Anawangin Cove: Itinerary and Travel Tips

Anawangin Cove is one popular tourist destination for beach outings located in San Antonio, Zambales in Central Luzon. Its isolation is such a hidden paradise, as it can be reached only with a 45 minute boat ride from Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio.

Anawangin Cove is known for its soft white sand from volcanic ash spewed by Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, It is framed by mountain rocks and pine trees. Its crescent-shaped shore makes for calm waters for family beach activities. Source: Anawangin Cove, DENR

But before planning your camping trip to Anawangin Cove, you to consider some things.

1. There is no phone signal. Anawangin Cove is literally a place to get away from the crowded and busy streets of the city. When in Anawangin Cove, you'll get to enjoy soaking under the sun and forget social media for a while. Ready yourself because if you really like updating your IG Stories in real time, you will not be able to do it here.

2. Remind yourself that Anawangin Cove is not a luxurious place to stay. Remember it is a campsite. There is no hotel, no bath tubs, no clean bathroom and no comfortable bed. Just a tip: You could save  300 php by bringing your own tent.

3. Don't forget your mosquito repellent. There are mosquitoes at night better be safe than sorry. You don't want to get sick when you are camping.

4. Bring your food and water. Since Anawangin Cove is isolated from urban area, the price here is  being doubled and there are only limited stocks in stores by the beach. Plus, you will save mother earth from plastics.

5. Keep in mind of your trash. Anawangin Cove is a gem of Zambales, and we don't want to ruin this gem.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

5:00 AM                 -     Departure from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales
10:00 AM               -    Arrival in Pundaquit, San Antonio
10:00 - 11:00 AM   -    Pundaquit or San Miguel to Anawangin
11:00 -12:00 NN    -    Pitch tent, take a rest
12:00 - 1:00 PM     -    Lunch
1:00 - 5:00 PM       -    Photo op, swim, drink and have fun
5:00 - 6:00 PM       -    Wait for the sunset
6:00 - 7:00 PM       -    Shower
7:00 - 8:00 PM       -    Dinner
8:00 PM onwards   -    Bonfire and party!

Day 2

7:00 AM                 -     Wake-up
7:30 AM                 -     Breakfast
8:00 AM                 -     Climb hill
10:00 -11:00 AM    -     Swim
11:00 AM                -    Shower, get ready
12:00 NN                -    Boat ride to Capones Island
12:30 PM                -    Arrival at Capones Island
12:30 - 1:30  PM    -    Enjoy Capones Island
1:30 - 2:00 PM        -    Boat ride to Pundaquit
2:30 PM                   -    Travel back to Manila

Sample Itinerary: Bacolod Tourist Attractions in 4 Days and 3 Nights

Here is a sample itinerary for 4 days and 3 nights which covers tri-city tour of Bacolod , Silay and Talisay and a side-trip to Lakawon in Cadiz and Mambukal Resort.

Our four day vacation in Bacolod made possible by Bacolod Tour Guide. They provided this itinerary. What I like about it is it is flexible, as their guest you can choose where to go first. Unlike in other tours, it is strict and on time.

Must read: Bacolod Travel Guide

We stayed in The Hostelry. Our hotel is included in the package. A room for two will cost you only 1,440 per night (if you will not get the tour package)

Must read: THE HOSTELRY: A BUDGET FRIENDLY HOSTEL IN BACOLOD

SAMPLE ITINERARY with budget breakdown FOR 2 PAX

DAY 1
8:00 AM -  ETA; Pick up from airport
8:45 AM - Check-in Accomodation The Hostelry - P2,160/pax for 3 nights
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM -  New Government Center; San Sebastian Cathedral; Bacolod Plaza
10:30 AM - Early Lunch at Eron's Cansi House - P150/pax*
11:00 AM -  Travel to Mambukal Mountain Resort - P50
12:00 NN - Enjoy Mambukal Mountain Resort Day Tour [Bat-watching, Waterfalls trekking (donation for Tourguide P85/pax*), Optional Habal-habal ride(P100/pax*), Butterfly garden (P30/pax), Hot spring dipping pool or Cold Swimming Pool ]
4:00 PM - Travel back to Bacolod City
7:00 PM - Dinner at MassKara Chicken Inasal  - P150/pax*
9:00 PM - Return to accommodation.

Must Watch: Bacolod City Travel Vlog Day 1

DAY 2
6:30 AM - Wake up call
6:45 AM - Breakast  -P100/pax*
7:30 AM - Pickup from accommodation, transfer to Cadiz.
8:30 AM - Proceed to Lakawon Day Tour - P350 each for the entrace fee and P150/pax for Umbrella Hut
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Enjoy Lakawon island resort's white sand beach, enjoy food and drinks for P375/pax and Tawhai floating bar (Optional P250/pax*).
5:00 PM - Return to accommodation.
7: 00 PM - Dinner at Manokan Country - P150/pax*
9:00 PM - Bacolod Night life at Lacson St. - P200/pax*
11:00 PM - Return to accomodation



DAY 3
7:00 AM - Wake up call
7:30 AM - Breakfast - P100
8:30 AM - Pickup from accommodation, proceed to City tour
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - City Tour [Cinco De Noviembre Marker, Balay Negrense, San Diego Pro Cathedral, Old Capitol Building, Capitol Lagoon]
9:30 AM - Buy pasalubong at Bongbong’s Pasalubong - P1000/pax*
10:30 AM - Travel to Campuestohan Highland Resort - P200 entrance fee and P125/pax for cottages
11:30 AM - Lunch and Enjoy Campuestohan Highland Resort P200/pax*
1:30 PM - Travel to The Ruins - P100
2:15 PM - Picture taking at The Ruins
3:15 PM - Travel to Calea
3:45 PM - Enjoy desserts in Calea - P150/pax*
4:30 PM - Return to accommodation
7:30 PM - Dinner
8:30 PM - Pack your things



DAY 4

5:00 AM - Wake up call
6:00 AM - Hotel Pickup,
6:45 AM - Airport dropoff
8:30 AM - Travel back to Clark
10:45 AM - ETA Clark

*not included in tour package expense

For this itinerary prepare Php 6400 for all of the Tour, Hotel, Entrance Fees, Transport Service and Php 2500 for your food and pasalubong budget.

Bacolod City Travel Guide

Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental, notable for its MassKara Festival held during the third week of October and is known for being a relatively friendly city, as it bears the nickname "The City of Smiles". 

This is my first domestic travel this 2019. What to do in Bacolod? People asked why I chose to travel in Bacolod for my birthday.

First, it was on sale. I got my round trip tickets for only around 400 php. Why not, coconut?! And mostly because Bacolod is not just an ordinary highly urbanized city, it offers you historical tourist destinations and welcomes you with an unforgettable meal like its Chicken Inasal.

But Bacolod is not just for foodies, there are things to do in Bacolod where you can enjoy with your squad or even your family. Within an hour drive you can dip in waterfalls in Mambukal Mountain Resort, zip-lining in Campuestuhan Highland Resort and bask under the sun in Lakawon Island in Cadiz City. Be amazed on Talisay's The Ruins and satisfy your cravings in Calea Pastries & Coffee. These are just some of attractions and activities in making your Bacolod trip unforgettable.

How to get there?

By Air:

If you are from Luzon, you can choose from Clark International Airport or Manila International Airport. You can book your flights either with Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific and will cost you not more than 5,000 php for a round trip ticket.

The airport in Negros Occidental is situated at Silay City. It is only less than an hour from Bacolod City.

Public Transportation

It is really easy to roam around Negros Occidental. There are jeepneys and tricycle to take, however, if you are traveling as a group, it would be best to take the taxi or hire a van to make your trip more comfortable and swift.

We are four in a group that's why we preferred getting a tour package for this trip instead of doing the tour by ourselves. We know that we will end up arguing where to go first or to go next.

Our sweet short vacation made possible by Bacolod Tour Guide. It was an Exclusive Tour for Bacolod, Silay, Talisay,  Lakawon and Mambukal. The tour package is for 6,400 per pax and it includes:

For sample itinerary: BACOLOD TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS 

•  A/C transport service for tours and transfers in Bacolod

• 3 Nights Accommodation at The Hostelry

• Lakawon Island Day Tour

• Entrance Fee

• Parking Fee

• Environmental Fee

• Roundtrip Boat Ride

• Cottage

• Campuestohan Highland Resort Day Tour

• Entrance Fee

• Swimming Pool & Wave Pool Entrance

• Hanging Bridge

• Mambukal Mountain Resort Day Tour

• Entrance Fee

• Bacolod City Cultural & Heritage Tour

• Entrance Fees

For hotel review: THE HOSTELRY: A BUDGET FRIENDLY HOSTEL IN BACOLOD

Must watch: BACOLOD CITY TRAVEL VLOG - DAY ONE
Must Watch: LAKAWON ISLAND (BACOLOD TRAVEL VLOG - DAY TWO)

The tour package is highly recommended. Kuya Ed, our tour guide is very accommodating. The tour was hassle-free and flexible because of the transport service. The hotel they booked for us was clean and comfortable.

To experience Bacolod City Tour, you can contact Sir Nathan Rio on their Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/bacolodtourguide/.

FIND YOUR HOTEL

Experience Filipino Culture at Villa Escudero

Just a two-hour drive from Manila, you'll reach Villa Escudero. It started as a coconut plantation owned by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Dona Claudia Marasigan. It was opened to the public in the 1980s and has become a tourist destination for balikbayans and foreigners to the country. Villa Escudero showcases Philippines' culture, history, and cuisine.

Last November 16, my family and I, together with our balikbayan relatives went there for a Day Tour Package.

For a Day Tour Package, you will time travel because of the rustic Philippine setting. You will experience the tales of your grandmother how simple life was. Be fascinated when you walk through the Escudero Family privates museum which houses their antique collection. Enjoy the Philippine cultural show. Gauge your rafting skills on their native bamboo raft and have a refreshing dip in their swimming pools. And of course, dine on their famous Labasin Waterfall Restaurant.

Carabao Cart

The Museum. Picture taking is not allowed inside.

Labasin Waterfall Restaurant

Villa Escudero became known because of its restaurant where you can sit at the foot of a waterfall while you enjoy your favorite local cuisine. This is definitely the reason why guests keep on coming back. Aside from its uniqueness, it is relaxing and refreshing. You cannot only eat but also take a refreshing bath at the falls' cold water.

Feast with different Filipino dishes while soaking your feet!

I highly recommend this resort to balikbayans who left the Philippines for a very long time or foreigners who want to experience Filipino culture. It is definitely worth it to give a try!

Aside from Day Tour Package, Villa Escudero offers accommodations for guests who would love to stay longer and create beautiful memories in a rustic Philippines setting.

To inquire about rates, availability or promo, check the link below.

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort

Or contact them on these numbers:

• +63 (02) 523-0392
• +63 (02) 521-0830
• +63 (02) 523-2944
• +63 917-583-7727
• +63 919-993-4744
• +63 923-741-0605

Book your hotel using TravelBook

3D2N in Puerto Galera

For a first-timer, I consider Puerto Galera a paradise. Why? When I was there it gave me activities I have never done before. This place is only a few hours from Manila and you've got to experience the thing you have never done before.

My friend and I went there and stayed for 3 days and 2 night. Who would have thought that we had so much of time to do the activities. Just keep on reading because I will be sharing our Itinerary. but before that, you can check my blog post for Puerto Galera Travel Guide.

DAY 1

06:30-07:00  Breakfast 

07:00-09:30  Travel to Batangas Pier

09:30-10:30  Buy tickets and waiting for the boat

10:30-10:45  Boarding of Passengers

10:45-12:30  Trave time to Puerto Galera

12:30             Arrived safely at White Beach

12:30-13:30  Lunch

13:30-14:00  Going to the Hotel

14:00             Check-in at the Hotel

14:00-16:00  Photo op at our Hotel

16:00-23:00  Feeling the beach, dinner, watch the fire dancers, and drink by the beach

23:00-23:30  Back at the Hotel

23:30             Bedtime

Arrival at White Beach - Day 1

Puerto Galera - Day 1

via GIPHY

As you can see, we did not do much on Day 1 because we will have our activity the next day. We just had our time to feel the waves. Seriously, this is relaxing. It felt like you got no worries and left all your problems in Manila.

DAY 2

06:30-07:00  Wake-up call

07:00-09:30  Breakfast

09:30-10:00  Getting ready for the day while waiting for the tricycle

10:00-13:00  Activities: Snorkeling(Coral Garden, Giant Clam), Fish Feeding, Underwater Cave, side trip to Sandbar for a Photo op

13:30             Back to the shore

13:30-15:30  Lunch and then rest

15:30-19:00  Checking souvenirs + Swimming at White Beach

19:00             Dinner time

19:00-22:00  Feeling the beach, dinner, watch the fire dancers, and drink by the beach

22:00-22:30  Back at the Hotel

23:00             Bedtime

Before our Activity - Day 2

Fish Feeding - Day 2

We had our activity in the morning, snorkeling, fish feeding and going to underwater cave. On this day, we spend time at the beach but if we are not thinking of our budget, we should have taken the opportunity going to different waterfalls. If I were you, you should go on water activities in the morning and land activities in the afternoon. And, I will tell you Day 2 will be enough for all the activities.

Day 3

06:30-07:00  Wake-up call

07:00-09:30  Breakfast

09:30-10:00  Getting ready for the day

10:00-12:30  Activities: Talipanan Falls, Swimming, and last Photo op             

12:30-13:30  Lunch

13:30-14:30  Time to pack, take a bath and check-out

15:00             Leaving Puerto Galera

Beach Bumming - Day 3

Our check-out was supposed to be 12 noon but, we were lucky that our Hotel was very accommodating. Since they let us stay until after 12 noon, we had an opportunity to see Talipanan Falls and swim by the serene beach of Talipanan.

I hate saying goodbyes but our stay 3D2N in Puerto Galera gave us so much time to stay away from all our stressful life in the city and making us stay longer, but we can't because holidays are over.

Til next time Puerto Galera!

Puerto Galera Travel Guide

For people who want to experience beach party on a tight budget, I think Puerto Galera is a place for you. Located in Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is only 3 to 4 hours away from Metro Manila. 

How to get there?

From Pasay (LRT Buendia):

You have to take a bus bound to Batangas Pier/Calabarzon. There are many bus terminals bound to Batangas Pier but personally, I chose JAC Liner. Usually, these buses bound to Batangas Pier are parked near Mcdo Buendia. The fare is Php 177.00 for the aircon bus without comfort room and with comfort room, yes, the fare is just the same, you are lucky if you ride the bus with a comfort room. Travel time to Batangas Pier is 2 hours. So I suggest be there as early as 7:00 am, the bus leaves every 30 minutes or as soon as all seats are occupied.

Batangas Pier to White Beach, Puerto Galera:

Galerian Lines to Puerto Galera

Round-trip Tickets to Puerto Galera

There are many shipping lines going to Puerto Galera (Father and Son, Minolo, Galerian, FSL,
etc.) these boats will take you directly to Muelle Port or White Beach. The fare is Php 500.00 for a round-trip ticket and one-way is around Php 275.00. I suggest getting the round-trip ticket because it will be cheaper. Also, you have to pay Php 30.00 for the terminal fee.

Upon arrival in White Beach, you need to pay Php 50.00 for Environmental Fee.

There are tricycles to take you around in Puerto Galera. The fare will cost you around Php 100.00 to 150.00 for short distance.

Got my Passport!

We all dream to travel the world. I want to see the beauty of our world.

At my age, I have never been out of my country, the Philippines. Since I never experienced to travel, riding an airplane is one of my fear. I would consider myself as an adventurer and explorer. I would love to try new things and I want to experience other countries' culture.

I told myself that I should make a step to fulfill my dream, and that is getting a passport.

I was a first-time applicant, so I had no idea what the passport requirements are so I searched for them and stumbled upon these:

PHILIPPINE PASSPORT GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Personal appearance
• Confirmed appointment
• Duly accomplished application form
• Birth Certificate
• Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity

It was July 2017 when I keep checking on Department of Foreign Affairs' website to make an appointment.  Unfortunately, all the days were full. Months passed. It was September when I got lucky. I set my appointment on October 18, 2pm at DFA Megamall.

I prepared all the requirements that I will submit.

1. Application Form
2. Birth Certificate
3. NBI Clearance
4. Transcript of Record
5. SSS E-1 Form
6. and ID's -- in this case, I prepared three ID's -- my old college ID, my old employment ID and BIR ID (they no longer accept BIR ID as valid ID, but it is still listed on DFA's website. Check the list of acceptable ID's here.)

I came 30 minutes early on my appointment time. What would I expect? Long lines and queues but I commend DFA Megamall's service. The process was smooth and organized. There are five steps for the processing:

1. Verification of Appointment
2. Checking of Requirements
3. Payment
4. Encoding
5. Shipping (Optional)

I paid Php950.00 for a normal processing which you will get your passport after 15 working days, earlier or later. There is rush processing wherein you will pay Php1,200.00. And I chose to ship because this is more convenient of receiving my passport. I paid Php150.00 for shipping.  Php1,100.00 in total.

After exactly two weeks, I already received my passport.

Now, Zam is ready to take off!