Anawangin Cove, Capones and Camara Island

We went to San Antonio in Zambales during the height of Northwest monsoon.  It was a Quezon City day and we don’t have work, Maki and I went Pampanga to persuade a friend to come with us.  Ron, eventually came with us in this trip.  After 2 hours we reached San Antonio, Zambales and asked direction going to Pundakit.  The road going to our resort was a little rough and we also crossed a signal from a Chinese radio station with our local station.

After 15 minutes from the town, we reached Canoe Beach Resort.  It is a resort with good amenities like swimming pool, beach front, nipa hut to stay and a coffee shop.  The beach front was also a site for surfers and there was an incoming event for surfing when we got there.  We booked a room for an overnight stay good for 3.  We then asked for a boatman to take us to Anawangin.  The sky was forming a rain in the horizon when we left the resort.

We headed to Anawangin cove.  The sea was not rough going to there.  As we enter the coast of Anawangin, everything was breath taking.  The rich greenish trees of the mountainous area that surrounded the cove and the white sand beach engulf our adventurist site. 

Anawangin is place for camping.  There’s a restroom and a store for campers.  We weren’t there to camp but just to enjoy the view and to swim with the waters.  I love the trees in the cove.

It rained while we were in Anawangin and decided to go to Capones Island after the rain.  We didn’t know that after the waters of the cove as you turn left to the open sea, it was raining hard and the waves were violent.  Our boat was not that big.  There was a thunderstorm in the open sea, as we saw lightning struck the waters.  It was scary and longest boat ride I had for a short distance travel from Anawangin to Capones Island.

It was still raining when we arrived in Capones and we weren’t able to explore the lighthouse.  After 30 minutes we went to Camara Island.  I love sand bars between waters.  Camara has a long stretch of sand bar.   

 

www.canoebeachresort.net

Guimaras Island: Nueva Valencia

Guimaras is the home for famous sweetest and the best varieties ofmango of the Philippines.  We went there in the last week of April and they were preparing for the Manggahan Festival held every May 11-22. 

From Iloilo City, we went to Ortiz Wharf and took a 20-minute pump boat ride to Jordan Wharf.  The cost is only Php 14.00.  From there we asked local policemen how to get to Nueva Valencia where we booked our resort.  He told us to ride a jeep going to Nueva Valencia.  There are multicabs in the area, but hiring one would be expensive so my friend and I opted for a cheaper transportation, a jeep for only Php 45.00 for 45 minutes to one hour depending on the jeep.  The jeep was full of commuter, my friend and I were already at the end of the jeep uncomfortably sitting on a piece of wood. 

We told the barker to drop us going to Alubihod.  We got off a gas station in an intersection going to Alubihod. From there we rode a tricycle going to Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod.  Upon checking in and since it was already almost 5 in the afternoon, we decided to check Alubihod beach and enjoyed the water with other tourist.  Raymen also sumptuous food and the famous mango.

The following morning, we availed of the island hopping tour from Raymen Beach Resort and they helped us with the local boatman.  It was still early in the morning and the sun was rising from the horizon.  The first place we went was our local boatman’s house where he fetched a tour guide for us.  Our first island was the Ave Maria Island.

It is a small island where the sand bars disappear during hightide.  And since it was very early, we get to enjoy the small sand bar all by ourselves.  The water was clear here and we took a short swim.  Across Ave Maria Island was the turtle sanctuary where we got to see a huge turtle.   The island was surrounded by rock formations and a nice beach.

Our next stop was the small cave of Baras Cave. Nice went inside the small cave with rock formation.  From Baras Cave we went to Lamurawan Beach Resort.  This island has a beautiful garden and is open to tourists to take pictures.  We were able to talk to the care takers of the garden.  From Lamurawan, we could see the 7 small islands.

Our next destination was Natago Beach Resort.  It was a resort and a secluded island.  We tour the whole beach and were able to talk to the owner.  It was my favourite beach in our tour because of the landscape, the sand bar between water with the rock formation and clear water with the visible school of fish.    

We also check out the Fairy Castle and Isla Naburot.

Backpacker vs Flashpacker

How will you differentiate a backpacker and a flashpacker?  If you’re travelling with a backpack, does it count that you’re a backpacker or a flashpacker?

What does backpacking means?  According to Wikipedia, it is a low-cost, independent travel.  Backpacking, a budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap.  A trademark of a backpacker is the use of backpacks to carry around for long journeys or long periods of time.  Backpackers often choose the public transport and to check-in in a hostel or any cheap accommodation.  They usually don’t stay in one place but travels to different places, sometimes even to the wilderness to mingle with the locals, to check out a different culture or to even learn the language, or to discover the part of the place that nobody dares to see or experience.

But time evolves, backpacking changes to flashpacking.  Flash packing means travelling with more money and going to fancy hotels equipped with different gadgets.  On a simplier definition, flashpacking is backpacking with a bigger budget. Some flashpackers still travel with a backpack but they are not necessarily backpackers.  They may travel with the backpacker’s sense of adventure but spend extravagantly to enjoy their vacation.  They’d go to nice hotels, sophisticated restaurant and have a thrilling adventure along the way.

I’d always thought I am a backpacker or maybe I used to be when I was younger.  I used to travel without an itinerary.  I checked on places when I get there.  I go wherever my itchy feet takes me.  There were times that I had to scout the area first before finding a cheap inn or hostel to stay in.  I had to ask the locals where to go and what tourist destination to see.  I always travel light.  One backpack is enough for my journey.   Sometimes you call it a do-it-yourself travel.  No plans, but an instinct on where to go once your there.

With the use of internet and popping out of the different gadgets, travelling became easy.  Information about the place is available.  Now, I plan and research my itinerary ahead.  This saves time for venturing the place.  You know where you want to go.  You know what to do beforehand.  Gadgets and wifi connection became a must while travelling. 

I still travel light.   That’s one of the things I have mastered for the long time of travelling.  I could fit everything in one bag, but this time I carry an empty bag that can be folded and fit in my backpack or if I chose a luggage, just in case I need to buy things or if my clothes becomes bulky.  I’d check out restaurants and coffee shops that were mostly on the top of the list of previous travelers.  My accommodation varies.  I could still go to a dorm, a cheap inn, a hostel and sometimes in an expensive hotel for accommodation.  It depends on my mood or depends on the place where I’m going.   I do go on planned tours.  Sometimes it’s cheaper, but it really depends on the place.  Other tour package cost a lot.

The best part of being a backpacker or a flashpacker is getting to know locals and being friends with different tourist or travelers. 

I guess, I’m in a middle of being a backpacker and a flashpacker.  Between a tourist and a traveler.

Coron Island Tour: Kayangan Lake

Coron has many islands tour packages to choose from.  And since we were there for 3 days and 2 nights, we arranged for the basic tour.   

We then availed the island tour that we booked.  Anna and I were on red flag during the tour.  The first island was the CYC of Coron Youth Club island, a small island with white sand beach and a mangrove.

From CYC, we went to the snorkelling area in Coral Garden.  My three companions went to snorkel here and found diverse species swimming in the waters and the corals underneath.

The next stop is Twin Peak Reefs, named after the two islets found in the area.  This time I joined Anna to swim in the water.  

We had our lunch in Bulungan beach.  It was included in the package where we shared the prepared lunch with the different tourist in our boat.  We had grilled fish, liempo and seaweed salad. Tall limestone cliffs surrounded the area.  After lunch we also enjoy the water here.

The fifth stop was the Hidden Lagoon with amazing rock formation and clear turquoise water.  I was busy here trying to get a great picture of the limestone cliffs in a lush of green trees.

Our final destination was the Kayangan lake.  We then had a short trekked and found the most photographed spot where most of the tourist post during their island tour in Coron.   It was a beautiful view from above of the cliffs in the waters.

We then went back to the muddy trail with stiffed rocks.  We found the lake where there were pathways of wood at the sides.  We left our things because clear water was inviting that made us jump to swim.   

After the tour we head back to the Inn. 

We had dinner at Lolo  Nonoy’s Food Station. Pinky and Robin went to the spa while Anna and I had a coffee  in Coffee Kong Coffee and Cake.

It was not enough for a 3 days and 2 nights in Coron.  There were so many islands and tourist spots that were still on my list.  And I would definitely going back there.

Coron: Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Spring

It was a three years in the making trip in Coron with Pinky and Robin.  We also asked Anna, one of our colleague to join us.  The Busuanga Airport was thirty minutes drive to Coron town proper.  We were fetched by an airport transfer and we stayed in R2R Bayview Inn.

We then looked for a place to have lunch. We walked to the town and found La Sirenetta Bar and Restaurant.  You have to walk in the bridge to get to the restaurant.  The walls of the restaurant where painted and shaped into mermaids.  They serve Italian and we ordered pizza and pasta.  You could also see the cross of Mount Tapyas from the restaurant.

We then ventured the Mount Tapyas.  We were four, but there were only three of us who made it on the top.  We had so many stops to rest going up.  But as you go up, the spectacular scenery of the islands from Coron were viewed.  We could see the restaurant from the middle part of the stairs.

We took a long rest in the area with a shade because the sun was so hot.  When we were about a few steps away from the top, there were many tourists who were cheering us to finish the stairs.  And voila, we were looking at the cross of Mount Tapyas.  When we were on top, we went around the area to see the different view from above.  The different islands and the waters of Coron were lining up from different directions.

When we went down, Pinky was waiting for us in the shaded area.  We stopped for awhile and went back to the Inn.  We decided to go to Maquinit Hot Spring.  It was a natural salt water hot spring.  It was raining when we were already swimming in the hot.

For inquiries: www.coronr2r.com

Visit National Museum

The island of the Philippines is rich in culture and had a very captivating history.  Where else should we go to discover our cultural heritage and cultural awareness?

 It is the Philippine’s National Heritage Month this May.  On the 18^th of May is the International Museum Day.  Free admission for the whole month of May on our government owned museums in the country, not just the National Museum in Manila and Planetarium including those in other regions: Vigan, Kiangan, Kabayan, Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Tabaco, Bohol, Butuan and  Jolo (Sulu). There are other events in other Museums found on the website of the National Museum.

And just recently I went to the National Museum of the Filipino People in Rizal Park. I was able to see the different exhibits such as: Baybayin, Hibla nang Lahing Filipino, Biodiversity and Rice, Lumad, Kaban ang Lahi: Archeological Treasure, Gallery of Women, San Diego Exhibit and many others.  Some parts of the Museum were closed for renovation.

There were not so many visitors during my visit.  There were some students and families who were inside.  I would like to advice people to read the information regarding the displays in the exhibit.  We don’t just look at them but we also need to learn and know about the history, artifacts, archaeological collection, natural cultural treasures and fine arts. 

We just don’t go there because it’s where most people post in their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platform.  We go there to unravel chronicles about our own country.  They were preserved for a purpose, for the next generation to see what happened in our past.   

Writer's Block Philippines: Feature Writing 101 (2014)

In 2014, during the time I wanted to write again, I started searching for workshops that would help me revive my writing skills.  I found a workshop in March called Feature Writing 101 which was held in Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City.  It was sponsored by The Writer’s Block Philippines by Ms. Ana Santos and Ms. Nikka Sarthou – Lainez who were both writers for Magazines. 

At the end of the workshop we were given time to compose anything, so here was my first take of the Feature Writing 101:

The sand, the waves and you and me.

While driving this morning, I heard this song on the radio with the title FREE.  I realized that this is a summer song and summer is here and where else should I go, definitely I am going to the beach.

I have been into different beaches all over the Philippines.  From the virgin island of Bohol, to the loud party and night life of Boracay, from the fascinating underground river of Palawan, rock formations in Caramoan, where else should I go?  I think I have covered the entire archipelago to find the pristine white sand, the pinkish coral sands, rocky sands or the black sands created by the volcanic eruptions.  It still amazes me every time my feet sets foot in any sand bar.  I feel the water rushing over me.  And just by writing this I want to be sun-kissed by the sun and hear the waves.

Anywhere I want to be, any beach around in the Philippines, all I need is a good company.  Just you and me.

After which, I tried submitting for the Smile Magazine Destination Guide.  And I was featured in October of 2014 for the Phuket trip.  So that’s the start of my travel writing.  And also, my writer’s block was finally cured.