Breakaway 2016: Into the Cove (Sailing to Anawangin)

"Happiness is your nature.

It is not wrong to desire it.

What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside. "

  ~ Shri Ramana Maharshi

Project: Live

Picture a crescent-shaped cove backdropped with rugged clay-covered hills, its ashen sand blanketed flourishingly with tall Agoho trees, and calm cerulean waters surfacing its seabed... And you, lying on a hammock hung between two tall trees, feeling the cool ocean breeze sweeping your face while jamming on Jack Johnson songs... Ah, this must be paradise! This is the magic of Anawangin.

The boyfriend's officemates found a deal online in January and availed of a group tour package scheduled supposedly in February. This did not include the travel from La Union to Zambales and back though, and there aren't any public utility vehicles from the north that can lead us straight to San Antonio, so the most convenient way of transportation was to hire a 12-seater van to take us to our destination.

The February schedule was moved to March, what with all the hassles - from the unpredictable weather to personal glitches - that postponed the trip. It was the perfect timing though, we could not have waited any longer.

All packed and ready to leave, we left La Union in the evening to catch the 4 a.m. meet-up time in San Antonio town hall. Off we went to Brgy. Pundaquit, the drop off point to Zambales' Shangri-la.

Camara

Straight from the docks of Pundaquit lies a neighboring rocky island called Camara. It consists of two rocks - one huge, and a smaller rock which connects to the bigger one by a sand bar on low tides. Its short shores are filled with fine white pebbles and colorful shells, and the rocky seabed must be perfect for snorkeling. We even found two sea urchins freshly ready to be indulged.

Jaunting to the cove

The boat ride to the cove reminded me of our Palawan visit back in 2011, but instead of sailing through rough rocky cliffs, San Antonio will feast your eyes with clay-covered rolling hills patched with greens of sort. The waters were calmer too, paving way to see through its seabed.

Entering the cove was welcoming, as if all of its Agoho trees lined up to greet us. All tired from the long trip, we pitched our tents between the stand of trees and took some naps. Some campers hung hammocks and laid there, their view above like a painting of silhouettes of tree branches on a blue sky canvass.

Playtime

Anawangin was the perfect getaway in this dog days of summer. While the weather was rather outcast, the waters were calm, making swimming a lot easier for me.

On the far left end of the cove were inviting chunks of rocks. The boyfie and I took a stroll towards them and found our photo op place there.

 

 

Not far from the rocks is a trail for hill-climbing. We were four from our group who braved the steep climb and followed another group of visitors who hired a guide. We reached its summit after at least an hour of climbing (picture-taking included). The pictures below will give you an overview of how Anawangin looks like on birds-eye view...

 

 

We descended on the opposite side of the hill that led to the freshwater side of the cove. The sight of it was like a location site of a Twilight movie, with Pine-like trees surrounding the estuary of the cove. More campers pitched their tents there, as if to experience the feel of a legit forest camper.

  

To cap the rest of the lazy afternoon, we did REALLY EXHAUSTING games like volleyball, patintero and otso-otso. Oh how refreshing the dip in the clear waters were after that tiring day.

As with other camping nights, a bonfire was set, the rest of the group gathered 'round to roast marshmallows and devour on S'mores.

Goodbye paradise

  

We were scheduled to sail back before lunch the next morning. As with any other breakaway trips, the last few hours before leaving was just lethargic. The whiff of the ocean breeze though, especially that on sail, that which blows gently on you... they chant, "Come back again soon..."