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This is probably my one of the best summer escapades in my entire summer vacations every year. The idea of island hopping just came out last 2 weeks when one of my officemates invite me to join in the trip. Actually hindi ko planado this year na pumunta sa island na un, ewan ko ba kung anong nagtulak sa akin para sumama.
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Day 1: 11:30pm, April 30, 2009
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Impuntong nagkitakita kami sa Victory Liner Station sa Monumento, Caloocan. Nagkaroon ng kaguluhan sa loob ng station. Nagpanic ang lahat dahil sa akalang wala ng bus na darating papuntang Zambales. Nagkatulakan, nagkabalyahan at maraming naiipit makasakay lang sa kakaunting bus na nakahanay. Dapat sisihin ang mismong Bus Liner dahil sa kawalan ng sistema lalo na kapag sumasapit ang long weekend and holidays. But we dont have any choice because this is the online liner who goes in the said province. Mabilis ang byahe naming dahil 2:30am pa lang nasa San Antonio, Zambales na kami. Nagpasya na kami agad na pumunta sa Pundaquit Island upang tumuloy sa isang Resort. Nahirapan pa kami sa paghahanap dahil walang kailaw-ilaw sa daan hangang marating namin ang Wild Rose Resort. Maganda ang lugar, malinis at kumpleto sa mga facilities. Pagttyagaan mo nga lang ang katarayan ng mayari ng resort..hehehe...
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Day 2: 7:00am, May 1, 2009
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Umagang umaga pa lang ay abalang abala na kami sa pagaayos papuntang Anawangin Cove. Sa Pundaquit Beach kami naghanap ng bangkang masasakyan papunta sa nasabing Isla. According to the driver, it will take a 30 minutes ride going to the Cove. So medyo takot ang lahat kasi mahaba haba rin un na nasa gitna kami ng karagatan.
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We were at the beachfront of Pundaquit Island
The Pundaquit Beachfront
Riding a boat while taking this picture
Top View of Pundaquit Beach
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7:30am, May 1, 2009 : ANAWANGIN COVE
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Anawangin Cove according to the people in Zambales, is a crescent shaped cove that has an off-white sand and an evergreen forest near the seashore. What makes the place unique is the unsual riddle of tall pine trees around the vicinity. Behind the said forest is a small stream that flows out to the sea. The sand in Anawangin cove is purely Mt. Pinatubo lahar. The pine trees, (actually Agoho trees) did not exist in the area before the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Looks like the ash fall somehow brought with it Agoho seeds as well and they grew into the forest we see at Anawangin today. No roads leading to the said Cove, that is why it is only accessible by a 30 minute boat ride from Pundaquit, San Antonio or by a six-hour trek through open trails in Pundaquit range. There are no commercial resort in the Islands with just a few huts and deep wells.
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The Anawangin Cove
Its me in the sand..
There are no facilities in Anawangin Cove. That’s why we only bring personal things and food for our lunch and merienda. Please be also reminded to bring your own purified water to drink. As we go along the shore, marami na rin palang pumupunta ditto at nagtatayo ng tent for an overnight sleep. We only decided to stay at the cove until 6:00pm. Mahirap kasing magbangka pag gabi na sobrang lakas ng mga alon.
Top View of the Pine Tree
The Tents of the Hikers along the Pine trees
The river along Anawangin Cove
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6:00pm- Bumalik kami ng Pundaquit Beach dala ang ang masasayang alaala at adventure na naiwan namin sa Anawangin and we promise to come back soon. Advise lang sa lahat kung takot kayo sa malalaking alon. Huwag nyo na pagisipan umuwi ng 6pm kasi nakakatakot talaga ang mga alon. Roller Coaster ride ang naranasan namin sa sobrang lakas ng mga alon. Pagkabalik namin sa Wild Rose Resort..party time! Lubus lubusin ang bakasyon, 12am na kami natapos maginuman at magvideoke. Lahat ay lasing at umaasang magigising ng maaga para sa aming next Island hopping.
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Day 3, 8:00am, May 2, 2009
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Dahil lasing ang lahat..kaya late kami nagising. Nagdadalawang isip pa kami kung tutuloy pa kami for the next Island hopping. Pero agad agad na nagdecide since nandun na kami lahat. Diretso kami sa Camara Island.
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8:15am- CAMARA ISLAND
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Camara Island can be seen from the shore of Pundaquit in San Antonio Zambales. The island is a big lump of rock, with very little soil. Its rock walls are good for climbing that mountaineering clubs hold rapelling activities here.Trees aren’t that many but because of the rock formations and angle of the island, it’s not hard to find shade and scenic spots for a great photo shoot. The island has two sides separated by a white sandbar that becomes visible during lowtide. Sad to say we did not witness the sandbar because it is high tide when we got there. The island has a lot of seaweeds in the sea shore mainly because no one maintains it.
12:00nn- CAPONES ISLAND
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Capones is famous for its average yet manageable surfs. It is nearby the shore of San Antonio. This island house the Faro Capones, a still functioning Spanish-era lighthouse. Overnight stay is allowed but with prearranged pickup with a boatman. The island has a crystal clear water along the beach yet you may enjoy swimming, snorkel and explore the surroundings by simply walks and discover the natural beauty of it.
.2:00 p.m.- We decided to go back the Wild Rose Resort. It was an exciting and adventurous summer trip to this wonderful island. Hope I could come back in this places for the next years to come. Im sure everyone will cherish all the memories brought by our trip. Until now I still in the midst of mesmerizing with the fascinated beauty of the beaches.
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