Yet it was another awe-inspiring weekend with RMC pipz, as we marked the 29th birthday of She in the province of Zambales. Her years-long young man planned this trip months ago. It was one rainy afternoon when Dave approached us at the office, securing this day (brad birthday ni She, papatayin kita pag di ka sumama :o). Supposedly, this trip is an integration of climb to Mt. Pundaquit and tour to all nearby islands (Nagsasa, Capones, Anawangin, and Kamara); however, upon our arrival, the sea waves were in their star performance. We just settled in Anawangin after the hike.
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We reached San Antonio before lunch after 5-6 hours travel from Cubao. It was a morning of rain and I'm already hesitant to climb. When we were buying some stuff in 7-eleven, I'm persuading them to defer the planned hike and just pursue to the island hopping (lahat na ng dahilan sinabi ko na: balik nalang tayo sa susunod, madulas yung trail, maputik, bitin sa oras, blah blah blah!). I was already near to the high point of success when Jomar (boatman/guide) said that Anawangin is currently impassable due to strong waves. The only way to reach it is by climbing Mt. Pundaquit...... O!M!G!
Ohana Art Cafe
Before commencing the 4 hours hike, we had our lunch in this Lilo and Stitch inspired cafe. A unique and truly relaxing hangout for travelers. Visitors can perform some activities while waiting for their foods to be served. Their artistic interior made every corner of the place worth taking a shot. At the outside, there is a school of fish ready to give tickling sensations to tired feet; moments of laughter will surely fill the air! Madam Kleng-Kleng, a love guru who has a powerful fortune-telling skill is also accommodating for those people who are curious about their future (warning: she will test your sanity). Lastly, dog lovers will surely have a great time playing with Asia and Euro (we only encountered Asia, a golden retriever); unfortunately, I'm not one! Like Dave, I'm also afraid of dogs. Overall like SM, Ohana got it all for you! (5 starts!)
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| Varieties of Cactus |
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| Group shot (Hawaiian Concept) |
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| Our Lunch |
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| Back to childhood days |
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| Dr. Fish |
It was already around 1 pm when we started the hike. Unlike the morning weather, it was an afternoon with Helios.
Mt. Pundaquit
It was a long but easy trail. When Jomar informed us that it will be a 4 hours hike, despite having a new member in the group (Karen), I thought we can make it earlier. Later on, it turned out to be an accurate estimate. Some people are even taking it for 6 to 8 hours (If Anawangin becomes impassable for boats, Mt. Pundaquit will surely become the mother mountain of non-hikers by force! :P).
I noticed that some parts have quite a resemblance to the Sapang Uwak trail of Mt. Pinatubo. Well, I am right... Jomar said that those rocky parts and sands came from Mt. Pinatubo.
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| The start of marching ground..... Look at CJ and Karen.... one having a leather bag while the other one is holding a 4L mineral bottle with sabit sabit na tent. Ang sarap niyo pong tadyakan mga mamsur! hehehe |
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| I knew it! A trail of thick mud! |
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| A small waterfalls |
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| A local carrying bamboos |
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| A trail of bamboos |
Open grassland
At the Summit
An overlooking Anawangin Cove can be seen at the top. We stayed at the summit for 30 minutes and used this time in taking pictures. There were only 2 groups who did a traverse that day.
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| Summit |
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| A former seminarian on the wild |
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| When a radtech meets a philosopher/theologian |
Moving Down to Anawangin
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| Little Aries; exhausted Dave; the sweet couples (for how long? :P); and the thinker exploring the Pinatubo-like trail |
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| Stream Crossing |
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| Volcanic Rocks? |
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| Last River Crossing. Holding hands while walking and swaying. Motolite ba yan? pang matagalan? Till death do us part? Eh kung lunurin ko kaya kayo? :P |
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| Pine Trees |
Anawangin Cove
The island has only 11 visitors (including us). We had the chance to glimpse the "old" Anawangin...peaceful and far from the crowd...
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| Arrival photo ops |
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| Series of Waves |
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| A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...Blessed are those who choose to live a life of solitude, for they are the one who will see the world's true beauty. |
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| Sand Bath |
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| The beach of Anawangin |
Day 2
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| A morning visitor |
The following day, we're uncertain if a boat will be able to pass through. While waiting, we decided to roamed around the island.
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| How will you know what lies ahead, if you will not venture the uncertain? |
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| A part where salt and fresh water meet |
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| At the lake side |
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| At the sea side |
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| Group Selfie |
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| Photography 101 |
When we're ready to do another traverse, a small boat arrived at the shore. Jomar talked to them and they agreed to take us back to Pundaquit. Karen was already exhausted, and she will surely have a hard time once we push through the hike. They fetched us at the other side of the island.
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| Taken at the other side |
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| 15 minutes climb |
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| The birthday celebrator. Happy birthday She! (We had a formal celebration held at the couple's house, a week after this climb attended by the couple, Aries and me) |
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| Karen. Congratulations to your 1st minor climb. More to come... hmm kahit naka leather bag ka :P |
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| A local dog followed us until we reach the other side. He is gentle. Picture with Andy |
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| The other side of Anawangin. Waves here are calmer compare to the other side. |
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| Last photo taken |
A climb is successful if you enjoy each moment, and able to come back home safe and sound - JSC (August 2017)
Actual Itinerary
July 15, 2017 (3AM): Departure Manila
July 16, 2017 (9PM): Home Sweet Home
Safe Budget for a group of 7: 2,500 per pax
Contact
Jomar Villanueva (Boatman/Guide): 0908-236-3665 (Highly Recommended)
FB Page: Zambales Getaway
Link: https://www.facebook.com/zambalesgetawayboatrental/
Ohana Art Cafe FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohanaartcafe/
Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to Look Back)
- Karen climbed Pundaquit using a leather bag while CJ ascended holding 4L mineral bottle (Couple of the week!)
- Si Karen na naginginig na ang mga tuhod..... cramps here, cramps there, cramps everywhere :P
- A dinner of sandwich and canned goods (century tuna, maling and corned beef) lolx (this is a month of preparation lolx!)
- Karen's first hike
- Pupunta tayo ng Zambales, anong dadalhin mo? - Dave
- Babalik tayo ng Manila, anong dadalhin mo? - Dave
- Yung tent ni CJ.... can't stand alone :P
- Bakit nga ba magpapari dapat si Andy? (allergy sa???)
- Oriola. Oriola...Oriola... mga tumutubong bukol at mga konsumisyon galing sa HIMD family.
- Naudlot na inuman dahiil sa ulan
Photo Credit: Kristoffer Dave Domingo, Andy Rebato and Aries Andra
End
- JSC
