Wandering in Anawangin

Anawangin Cove

I came across Anawangin Cove from Mabuhay magazine which I browsed one lazy afternoon at my Aunts house. I was wondering where I could find the place since internet at that time was not readily available at one click unlike today. I just seen a photo filler in the said magazine which has a beautiful white sandy beach, dark blue to greenish water with pine trees at the other side and almost surrounded by mountains. It was so beautiful that I can't forget the image for days and months. The only caption on that picture wash "Anawangin Cove, Zambales, Philippines"

Since that day, I promised myself I will go to Anawangin Cove once I have the budget and the courage to travel alone. So when I stumble upon an ad that caters tourist who wants to go to Anawangin with minimal pay, I immediately inquire, luckily they don't require large number of participants before availing the tour package.

When the day of the tour came, I was tensed because I didn't know what to expect. It's my first time to join a tour group without knowing anyone in that tour. The time of departure was 2 AM in the morning so I was so anxious and tensed. But when the van leave Manila I told myself to calm down and enjoy the trip. Nothing bad will happen so just expect a nice tour during the day. The trip gone smoothly so I was assured that the trip will be very interesting.

The van stopped at San Antonio Public Market to give tourist a time buy some food, and other necessities they needed, the tour itinerary included a stop at the market to buy things we needed for these travel. It's an hour stop for the tourist to have supplies they need for this trip.

Pine trees abound the area

this is where the tents are assembled

Barangay Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales

We arrived at Barangay Pundakit at around 6:30 AM followed by a 30 minute boat ride going to Capones Island. Sailing to the area was fun and exciting. The water was a bit calm and mountains is seen from anywhere you look at. We hiked the Capones lighthouse and took a lot of pictures in the area. The view from Capones lighthouse was so stunning. The sea was sparkling like gem struck by the lights of the rising sun. It was a breezy hike along the grassy hills rising above the sea.

After an hour of walking, trekking, climbing and taking pictures we leave the place and proceeded to Anawangin Cove. The boat ride from Capones Island to Anawangin was almost an hour. the waves was bigger since its almost high noon but the journey was smooth and my eyes was captivated by the beautiful seascapes we passed through.

 

huts at the beach front. 

the only store available in the area

When we reach Anawangin it was 11 AM and I was hungry. I avail the tour package with food but I forgot to bring extra food because I expect that the tour will provide our lunch. Earlier activities in Capones Island which includes walking and hiking made me tired and hungry.

this is where guest pay the entrance and environmental fee

The Cove has a fine white sand when dry and turns to gray when its wet because its lahar content mixed in the sand. Hundreds of tall pine trees abound the cove which according to locals those trees grow after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.



There is no high-end resort in the are so under the pine trees you can assemble your tents. Bath and restrooms uses deep well waters and there is no electricity, telecom and wi-fi connection in the area. Consider you trip to Anawangin as an immersion to nature. It's a total detachment from the usual city life for tourists.



Aside from swimming at the beach, you can also hike the hills around the cove to view the mesmerizing allure of the area. You can take picture of the cove from the top of the hill. Or you can visit the falls around the area. It's a 30 minutes walk from the the beach. There you can enjoy the cool water but trekking to the falls is not advisable without guide because of the wild carabaos that roam around the area. They say those wild carabaos are aggressive especially when there are young calf among the herds.

Tourist must bring water for rehydration. Do not forget to bring food because there is no big stores or restaurant around the area. There is a sari-sari store but the product prices are doubled. You can't evade the splashing waters during sailing to the island.  Don't forget to waterproof you things.




What does Anawangin mean?
Anawangin comes from the Ilocano word "nuang" which means carabao (Anawangin literally means "full of carabaos"), until now wild carabaos abound the island according to our guides during our trip to this beautiful enchanting cove.