Wanderlust Girl's Travel Journal: Anawangin Cove San Antonio Zambales

Islands, Sands and Sea

PUNDAQUIT- THE GATE TO ANAWANGIN

Pundaquit Shore

Your island girl didn't know how to swim that's why she make sure that her live jacket is secured ; )

After 30 long minutes of tricycle ride from San Antonio Municipal hall we finally arrived at Tita Josie’s house at Purok 2 Brgy. Pundaquit San Antonio Zambales at around 3:30 am. She was the contact person given by the agency as the only authorized person that we need to transact. She was a lady in early 50’s ( according to my judgement, forgive me if i’m wrong). She was waiting for us in front of their house coz I gave her a call that we were coming. Upon reaching the place the first thing that came into our mind is to eat as we were starving after all the transfers and twist and turn that we encountered in our adventrip. Tita Josie assisted us and offered us utensils for us to be able to feed comfortably. She even served us hot coffee which was perfect to drink that moment which we latter realize as part of the package as welcome drink. After eating, the generous Tita Josie offered us room so we could take a rest since we came a little too early for our island hopping tour which will start at 6 :30 am. We comfortably laid our backs on the bed she offered us, had a little chitchat and finally fell asleep. It was 6 :00 am, I heard voices outside the room so I instantly got out of bed reach for my bag and went to the restroom to prepare for our tour. Tita Josie prepared the things we needed for the camp since we will spending the night in the island. She provided us with cooking utensils, charcoal, gas and matchstick as well as tent for the camping. Everything we needed was ready we headed straight to the shore where our boat is waiting a few steps away from Tita Josie’s house. The water is clear and the sand is grayish, from afar across the bay you will see a small rock formation standing in the middle of the ocean. On the left side of the bay was a vast brownish green mountain on which Pundaquit bay lay on its feet. The bay on that side was also surrounded by pine trees where cottages are located while on the right side of the bay was a not so crowded residential area. Pundaquit shore itself is already beautiful if only it is not surrounded by residential homes. A lot of boat in different sizes are on the shore waiting for their passengers.

Your Island Girl and her friends

Camara Island

When we were about to leave Pundaquit shore Tita Josie ask us if we want to add Camara Island to our itinerary. She pointed on the rock formation just across the shore. She told us that it is not included in the package tour since the waves to Camara is a little bit harsh and it can only be reached during days with fine weather. We instantly agree coz it only cost an additional Php 50.00 per head. And then we pleaded to the island and we were there in less than 10 minutes.

The island is just like a small piece of rock from afar, our boat landed on a small rocky beach surrounded be tall limestone. I thought that’s all we got to see in the island but we noticed that other tourist were dipping into the water crossing the other side of the island and so we did the same. The water is waist high and the waves are crushing by the stones along the way.Good thing I was wearing my ever reliable aqua shoes I didn’t had a hard time walking on the rocks under water. On the other side of the island is like a wider and bigger version of beach that we landed on. From a hundred meters away you will see another rock formation that looks like a big drumstick fried chicken. I think it is another small island I just don’t know what it is called and so I call it fried chicken island. WE took good photos on every spot of the island especially on stones and trees.

Camara Island

Jumpshot at Camara Island

An isolated tree makes the island more picture perfect

Fried Chicken Island( View from Camara)

Capones Island

One of the most anticipated part of the Anawangin tour is the side trip to Capones Island.Capones island has always been famous for the Spanish colonial lighthouse located on the top of the hill. I have always wanted to see the lighthouse in person because the pictures I’ve seen from the web during my research on preparation for our Anawangin tour looks really fascinating unfortunately tourist are no longer allowed to go to the lighthouse as it was under renovation.

The journey on the way to Capones island from Camara Island is one of the most exciting yet frightful trip I’ve ever encountered. I have been aware that we were sailing the famous South China Sea which is now called West Philippine sea. I know for a fact how big the South China sea is and who knows it could be shark infested. Large waves are trying to push us to our destination as we are going with the flow of the wind, It didn’t really bother me but when the boat’s engine stopped my heart started pumping a little bit faster that it used to be. I was thinking what the hell is going on here I’m in the middle of a shark infested ocean and I don’t know how to swim should this mountainous wave crush our boat. I am really getting paranoid but I’m sure they didn’t notice. Good thing the boatman was able to start the engine again. But OMG it happened twice, the engine stopped twice. I found relief upon seeing that we were approaching an island in pure white sand and big stones. We didn’t even see the shadow of the lighthouse since we are on the other side of the island. We just enjoyed exploring the rock formations and the huge high hill as if we own the island since there were only two boats in there.