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After a few rounds of beer in Coco Amigos, we went to Why Not? Another popular place to go to. It’s a disco house. Entrance fee is only Php 85.00 with a free bottle of local drink. There was a stage with a pole but no one’s dancing so some of my friends took the stage. I bet they had fun.

People would not mind you even if you are making a fool of yourself up on stage. Good thing one of our friends is a trained dancer. Here she is on her first attempt at the pole.

A lot of people but no one’s dancing.

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This year at Puerto Galera, instead of the usual Coral Garden – Bukete – Bayanan island hopping, we only went to Coral Garden and Bayanan. We were supposed to go back to White Beach, where we were checked in, but the boatman was nice enough to wait for us while we have lunch at the nearby Aninuan Island. So instead of going to Bukete, we went to Tamaraw Beach Resort to have lunch.

We went to the small dining area and ordered for food.  think it took about an hour before our food was served. While waiting, I took photos around and surveyed the place. They offer different water rides: banana boat, glass bottom boat and wakeboarding, even. But a little pricey for half an hour’s worth.

There are lounge chairs in the shore, and ping pong table beside the coffee shop. The place is full of plants and flowers too.

I asked for their rates becuase Tamaraw Beach Resort seemed a nice place for families and honeymooners. The rooms look nice and clean too. They even have weekly and monthly rates for the units that have kitchennette.

It’s peaceful and quiet, with its quaint own shoreline. I wish to get away to Tamaraw Beach Resort soon!

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AMCI Anniversary Weekend

It is really beautiful. I’ve been to a lot of beaches before, and this, by far, is one of my favorites. Imagine the layers of Anawangin Cove: alighting the boat, the water touches your feet – it is really calm and clean. Then walk towards the sand that is white at high sunlight. After the clear shoreline, rows and columns of tall Agoho trees (which look like pine trees), behind them, a river, only ankle deep, with brown flat stones. Surrounding the sand, Agoho trees and river, as if embracing them, are green and yellow gold mountains.

We arrived at the beautiful cove at around 7:30 AM, there were only about three groups that were already there. We chose a table nearest Aling Ligaya’s kubo (nipa hut). Aling Ligaya is the caretaker of the island. We then set up our tents, in the sands. I helped set up two tents :)

There are no resorts or lodges in the cove and the only way to stay overnight is by tent camping. There’s also no electricity. It’s a good thing the cove is not infested by mosquito and other insects or bugs. You have to bring your own drinking water, or arrange for delivery from the barangay/mainland. If it’s peak season or weekend, the locals may have a few gallons to sell.  I only saw one make shift store there and they sell beer at double the price, so better bring everything you need. If you’ll hike and would camp overnight, you can send your stuff (tent, gears, food, water) via pump boat, make sure someone comes along with your stuff to prepare/unpack because the pumpboat ride is only 30 minutes and the hike is about 6 hours, you do not want to spoil your food.

After setting up the tent, some of us started to prepare the our stocked foods in the table, some surveyed the place, some looked for a spot to set up our grill and cookwares. I walked away from the sands to be under the canopy of the Agoho trees, picked a table in the middle of a wide human trail, and lied down on it to relax. This was my view above:

Tall Agoho trees that are probably in the family as the pine trees:

A few minutes later, I went back to our camp to check on the group. Some were already grilling pokchop and chicken wings. Our tour guide Dave was preparing his SuperKalan (a small stove). Our two other tour guides namely Red1 and Red2, were also busy preparing other stuff. Before lunch, Red2 invited the group to walk deeper into the woods to see the river.

Getting to Anawangin Cove, Zambales
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 2) – The River
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 3) – The Open Field
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 4) – The View Deck
Anawangin Cove, Zambales – The Dawn
Capones Island, Pundaquit Zambales
Camara Island, Pundaquit Zambales

I’ve heard about it so much. Friends recommended it to me several times. They showed me photos of the beach. Yes, it was lovely. Since it’s only in Zambales, I decided to go for it. I was determined to conquer Anawangin Cove, until Frank happened.

It’s a known story in the mountaineering community. Typhoon Frank killed three mountaineers in Anawangin last year. My trip was postponed right there and then.

Last month, Ktin, one of my best friends in college sent me a message saying that she’ll be organizing a tour to Anawangin. I’ve booked all my weekends from 3rd week of March to end May, except for two weekends — May 9 and 10, and May 16 and 17. Luckily, Ktin’s scheduled trip is on May 16 and 17, I said yes in an instant.

I was looking for Anawangin articles and photos to excite me. Wow, Anawangin has white sand, pine trees and yellow mountains surrounding it. Is this really in the Philippines? Then I stumbled upon several blogs that said that Anawangin is dangerous, and notorious for several drowning incidents, even on a good weather. It’s been raining the past few days, and a couple of storms have been passing by Luzon recently. As a safety precaution, I decided to buy a life vest. I’m not fond of life vests because I cannot move or swim with ease when wearing it. But since I travel and go snorkeling on open sea a lot, I have long decided to buy my self this very useful gear. But never had I imagined that I will be buying it under panic mode. My selection process in buying gears and gadgets is really long. But with the beauty of Anawangin in mind, and the danger it poses, I have got to get a life vest ASAP!

So I got myself a yellow Speedo life vest on Friday night, four hours before boarding a van to Zambales, went home and packed my stuff.

At 2 AM, we were meeting up with the group. Every one was excited, and wished for no rain for the whole trip. We stopped over at Bonjour somewhere in Pampanga and arrived at San Antonio at around 6:00 AM when the sun was already rising. We could see Mt. Pundaquit from afar. It was majestic. The sun’s rays bouncing yellow gold colors in the mountain’s grasses made it really beautiful, almost surreal. As if it’s not in Luzon, Philippines even. I wasn’t able to take a photo of the golden mountain because I was on the other side of the van, and it’s got tinted windows. But the fresh morning sunlight really makes Mt. Pundaquit a golden treasure.

We had breakfast at Nora’s Beach Resort. We only ordered coffee from Nora’s because we brought our own cooked breakfast. Nora is open to visitors who bring in their own food. Maybe as long as they don’t stay too long so other customers could be accommodated.

We then went to Apo Baket Resort to rent the boats. While boarding the boats, we could see the pretty Mt. Pundaquit.

There are only two ways to reach Anawangin Cove. One is to hike Mt. Pundaquit at 5-6 hours (some say 3-4 hrs.) or ride pumpboats for 30 minutes. Although treks and hikes are mostly more scenic, the view via boat was actually good too.

Amazingly, this area of Zambales has its naturally magnificent blue skies. The gradient fading to the horizon is natural, really beautiful, and the water is clear.

It was a fast and calm ride. We passed by Camara Island, and Capones Island. It was easy to tell when nearing Anawangin Cove. For one, your boat will pass by low rock formations in the middle of the ocean. It’s like a breakwater, but almost just sea level, and made of natural rocks. And two, yellow mountiains and giant pine trees surrounding white sand and light blue waters will be seen from afar. That is Anawangin Cove.

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Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 1) – The Beach
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 2) – The River
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 3) – The Open Field
Anawangin Cove, Zambales (part 4) – The View Deck
Anawangin Cove, Zambales – The Dawn
Capones Island, Pundaquit Zambales
Camara Island, Pundaquit Zambales

I booked a room for six on the night of Maundy Thursday. I said that we would be checking in at 12 noon on Black Saturday.

We rented a van from Alaminos town to take us to Bolinao. We passed by CSI Warehouse Club Alaminos to buy canned food, chips and drinks. Then at a flea market in Brgy. Balingasay get some food to cook.

We got to Bing’s Beach Resort (which is actually the last resort in the stretch, together with Hans-Min Beach Garden) at around 11 am and my contact person that there’s still people in the room that I booked and they will leave after eating lunch, and we can get the room after they clean it.

We did not want to waste time so we hired a tricycle to take us to other resorts so we can canvass for more rooms. Unfortunately, Bing’s Beach Resort is the best deal compared to Hans-Min and Dutch Beach Resort.

The room was not yet ready when we came back so we started cooking our food. The staff at the resort were nice enough to lend us one of their grills at the back kitchen, and let us stayed in the air-con function room in the reception hall. They let us keep our food in their ref too, wash our food in their sink and gave us glasses with ice on the house.

We passed the time cooking, eating, playing PSP and cards. So much time wasted. And when we finally got our room at 3PM, yeah, we waited that long, the staff still made me wait when I asked for an extra mattress. Generally, they are nice and apologetic, but they still need to learn more about client servicing. Especially that most guests on peak seasons, like this lent, were from Manila, and went there to enjoy the beach. And waiting wasted us precious time and left us with only two to three hours of sun in the beach.

Here is the room that we rented for Php 2000 and P100 for an extra mattress:

The water in the bathroom is definitely stronger than the water in Lucap Point.

Bing’s Beach Resort has units on both sides of the road. What we got was not on the side of the beach. Here are some photos of the units that are on the beach front:

This is in the middle of everything. I don’t know if it’s an elevated cottage, or just a view deck.

Bing’s Beach Resort
09282477501
09212807142
Look for Grace

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We took the first bus to Alaminos last Good Friday. 4:30 AM is the earliest trip from Victory Liner Cubao at Php 350. We got to the town of Alaminos at around 9:30 AM and rode a tricycle (P100) to Lucap Point in Barangay Lucap to check in at The Last Resort. Lucap Point/Lucap Wharf is where you hire outrigger canoe to go to the The Hundred Islands National Park. Boats are in small (6 pax, Php 1000), medium (12 pax, Php 1500), large (16 pax, Php 2000) and extra large (can occupy up to 20 pax, price can be arranged).

There are only three developed islands in the Hundred Islands (123 islands, to be exact). These are Children’s Island, Quezon Island, and Governor’s Island. A support staff from The Hundred Island’s official website said that Quezon Island is the best island to go to for first timers.

Our boat took us around the islands so we can choose an island to stay in. The first Island to see is the Governor’s Island where there’s a house for rent. The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house, in particular.

We passed by Children’s Island that looks really fun. With hanging bridges, kayaks and other water activities.

We would have stayed there if there weren’t too many people. Same with Quezon Island.

So we went to the smaller islands and docked at the Old Scout’s Island. We would have stayed in this little island but then we saw a lot of jelly fish floating in the shore.

We saw another island that has a longer shoreline and we told the boatmen to take us there. It was Marcos Island. It’s got a view deck on the top right of the island, and a bat cave on the top left. I heard that visitors can actually jump to the water below the batcave. But be warned, it must be full of guano (bat dung).

The beach is good. The sand is creamy and the tide’s a bit strong. And in between 11AM and 4PM, the sun is really high. You can stay under the overhang of the island and enjoy the waves.

Extra:
Guess who’s sunbathing when we came to the Marcos Island.

Visiting the Enchanted Cave in Bolinao last January, the caretaker of the cave, who’s a local, told us that there’s a white sand beach below Cape Bolinao. He said the locals call it their own “Little Boracay”. Coming back two months later, me and my friends did not settle for Bolinao’s calm beach, where we were lodged. After 15 minutes of walking in the shallow Bolinao beach (that stretches from Brgy. Ilog Malino where Puerto del Sol is, and Brgy. Patar where Bing’s Beach Resort is), we decided to go back to the road and wait for a tricycle and go down to this so-called Little Boracay.

Tricycles were pretty scarce, good thing there’s someone from Bing’s Beach Resort who has a trike and was willing to drive us. The fare (two way) is Php 250.00 per trike. There were six of us so that’s only around Php 42.00 per head. Which was pretty cheap, considering that the white beach is around 15-20 minutes away, by up and down hills of dirt road.

It is Patar White Beach. It is a public beach just like Saud and Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud. Patar White Beach was full of people that Black Saturday afternoon. I think it’s the “happening” place in the area. It’s got Videoke stations, sari-sari (mini convenience) stores that sell chips, sodas and alcohol, eateries, and open cottages one after the other. There’s even a tricycle line waiting for guests leaving the area. It looked like there was no available lodging in the area. But it’s okay to camp in by tent.

The beach is not visible from the entrance (no entrance fee, by the way). And just like Saud and Blue Lagoon, the beach has a steep slope (unlike Boracay), so once the view of the beach huts and stores clear, you will see the beach. It’s pretty good, actually. Sand’s texture is like that of Station 3, cream/yellowish in color, and really soft. I am hoping that it’s soft because the beach has low foot traffic that compacts the sand. The water is ok, but we were there around 530 PM, so I think it’s clearer under brighter sunlight. There are few rocks under water, but over all, you can walk and swim on it barefoot.

The 500ml Red Horse beer goes for only Php 30.00. Tortang talong (eggplant cooked with egg), that we ate for our Bolinao dinner, goes for Php 10.00.

Since we started beach bumming late, we stayed in the beach until around 8PM. It gets kinda breezy and cold while the night fell, and it got really dark on some parts of the beach, because there’s only light around the area with open cottages. But it’s amazing watching the stars appear in the sky. And the sunset’s even more breathtaking. One of Lingayen Gulf’s claims is its beautiful sunset.

Kuya Arman, our driver, left us on the beach and fetched us again at 8PM. Globe Telecom’s signal in the area is weak, so better bring a Smart sim card. Or make sure that your service will be there on the time that you will be leaving. I asked the lady in the eatery if she could lend me her phone so I can send Kuya Arman a text message. Though she only had Php 6.00 worth of load, she was kind enough to let me use her phone. I offered to pay her for the text message that I sent, but she refused. There’s a stronger signal for Globe near the gate.

Kuya Arman (tricycle service): 09197806217

Here’s a first timer tourist’s guide to Singapore from another first timer tourist. This contains the walking, shopping, sight seeing and eating that I’ve done the first time I was in Singapore last December. I went back soon on March for the Indigo Girls concert.

Essential:

First thing that you need to do is be familiar with the MRT stations. The MRT can take you to most of the places you need to go to.

Here’s a hi-res map:

The trains are always on time and the stations are easy to navigate because of the numerous signage that point you to your destination. MRT rides cost .80 to 1.90 SGD, quite affordable for its efficiency.

Here’s our itinerary (click on linked items to see related article/s):

The First Day

1. Vivo City
- Food Republic – Toast Box and Java Kitchen

2. Sentosa
- Islander Card
- Sentosa Express
- Skyride and Luge Car
- Underwater World
- Dolphin Show
- 4D Magix Show
- Songs of the Sea

3. Clarke Quay

The Second Day:

1. Ikea

2. Suntec City Mall
- Fountain of Wealth

3. The Merlion

4. Hawker Center / Hawkers, Esplanade

5. Orchard Road

The Third Day:

1. Singapore Cable Car

2. Museums
- National Museum of Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- 8Q SAM

3. Bugis

4. Night Safari

5. Mustafa – 24 hour mall

The Fourth Day

1. Funan / Funan DigitaLife Mall

2. Chinatown

3. Marina Square

4. Ikea

—
Other useful tips:

If you’re a smoker, prepare to be watchful, most places are smoke-free and there are only small smoking areas which you have to spot while strolling. Don’t worry too much, if you’re mindful about it, you’ll find these smoking areas.

Transportation

Go to ticketing offices in the MRT stations to inquire about the Tourist Pass – an all day transportation tap card – if you think you will be heavily relying on public transportation. There are also the standard card (enter – exit MRT card with 1 SGD deposit) and a prepaid card for MRT and buses.

I’ve seen two types of taxis – Comfort Taxi and Silvercab. Comfort is blue and dominant in the streets and looks like a mini cooper. Silvercab is white, seldom and intimidating. Its cabs are Mercedes Benzes! Really. Don’t get intimidated (like I did), I heard that the fare is the same.

Food

Rice is about .50 SGD a cup at the Hawkers, Coke in can at vendo machines is 1.60 t0 1.80 SGD. A decent meal is at 4 to 7 SGD the cheapest. Airport food is ok, at 7 to 15 SGD. We tried the Hor Fun, Mui Fun and another food when we get there. Milkshakes are nice too, it’s got a faint taste of tea.

I have yet to update this once I’ve posted the write ups about the other destinations. :)

Villa Concepcion Wet & Wild Waves Inc. Resort encourages guests to bring in their own food with no corkage charges. Alcoholic beverages, however, are not allowed.

Because we are a family who loves traveling, celebrations, cofee bonding and food, we brought in our own cooked food:

We also had spaghetti, fried chicken, kakanins, and lots of chips and cookies, and doughnuts and a lot of other finger foods! Yum-my!

So this is the beautiful extension of Villa Concepcion Wet & Wild Waves Inc., in Pandi Bulacan.

Here are the photos of the big swimming pools.

Some areas in the annex are still in construction but the whole resort is already fully functional.

You will surely enjoy it in the annex because of the big pools and the homey ambiance.

Since some people have been asking,  here’s the direct link to the resort’s rates.

Villa Concepcion Wet & Wild Waves Inc. is located in Brgy. Masuso, Pandi Bulacan, 3014. You can reach them through 044-661-88-88 or 0917-892-64-85. Or send them an email at vcwwwi@yahoo.com. Check out their videos at www.villaconcepcion.cjb.net. Or go to Villa Concepcion Wet & Wild Waves Inc.’s Multiply page.

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Villa Concepcion Wet & Wild Waves Inc. Main Resort