Friday, April 28, 2017

Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales

We've been going to Anawangin Cove since 2012 but it is only now that we are about to experience Nagsasa. I've been hesistant to get here before because it is an hour boat ride from Pundaquit, unlike in Anawangin where you can be at the cove in just 20 minutes.

Arriving in Nagsasa...

I have to be honest... Nagsasa is more beautiful than Anawangin but Anawangin will always be my favorite beach getaway. Nagsasa has wider shoreline, more space for tourists, more views, more cottages (and cheaper, haha!). I would love to get back here right away!

Views to capture....

So many areas for picture taking...

Pwede ka rin mag selfie <3

Or take a picture with you amazing family <3

Pwedeng mag moment ...

Or take great photo with your friends <3

Masaya rin kung kasama ang dyowa <3

Nagsasa and Anawangin Coves used to be rocky beaches but the Mount Pinatubo eruption disaster made these coves into a beautifully sloped beaches that we are enjoying now. The pine tree-like trees in Anawangin and Nagsasa are Agoho trees that surprisingly grew after the eruption and provided the coves the cold and breezy atmosphere and created an evergreen, refreshing and relaxing forests.

How to get to Nagsasa Cove?

Via public transport:

There are 5am Iba-bound buses in Victory Liner Cubao, Pasay and Caloocan. It is a 4-hour bus ride from Manila. Tell the conductor to drop you at San Antonio. From there flag a trike going to Pundaquit. After arriving at Pundaquit, rent a boat going to Nagsasa.

Via private vehicle:

From Manila, drive along NLEX until Dau. Enter SCTEX and make an exit to Subic. At the end of the Subic exit is the Olongapo Public Cemetery, turn left.

You will pass towns of Subic, Castillejos and San Marcelino. When you reach the intersection, there's a sign there that continuing straight is going to Iba and turning left will get you to San Antonio.

From San Antonio town, turn left going to Pundaquit. There are arrow signs going to the jump-off.

Before going to Anawangin contact first Vic Perges, the boatman, at 0929-7170739 especially during rainy season so he can warn you whether it is safe to go to the cove or not. Rates for smaller boat is Php 2,500 and for the bigger boat is Php 4,000 since it is an hour boat ride from Pundaquit it is more expensive than going to Anawangin.

By Trekking:

Anawangin Cove can be hiked from 4 to 5 hours starting at the Pundaquit jump-off while Nagsasa Cove can also be hiked from 5-6 hours starting at Sitio San Martin in Subic.

Nagsasa Cove has an area almost twice as that of Anawangin. There are more campsites too.

There is no mobile signal or electricity in Nagsasa except for those installed by the campsite owners. Your kids' attention are fully yours without their cellphones. You can take them with you in swimming, walking or hiking. And that's what keeps us coming back to places like these...

We did a little hiking with an entrance fee of 10pesos, kids are free, hehe... There's an easy trail and there are hikers too so you won't get lost. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the whole Nagsasa Cove from atop.

with the tropa

Things to do in Nagsasa:

Hiking

Cliff Diving

Swimming

Volleyball (volleyball and net for rent at Php100/hour)

Camping

Grilling

Bonfire in an open area (not in cottages)

skim boarding (bring your own)

Things to bring:

tent

flashlight/head lamp - there's no electricity in the cove, you will use this at night washing your dishes or going to restrooms.

sleeping bag or blanket - it can be extremely cold at night especially from November to February

hammock - can be installed easily with just two trees and a rope

sunblock and lotion

camera

goggles

swim gear/swim suits

portable gas stove, cooking utensils

raw foods to be cooked at the cove

canned goods and can opener

toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo

chicheria

There are sari sari stores in the cove but are pricey. They have everything you need including the drinking water, noodles, halo halo, coffee, chicheria and a lot more...

There are cleaner comfort rooms in Nagsasa and lavatories to clean your utensils.

souvenir store at the cove

Travel as much as you can and travel with the ones that you love....

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing... - Hellen Keller

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Sinagtala Farm Resort

Bataan Sinagtala 4:54 PM

An ordinary weekend for my family. I invited most of my friends but it is still only us who became available on that day. We are looking for a place near us, within Bataan, but will give us a great scenic view for relaxation and recreation.

Sinagtala can be found at Brgy. Tala, Orani, Bataan located at the slopes of Mount Natib. It is a 50 hectares farm and retreat park approximately 500 meters above sea level with a climate similar to Tagaytay. The climate is equally cold even during summer.

How to get to Sinagtala?

Via private vehicle

From Manila, exit at San Fernando and take the Gapan-Olongapo Road passing towns of Bacolor, Guagua and Lubao in Pampanga and Layac in Bataan. There's a fork at the PTT gas station, take the right lane until you reach Orani intersection. There are already signposts going to Sinagtala upon reaching the intersection.

From SCTEX, exit at Dinalupihan. Turn right at the highway. When you reach the fork at the PTT gas station, take the right lane until you reach Orani intersection. Signposts will take you to Sinagtala.

Via public transport:

Take Mariveles or Balanga (highway) buses. Tell the conductor to drop you at the Orani intersection. Flag a trike going to Sinagtala.

There is a playground for kids at the place near the boardwalk.

Great for adults too!

a three-floor accommodation in Sinagtala

Sinagtala is an eco-friendly environment surrounded by a ravine forests and houses different kinds of trees like coconuts, rambutan, lanzones and coffee, ferns, wild orchids, animals, birds and bats.

There are two infinity pools at Sinagtala. One is bigger and is located beside the adventure activity area and the smaller one is located beside the boardwalk.

This is the DUYAN House that has 12 rooms starting at Php2,500 (good for 4-6 pax). Aircons and televisions were not provided in these rooms for you to totally enjoy the beauty of nature. You have to add Php200 per pax if you are going to use the infinity pool.

Other accommodation houses are the Beacon House, Tanawin Bed and Breakfast and Tampay. These houses can accommodate from 10-15 persons. Contact the numbers below for the updated prices.

Sinagtala is accepting visitors with reservations only. Make sure you have called first before going to the place. Their numbers are 0998-8561664, 0918-3061020, 0915-2559661.

Sinagtala's Policies and Restrictions (as what they will be texting upon reservations):

* Proper Swimming attire is required.

* Pets are not allowed.

* Cooked food, light snacks and beverage are allowed.

* Any heating/cooking/electrical appliance in general is not allowed.

Daytour rate:

Monday to Thursday - Php300

Friday to Sunday - Php400

Day tour hours : 9am to 5pm

Cottage is required

* Picnic Hut : Php1000 for 10pax

* Picnic Hut : Php2000 for 20pax

* Viewdeck : Php2500 for 20-25pax

* Silangan Hall : Php800 for 10pax

* Dining Pavilion : Php700 for 10pax

* Upper Boardwalk : Php800

* Lower Boadwalk : Php600

Children below 3 years of age are FREE of charge, maximum of 5 children per group

Other Charges:

Grilling Fee - Php150/hour (bring your own charcoal)

Liquor Corkage - Php100-150/bottle

Small cans/bottles - Php15/10

Lechon Corkage - Php500

Sinagtala Adventure Park Rides:

Single Rides:

Sky Bridge Php 100

Sky Zip Php 350

Sky Bike Php 200

Giant Sky Swing Php 200

Paintball Php500/person

with 50 paintball rounds

Package Rides:

All rides package Php 750

Sky Zip + Sky Bike Php 500

Sky Bike + Sky Swing Php 350

Sky Zip + Sky Swing Php 500

Sky Bike + Sky Bridge Php 250

They also have a guided trekking adventure at Php100/pax.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Cove Beaches Zambales 3:48 AM

Anawangin has become our favorite getaway since 2012. It is our fifth time in the cove despite not having electricity and cellphone signal in the place. I also love going to places away from WiFi and televisions so I can get my children's attention all by myself.

How to get to Pundaquit?

Pundaquit is the jump-off point of Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove.

Victory Liner in Cubao has Iba, Zambales bound buses. Tell the conductor to drop you at San Antonio. Travel time is 4 hours. And from there, flag a trike going to Pundaquit. Trike rate is around Php100 per trip.

Via private vehicle:

From Manila, drive along NLEX until Dau. Enter SCTEX and make an exit to Subic. At the end of the Subic exit is the Olongapo Public Cemetery, turn left.

From San Antonio town, turn left going to Pundaquit. There are arrow signs going to the jump-off.

Before going to Anawangin contact first Vic Perges, the boatman, at 0929-7170739 especially during rainy seasons so he can warn you whether it is safe to go to the cove or not. Rates for smaller boat is Php 1,500 and for the bigger boat is Php 2,500.

Parking of your private vehicles is near the jump-off. There's a parking fee of Php150 for overnight and Php100 for daytour.

From Pundaquit is a 20 to 30-minute boat ride going to Anawangin.

Welcome to Anawangin!

The entrance fee to the cove is Php 100 for overnight and Php50 for daytour.

The first thing we did is to pitch our tents at our chosen area. It is near the beach and the river. Fresh air everywhere!!!

And then we stroll around the place...

You can kayak by a group or all by yourself.... That is free! The mini boat (and the only one) is just parked at the river...

Bantog Family plus Echo, the pug

After having lunch and napping in the afternoon, I invited them to go a little uphill the cove. It will only take you 10 to 15 minutes to get uphill. Breathtaking views await you.

Lagman Family, Bigornia couple, Mark, Divine, Tina and the Bantog Family

After going uphill, it's time to swim....

And wait for the sun to set...

Good morning Anawangin!

Don't just stay in your tents, roam around the cove... At the farthest left of the cove are the rocky parts going to the other beach... Do some exercise and enjoy the scenery...

Janelle with ate Divine and Ate Tina

You can bring your volleyball here and meet new friends =)