Art of work after a Destruction
For the longest time I have been looking at the photos of Nagsasa Cove a sister Island of it's more popular neighboring Island Anawangin Cove at Pundaquit Zambales , these islands are a work of art after a destruction , over 20 years ago Mt. Pinatubo emitted ashes that covered the shorelines of its neighboring islands., which is now well known for their clean , smooth and ash gray sands that made the place very picturesque.
A friend and I planned for a weekday trip to the island , we choose to go there on a lean season to avoid the large volume of tourist so that we could have the whole place for ourselves, we like it chill and calm. There's a lot of bus terminals in the metro that have bus routes going to Zambales , in our case we took the Victory Liner in Pasay City, there are two ways going to Zambales first is a direct bus going to Iba , Zambales but the earliest departure time is at 0500am , and the other is a layover route from Manila to Olongapo , and then to Iba , earliest departure time is at 0130am, travelling time from Manila to Zambales is around 6hours so we choose the 0130am bus. We arrived at Olongapo bus terminal at around 0530am and we have to take another hour of Bus ride from Olangapo to San Antonio Zambales , you don't have to go all the way to Iba you can just tell the Bus conductor that you are alighting at San Antonio. When we reached the town proper of San Antonio around 0700am we felt hungry so we went for a quick breakfast stop at a near public market, reminder before going to the island you have to stock up on food, San Antonio has a public market and it's the only time you can buy foods and fruits you want , the island locals only sell some biscuits , canned goods, soft drinks and they are very pricey .
After completing your essentials you are good to go to the island, from the town proper of San Antonio ride a tricycle to Pundaquit beach there's also check point were you have to register first and pay Php20.00 /person for environmental fee. Boats are aligned at the shore of Pundaquit , you can approach boatmen for rentals , they will offer you packages for Island hoping. Rental fees are surely not cheap you can get a boat for Php2,500.00 good for ten people, it takes another 45minutes from Pundaquit beach to Nagsasa , by that time you are already drenched, waves are big so expect splashes of water , keep your gadgets sealed in a plastic wrap or waterproof bags.
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| Nagsasa Cove , Zambales |
A touch of heaven once your feet landed at the sands, of Nagsasa , fresh air , no noise pollution , put your on pilot mode there's no signal in the Island , it's just peaceful , before the Bumming and photo- ops we settled our tent and things first , there's no room accommodations in the island so you have to bring your own tent or you can rent one from the locals for Php200.00, good points is that they have a wash room to do your business and for showering.
The rest of the day is for beach bumming and a little hiking
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| Watching sunset on top of a hill is one of the experiences you shouldn't miss |
We woke up around 0600am the next day and prepared going to Nagsasa falls. A guide will lead you to the falls locals won't allow you to go there yourselves as the route is quite slippery and you will easily lost your way. Guide fee is Php300.00 and trekking time is about 45 minutes it's quite hard but really worth it the water in the falls is clean , cold and there are also little fishes.
After the short trip to the falls we went back to our tent site to clean up and pack up our staffs we have to leave the island at around 1000am for an hour ride back to Pundaquit beach and ride a bus at San Antonio bus stop back to the Metro.
Travel Tips to Nagsasa
Bring your own tent to save more cost.
Don't forget insect repellants it gets really nasty at night.
Switch your phone to Flight there's no electricity in the island it will save your battery.
Buy foods and Mineral water before going to the Island
Bring only necessary things to you and comfortable clothes
Flash lights are also needed incase you need to go to the bathroom at night.
Lastly have a load of FUN!
here's also a more detailed itinerary based on personal our trip
Day 1
0130 - ETD from Pasay to Olongapo
0530 - ETA Olongapo Bus terminal
0600 - ETD to San Antonio
0730 - ETA at San Antonio town proper (breakfast time)
0745 - bought foods, Mineral water , other essentials at the market
0800 - ETD San Antonio to Pundaquit beach
0820 - ETA Pundaquit beach
0830 - ETD Pundaquit Beach to Nagsasa cove (via boat)
0940 - ETA Nagsasa cove (set-up tent)
Finally beach bumming !!!!
Day 2
0620 - 0700 : Breakfast and Bathroom rituals
0700 - 0745 : Trekking to Nagsasa Falls
0745 - 0830 : Swim and Photo-ops at the Falls
0830 - 0915 : Trekking back tent site
0915 - 1000 : Shower and pack up of tent and stuffs
1000 - 1100 : ETD Nagsasa to Pundaquit
1100 - 1130 : Lunch at San Antonio market
1200 - 1900 : ETD San Antonio to Pasay Bus terminal (longer travelling time due to traffic at Quezon city)
