Monday, March 7, 2011

Home is where the sand is

Everyone needs a dose of spontaneity.

After missing the Panagbenga this year, I had to talk myself through the idea of having a replacement trip. I was basking upon the thought of going to a lush island like Caramoan or Camiguin when an opportunity presented itself. The only problem was, it was too tooooooooooo soon.

I was having my lunch break at work when Junica and Eduard texted me saying they were scheduled to go to Anawangin Cove in Zambales that night. They asked me, or rather obliged me to go with them. My heart palpitated with excitement as Anawangin belongs to my To Visit list this year. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I decided to leave an hour early from work and schlep my way home to pack.

By 12 midnight, we were already riding the bus to San Antonio, Zambales. According to Eduard's research, it will take five hours to get to our destination but he was miserably wrong. We arrived at 3:00am  and it was frickin' nippy! We had to wait for an hour just so we can buy stuff from the wet market which opens around 4:00am. In Anawangin, there are no posh restaurants to eat at, not even electricity so we had to buy everything we need to sustain us for two days. Back to basics is the name of the game. 

By 5:00 am, our 45 minute sojourn in the night sea began. It was breathtaking being embraced by the cold sea breeze. We were welcomed by nothing but darkness, well, also by some flickering lights coming from the other campers. 

We rented two tents which became our humble abode for two days. 

Home is where the sand is.
Neighborhood


We had to rent the tents for Php350.00 each so it wasn't bad at all. Staying overnight, each person needs to pay one hundred pesos. That is probably the cheapest accommodation you can ever find. 

Eduard, Aiz, and JM, all from GX Team 76
There was an LGBT Group named G4M: Gays for Mountains.

The funny thing was, even Anawangin has its own "Upper East Side" where you need to pay an extra fifty pesos just to take pictures and marvel on the beauty of pine trees and mountains. We thought of transferring to the Upper East Side but decided to stay at the Bronx cause its where the party was. 


Sunset in Anawangin was lovely, especially when you witness it with the people you love, CHOS NA CHOS!


Just before we head home, we went to two islands--Capones and Camarro. The lighthouse in Capones is a must-visit landmark overlooking the vast majesty of South China Sea. I can see Vietnam from there, JOKES! 
Capones Island from afar. There you can see the lighthouse already.
Closer photo of the lighthouse.
Finally, was able to dock at Capones Island.
The blueness of the sea is a reminder of how beautiful our world is. 
Built during the Spanish occupation, this parola is a work of art.

We only spent about ten minutes in Camarro Island since we were scheduled to return to Pundaquit at 12:00 noon. Bitin ang ten minutes but it was really worth it. 


Enough has been said about the beauty of the place but I should also mention how beautiful the people of Zambales are. They were very helpful and warm. One of the French guys we met had the same observation and even said that he appreciates that there were no hard-sellers in the place, people who will keep on pestering until you buy their goods. The people of Zambales do not take advantage of tourists, locals and foreigners alike.

If ever you decide to visit Anawangin, try looking for the tricycle driver named Arvin, he will help you a lot and make sure that you get the things you need at a low price.

Now who would have thought spending a weekend in a glorious paradise can be as inexpensive as Php1,200?