Mt. Pundaquit to Anawangin Cove Traverse Chronicles
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| The stunning view of Anawangin Cove from the summit |
In summary, overnight at Nagsasa Cove is one of the best nights of my life. And it's one of the best beaches to experience nature. Personally, it's the only beach I've ever truly connected with nature. Even with the multitude of people huddled in bonfires scattered on the whole stretch of the beach, there was stillness and peace. And a quiet that you would yearn for every once in a while. I wouldn't mind going here every year. I can say that this is my favourite beach… so far
Day 1
0300 Assembly at Cubao
Victory Liner Bus Terminal. The first trip is at 3 AM. Bus leaves every 30
minutes. My 2 companions who rode a taxi was asked by the driver which Victory
Liner they want to be dropped off to. There is only one Cubao Victory Liner Bus
Terminal. The other one is Kamuning/Kamias Terminal. So when we say Cubao
Victory Liner Bus Terminal, we mean the one in Cubao. Okay? Peace! This
terminal is on the South bound side of EDSA. It's just in front of Baliwag Bus
Terminal.
0330 ETD. Bus.
Regular AC. Cubao to Olongapo.
0630 Olongapo
Victory Liner Bus Terminal. There are a lot of fast food chains, ATMs and small
clothing boutiques. This would be the place to buy supplies if ever you are
missing something. We just hopped on the next bus since we have everything we
need, except meat. I've read that there is a large wet market in San Antonio so
I just planned on buying some of our food there.
0645 ETD. Bus.
Ordinary. Olongapo to San Antonio. There is also a regular AC bus bound for San
Antonio. The wind here is so cool and nice I just had to take the Ordinary bus.
It's only an hour ride, so why not? It was a very cold and windy ride though,
better prepare your jacket.
0750 San Antonio.
Breakfast at 7-11. I know, I know. 7-11 in Zambales. Oh what would we give to
experience local cuisines. We asked around and they said that the stores were
still closed and 7-11 is our best choice. Since we only need light food for the
trek, and I wanted coffee, we gladly accepted our fate. We ate while waiting
for the service. The service, I forgot to mention earlier, I've already
contacted people at Brgy Pundaquit for a small boat good for 4. I've asked
around and this (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anawangin-Nagsasa-Travel-and-Tour-Package/106866556073958)
is the price that I found and later found out that it's probably the best
services in Pundaquit. I didn't even haggle. I hate haggling. It's a good thing
there are still people who gives you a nice price. If you are just 2 or 3 persons, I think you can get it at P1200. I'm not really sure. You can also rent tents
from them or get packages that include utensils, cookset, firewood and even
food. But we are regular campers, and we want to save money whenever we can for
future travels. I've only asked for their basic boat services. And still, we
were treated like Counts and Countesses. Get the whole package if you want to
be treated like Princes and Princesses.
0815 Wet Market.
Bought meat and condiments. We waited for the van service to bring us here
first before we proceeded to Brgy Pundaquit. If you don't have a service, you
can simply walk from 7-11 to the Market. This is just behind the Municipal
Hall. This place is huge and gives the impression that it has everything. They
even have a section of the market with a store that has flashlights and headlamps of different models. Honestly, I've never seen so many models of
headlamps in a single area. Sorry, I tend to linger on things. I've never
really have that filter that successful writers do. I just put down the things
that comes to my head. Let me proceed to the trek.
0845 Brgy.
Pundaquit. Jump off.
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| Start Trek |
0850 Met with
Jong our guide for the trek. Start trek Mt. Pundaquit. You can ask the
recommendations for a trail guide from the same link above. I am happy with
their choice. Jong is quiet and gives the group privacy but always in our sight
and is ready to help us whenever we need help. Naturally, I've asked him a
series of questions regarding the place. I've read that there are a lot of
trails and jump off point there. Let me keep this short, among all of the
trails he took. It was Mt. Nagsasa from Cawag, Subic Jump off that was the most
beautiful of it all. I'm putting this down so that you and I might also try
that trail someday.
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| Joanne's and Desiree's last smiles until we reached the summit. :) |
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| Yes. Even at the foot of the mountain, it was a beautiful place |
0910 Dried River
bed. The trail is straightforward and there would only be 2 or 3 forks along
the way. But there was no trail sign save for a lone red arrow painted on a
tree about an hour after you start the trek. This and the threat of wild
Carabaos is why they advise you to get a guide. It would also help the people
of Zambales.
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| Dried River Bed |
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| Desiree and Ninja Ranier |
1000 Tree with
trail sign. I found out soon enough that we will be exposed to the sun the
whole time. Imagine the new trail of Mt. Batulao without the cool winds to give
you comfort. Basically, just don't forget your headgears or whatever you have
to protect you from the sun. Fortunately, the sky was bright blue and the sun
was in hiding. Fortunately? Know that I think of it, I'm not sure if that's lucky.
I would like to comeback on a sunny day because I bet the view from the summit
would even be more majestic!
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| Jong, Tree with Trail sign, Joanne |
1050 Summit. Dropped
our packs and took our time to capture the moment. Just like I said above, I
bet the view would be vibrant and lush with the energy of the sun shining down
on the mountains, trees, cove, sea and the beautiful horizon. Don't get me
wrong, the view was already stunning as it is! I've always loved looking at a
Cove from on top of a mountain. Especially when you know that you will go there
and enjoy that place once you descend!
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| Ninja Ranier |
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| Joanne was so happy she wanted to hug the view |
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| Normal Ranier, playing it cool |
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| Happy people |
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| The stunning view of Anawangin Cove from the summit |
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| Joanne and Desiree |
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| Thank you for this shot, Desiree. You take the best shots |
1130 Start descent.
It fuels your excitement, having the view of Anawangin Cove in front of you.
That beautiful row of pine trees near the beach, a small hill standing in the
middle of a forest and that glistening sea. That view of the summit stays with you. It is breathtaking.
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| The view stays with you. |
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| Okay, you too. It also stays with you |
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| Ranier mastering the art of bringing 6 Kilogram weight using his forehead. Ninja indeed |
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| Let's just say they're happy |
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| Ranier planning to move here someday and training to be a vendor |
1245 Dried river
bed.
1305 Forest.
1330 Seeing Anawangin Cove from afar was spectacular. Being there itself simply showed a different side of that spectacular view. It didn't lose any of that charm that we initially saw. Seeing it for the first time made me realize why they call it a paradise. I instantly said to the group that we will go back there, preferably on the rainy season, they say that the lake behind this encampment is also a beauty. It is dry when we went here. But we will have our chance, because I know that this place is a place that I will always adore, no matter how many times I go here.
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| Beautiful Pine trees of Anawangin Cove |
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| It looks like a secret hideaway in paradise |
This is where we ate lunch. We also explored the right side of the area to see the rock formation. I didn't realized it then, but most of the famous pictures here was coming from the left side of Anawangin Cove when you are facing the sea. Had I knew this then, I would've checked out that place too. Anyhow, back to the right side of the Cove.
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| If you go here, you would be happy too |
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| Kala ko nung una pa tweetums talaga to! Normal niya pala yan! |
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| This sweet girl wants to conquer Mt. Pulag soon |
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| It's a sickness. I see elevated grounds and I just have to climb them |
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| Mr. Atlas himslef. Proud of being able to do more than 4 hours of trekking while balancing 6 Kilogram weight |
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| And also proud of his Columbia Waterproof shoes |
1620 Board boat to Nagsasa Cove. The sun was setting so we had to pack up and board the boat. We will meet again, Anawangin Cove. It was nice meeting you. It was nice getting acquainted with your beauty and we hope to see you again soon!
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| Anawangin Cove, so long for now |
And now for our Nagsasa Cove adventure...
Estimated List of Expenses in PHP:
201.5 Food and
supplies
212 Bus. Regular
AC. Cubao to Olongapo. 3AM First Trip
44 Bus. Ordinary.
Olongapo to San Antonio
54 Breakfast and Coffee.
7-11 San Antonio
125 Trek Guide - P500/4
50 Anawangin Cove
Registration. Day trip
37.5 Firewood - P150/Bundle
100 Nagsasa Cove Registration.
Overnight trip
25 Nagsasa Cove Hut
Rental. P100/4
400 Small Boat for
4. Anawangin to Nagsasa. Nagsasa to Pundaquit. P1600/4
50 Boatman tip (P200/4)
20 Tricycle.
Pundaquit to San Antonio Municipal Hall
50 Dinner at San
Antonio
44 Bus. Ordinary.
San Antonio to Olongapo
207 Bus. Regular
AC. Olongapo to Manila
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Total: P1620
Itinerary:
Day 1
0300 Assembly at Cubao
Victory Liner Bus Terminal
0330 ETD. Bus.
Regular AC. Cubao to Olongapo
0630 Olongapo
Victory Liner Bus Terminal
0645 ETD. Bus.
Ordinary. Olongapo to San Antonio
0750 San Antonio.
Breakfast at 7-11. Waited for service
0815 Wet Market.
Bought meat and condiments
0845 Brgy.
Pundaquit. Jump off
0850 Met with
Jong our guide for the trek. Start trek Mt. Pundaquit
0910 Dried River
bed
1000 Tree with
trail sign
1050 Summit. Took
our time to capture the moment
1130 Start descent
1245 Dried river
bed
1305 Forest
1330 Anawangin
Cove. Lunch. Explore Anawangin Cove and Rock Formation
1620 ETD. Boat.
Anawangin Cove to Nagsasa Cove. Paid registration
1700 Nagsasa Cove.
Make camp.
Prepare firewood
and makeshift cooking area.
Explore. Relax.
Dinner. Bonfire. Lied down at the beach
Day 2
0800 Wake up
call. Explore. Forget Breakfast. Swim. Climb rock formations
0800 Lunch. Lazed
around. You can trek to the Waterfalls especially if it's the rainy season
1500 Break camp.
Paid registration
1530 Board Boat. Attempted
to go to Capones and Camara but the waves were so huge that I thought there was
a professional surfing competition being held
1630 Brgy.
Pundaquit. Wash up
1810 ETD.
Tricycle. Brgy. Pundaquit to San Antonio
1830 San Antonio
Municipal Hall. Dinner.
1930 ETD. Bus.
Ordinary. San Antonio to Olongapo
2030 Olongapo Victory
Liner Bus Terminal
2045 ETD. Bus.
Regular AC. Olongapo to Cubao
2345 Cubao
Victory Liner Terminal
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