Zambales: The Coves and Islands

Travel Date: April 20-21, 2013


    It took time for me to write my trip to Zambales last summer.  Not because I don’t like the place, but I’m just too lazy and busy nowadays.  So here are my reviews of the coves and islands we visited. A summer getaway with friends in a perfect weather and without the comfort of hotel or guest house.

Anawangin Cove
Anawangin Cove

     Anawangin Cove was our first stop.  It has a beautiful mountain backdrop, crystal clear river, and what makes it unique are the Agoho trees surrounding the area.  A favorite camping site among travelers because of proximity from Pundaquit.  Also, the boat transfer is much cheaper.  Although, I was disappointed to see littered items and animal waste along the beach.

Nagsasa Cove
     After we explored Anawangin Cove for a couple of hours, we moved to Nagsasa Cove where we pitched our tent for the night.  It was hot like hell, but the first time camping experience was exciting.  We cooked our meal on charcoals and assembled our rented tents.  I like it here better because it has a long light gray sand beach with a mountain and river landscape.  Along the beach a few rubbish were scattered, but the landscape is still gorgeous.   
  
     The next day, we went to Capones Island for a quick tour before going home.  There is an old light house on top of the hill built by Spaniards to guide ships coming from north to northwest.  The view here is great, overlooking the deep blue sea with boats cruising nearby.  But some old slippers, shoes, and plastics were all washed up to the coral stone beach making it an eyesore to this beautiful small island. 

     Overall, the islands and coves could have been so beautiful, if only the caretakers and the Tourism Department of Zambales will maintain the cleanliness of their attractions.  I hope one day they will do something to address this problem.  Yet, it is not too late to revive the cleanliness of their beaches.

Capones Island
Capones Island


How we get there?

1      4 Hours drive from Manila to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. 
2      From Pundaquit, we rented a motor boat to transport us to the coves and island.
Boat Cost: Php 1,500

Budget: Php 2,000 to 3,000

Accommodation: Tent only (can be rented at Pundaquit Port or you can bring your own)

No restaurants and ATM machine.


Location: Zambales, Philippines

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sagada, Banaue, and Baguio

Image
     My summer get-away for 2010 is quite different.  Why I said so?  Normally I go to beautiful beaches in the country to feel the summer heat of the sun.  This time we explored the Cordillera.      From Baguio to Sagada, we passed the paved and non-paved roads and a never ending curved roads.  Though it took us 4 hours to reach Sagada, the trip was still worthwhile as we traversed the top of Cordillera’s spectacular range of mountains, some mini rice terraces, a river beside a rice farm, and surely a different sight to please your eyes. Trekking and Caving at Sagada April 1, 2010     After a long trip, we arrived in Sagada before noon.  During that time, the town was packed with foreign and local tourists, so it took us some time to look for accommodation.  We booked at Green House Inn at a cheap price of Php 500 per night.      As we walked down the main road leading to the caves, we dined first in one of the best restaurant in Sagada at Yoghurt House.  They served us wit
Read more

Revisiting the Spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces

Image
Banaue Rice Terraces (First View Point)         After 9 hours of travel, we arrived in Banaue, Ifugao at 7:30AM.  Still tired and hungry from a very long trip, we rest for a while at Green View Lodge and had our breakfast.      Green View Lodge is a meeting point for backpackers.  The restaurant was packed with backpackers from all over the world.  We even shared a table with Delfina, a French lady who works at Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  Since, my officemate is very friendly and has a sense of humor; she never failed to amuse Delfina.      After a satisfying meal at Green View, we rented a private vehicle to take us to Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint, Bay-yo Rice Terraces, and Sagada.  A group of foreign backpackers from Germany, New Zealand, U.S.A, and Australia joined us.      First stop at Banaue Rice Terraces, my second visit to this place, it still amazed me to see the beautiful rice terraces built by Ifugao tribes 2,000 years ago.  There are at least three view point
Read more

Cebu City Adventure

Image
     Welcome to Cebu City!      It was raining when I arrived in this city on March 14 in the morning.  The airport metered cab took me to the hotel, where my friends booked it one week ahead.      I checked in at Casa Rosario Hotel located at 101 F. Ramon Aboitiz St., Cebu City.  For only Php 1,200 a night it can accommodate up to 3 persons.  The room is nice, clean, newly painted, and air-conditioned.  Location is near from the main road Maxilom Avenue where you can ride public jeep to take you where you want to go.  Also, it’s so easy to get a cab in front of the hotel.  There are coffee shops, convenience stores, and restaurants nearby.  Banks are just a few steps away.  Everything is just so close.      While waiting for my friends to arrive from Davao, I went first to Ayala Center by asking the Cebuano on how to go there the way the locals do.  I was able to save money because of that.      There are big shopping malls like SM, Gaisano, and Ayala Center.  But Ayala Cente
Read more