Luggage

Got me a new sissy bar bag. 🙂

I’ll post photos soon. 🙂

Anawangin Cove – How to get there and what to remember

Everybody’s been asking me how to get to Anawangin Cove. Questions like, “what do I bring? How much do you have to shell out? Is there a bathroom?” and just about anything one can think of.

Well, here it is.

Please note that some of the quoted prices may change or may have changed, AND STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE REMINDERS THAT I CAREFULLY WROTE IN RED FONT.

Also: The boatmans’ numbers may have changed. I’ll ask around and update you guys on it. J

Budget for a 2-day stay: One source says, “I’ve spent about 2k-2500”

I say, about P1k to P1500 will do.

What to bring:

Individual checklist:

Money

Tent

Mess kit (spoon, fork, plate, tumbler)

Drinking water / also for cooking (3 liters per person)

Sun block

Sunglasses

Insect repellant (lotion or spray)

Personal medication

Bathing suits

Slippers

Toilet paper / wet wipes

Toiletries (i.e. Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, panty liners – for the females)

Dry gear bags (plastic bags would be a good substitute) for your wet clothes

Plastic bags for your trash

Waterproof bags; a zip lock bag will do (for your money, cell phone, camera, etc).

Folding stool

Group Checklist:

Cook set (pots and pans)

Stove

Lantern

We need to pitch in for the purchase of:

Lighter fluid (for the stove) or coal should you like to do a beach barbecue.

Optional equipment:

Umbrella

Raincoat / Poncho

It’ll be cool if you can bring a hammock.

– I know I will J

Where to get a Ride?

Bus Terminal: Victory Liner, Caloocan

Visit: http://www.victoryliner.com/tripschedules1.htm for schedules.

Now you ask me, why the Caloocan terminal?

Answer: Because it’s the only terminal that fares to Zambales on an hourly basis.

From Caloocan to Zambales (Iba)

• 5:00AM—————————————————P291.00(one-way only)
• 6:00AM
• 7:00AM
• 8:00AM
• 9:00AM
• 10:00AM
• 11:00AM
• 12:00NN
• 1:00PM
• 2:00PM
• 4:00PM
• 5:00PM
• 6:00PM
• 11:30PM

From Caloocan to Zambales (Sta. Cruz)

• 5:30AM—————————————————P384.00 (one-way only)
• 7:30AM
• 8:30AM
• 9:30AM
• 10:30AM
• 12:30NN
• 3:00PM
• 8:00PM
• 12:00MN

Fare: Php207

Travel Time: 3-4hrs (including stop-overs)

You get off at: San Antonio Town Proper

Then you take a: Trike to Pundaquit

And the fare is: 40 per head

Travel time is: 5-10 minutes

You get off at: Pundaquit beach

Info from another source (which I guess is not as recent):

After getting off at the Municipal Hall of San Antonio, take a tricycle going to Pundaquit Beach and that would cost Php15/head.

Note:

Do not go to Nora’s Beach Resort if you don’t intend to pay the 150Php entrance and 1600 (roundtrip) boat to Anawangin.

Then you take a: Boat

Note:

Florante Lavesoria (boatman); contact number: (0910) 805-3388, he charges 1k roundtrip. They’ll give you a visit at your campsite the next day and ask if you’ll need anything from Pundaquit market (cigarettes, soda, and ice). Ask also about supplies that you might need, like coolers, etc. they may be able to provide that for you too.

I got a recent contact number for another boatman. He charges 700 PHP (to and fro). Here’s the number: 0918 – 427 – 1543

And the fare is: 1k roundtrip

Travel time is: 5-10 minutes

You get off at: Anawangin cove

There’s no cell phone signal or electricity in the cove.

There are nearby islands that are also wonderful. Ask a boat man to take you to Capones Island and Camera Island. Both Islands are very wonderful. Capones has a lighthouse; you might want to go there and take pictures.

Now what?

You can camp anywhere. But the spot where the flags are charge an entrance fee of Php150, but they have toilets and grill (ihaw) stations, huts, and eating areas. They have their own care taker.

The cove is very, very clean. We should keep it that way at all times. Collect all your trash in a large garbage bag(s) and bring it back to Pundaquit instead of leaving it at the beach. Nobody else will clean after you. Avoid throwing cigarette butts anywhere especially on the fresh waters. Leave no trace.

Now we need to know:

1. Where we can use the bathroom

You can either use the ones at the area with the flags, but they might ask you to pay for the use.

Or you can go to Aling Puring’s; a 3-5 minute walk through the woods and across the stream (which is about knee deep). They have a manual water pump if you want to take a clean bath. This is good exercise, since you have to pump your own water. You may opt to use the bushes or hide behind the trees to relieve yourself, but be sure to clean up afterwards (dig a hole and give it back to Mother Nature!J).

2. Where to get potable water (or do we bring it?)

See checklist for the suggested amount of water to bring.

3. Is a bonfire allowed?

It is allowed. Choose a safe area away from short trees to avoid wild fires. Clean up the bonfire area in the morning (cover it with sand after which). Leave no trace.

• Make sure to completely extinguish fire.

• Scatter ashes or embers out.

• Sprinkle with water. Stir with a stick. Repeat.

• Drench charred logs.

• Repeat until everything is cold.

4. Is there a restriction to the number of campers in a particular spot?

No

You may choose to donate your excess food and other supplies to Aling Puring. Their house is just right at the middle of the beach area.

IMPORTANT:

Do not use soap in the stream to wash your dishes or bathe. I extremely discourage this.

Pack out what you pack in.

Don’t leave your trash in Anawangin or with the caretakers because they will burn them and that’s not good. Don’t leave your trash with the boatman because they might throw it to the sea and that’s not good either. You can leave it in Pundaquit, in the boatman’s house. Or you can bring your trash to Manila – of course that was a lousy joke. Insert awkward silence here.

(Looks around without moving head, clears throat) anyway…

Remember: Take nothing but pictures, Kill nothing but time, Leave nothing but footprints.

Visit this site for Camping tips and Advice: http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/Tips_and_Advice.htm

It’s best to read up, and prepare. It works for first time campers, even for experienced outdoorsmen.