A camper's paradise in Anawangin
Anawangin is a secluded cove in San Antonio, Zambales. The best way to reach it is to ride by boat from Brgy. Pundakit, the same jump-off place going to Capones Island Lighthouse. From Cubao, you can ride the bus going to Iba or Sta. Cruz Zambales and get off in front of San Antonio Municipal Building and then ask the tricycle driver to bring you to Pundakit.
I wanted to pass the SCTEX on the way to Zambales since I can catch a ride from Dau Terminal in Mabalacat, but my friends are coming from Bulacan and Manila so we decided to meet in San Fernando instead, since that was the most convenient place to meet by public commute. We then took a ride on one of those PUV’s, or public vans, to Olongapo and then caught a mini bus going to San Antonio. We bought some of the stuffs we needed at the market in San Antonio and hopped a ride in a tricycle to Pundakit.
In Pundakit, you can negotiate for the boat ride that will take you to Anawangin or depending on where you want to go. Our package costs 1,500 pesos – they will be bringing us to Anawangin, leave us there to camp overnight, fetch us the following morning and bring us to Capones Island, and back to Pundakit. Not bad considering we got a new boat and a courteous owner. The last time we were there 2 years ago was traumatic since we overpaid and the one navigating the boat was rude and threatened to leave us in Camara Island and never come back for us.
I was worried about the trip since about a week ago there was a typhoon that passed north of Iba, but the weather was cooperating - actually it was perfect! The sky was clear and blue, telling us that there won’t be rain spoiling the rest of the day, and night. The waters of Pundakit bay was calm even at five o’clock in the afternoon, considering this is one of the practice areas of those who want to learn surfing.
We arrived at the cove with still a lot of time to setup the tent, prepare the foods, frolic in the water, and enjoy the sunset even though the sun was blocked by a cliff at the edge of the cove. The cove was full of campers, but luckily we were provided with a place to camp - a few meters away from the makeshift toilets and the fresh water pump, a small table, plus we were just a few meters away from a kiosk selling important stuffs managed by locals from Pundakit. With a great location to camp, we didn’t even complain for the 100 pesos per head payment for staying there.
The nicest thing about Anawangin is that it makes you feel separated from civilization with its seclusion and serene surroundings, yet it is not that far to reach. There is no electricity in the cove, so you have to provide your own means of light, whether bringing something rechargeable or collecting wood for your momentous bonfire sessions. The warm waters at the cove were the ultimate climax of our stay, there was not a cold breeze that might spoil our dip in the beach even during the night. We were able to see the bright stars of the sky even with the bonfires and lights around the beaches. It was every moment enjoyable, that is why Anawangin is a byword for campers, trekkers(around 6 hour trek over the mountains from Pundakit), would-be’s, and even those show offs. Even though some groups were noisy and there were killjoys who brought their music players and spoiled the quiet ambiance, the overnight stay was worth repeating over and over again, depending on my budget, of course. I guess if I needed to be as close to nature as I want it to be, Anawangin would be the first place that will come in my mind.
24 Comments
