We trailed a little up north this weekend.
After a series of go-no go discussions with some friends, my buddy and I firmly decided to hit the road to Zambales despite the erratic weather condition here in Manila for the past several days and the extended 5-day forecast by accuweather and PAGASA for our destination. After all, what could a few raindrops and light breeze possibly do to ruin our little summer outing? :)
So, with our backpacks and snorkling gears ready, we left the Victory Liner terminal in Pasay City around 530AM to Olongapo. We weren't able to catch the 5Am bus ride to Sta.Cruz/Iba, which would pass by San Antonio, our drop-off. We were trapped in a traffic mess somewhere in Subic, causing our trip to last for six hours. From Olongapo, we rode another Victory Liner bus going to Sta. Cruz/Iba to reach San Antonio.
[We recommend leaving Manila late in the evening, or having your tickets reserved before your preferred date.]
We had our contact boatman, Manong Randy, for our island hopping. And since we had settled on not having a camp, we did random quick calls to certain accommodations suggested by some bloggers and friends. Most of them were already fully-booked. Our choices were trimmed down to Punta de Uian, Ferriol's Residence, and Wild Rose Inn. Muntik na naming patulan ang Punta de Uian, probably the most expensive place there. But considering our time, our activities, and the place itself, we decided to go for a cheaper one. We got room F of WRI. Hmmm..let's say, in general, the room was pretty basic and the service was not exceptional-- sorry pero hindi proactive.
[We have no idea how the other rooms look like, but taking into account the quality of service, we wouldn't recommend the place. Try Ferriol's based on a good feedback from a couple of friends who stayed there last Holy Week or Punta de Uian based on its posted rates and photos. Or, bring your own food and go for a camping to save some pesos.]
DAY ONE. After searching the area for a decent lunch, we ended up eating at the resto of Nora's Beach Resort, a 3-minute walk from WRI. Then, around 130PM, we met Manong Randy's contact boatmen (he was still in Capones) to take us to Anawangin Cove fronting the South China Sea.
After a series of go-no go discussions with some friends, my buddy and I firmly decided to hit the road to Zambales despite the erratic weather condition here in Manila for the past several days and the extended 5-day forecast by accuweather and PAGASA for our destination. After all, what could a few raindrops and light breeze possibly do to ruin our little summer outing? :)
So, with our backpacks and snorkling gears ready, we left the Victory Liner terminal in Pasay City around 530AM to Olongapo. We weren't able to catch the 5Am bus ride to Sta.Cruz/Iba, which would pass by San Antonio, our drop-off. We were trapped in a traffic mess somewhere in Subic, causing our trip to last for six hours. From Olongapo, we rode another Victory Liner bus going to Sta. Cruz/Iba to reach San Antonio.
[We recommend leaving Manila late in the evening, or having your tickets reserved before your preferred date.]
We had our contact boatman, Manong Randy, for our island hopping. And since we had settled on not having a camp, we did random quick calls to certain accommodations suggested by some bloggers and friends. Most of them were already fully-booked. Our choices were trimmed down to Punta de Uian, Ferriol's Residence, and Wild Rose Inn. Muntik na naming patulan ang Punta de Uian, probably the most expensive place there. But considering our time, our activities, and the place itself, we decided to go for a cheaper one. We got room F of WRI. Hmmm..let's say, in general, the room was pretty basic and the service was not exceptional-- sorry pero hindi proactive.
[We have no idea how the other rooms look like, but taking into account the quality of service, we wouldn't recommend the place. Try Ferriol's based on a good feedback from a couple of friends who stayed there last Holy Week or Punta de Uian based on its posted rates and photos. Or, bring your own food and go for a camping to save some pesos.]
DAY ONE. After searching the area for a decent lunch, we ended up eating at the resto of Nora's Beach Resort, a 3-minute walk from WRI. Then, around 130PM, we met Manong Randy's contact boatmen (he was still in Capones) to take us to Anawangin Cove fronting the South China Sea.
It was a 30-minute bumpy boat ride. Inspite of the nasty weather for the past few days, the place was still packed with campers. Parang tent city. We roamed around, took some pics, then tried the beach.
[Another way to reach the camp site is by trekking from Pundaquit for four to six hours, depending on your speed. The trek usually starts at 430AM.]
[Another way to reach the camp site is by trekking from Pundaquit for four to six hours, depending on your speed. The trek usually starts at 430AM.]
Malakas yung undercurrent ha. Para kaming weightless. The water would swiftly toss us to the shore then fiercely pull us back into the sea. After a number of attempts to look pro in the water, we decided to stay near the shoreline and just wait for those waves, hoping they would be a little calmer when they reach us. The sand is fine (not like Boracay's but more of White Beach, Puerto Galera's) and almost gray— sabi ng buddy ko magnetite daw yun. Around 3PM, the sea toned down. Ayan, our chance. After an hour, we decided to take a rest on the sand. He dozed off; I took pictures. Before 5PM, ikot-ikot ulit.
We both appreciate Anawangin as a great camp ground. Looking at the tent set up, we could imagine how cinematic it is when you wake up the next day, with the early morning sun rays seeping into the pine trees and the soft sound of the waves complementing the scene. Parang masarap magkape o kumain ng champorado. :)
[Try swimming around 3-5PM, or early in the morning. However, if your goal is just to have a smooth and safe dip, we wouldn't recommend Anawangin Beach and Pundaquit Beach. Closer to Manila and, for us, a wise choice is White Beach in Puerto Galera for a long stretch of fine sand with a gradual slope during weekdays and minus the night parties.]
We headed back to Pundaquit around 530PM. The rain started to pour. I somehow enjoyed the boat ride back to the mainland, thinking the little risk we took traversing the rough open sea in a relatively small boat. It was another 30-minute but bumpier ride.
I wasn't feeling so well in the evening. May nagbabadyang sore throat. Nadale ata ako ng halo-halo sa Anawangin. After refreshing ourselves, we planned to rent a tricycle to go back to San Antonio proper. Wala lang, ikot ikot lang sana. Realizing it was already dark outside, we decided on exploring the vicinity of Barangay Pundaquit to look for a place where we could have our dinner. But the place does not have that much establishments. After several minutes of strolling, we reached a sari-sari store that sells varied products— from toiletries to liempo to banana to Pringles to Amoxicillin. I bought a hot Nissin cup noodles and a stem of bananas; he bought rice and chicken curry from a nearby carinderia. And that was our dinner. :)
[Most accommodations there don't have cable TV in their rooms. The Dream Satellite is usually installed in the main TV of a resort's restaurant. Not that it is a priority; just an FYI. :D]
DAY TWO was Capones and Camara Islands.
*****
Day 1 Overheads (2 persons): P2860
Bus fare from Manila to Olongapo = P498
Bus fare from Olongapo to San Antonio = 102
Tricycle fare from San Antonion to Pundaquit = 60
Accommodation for 2D/1N = 1500
Food = 700
(Anawangin entrance for a day tour is P50 per head and for an overnight stay is P150 per head. Anawangin-Capones-Camara Package is P1500. These are standard rates.)
I wasn't feeling so well in the evening. May nagbabadyang sore throat. Nadale ata ako ng halo-halo sa Anawangin. After refreshing ourselves, we planned to rent a tricycle to go back to San Antonio proper. Wala lang, ikot ikot lang sana. Realizing it was already dark outside, we decided on exploring the vicinity of Barangay Pundaquit to look for a place where we could have our dinner. But the place does not have that much establishments. After several minutes of strolling, we reached a sari-sari store that sells varied products— from toiletries to liempo to banana to Pringles to Amoxicillin. I bought a hot Nissin cup noodles and a stem of bananas; he bought rice and chicken curry from a nearby carinderia. And that was our dinner. :)
[Most accommodations there don't have cable TV in their rooms. The Dream Satellite is usually installed in the main TV of a resort's restaurant. Not that it is a priority; just an FYI. :D]
DAY TWO was Capones and Camara Islands.
*****
Day 1 Overheads (2 persons): P2860
Bus fare from Manila to Olongapo = P498
Bus fare from Olongapo to San Antonio = 102
Tricycle fare from San Antonion to Pundaquit = 60
Accommodation for 2D/1N = 1500
Food = 700
(Anawangin entrance for a day tour is P50 per head and for an overnight stay is P150 per head. Anawangin-Capones-Camara Package is P1500. These are standard rates.)
No comments:
Post a Comment