It’s More Fun in The Philippines – Experiencing Anawangin Cove

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!

Travelling Manila: Luneta Park

After exploring the wonders of Intramuros in Manila, my friend Anton and I decided to move out and start exploring the nearby Park.

This park is again very significant in the life of the Filipino people because this was the place where Philippines National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal was shot by the Spanish. Rizal was the author of the famous Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It was believed that this book triggered the Spanish to finally seize him and sentenced him to death. The book and his death also awaken the heart desire for freedom of the Filipinos. It is also the place where GOMBURZA or the 3 priest name Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

This has already changed. Today it is already a beautiful park in memory of the Filipino who died in this place.  So it was named after the Jose Rizal and was called Rizal Park where his shrine stands exactly where he was shot by the Spaniards. Nowadays this park is otherwise known as Luneta Park.

 Luneta Park is one of the many attractions of Manila.

At the heart of the park is the Monument of Rizal.

Near the Rizal’s Monument is the LIGHT AND SOUND Complex

Manila Ocean Park is also located in Luneta Park. It is highly recommended for those who love marine wildlife.

 Of course the newly renovated Rizal Children’s Park provides a one of a kind entertainment to kids.

Note: all pictures are taken from google images. Please click on the picture for photo credit.

Travelling Manila: First stop is Intramuros

Here's the Map of Intramuros

My friend Anton and I decided to roam around the metro. I already thought that travelling Metro Manila in a broad day light because summer heat could reach up to 37 degrees Celsius. So, I already set my mind that it wouldn’t be that much fun.

We decided to explore the said city of Manila because I don’t want to be ignorant in the nearby cities where I worked. I know I wanted to explore the said city because this is the very first city to be developed way back Spanish Era in the Philippine History.

Anton told me that it would be best to visit the famous Intramuros because there are a lot historical spots. Intramuros is a Spanish term which means inside a wall. This was built by the Spaniards to basically to protect them from their detractors like British and Chinese pirates.

Photo taken in google images.

This is the Baluarte de San Diego
Photo taken in google images.

Inside Intramuros is Manila’s oldest churches or schools built during the Spanish Regime in the country. In my opinion this place was built not only for protection but also to separate the middle class Filipinos and the dignitaries and the Spanish Aritocrats.


So to start our travel we first visited The Manila Cathedral. When we went there it is under repair. It is formally known as Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica or Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception but it is locally known as Manila Cathedral.

It was my first time to visit the said place and honestly I am amazed because some of the buildings are still in their old Spanish Era architectural design.

I am basically amazed by the structure of the church. It was beautifully and artistically built. Preserving this kind of structure in its original color and architectural design is not that easy but it is worthy and priceless because the color and the façade of the church tell a story of a rich cultural heritage of the Filipinos. Looking at it somehow tells me the story of the old Manila.

After visiting the Manila Cathedral we stop by another famous church. It is the San Agustin Church. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The exterior is amazingly beautiful. This church also has a museum to have a better understanding as to what the church has gone through and its most important dignitaries. This church is very popular as a wedding venue and I am not surprised because it captures a

Inside the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
This photo was taken from google image

This is the facade of San Agustin Church
Photo taken from google image.

I would say that this magnificent church is something that we could compare from basilicas and churches abroad. I feel blessed that I was able to see this church. I was mesmerized and enthralled with such excitement when I see the ceiling of this majestic church.


Transportation Option:


By taxi


The easiest way to get into Intramuros is by Taxi. Taxi drivers are anywhere the metro is very much familiar with Intramuros as they are well versed on this location as they are used in bringing tourist in this place. This type of transportation is highly recommended for those visitors who don’t mind shelling out a little extra of their budget more so when you are caught on a heavy so called rush hour traffic jam. Currently the flagdown rate is PHP 40.00 and fare goes up every Php 3.50 for every 300 meters.


By train


Visitors who would like to experience how it is like to work and live in Manila, I would advise you to take the train. So, you should go to an LRT station and then buy a ticket up to Central Terminal. Central Terminal Station is the nearest to the eastern wall of Intramuros it’s a pretty long walk to the most tourist destination within Intramuros so I would advise to take their Kalesa that can tour you around. Of course nothing beats walking in getting around the place.

Kalesa: the earliest land transportation during the Spanish Era
Photo taken at google images

Of course our trip would never be successful if we don't pose infront of our camera. Here's our pictorials from our Intramuros Trip.


Below is my friends pictures in Intramuros and Manila Cathedral:

Inside a man-made tunnel in Intramuros

This is the door of the Manila Cathedral.

Here are some of my pictures: