Summer 2009: Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales (Part 1)

Part 1: Preparation

Let me first tell you how this dream trip came into reality. Yobs told me that his office colleagues were planning to go out-of-town. Upon hearing that it would be Anawangin, I told him I wanted to go. He didn’t disappoint me. In fact, he gladly invited me and e-mailed me the itinerary and updates regarding the plan.

We were both excited! He bought a tent, a pair of Tribu sandals, a mountaineering bag and other stuffs that we would basically need when we get there. Knowing that vacationing at Anawangin Cove would mean going “back to the basics,” we prepared ourselves.

It would be a simpler life – no electricity, no hotels, no hospitals, using water pump or “poso,” austere comfort rooms (with toilet bowl but without roof and “flush” button) and dressing rooms with walls made of pawid, and only a couple of sari-sari stores, which open on peak season only.

Here are the 10 basics things that we brought to Anawangin Cove:

1) tent – basically to shelter us and to protect us from the sun, wind and rain. Yes, it rained hard during our night stay and it was really a funny story that I can still imagine how Yobs reacted upon discovering that our tent got flooded. Hahaha! We literally did the “paglilimas” in the middle of the night. Lol;

2) mineral/purified water – 1.5L for our personal consumption and 1.5L for the group's consumption, to be used in cooking. This makes a total of 3 litres per person, good for two days. Carry ‘yan...!

3) food – it wasn’t a problem at all. I brought enough food to keep us alive until Day 2. And with our hosts, the Outdoor Addicts, as our great cooks, we never got hungry! Thanks, guys!

4) mess kits – includes plastic plates, cups, spoons and forks. I brought a pair for me and Yobs. After eating, we just had to wash it even without dishwashing soap and let it dry with tissue and alcohol for next use;

5) toiletries – bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, cotton buds, lotion, powder, insect repellent, wet wipes, tissue and all;

6) first aid kit – just in case of emergency, as we have known from some sources that Anawangin Cove is mystically dangerous;

7) flashlight – it was a good thing that Yobs brought one. The night was so dark. The moon and stars hid behind rain clouds and we badly needed it;

8) swimwear – hello! We’re at the beach, right?

9) sunblock – this is a must-have! As I’ve said, we’re at the beach! Besides, we also needed it when we went trekking. The sun was so hot and we had to protect our skin from UV rays or else...

10) ourselves – as in our faith in God, our prayers, our appreciation of nature’s beauty and our concern for the environment. Yobs and I never forgot to say our prayers while on our boat rides, chanted our prayers and asked God to keep you safe throughout our journey. Upon stepping on the cove, we touched the sand, thanked Miss Anawangin (that’s how Yobs and I call her) and let her know how you appreciate her splendour. We avoided littering as this is prohibited in the area. We were responsible in keeping our camp clean and made sure we didn’t leave any garbage before we go. That was the least that we could do for Miss Anawangin.

I think I’ve said enough... for now. I’ll post more about my camping, beacheneering, trekking and nature tripping experiences soon but before that, I would like to share with you something I learned when I had my first climb at Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas...

...Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time...

I hope I made your day. Smile!