Summer indeed is fun and exciting. For students, its time to sit back and relax and do away with school projects and activities but for working people it is time to have a little family and friends getaway during national holidays.
My first stop is a beautiful island in Zambales popularly known as the Anawangin Cove. It is very much making its name to beach goers and campers. It is also located at Pundaquit Zambales. My group had so much fun as we feel the beauty nature has given to the people of Zambales for everyone to enjoy. It is as if the place is between you and nature or should I say you and the beautiful sceneries of the volcanic white sand beach with sparkling crystal blue water and the feel of being swayed by the gentle mountain summer breeze.
It is a perfect place to run away from the hustles and bustles of the busy metro, a perfect place to do away with your usual activity. Above all, it is a perfect place for you to just relax.
I love the fact that the place doesn’t offer the luxury of hotel and wifi and swimming pools. I think this is their advantage towards other beach destination in the Philippines.
Here's what your back pack should include:
- swiss knife with can opener
- rechargeable lamp (fully charge)
- mosquito or insect Repellent
- blanket - light blankets just for you to cover yourself
- lighter or matches
- food (also include emergency food like biscuits and canned goods)
- pajama (optional)
- camera (to catch those perfect scenes)
- speaker (battery operated)
- potable water, soda, liquor
- Swimming and hiking clothes like board shorts, sando or shirt, shades, sunvisor, extra slippers (it should be a heavy duty slippers for island hoping and mountaineering.
- personal hygienic kit (bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc)
- portable stove and cooking utensils (optional)
- Dont forget to bring ziplok for wet clothes and camera…
- Bring your own cigarette and liqour because it prices would triple or quadruple when you are in the island.
There are many options for you to choose from if you want to visit Anawangin.
- Van for rent - this would depend depending on the Van owner. Rental would range from Php 9000 to Php 11000.
- Or thru Bus (Victory Liner) going to Zambales.
Below are the fees you need to prepare:
- TENT/GRILLING RENT-P150.00 each
- BOAT RIDE P350.00 each
- ENVIRONMENTAL FEE- P 100.00 (overnight stay in ANAWANGIN)
Pros:
- No hotel: meaning you need to rent or use your own tent. For me, it is an advantage because it gives the tourist a different feel and excitement.
- The use of Tents: it is awesome. It gives a different experience and ads a thrill.
- Clean Comfort Rooms: So far when we visited the place they have this wide range of comfort room and shower room which is convenient enough for the
- It is also very good that the garbage bags are scattered everywhere. What I also like here is that it has labels in it so as to guide the tourist for proper garbage segregation
Activities at the Cove:
- When you say Annawangin Cove of course what runs to my mind when we were about to go there is a fantastic view of the beach. I did love it. The water is calm and tender. It gives a soothing feeling when I started swimming. The water and the depth of the beach is children and non-swimmer friendly.
- Mountaineering: is also fantastic as it gives the tourist more activities to choose from or to add it on their itinerary.
- Island Hoping: so after exhausting yourself in mountaineering and enjoying the water and flushing out your worries and stress in swimming. It is about time for you to try their island hoping. I would suggest for you to inform your boatman ahead of time that you are interested in island hoping tell them the date and time so they can fetch you up on your desired time. They would also act as a tour guide. Prices varies and negotiable.
- Before the dark night kicks in it is also advisable to go ahead and look for woods so you could use them for bonfire during the night.
Kudos for those who is managing the island for not making it commercial in the sense of having hotels or lodges near the beach. I think nowadays we need a space like the Anawangin Cove for relaxation. I would suggest though that the plastic garbage bins should have covers for a safer, cleaner and better experience. I think it would also be better if the shower rooms and comfort rooms would have a covered trash bins to have a better experience.
In general, it would still be a 2 thumbs up for Anawangin. I can't wait for my next trip to the beautiful white sand beach!
