the former, no matter the attempt.

We also headed to other islands, but the tide was getting high so it was difficult to dock the boat. It's not safe especially when one of the four below is relying on a life jacket for her dear life. No, left most friend, I'm not mentioning your name. Joke Fauv! hahaha.

 

1&2 out of 10

ZAMBALES... accomplised!

*** 

deets c/o Jeanette

Bus shuttle to Baclaran:  P20.00
Baclaran to pasay Victory bus terminal taxi: (P80/3) = P26.6
Victory bus Pasay to Olongapo @ 11am-3pm: P223
Olongapo bus terminal to San Anotnio zambales @ 3pm - 4:30pm: P44 

snacks: P150
lechon manok + rice: P220/4 = P55each

trike from san antonio to pundaquit (pearl resort) trike fare: P40/person

boat ride (back and forth) to anawangin cove @ 30 mins + island hopping (next day): (P 1,500/4) = P375
5:15pm - camp set up, swim, rest nd eat

Camping fee: P100/pax

tip bankeros:(P200/4) = P50
trike back to san antonio @ 12:30 - 12:45pm : P30

Wait at 7eleven for san antonio to Olongapo bus: P58
olongapo to Pasay bus fare: P245

ROUGH INVESTMENT: P 1, 516.00