The term i used from the previous post ‘conquering’ was completely unfamiliar  to me. Am I really  conquering myself too? Then I started to think I am deeply in love with the mountains too. Why should we absolutely go to the very summit?’ Now I understand. So I was really trying to conquer myself. 

Getting into the summit of Mount Pundaquit was a very spectacular experience for a first timer like me . In fact, the thrill and excitement is still within me ( Hindi pa din umaalis sa katawang lupa ko ).

The  weather is exceptional. And I feel so powerful . I can’t explain it here but the feeling is really big!

Obviously, I can’t imagine myself reaching the summit of Mount Pundaquit. 

And from the summit of Mount Pundaquit I was totally overwhelmed seeing the coves and the outer islands below. It’s passed the hour of two in the afternoon when we reached the beautiful cove of Anawangin.

Anawangin is well-known cove with a prominent white sand beach. One of the things you will notice,  white sand and green pines, beautiful stretch of sandy beach dotted with pine trees  which is very unusual to me. It’s very unique , agree? I just find it so hard to believe that the sand of Anawangin is mainly or partly Mount Pinatubo Lahar. Learning from our guide that these Pine trees were never here before , until the Mount Pinatubo erupted a few years ago.

Going to the beach is more fun in the Philippines. Imagine the number of beautiful white sand beaches in Ilocos Norte, Cebu, Davao, zambales , Quezon and a lot more hidden somewhere in the country waiting to be explored.

These are the things you need to consider when you plan to camp in Anawangin. Your mobile phone is useless because you can’t find signal in the area, there’s  no electricity, bring your own tent, pillow hammock , although you can rent one. The weather is always unpredictable so I strongly suggest you bring a tent. Bring a jacket and extra clothes, camera , flashlight, lamp , candles, lighters, charcoal, grill or pan, food ( canned goods) , swiss knife, water and whatever you think is necessary .

Anawangin can be accessed by a thirty to forty-five minute boat ride or passing across the mountains of Pundaquit to Anawangin. Boat ride is indeed thrilling but I guess, the adventure you can get out of trekking is different.

So heto na nga nakarating na kami sa Anawangin! I asked myself, ” Tent parade?” Seeing those colorful tents made me think I was in a fantasy land!

Despite of being so crowded in the cove of Anawangin , the whole cove is more than enough to accommodate tourists and explorers like us. After meeting Aling Ligaya who owns the store selling assorted stuff , from ice-cold drinks to anything that you could not possibly buy in an island , she has everything.

We wanted to stay for a few moments in the cove of Anawangin however we planned to stay longer at the Nagsasa Cove.

Getting to Anawangin and nearby islands is very easy. I strongly suggest you go on a weekdays because the cove and the rest of the islands get crowded during weekends.

One must take the Victory liner Bus either in Cubao or Edsa Monumento to Iba , Zambales. Fare is approximately Php260.00 or $6.06. Get off at the San Antonio Main town. Walking distance is the Public Market , pharmacy and other stores but please be aware that item sold here are expensive.

Ride a tricycle to Barangay Pundaquit. It costs Php30 or $0.70 and it takes approximately 15-20 minutes. 

If you drive a car you can follow the same direction, there are parking areas in Barangay Pundaquit where you can park your vehicle.

You will be welcomed by the small fishing village where boats sail to prominent coves and island in Zambales . From Pundaquit , hire a boatmen that will take you to Anawangin, Nagsasa, Capones , Camara and a lot more. Boatride normally costs Php1000 or $23.31 to Php1500 or $34.97 depending on the space and will take you approximately 20-30 minutes to reach anawangin.

If you want more adventure , then you can also trek to Anawangin . You can hire guides in Pundaquit. Check my post about surviving Mount Pundaquit.

Kuya Mike really took good care of us. Let me know if you have plans so I can give you his number.

Read our simple itinerary to Zambales.