ANAWANGIN COVE - VIDEO BLOG + more infos

WATCH MY FIRST VIDEO BLOG....

Pleat behind the mountains of San Antonio Zambales is a cove called Anawangin. For those who didn't know what is a cove like, well it is a small indentation or recess in the shoreline of a sea, lake, or river. In top view its like a horse shoe shape. This cove is very peaceful, quiet and clean. This place originally had no beach. According to the care taker, the beach was created after the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991. And the Pine trees followed shortly after the eruption. There is also no electricity and cell sites in this area so meaning NO SIGNAL from GLOBE, SMART and SUN CELL. The facilities here are very rustic. There are 2 places where you can stay in Anawangin. The place to the left charges 100.00 per head, while the other charges 150.00 per head. We opted to stay in the one on the left. The facilities were one toilet and a place to take a bath( you have to fill a pail with water via hand pump and use a water dipper to take a bath). If you intend to sleep overnight, bring a tent and a sleeping bag because there are no lodging in this cove. If you want a hot meal, bring a stove. Bring some games ,freesbies or a kite. If you come prepared, you will surely enjoy this place.

Although the usual way to Anawangin Cove is by pumpboat from Pundaquit, there is land route passing by a hilly area known interchangeably called Mt. Pundaquit and Mt. Anawangin. The trail passes by shrublands and grasslands, affording views of the nearby mountains. Medium-sized bamboo and ornamental-looking plants deck the paths, at times transforming the trail into a garden-like environment. According to the the people, the name Anawangin is derived from the Ilokano word 'nuang' which means carabao. The reason behind this are the wild, sometimes aggressive carabao that roam freely in the slopes. Basic facilities such as a small store, shower rooms, and huts are in place in Anawangin even as the locals try to preserve its being 'untouched'. The cove is perfect for camping also.

We stayed there for two days and one night, and the thing that I didn't like was the prize of the goods on the store. It's too expensive, overpricing. Below is the list of items I asked.

Please note that some of the quoted prices may change or may have changed

COKE 1.5 liters- 80 pesos
ICE CUBE Small - 70 pesos
ICE CUBE Big - 170pesos
ICE TEA 1 liter- 20 pesos
HALO HALO - 30 pesos
Mineral Water - 30 pesos
Ice drop - 10 pesos
1 Red horse mucho - 50 pesos
GSM BLUE - 50 pesos

GETTING THERE:
(BY PRIVATE VEHICLE AND BY COMMUTE)

BY COMMUTE:(BUS) VICTORY LINER (713 Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan City)- Now you ask me, why the Caloocan terminal? Because it’s the only terminal that fares to Zambales on an hourly basis from 5am-11:30pm. There's a trip also in cubao but only 8:00am and 10:00PM (STA.CRUZ ZAMBALES).

· Route 1 Via: Olongapo City Hall / Pundaquit Beach / 161km

· Route 2 Via: TIPO highway junction to SBMA / SBMA Rizal Hwy east end / Pundaquit Beach / 162km

· Route 3 Via: SCTex Exit / SBMA Rizal Hwy east end / Pundaquit Beach / 192km

Please visit http://www.victoryliner.com/tripschedules1.htm

THINGS TO BRING:

TENT / STOVE

WATER

FLOATING DEVICE

FLASH LIGHT

LIGHTER

SLEEPING BAG

INSECT REPELLENT

TOOTHBRUSH / TOOTHPASTE

DIGICAM/MEMORY CARD/mp3

TRIPOD

SPEAKER

CELLFONE / EXTRA BATTERY

SHAMPOO/SOAP/SUNBLOCK

GOGGLES/ SUN GLASSES

EXTRA SHIRTS

MONEY

MALONG OR PANLATAG SA SAND

UTENSILS (spoon, fork, plates, cups)

VOLLEY BALL / FREESBIES / KITE

FIRST AID KIT / MEDICINES

HAMOK

TRASH BAG

JACKET

TISSUE

UMBRELLA

FOODS

OUR FOOD PLAN:

THINGS TO BUY IN SAN ANTONIO MARKET

(ICE AND WATER)

(LUNCH) – FRIED FISH and rise

(DINNER) - BARBECUE Liempo and PORKCHOP

(BREAKFAST) - SOUP, PANCIT CANTON, TOMATOES, SALTED EGG and FRUITS

FOOD IN CAN

JUNK FOODS

OVER ALL EXPENSES: 2 days and 1 night

Please note that some of the quoted prices may change or may have changed

BUDGET:

Bus to San Antonio : 251 php

Tricycle to Pundaquit : 30 php

Boat to Anawangin : 200 php

Entrance Fee caretaker: 100 php

Room : Tent

Food : 200 php

Bus Fare back to Manila : 251 php

Tricycle back to San Antonio : 30 php

============================

Total : 1062 php

PROPOSE BUDGET 1000-1500

IF YOU WANT TO READ A CREEPY AND TRUE STORY ABOUT SOME DEVASTATING INCIDENT ABOUT ANAWANGIN HERE IS THE LINK:

http://www.vistapinas.com/article/anawangin-cove

What to do?
Here are some suggested activities you could do aside from lying in a hammock by the beach:

1. Bonfire
Gather fallen twigs and light up a fire for warmth during the night. Bring a guitar so you can sing around the campfire. Just don’t forget to put it out when going to sleep.

2. Climbing
The beach is bound by two cliffs in the north and south. The northern cliff is higher and is not adviseable to trek in since it has loose rocks. The southern cliff is gentler and is easier to climb. You can get a great view of the beach at sunset (just don’t forget to bring flashlights so you could see your way down).

3. Trekking
Behind the evergreen forest is a stream (a dry riverbed in the summer) leading to a large hill. You can trek your way to this hill, just be cautious since there were reports that there are wild animals in this area.

4. Skimboarding
You could bring your skimboard to practice your moves. The beach is great for this activity since it has a fine sand and few rocks.

5. Ultimate Frisbee
Have your group play with you or better yet, invite other campers to join your group for a great game of frisbee. Seven players each team.

6.Beach Volleyball

Even if you're not excellent in playing volleyball, get dirty and dig balls. You can do whatever you want even if you want to roll on the sand.

TIME OF TRAVEL:

(BUS) GOING TO SAN ANTONIO = 2-4 hours 3-6hours(Traffic)

(TRICYCLE) SAN ANTONIO to BRGY. PUNDAQUIT = 15 miutes

(PUMP BOAT) BRGY. PUNDAQUIT - ANAWANGIN COVE = 30minutes low tide 45 minutes high tide

(HIKING) MT. PUNDAQUIT - MT. ANAWANGIN - ANAWANGIN COVE = 3-4 hrs expert 4-6 beginner

IMPORTANT REMINDER

1.)Do not use soap in the stream to wash your dishes or bath because they don't have proper sewage system.

2.)Don’t leave your trash in Anawangin or with the caretakers because they will burn them and that’s not good. Don’t leave your trash with the boatman because they might throw it to the sea and that’s not good either. You can leave it in Pundaquit, in the boatman’s house.

3.) For utensils avoid using plastic and styro.

4.)If you have excess food, you can bring it back or give it to your boatman.

5.) If you want to do bonfire choose a safe area away from short trees to avoid wild fires. Clean up the bonfire area in the morning (cover it with sand after which).

6.) The cove is very, very clean. We should keep it that way at all times. Collect all your trash in a large garbage bag(s) and bring it back to Pundaquit instead of leaving it at the beach. Nobody else will clean after you. Avoid throwing cigarette butts anywhere especially on the fresh waters.

7.)There’s no cell phone signal or electricity in the cove.

8.)There's a CR.

WEATHER UPDATES! FROM SAN ANTONIO ZAMBALES

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

ANAWANGIN COVE - galaw galaw sa tag-araw

VIDEO CLIPS from our TRIP to ANAWANGIN COVE!!

Tagaytay Escapade

Isang Paglalakbay sa TAGAYTAY!

Nalaman ko na wala palang pasok ng April 6, 2009, Kaya napag isip isip ko kung saan puwedeng mag stay for three days and two nights sa isang lugar na malapit lang. Ang nasa isip ko ay Baguio at Tagaytay, pinaghambing ko ang dalawa at sa ilang araw na pagsisiyasat ay TAGAYTAY ang napili kong lugar. So umpisa na ang pag reresearch uli sa mga maaring magastos gaya ng pamasahe, stay sa hotel, food, at iba pa, mga puwedeng lugar na puntahan sa TAGAYTAY. March 24, nag research muna ako sa hotel na puwede kong matuluyan, at View park hotel ang napili ko dahil ito ay sa harap lamang ng PICNIC GROVE!. May kamahalan dito mga nasa 1,800 ang stay from 2pm to 12nn, may kasama na siyang breakfast.

Sumunod na siniyasa't ko ang mga lugar na puwedeng puntahan at ang mga napili ko ay
PICNIC GROVE
PEOPLE'S PARK IN THE SKY
CALERUEGA (CHURCH OF TRANSFIGURATION)
PINK SISTER'S CONVENT

Sa restaurant naman ay medyo may mga prospect pa lang
LESLIE'S
ANTONIO'S
RSM
Josephine Restaurant
VIEW SITE RESTO



While doing some research I texted the manager of VIEW PARK HOTEL para makapag pa reserve for APRIL 4, 2009 na date. Ito ung napili ko kasi sa harap lang ng picnic grove eh at sa picture parang maganda ung place at ung rooms. Nag reply naman siya to confirm my reservation.
Pagkatapos mag pa reserved research pa rin ako sa mga place how to get there, nagbasa ako ng mga THREAD SA FORUM para maka get ng informations sa mga story din ng mga ibang nakapunta na sa TAGAYTAY, some experiences din nila. Nag download din ako ng map para ma familiarize din ako dito ang ma imagine ko ung lugar na pupuntahan ko. Download din ako ng mga picture place na pupuntahan ko.

After getting all the necessary informations, Its time to make an Iterinary. For me kasi malaki ang tulong ng iterinary eh, dito kasi nakasaad ung time, place, estimated budget, mga gagawin and things to bring. In short ito ung plan or time frame para hindi masayang ung mga oras, kasi baka pag dating nyo sa isang lugar nakatunganga lang kayo eh nung nasa manila kayo ang dami nyong plans na gawin. Hindi ako sanay na walang iterinary kapag maglalakbay ako, nakuha ko itong strategy na ito sa kabarkads ko last year! and its very helpful.

Day 1 (Saturday)
Handa na ang lahat ng kailangan ko, umalis ako ng bahay bandang 4:55 am. Siya nga pala merong apat na way papuntang TAGAYTAY kung mag co commute ka at ito ung mga alam kong way

-CUBAO BUS TERMINAL (harap ng alimall) sign board (TAGAYTAY. OLIvAREZ. MENDEZ) every hour ang biyahe starting from 6am 10pm
-STAR MALL
-PASAY BUS (likod ng MCDO) sign board (LIAN, NASUGBU BATANGAS) every hour ang biyahe starting from 6am 10pm
-METROPOINT -VAN (basement) sign board (BALAYAN BATANGAS)

Dumating ako sa PASAY bus terminal bandang 6:10am, kumain muna sa MCdonalds dahil hindi pa ako nag aagahan. Pag pasok ko sa bus terminal nakita ko na ang haba na ng pila at puno na ang papuntang NASUGBU,kaya naghintay muna kami sa susunod na TRIP May dumating nga kaso hanggang TAGAYTAY lang siya. Ilang minuto pa lang ang lumipas ay meron na ding Nasugbu na bus ang dumating. Baka nagtataka kayo kung bakit nasugbu ang sinakyan namin?. Kasi ang 1st destination namin ay CALERUEGA (CHURCH OF TRANSFIGURATION). Umalis ung bus saktong 7:00am. Habang bumibiyahe na at pagkalipas ng ilang oras ay biglang bumagsak ang malakas na ulan, kaya nag desisyon kami na ipagpaliban nalang muna namin ang pagpunta sa CALERUEGA.Nakapag bayad na kami na papuntang BRGY. BATULAO NASUGBU, ang pamasahe pala ay 111.00/person. Bumaba kami sa OLIVAREZ malapit sa McDo at sumakay ng TRICYCLE, mag jeep sana kami kaso nga malakas ang ulan. Ang Pamasahe sa Jeep 10.00 pesos papuntang picnic grove, 60 pesos naman kapag Tricycle. Pagdating namin sa hotel ay maganda naman ung ambiance at service, pero pagpasok ng hotel ay medyo naliitan ako, medyo mas okay pa ung sa HOTEL VEnIZ! sa BAGUIO compare sa VIEWPARK. Chineck ko kung may cable! kaso wala, pati DVD PLAYER na sinasabinila sa website wala din. Yun pala pang EXECUTIVE ROOMS lang daw un, na nagkakahalaga ng 3,000. What dah!?. So nagka idea na kayo kung how much ung room?, actually 1800 inclusive of breakfast na siya. haha. Ang room wala man lang dresser o kaya blower, ang CR malinis naman , kulang sa sabitan ng damit at extra towel. Sa Cabinet kulang ng Hanger. Sa room kulang ng extra table at walang baso. Pero sa CUSTOMER SERVICE okay! walang reklamo.

We have our rest, Dahil nga umulan instead na CALERUEGA ang 1st destination napunta kami sa PICNIC GROVE! Entrance 50 pesos. Sa Entrance maraming lalapit sayo at mag aalok ng horse back riding, I forgot how much the price was 250 pesos yata 30 minutes? I'm not sure ah. May lumapit na fixer ng kabayo para ma try ung horse back kaso hindi namin try kasi wala lang... Tapos may lumapit naman na fixer ata kung overnight daw, sabi namin meron na!..
Ikot muna kami, ang una kong nakita ung mga nag sasaranggola Tapos baba kami at nakita namin ang ZIP LINE and CABLE CAR. Ang Presyo CABLE CAR - 200/Head free ride kapag childred below 4ft
ZIPLINE - 200/HEAD 1way ride 300/head 2way ride..


Pagkatapos manood ng ZIPLINE, nagutom na kami. May nakita kaming parang resto ang name nya ay ALAMAT RESTAURANT. Dun kami kumain, affordable naman ang prize pero mahal pa din compare sa manila. Hehe. 150 pesos liempo and Kaldereta with chopsuey na ilang init na ata ung gulay at hindi pa kasama ang drinks. Nag order din kami ng garden vegetable salad! ang weird nga eh kasi may ONIONS. Dapat mag bubulalo kami kaso feeling ko hindi masarap dun. After kumain pumunta kami sa VIEW DECK CONFERENCE HALL, nandun malapit ung other side ng ZIPLINE. Mahangin dun at tanaw mo talaga ung TAal volcano. Meron dun stairs pababa papunta sa hanging bridge they call this ECO-TRAIL ADVENTURE tapos ung dulo nun papunta sa COTTAGE ng PICNIC GROVE (150-500 pesos). Nung nakarating na kami sa picnic grove, trail uli kami pataas, nag decide na kasi pumunta sa People's park in the sky. Nadaanan namin ung mga souvenir items, bili kami ng T-SHIRT worth 100pesos.


2nd Destination
People's Park in the sky - On the way to People's Park in the Sky galing picnic grove sumakay kami ng jeep sign board na people's park, ang pamasahe ay 7.00 pesos. Pag dating dun may entrance fee na 15 pesos. Maghanda kayo dahil medyo nakakapagod din para sa mga matatanda ang pag lakad dito pataas. Kasi nga above sea level na ito, mahirap makakuha ng OXYGEN. Madali kang hihingalin at mapagod. Ngunit mapapawi lahat ng pagod mo pagdating mo mismo sa itaas. Dalawang lugar ang pwede mong puntahan dito, isa yung PAlace mismo na hindi pa tapos at ung parang church or grotto lang. Pag pabalik naman, meron dung mga tricycle nakaabang at jeep pabalik ng olivarez.. Maganda dito pagmasdan ang sunset, kaso nun time pumunta kami, medyo makulimlim at malamig.


3rd Destination
(DAY 2) CALERUEGA CHURCH of TRANSFIGURATION - galing picnic grove sumakay kami ng tricycle papuntang OLIVAReZ. Puwede ring jeep, kaso that time bihira lang ung jeep kaya we decide na mag tricycle, ang pamasahe 60pesos uli. Bumaba kami dun sa JOLLIbeE malapit sa TAGAYTAY HOSPITAL para mag abang ng bus na ang sign board ay NASUGBU AIRCON BUS ang pamasahe ay 25/person. Galing OLIVAREZ bumaba kami sa BRGY. BATULAO NASUGBu harap siya ng EVERCREST subdivision, marami nang nakaabang na tricycle dun tapos sabiyin nyo lang na ibaba kayo sa CALERUEGA CHURCH. Take note! hindi pwedeng lakarin dahil 2KM! un. Best way talaga dito may kotse. Pagdating sa entrance, siyempre may entrance fee na 30/person tapos bibigyan kayo ng brochure ng mga wed ding packages and some other accommodations they have at wait pala! kelangan nyo kunin ung cell# ni manong driver,kasi walang transportation pabalik, ang way lang ay itext nyo ung driver na naghatid sa inyo para masundo kayo. Pag pasok mo parang may entrance uli parang lobby siya for me, dun mo makikita ung stairs na maganda tapos ung likod ng stairs ay kainan ng mga retreatans. After namin madaanan ung lobby, stairs uli paakyat. At doon mo na ma aaninagan ang CHurCH of TRANSFIGURATION. Ang ganda ng church pero ang maiksi ang aisle kasi maliit din ung church, pero kahit maliit lang siya, Napa ka solemn. First time ko to went here to attend 11am mass (11am lang mass nila every sunday)at PALM SUNDAY pa kaya maraming nagsimba dito, Napaiyak ako dito ah! nung kinakanta na ung LORD I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU. Dito ko rin na pa bless ung necklace ko from ANTIPOLO CHURCH. After nung mass, libot libot muna tapos text si manong para magpasundo. Tapos sa harap ng evercrest wait ka uli ng bus papuntang olivarez.

4th Destination (RESTO)
RSM RESTAURANT - After going to CALERUEGA baba kami sa one destination place! dito located ung LESLIE'S, ANTONIO'S, STARBUCKS, MAX'S, CARLOS PIZZA, DENCIO'S, MILE-HI malapit din dito ung Rsm-LUTONG BAHAY. pati YELLOW CAB. Sa RSM kami napadpad, pagpasok namin dahil sa gusto kong ma experience ang overlooking! dun kami nag pa reserve ng seats at talagang over looking siya sa taal volcano. Ang pagkain dito medyo mahal! ang bulalo nila is worth 450.00php tapos ung amplaya na may hipon nsa 150, tapos order kami ice tea plus extra once rice. Ung bulalo nga hindi namin naubos pati ung ampalaya kaya we take it sa hotel para sa dinner.

5th Destination
(Day 3) PINK SISTER'S CONVENT - galing sa viewpark hotel sakay uli ng OLIVAREZ jeep. Pag baba sa metrobank sakay ka uli papuntang INDANG tapos tingin ka lang sa righ side na may nakalagay na this way to pink sister's convent right after ng TOUCH POINT SPA, baba ka dun at maglakad ka. Pwede rin siyang lakarin o kaya tricle. Ang ginawa namin nag triclce kami, ang pamasahe ay 30 pesos. Itong day three namin, pauwi na kami ng manila nito so nung pumunta kami ng PINK SISTER dala na namin ung bag namin. haha! feeling turista kami nun lalo naman ako! bag pack pa!. Nung nakita ko itonng simbahan na ito amaze me sa architecture nya. Pagpasok mo sa loob wow! kikilabutan talaga kayo, lalo na sa makikita nyo at maririnig nyo. Makikita mo ang mga madre na naka pink at hindi gumagalawa, nagdadasal lang sila sa pamamagitan ng kanta. Ung kanta naman nila walang wordings, ewan ko ah.. Kasi humming lang ang naririnig ko eh. After nun! my weird akong experience,while pointing my DIGICAM sa kanila, blurred pictures lumabas. Then try ko VIDEO, ang nangyari naman paalis na sila, kaya hindi ko rin nakuhanan. After nun, siyempre nagdasal ako tapos kumuha ako ng paper at isinulat ko ung mga prayers ko dun. Tapos ung paper ilalagay mo dun sa parang box, tapos ipag ppray nang mga nuns ung prayers mo.

After namin sa CHURCH naglibot muna kami at picture taking! bago tuluyan kaming umuwi papunta ng manila.

Going to tagaytay from Pasay
Mcdo PASAY to OLIVAREZ (BUS) 85/person
OLIVAREZ to PICNIC GROVE (JEEP) 10/person (TRICYCLE) - 60pesos
PICNIC GROVE to PEOPLE'S PARK (Jeep) 7.50/person

Going to Caleruega Church from Pasay
Mcdo PASAY to EVERCREST NASUGBU BUS AIRCON 111/person
EVERCREST to CALERUEGA TRICYCLE 50 on way and way back

Going to Caleruega church from Olivarez
Olivarez to EVERCREST NASUGBU BUS AIRCON 29/person
EVERCREST to CALERUEGA (TRICYCLE) 50 on way and way back

Going to Pink Sister's Convent from Pasay
Mcdo PASAY to OLIVAREZ (BUS) 85/person

Going to Tagaytay from Cubao
ALIMALL (ST. AGUSTIN BUS) to Tagaytay 85.00 pesos

FX/VAN at METROPOINT
-There's an FX at the basement of METROPOINT going to LIPA and BALAYAN BATANGAS 150/person

FX/VAN at STARMALL
-There's an FX at STARMALL going also to LIPA 150/person


Getting there by car:
If coming from Manila, take this route -- Roxas Boulevard --> Manila-Cavite Expressway (more popularly known as Coastal Road) --> Emilio Aguinaldo Highway.

The end of Emilio Aguinaldo Highway is the main rotunda of Tagaytay City, where the statue of Ninoy Aquino is erected and bounded by establishments such as BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) and 7-11.

Another option is to take the South Luzon Expressway (currently undergoing expansion) and exit at Sta. Rosa. Turn right upon leaving the Sta. Rosa toll and head straight to Tagaytay City. That road is the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay National Road which ends at the rotunda near Tagaytay City Public Market. Turn right to get to the main rotunda.

Trip duration: about 1-1/2 to 2 hours

ENTRANCE RATE
-PICNIC GROVE 50/person
-CALERUEGA 30/person
-PEOPLE'S PARK 15/person


SOUVENIR
-TSHIRT 100/each white
-TSHIRT 120/each colored




RESTAURANTS/FOOD/CAFE
-RSM
-LESLIE'S
-SONYAS GARDEN
-ANTONIO'S
-Josephine Restaurant
-VIEW SITE RESTO
-DENcIO'S
-MAX'S
-STARBUCKS
-TERIYAKI BOY
-YELLOW CAB
-MILE-Hi
-BAG OF BEANS
-KITARO
-MUSHROOM BURGER
-T HOUSE
-Katrina's
-Mushroom Burger
-MASSIMO

ESTIMATED BUDGET IF DAY TOUR
-500-1000 pesos/person

ESTIMATED BUDGET IF 2 DAYS and 1 night (2 persons)
-HOTEL (1800-3000)
-FOOD (150-1000)
-Fare (100-600)
-Miscellaneous (1000)

THINGS TO BRING
-CHARGER
-DIGICAM
-DIGICAM CHARGER and extra battery
-TOOTH BRUSH AND TOOTH PASTE
-SACHET SHAMPOO and SOAP (overnight)
-JACKET
-UMBRELLA
-CEllphone



ZIPLINE RIDE

Weekday Rates
1 Way Ride = Php100 per person
2 Way Ride = Php200 per person

Weekend / Holiday Rates
1 Way Ride = Php200 per person
2 Way Ride = Php300 per person
__________________________________________________
CABLE CAR RIDE

Weekday Rates
1 Way Ride = Php100 per person
2 Way Ride = Php200 per person

Weekend Rates
1 Way Ride = Php200 per person
2 Way Ride = Php300 per person
__________________________________________________
SOUVENIR PHOTO

5"x7" picture with Frame = Php100
2 copies 5"x7" picture = Php100
__________________________________________________
SOUVENIR VIDEO

Zipline DVD Coverage 2 way from Harnessing to Landing = Php200
Cable Car DVD Video from start to finish of ride = Php300

TIPS!
-Magdasal muna bago bumiyahe

Absorbing spirituality

August 25, 2008 Monday. I wake up early to meet my friend Sharymar at Victory Liner Cubao around 6:00 a.m.. I don't want my friend to wait for me so I decided to go early.
I'm worried that time because she's not replying and answering my calls.

When I arrived at the bus station I thought she's already there but what I did is I've waited for 20 minutes before she arrived.

DESTINATION-

Our Destination: Pangasinan (Our Lady of Manaoag)
Ticket price: P340.00 / person - one way
Departure time : 7:00am
Estimated maximum time travel: 5-6 hours
Our arrival time: 11:15am
-------------------------

Umalis ang bus na sinasakyan namin bandang alas syete ng umaga, makulimlim at medyo umuulan nun. Medyo mabagal pa ang takbo ng bus dahil ito ay nasa siyudad pa.

Ang tanging baon ko lamang sa aming paglalakbay ay isang 300ml na mineral water. At ung baon ni Sharymar na chocolate cake.

Pagpasok namin ng North Luzon Express way, medyo bumilis na ang aming takbo. Madulas ang daan dahil sa ulan, at sobrang lamig ba sa bus. Buti nalang may Jacket ako. Sa biyahe ay di ako nakatulog kahit sa hapon, dahil kami ay nagkukuwentuhan ni Sharymar. Madami kami napag usapan halos lahat ay tungkol sa kanya, sa mga kaibigan nya, sa pag-aaral, halos lahat sa kanya eh. At halos lahat ata mga40% ng buhay nya ay naikwento nya na sa akin. Tinuro nya din sa akin ung bahay nila sa Tarlac.

Nung dating nagkita kami ay medyo mataba cya, tapos pumayat , tapos ngayon medyo tama na ung figure nya.

Pagdating namin sa Dagupan terminal nagyaya si Shary na kumain muna kami ng tanghaliaan. Sumakay kami ng tricycle at pumunta sa PIZZA HUT. Nakakatuwa siya kasama dahil medyo magana siya kumain. Ang dami naming kinain as in.

After nun, sumakay kami ng Van papuntang Manaoag.

Excited ako makapunta dahil first time ko, dati kasi hindi ako nakapasok sa loob nagpaiwan lang ako sa kotse para bantayan ang sasakyan. Pagdating namin sa lugar ay pumasok na kami ng simbahan at kami ay nagdasal. Pagkatapos ay bumili kami ng kandila at sinindihan ito at nagdasal. Pumila rin kami para hawakan ang poong Manaoag, habang kami ay nakapila nagkukuwentuhan pa rin kami my times na umiyak siya.

Bumili din kami ng mga souveneir tapos pina bendisyunan namin ito kasama ang mga lapis, pambura, sharpener at calculator. After nun ay nadaanan namin ung Adordatin chapel nila, nagdasal uli kami dun. Habang kami ay nagdadasal, may isang ale na lumapit sa amin para humingi ng pera pambili ng pagkain. Tapos kung ano ano na pinagsasabi, pagkamalan daw bang buntis ang kaibigan ko?, at ako daw ang ama? tapos nagdadasal daw kami dahil problemado para sa kasal?. Medyo nakakatawa nga yung mga kaganapan na iyon. Kami ay umalis at di na namin pinansin ang aleng may sariling mundo. Pinagdasal ko nalang din siya.

Matapos ang nakakatawang karanasan, nadaanan naman namin ung opisina para mag pa petition ng mga prayers namin.

Pagkatapos ay sumakay na kami ng jeep papuntang Dagupan Victory Liner. Nang nasa Biyahe na kami ay di pa rin ako nakatulog dahil nag kuwentuhan pa rin kami, we shared a lot of things as in pati sa music.

Nung araw na yun ay dapat pupunta ako sa gig ni Kitchie Nadal sa Gweilos para narin makita ang mga ka lister's ko. Kaso meydo gabi na. Pag dating namin na Manila ay hinatid ko si Shary sa sakayan papuntang Bocaue.

Nakakapagod ang araw na iyon dahil di ako nakatulog!. Pero ayos lang, enjoy naman kahit papaano. Ang importante ay nakapagdasal ako at unti unti kong nararamdaman na lumalakas ang relasyon ko sa panginoon. Salamat sa kanya at sa kaibigan ko.

CAPONES ISLAND

If you are really looking for a complete adventure like Trekking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Walking, Surf,Swimming and want to save money. Well, I think CAPONES ISLAND is the best place for you.

Capones Island (Faro de Punta Capones) is a 2-kilometer long bone-shaped volcanic mass located 4 kilometers off the coast of Brgy. Pundaquit. The trip takes about 4 hours from Manila passing through the city of Olongapo heading further north to San Antonio then following the directions to Barangay Pundaquit. The village’s beautiful beach is exceptionally located behind a mountain and facing the horizon of the setting sun. In front of it is Capones Island, which is accessible for overnight camping, day picnic and swimming. There are no resorts on Capones but if you are planning to Camp Be sure to bring all necessary gears and lots of liquids as long as there's no typhoons. Bancas are present along the beach of Pundaquit, and available for rent anytime. Overnight stay is allowed but with prearranged pick up with a boatman. You may enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water along the beach, snorkel, explore the surroundings by kayak or simply walk around and discover the natural beauty of the island. Request your boatman to drop you closer to a tall cliff for a better shade.

Capones is not a tropical paradise. It’s rocky. And it’s mostly barren. But it invokes instead a sense of adventure that would appeal to those people who are looking for secret hideaways far from the madding crowd.

Although there are no commercial accommodations on the island, there are actually structures there. One is a lighthouse and the other is an unfinished building. Constructed by the Spanish colonial government, the lighthouse went into operation on July 16, 1890. Today, the lighthouse is unmanned, the adjacent quarters abandoned, and is solar-powered like many other lighthouses in the country. There are plans to restore and preserve the lighthouse as part of the Philippine heritage. See this extremely informative EPAFI webpage to learn about that plan. As for the unfinished building, I couldn’t find any information about it and what it was supposed to be.


What I really went about that place was the LIGHT HOUSE.
If you want to go there easily, you can request your boatman to drop you there.
But if you want adventure just like we did. We walked and trekk for about 45 minutes from our campsite even
there was no guide at all, its our intuition that made us there .

Your adventure is not complete without seeing the LIGHT HOUSE.

I really enjoyed the place with my fellow TRIP NG BARKADA cast. (PRINCE, ME, DHOC, JOAN C., NELSON, LEILA, MAKIE and AENAH).

How to go to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales and Capones Island:

By car

From Manila, take the NLEX exit at San Fernando Pampanga, from San Fernando, head southwestward to Olongapo city. In Olongapo city, at the the head boundary of Olongapo, make a right turn going to Subic Castillejos then San Marcelino, at San Marcelino, take westward to San Antonio. In San Antonio, head southwestward to Pundaquit. The road to Pundaquit is circuitous so better ask around when you're there. From San Antonio you will see tricycles ask them to take you at Brgy. Pundaquit the fare cost is 20 persons per each depending on your luggages. Finally, From Pundaquit ask the boatman to take you there at CAPONES.


Commute

Take Victory liner (IBA ZAMBALES) at Monumento the fare cost is 250+ pesos, Asked the conductor to drop you off at Brgy. San Antonio, From San Antonio you will see tricycles ask them to take you at Brgy. Pundaquit the fare cost is 20 persons per each depending on your luggages. Finally, From Pundaquit ask the boatman to take you there at CAPONES.


PLEASE and I'm BEGGING!:
If you are planning to go there please don't leave any trash on the Island. Bring garbage bag like we did!. I am very sad when I was there when a group of campers leave their garbages!. Very unhuman!.

- Wawa encounter 2-

A cloudy and annoying morning for me, I supposed to leave home eight thirty in the morning to meet my friends at Mcdonalds while an incident happened on my cellphone because my sister played it on by guessing the security code. I had to gave it to my Mom and brought it to the technician for re program.

I leave home in a hurry because I don't want them to wait for me.
I took a jeepney ride to arrived in time but unfortunately I didn't.

I arrived 9:40 at Mc donalds and searched for them. I wonder they are not there so texted Prince and no response from him. I decided to wait and if they didn't come at 10:00 a.m. I will go home. I was looking at the foot bridge and I noticed Prince walking down, When he was already inside Mcdonald's I asked him why he's not texting. He said, he don't had a text credit.

After 15 minutes Mackie and her girlfriend Leila came. Prince and I, had our breakfast first while still waiting for the others to come. We didn't wait for them so we decided to go around 10:45. It was a long ride of 40 minutes, when we arrived at Montalban we bought our food for lunch and decide to eat at our cottage.

It was a wonderful day because the weather cooperate on us although there was a light rain. Dhoc and Joan came around 3:30 p.m. but didn't swim. We leave the place at 4:15 and decide to go back on Prince birthday.