Mystical Zambales

An island getaway that is just around the corner .. head to Zambales. Far enough that it is still unspoiled, yet near enough for a weekend respite. 

Take a bus heading to Iba, Zambales.  Victory Liner has an 1130pm schedule. Get off in front of the Municipal Hall of San Antonio, Zambales.  Remind the bus conductor that you are getting off San Antonio.  

When you plan on leaving Manila at 1130pm, it is best that you already have an arrangement with a boatman in Pundaquit as you will be arriving very early.  

Getting a motorcycle in San Antonio at 230am is not a problem. There are already several motorcycles ready to take passengers anywhere they please. The local market is still close at this time, so you should bring food and enough water to last you the whole day.  

As expected, Brgy. Pundaquit is still asleep at 3am. Your boatman can provide you a place to sleep or you could just hang out at the beach before you head out towards the sea. While you wait for time, you could do some star-gazing. The stars are magnificent. There are so many of them that it creates a wonderful glow on the ocean.    

The boat ride at 430am is surreal. Pitch black with just the stars and the moon to guide you is a different experience altogether. The boat ride is about one-hour, so you have more than enough time to look for falling stars.          

Nagsasa Cove is a scenic place. There are no resorts there but a restroom is available. Most tourists stay in tents. For those who do not have tents, there are simple huts/cottages available for Php 100 per person per night. The cove is inhabited by just 10 families of Aetas, who escaped the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.  Much like Anawangin, there are pine trees as opposed to coconut trees in its shore. Also, the sand is grayish in color because of the mixture of ash from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Being 25 minutes farther than Anawangin, it is less popular because it is harder to get to. Unlike Anawangin, however, Nagsasa is unspoiled. The only sound you hear is the strong breeze. There is a small waterfall in Nagsasa Cove. The short hike towards the fall is itself scenic.         

Anawangin Cove has its own charm. It's popularity with the younger people, however, makes it too crowded nowadays. It is a party place.. or as  some people call it "Boracay of the North." There are also no resorts there. The only structure they have are a simple restroom and a small sari-sari store. Pine trees are also abundant in Anawangin.  There is a picturesque marsh or a river there that tourists go to.      

Capones Island is breathtaking.  Sitting on top of the island is the 1800 Spanish style lighthouse. Getting there, however, is not an easy feat. You have to hike and trek part of the way to get there. It takes about 30 minutes. Loose rocks, pebbles, crushed corals the whole way make it a challenge. Get a guide if you can. It would be a waste of energy if you have to go back because you were not able to follow the "signs."  In addition, locals say that the island is enchanted such that some visitors are intentionally led astray by invisible beings. The beach in Capones shifts depending on the direction of the wind. During the rainy season, the beach is on the south side of the island, and on the north side during the summer.    

           

   

                 

All in all, a Zambales Island and Cove hopping is a great weekend getaway for those who do not have the luxury of time but are itching to go somewhere different.  



What to Bring

• lots of water
• food
• cap & sarong to protect you from the sun
• portable stove & lamps (if you are planning to camp out)
• sturdy slippers
• tent (our boatman has tents for rent)

Contacts

• Randy Aniceto (boatman): 09093120345 or 09162732887