Anawangin is a bow-shaped cove filled with pine trees located in San Antonio, Zambales. This place is known for its sand mixed with volcano ashes from the last eruption of it's nearby mountain, Mt.Pinatubo. I heard that this became a sanctuary to people who wants to experience humble way of living and away from the city lights.I was extremely inquisitive and joined my friends to see for myself, the hidden paradise.
My friend purchased a tour package for nly 1,500 php/per person.
Inclusions:
- Island Hoping at Camara, Capones Island and Pundaquit Island
- Free use of Ice Box and Kitchen Utensils
- Free Charcoal ( they'll give it upon arrival)
- Free 2 Gallons of Distilled Water
-Entrance Fee on all Islands ( including Overnight fee at Anwangin)
- Free use of Tent
- Roundtrip Boat Transfers
- Roundtrip Transfer (Manila-Zambales-Manila)
There are a lot of travel tours that are offering competitive rates and everything is covered except the Food so we went shopping for our groceries and we're all set. We left Manila early in the morning and reached Brgy. Pundakit before noon. Travel time from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales usually takes 2-3 hours depending on what time you left. But because of numerous stop-over, it took us 4 hours.
We then proceeded to the barrio of Pundaquit where the parking area is located. We choose to skip the trekking part because of the time and from there, we took a boat ride for around 40 mins and reached the Island before dawn.
We went to the other side of the beach, where you will see big rocks scattered around.
Anawangin Cove is still a beautiful island but it was far from what it was before. A virgin Island, a place for soul searchers. My friends who has been there before even told me that it was far from it was before. It's sad that it happened, but on the lighter note it can still be considered as one of the must-see places in the Philippines. Who wouldn't want to stay away from the city lights, traffic and air pollution? No matter how you look at it, I bet you will still enjoy the simple way of life and the picturesque view in Anawangin most specially if you're bringing your friends with you.
1. You have an option for trekking or just go directly to the island. I advise you to try trekking for you to see the real beauty of the island and the West Philippine Sea from the mountains.
2. Tour package is an option. You can plan your own itinerary. But if you want to avail the tour packages. You can check http://anawangintourpackage.blogspot.com/ ot www.sulit.com.ph
3. Tour package rates usually starts from 800 php ( depending on your length of stay and needs).
4. You can set up a bonfire on the island while drinking your favorite drinks or while putting marshmallow on the fire.
4. You may also include Island hopping in your itinerary so you can see the beauty of Capones Island ( where you can see the lighthouse and Pundaquit Island (which is the best island for me amongst the 2)
5. You can rent a tent on the island, just approach the locals.
6. Souvenirs are available. There are locals roaming around and selling souvenir items.
DO NOT FORGET to bring :
1. Lighter and Flashlight because there's no electricity on the island
2. Extra money ( for souvenirs or if you run out of food)
3. Medicine Kit
4. Blanket and Pillows ( not included on the tent rental)
5. Mineral Water ( Yes, it is included in our tour package but we still ran out of mineral water)
6. Garbage Bag ( To cover your belongings while you're enjoying the boat ride and island hopping)
7. Padlock (Lock your tents using a Padlock while you're enjoying the beach)
Budget
- 800 to 1,500 per head
Transportation
- via Van ( included on the tour package)
- via Victory Liner Bus
My friend purchased a tour package for nly 1,500 php/per person.
Inclusions:
- Island Hoping at Camara, Capones Island and Pundaquit Island
- Free use of Ice Box and Kitchen Utensils
- Free Charcoal ( they'll give it upon arrival)
- Free 2 Gallons of Distilled Water
-Entrance Fee on all Islands ( including Overnight fee at Anwangin)
- Free use of Tent
- Roundtrip Boat Transfers
- Roundtrip Transfer (Manila-Zambales-Manila)
There are a lot of travel tours that are offering competitive rates and everything is covered except the Food so we went shopping for our groceries and we're all set. We left Manila early in the morning and reached Brgy. Pundakit before noon. Travel time from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales usually takes 2-3 hours depending on what time you left. But because of numerous stop-over, it took us 4 hours.
We then proceeded to the barrio of Pundaquit where the parking area is located. We choose to skip the trekking part because of the time and from there, we took a boat ride for around 40 mins and reached the Island before dawn.
We covered our luggage in a trash bag to protect it from the water
Enjoying our boat ride
To my surprise, The so called "sanctuary" is far away from what I expected. Yes, we enjoyed the view during our boat ride but when we reached Anawangin, i couldn't believe that the virgin island can be now considered like an ordinary beach.
Sadly, You will see countless numbers of tents around and scattered waste everywhere. The excess number of people in the crowd took away the peace and harmony of the place. But i don't want to dwell on negative thoughts. It's been a long day and there's still so much more to discover.
The humble way of living:
The traditional pinoy style adobo and hotdog
Full force in preparing our dinner
It was far from my expectations but I tried to enjoy every minute of it. We cooked our own dinner using charcoal. Candles and stars as our source of light. Laughters and noise from the crowd as our music.
These are the things that you cannot experience everyday, not even in Manila.
The night was filled with stories and it was a great bonding moment. The pine trees all over the place kept the night so cold ( I swear, it was really cold) and the tents filled with people became our roommates for the night as we slept in our own tiny tent.
We woke up early in the morning and tried the water of Anawangin Cove.
Thank God, the view became better on sunrise. We enjoyed the sun and the water while watching the breathtaking view of the mountains and pine trees.
Anawangin Cove is still a beautiful island but it was far from what it was before. A virgin Island, a place for soul searchers. My friends who has been there before even told me that it was far from it was before. It's sad that it happened, but on the lighter note it can still be considered as one of the must-see places in the Philippines. Who wouldn't want to stay away from the city lights, traffic and air pollution? No matter how you look at it, I bet you will still enjoy the simple way of life and the picturesque view in Anawangin most specially if you're bringing your friends with you.
THINGS TO KNOW
1. You have an option for trekking or just go directly to the island. I advise you to try trekking for you to see the real beauty of the island and the West Philippine Sea from the mountains.
2. Tour package is an option. You can plan your own itinerary. But if you want to avail the tour packages. You can check http://anawangintourpackage.blogspot.com/ ot www.sulit.com.ph
3. Tour package rates usually starts from 800 php ( depending on your length of stay and needs).
4. You can set up a bonfire on the island while drinking your favorite drinks or while putting marshmallow on the fire.
4. You may also include Island hopping in your itinerary so you can see the beauty of Capones Island ( where you can see the lighthouse and Pundaquit Island (which is the best island for me amongst the 2)
5. You can rent a tent on the island, just approach the locals.
6. Souvenirs are available. There are locals roaming around and selling souvenir items.
MUST BRING
DO NOT FORGET to bring :
1. Lighter and Flashlight because there's no electricity on the island
2. Extra money ( for souvenirs or if you run out of food)
3. Medicine Kit
4. Blanket and Pillows ( not included on the tent rental)
5. Mineral Water ( Yes, it is included in our tour package but we still ran out of mineral water)
6. Garbage Bag ( To cover your belongings while you're enjoying the boat ride and island hopping)
7. Padlock (Lock your tents using a Padlock while you're enjoying the beach)
Budget
- 800 to 1,500 per head
Transportation
- via Van ( included on the tour package)
- via Victory Liner Bus
"Travel not for the destination, but for the joy of the journey"
