The Anawangin Cove - March 2012

Ever since I saw pictures of the Anawangin Cove in Zambales, I knew at once I had to get there. And so when my brother found a cool deal to get the chance to visit Anawangin for only P799.00 in one of the more popular discount coupon sites, I didn’t let the opportunity pass and without thinking twice, paid for the vouchers.

We had our trip scheduled on a Saturday. We left the Victory Terminal in Caloocan City at 7:00 A.M. The trip lasted for almost four hours which by the way, was longer than the usual.

We got off at the town of San Antonio where we waited for the tour operator’s guys to pick us up and take us to Pundaquit. When they arrived,  we asked them if we could pass by the market to buy fresh fish, hotdogs, bread, spread, booze and other stuff we needed for an overnight stay in Anawangin.

Minutes later, we were again bound on our tricycle service on the road to Pundaquit. 

In Pundaquit, we met with our tour operator, Ate Sally, who was nice and gentle, and made sure we got everything we needed – charcoal, petroleum gas, pan, knife, tents, etc. In short, we got all the “works” which make for a hassle-free and comfortable stay at the cove.

Once ready, we were led to the ferry where colorful outriggers with bamboo-like wings that extend from their side lined the shore.We hopped onto one of them and the sea journey to the Anawangin Cove began.

The wind blew a bit strong and so the water was a bit rough. But I have sailed on worse so it was ok. For me, it was just the right amount of rock when you’re sailing on waters facing the South China Sea. After a close to a 20-minute boat ride, we ferried on the shores of Anawangin Cove and Wildlife.

The pine trees that seemed so small from afar, all of a sudden appeared huge. The white sand turned black when touched by the water. A sense of adventure filled me at the site of a number of tents set up from behind the fence perimeter that separates the beach and the camp site. I was ready to go swimming, hiking, explore the place in its entirety but too famished to have the energy to be able to do so. The spirit was very willing but the stomach then was just weak so the former conceded.

The next events were reminiscent of a Boy/Girl Scout Encampment in school. We put up a fire using charcoal and petroleum gas we got from Ate Sally and dried pine leaves and twigs we gathered from the grounds and readied the rice and fish that we later had for lunch. After lunch, we got up and started to traverse towards the back of the camp site to check out the lake that looked oh so good on pictures. Green, Blue and Orange dominated the scenes. We marveled at the one of God’s masterpieces. Who would have thought that all these trees and sand that created a wonderful landscape came about because of a massive volcano eruption. My camera couldn’t stop clicking.

After surveying the place and making sure we got enough photos, it was time to take a dip. The water was warm which made up for the cool weather. 

We enjoyed the sunset while preparing for dinner of fried hotdogs, rice, bread, and tuna paella. After dinner, we took turns taking a bath at the toilet and bath area which, during the night, has power supplied only until 9:30 P.M.

Campers started to set up bonfires and gathered around for the usual marshmallows and hotdog barbecue moments. We, on the other hand, enjoyed the night with interesting conversations over bottles of cold light beer.

Morning came, we got up early, had coffee, bread and spread for breakfast and started packing up. We showered and waited for the operator guys to pick us up. At 8:00 A.M. we started sailing for Capones Island, our last stop before going back to Pundaquit.

There was nothing much to do in Capones. We ferried at a spot which was far from the Lighthouse so we didn’t have much choice but enjoy the place for more photo ops. At close to 10:00 A.M., we were headed back to Pundaquit where our journey to Anawangin ended.

It was another unforgettable vacation to a place that’s worth another visit. The Anawangin cove offers a rare chance to experience something that we, people who live in the city, don’t get too often.