I think I have this habit of going to a short vacation on the most unusual times. Last time I went out for a vacation was right after a party in the middle of the night. This time, I went in the middle of assignments and commitments. But hey, I think it’s about time I loosen up a bit again. You know, breathe some fresh air so that I could work well again. Eto na siguro ang panahon upang takasan ko ang napakagulong university and city life.

So last Saturday, Me and my bro, along with a couple of friends went to the slightly-unheard-of paradise of Zambales. Thanks to Ate Chyng for blogging about her Zambales escapade earlier before we did, I was able to get some tips from her.

We departed from Manila at around 7AM aboard the Victory Bus bound for Iba, Zambales. The trip took us 4 hours to Olongapo City and another 45 minutes to San Antonio, Zambales where we were about to meet our guide, Mang Johnny (who was also Ate Chyng’s guide when she went there). Mang Johnny was really nice as he was texting me from time to time while we were on the way. Thanks Mang Johnny!

We arrived in Pundaquit Beach at around 12PM where we waited for Mang Johnny to pick us up. While we waited, the natives talked to us about how beautiful the place is and even gave us fish. Ang bait diba?

at Pundaquit Beach. Ang dami kong dala. May Mini surfboard pa. LOL

After 20 minutes, Mang Johnny’s two pumpboats arrived. There were five of us. My bro, Shae, our friend and her mom, Tita Gie shared one boat while I and another friend DonDon took the other one. We headed straight for Capones Island, one of the two nearest islands on mainland Zambales where a famous lighthouse is located. Unfortunately, the waves were really strong that the boats cannot dock on the rocky shore. So major disappointment yun not to get to the lighthouse (ok lang, si Ate Chyng di rin naman nila napuntahan. haha!).

approaching Capones Is.

The Lighthouse. So close and yet so far.

After the slightly-disappointing trip to Capones and Camara Islands, we headed to Anawangin Cove.

Anawangin is the most famous destination in San Antonio because of the pine tree-filled (not sure ’bout the trees) surroundings. Anawangin is still part of Mainland Luzon, however, you need to ride by boat just to get there. It’s surrounded by very steep and high mountains kasi.

The waves were quite strong by the time we went to Anawangin. Medyo bumpy but the view is exhilarating talaga. I even thought, with the waves and rocky shores, will I ever bring this story back to Manila? Will I ever live to tell the tale? LOL. Of course, it was a safe trip, anyway.

Anawangin turned out to be very much crowded. The view, however was something I have never seen before in my life. I was raised in a place where white sand beaches are a common sight but I never thought this place could top the most serene beaches of Panay Island. Anawangin looked like it was not in the Philippines.

with Shae at the lagoon in Anawangin

At around 1PM, we then sailed to Nagsasa Cove where we are about to spend the rest of the night. Nagsasa Cove is situated further south, almost near Subic Bay. But Nagsasa, just like Anawangin is very secluded. The mountains surrounding it looked like the ones we see in New Zealand. Naalala ko tuloy tong linyang to sa isang movie;

“They’ve taken the hobbits to Isengard!”

Haha. Mukha kasi siyang mga bundok sa Lord of the Rings. Walang kuryente and signal sa Nagsasa Cove at Anawangin. Ganun sya ka-secluded. If you don’t want someone to pester you, just go here and you’ll find peace. The most “peaceful peace” you’ll ever get.

Mang Johnny and the other guy who guided us left us at around 2PM. There were only 3 groups in Nagsasa Cove, very different from Anawangin where almost 20 groups shared the beach.

I couldn’t imagine that there would come a time na magcacamping ako, you know, the real camping talaga. I even helped set up the tent. Amazing. Ang dali lang pala. :) (I even have the feeling na ang tent na ginamit nina Ate Chyng ay siyang ginamit din namin. Haha! Ate Chyng, di nyo nilinis. may buhangin pa yung loob ng tent!)

setting up a tent is as easy as sending a mobile twitter update :)

eto yung tents na ginamit nina ate chyng. pareho. haha

Nag-ihaw din kami ng isda (bought straight from the fishermen at Pundaquit beach), ang sarap. Kinagabihan, we made a bonfire amidst the short drizzle. (Meron din akong feeling that the cottage we used was the one Ate Chyng used also when she was there. Haha).

Sleeping on the tent was quite uncomfy, good thing I brought a travelling pillow.

Di ko din inaakala na there are natives who actually lived in Nagsasa. We interviewed a few people and was surprised to know that some of them was actually born there. Imagine a life without electricity, signal and internet? Perfect!

The morning at Nagsasa was so beautiful. The mountains looked magnificent before the early morning sun. Idagdag mo pa ang clear waters and white lahar sand, isa lang masasabi ko, PARADISE!

At midday, we started to pack our things as the vacation is about to end. Mang Johnny arrived on time. Pero dahil naughty kami, we asked Mang Johnny to stop at the middle of the sea para makatalon kami sa dagat and maligo. Good thing Mang Johnny allowed us to swim exactly one kilometer from the shore. Hihi.

On our trip back, we took some time to stroll around Olongapo City where I met with my friend Engineer slash Pilot Allan Sy (oha, engineer na tawag ko sayo ngayon. haha) and gladly toured us around his hometown.

downtown Olongapo

The whole trip with Mang Johnny, including the tent rental, water, ice and rice cost around Php5,000 (roughly about $112). The fare by bus to San Antonio costs Php250 via NLEX and add another Php20 on the way back via SCTEX.

The trip, though short, was extremely memorable. I won’t forget the place, you should see it for yourselves guys!

Again, thanks to Ate Chyng for all the help she did for me at sa lahat ng tips and also to pareng Allan who guided me through text while we were on the way. He even showed me the house of former Pres. Ramon Magsaysay in Castillejos, Zambales. Amazing!

Oh and by the way, I just wanna say sorry to my Mom. I forgot to tell her kasi na aalis kami kaya she was really worried while we were gone. Di ko kasi expect na wala palang signal sa Zambales. Sorry Mom! It won’t happen again. :)

If you want to visit Zambales and experience the one I had, just contact Mang Johnny here, 09202224687

wannabe surfer. Haha!

this is life. Haha!

the jolly Mang Johnny!