Anawangin Cove, Anawangin Island, Anawangin beach, simply...Anawangin! These are some of the names referred to the famous Anawangin Cove in Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. Been hearing this place for quiet sometime now and curious to find out how beautiful this place really is, off I went to visit it.
Having been to Zambales several times, I definitely noticed Anawangin along the way. Distance wise - I wonder why tourist frequent Potipot Island when Anawangin is equally beautiful and nearer.
The white sand beach makes me feel like a kid again who wants to bury her foot to its smoothness and run around the shore until my last breath. The cool wind makes me want to dance and throw my scarf in the air like what I always see in a shampoo commercial on TV. He-he! And the pristine water makes me want to swim and swim and swim until my muscles beg me to stop. Exaggeration it may seem but it's true once you make it there.
A self-confessed beach bum, I stayed submerge in the water by the shore despite of the scorching sun. Never mind the tan, its not going to be a beach vacation without it, right? Never mind the sunburned, it'll heal. I wouldn't miss goofing around in the area for a beautiful skin.:D
Our journey started out by chatting in Victory Liner Terminal - Cubao to vie as time (but eventually, we fell asleep). We arrived in the terminal around 12midnight preparing for Cubao-Sta. Cruz trip (280P/pax) at 1:30AM, which happened to be at 11:30PM. Yes, you are right! We are late and we missed the trip. The next trip from Cubao-Sta. Cruz, Zambales is around 6:30AM which too late for our plan to arrive in the cove around 7 or 8 in the morning. Our next option to take a bus ride from Cubao - Olongapo City (212P/pax) at 3:30AM and take another bus from Olongapo City - Sta. Cruz (44P/pax) in Olongapo Terminal and ask the driver to drop us off San Antonio. Its a good thing, I have a trusted friend and Pundaquit who fetched us from the plaza to the shore of Brgy. Pundaquit. A tricycle ride will cost each person 30P (5 kilometers ride).
The rental fee for the cost you 1,000P/banca and can accommodate up to 4 persons (Pundaquit-Anawangin). If you plan to visit Capones Island and Camara Island nearby Pundaquit, each person must add additional 250P. You may haggle, I don't see anything wrong with that. Bangkeros (banca drivers) are open for negotiations, but, c'mon! that is there only source of income. Take it as 'you are helping them', stop haggling and simply pay the fee's intended for the kind of services they are rendering. Mind you, the bangkeros are kind enough to tour you around if no one is available because there are a lot of tourist, they also suggest good spot to stay to avoid the direct exposure from the sun, which resort to stay for the night (for those who don't have tent/sleeping bags) and want to spend their night in Pundaquit instead.
Unlike Camara Island, Capones Island, Talisay Cove and Potipot Island... you will find a sari-sari stores (mini-groceries) in Anawangin Cove. They are not offering exactly what you need to have a comfort vacation by the beach but I can assure you, you will find those little "must-haves" that you are suppose to have but you forgot to bring (e.g. shampoo and conditioner, soap, tissue, disposable plates, fork/spoon, glass, soft drinks, some juices, crackers/biscuits, insect repellent, eggs, some tomatoes and spices, etc). It took us 30-45minutes from Pundaquit shore to the cove and according to some bangkeros, if the weather is not good - the trip may take more than an hour (2 hours for unlucky tourist). Having said that, I suggest that you purchase everything you need in Manila or in Olongapo City before going to the island. Other than you have a lot of options (product brands, quantity, etc) in the city, its also less expensive. You may list down all of the items/equipment that you need to avoid going back and forth to Anawangin - Pundaquit for you'll be wasting time, money (bangkeros charge tourist per trip) and energy. The banca trip is not all fun, you'll get wet because of the big waves from the open sea.
Upon arrival, we immediately unpacked things and off we hired a tour guide to trek the nearby mountain. If its your first time, a guide is a must have. For they not only guide you to take the easy and beautiful path to the peak but they also provide a lot of information about the island, about other tourist and how to maximize what the island can offer. Trekking the mountain at noon is not a good idea regardless if you smooth your skin with lots of sunscreen/sunblock. There are no big trees that provides shade and the wind is warm and sticky for its from the open sea. If you plan to climb the mountain nearby, 8AM - 10Am is the suggested time frame. Climbing is not that easy, make sure you wear strong slippers and don't forget to bring a hat to protect your face from the sun, but, it is definitely worth the sun burned.:D
We spent 3 hours of our day sleeping on the ground, literally. We laid our comforters, picnic blankets and travel pillows/bags on the ground and sleep our afternoon goodbye.:D The sound of the big waves hitting the boulders from a distance and the smooth waves (this i love to play with) rushing to the shore made our lullaby. Pines trees blocked the sun light, the chirping of the birds and the wind breeze helps us doze off. If you want real music to help you travel to dream land, you can bring your music player, speakers or iPod. Make sure its fully charges and you have your extra batteries because there is no electricity in the island and no signal for your mobile phone: no texting, no calling or email sending.:D Great right? You will definitely find a way to enjoy and amuse your self aside from trekking or swimming around. There you go, thank God for our creativity and resourcefulness.:D
Since there is no mobile signal (of any network) in the area, you must informed you 'bangkero' ahead what time they should pick you up. It may be a rough and far cry from a 'lady-like' adventure but I enjoyed it!
For those who wants to reserve a banca for their future trips, you may call Manong Mike (my 'suking-bankero') thru this contact number: 09283405136 (Smart) and 09277801312 (Globe).
No comments:
Post a Comment