Is this our last trip for 2015? I hope not.
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| Capones Island |
We were planning to go to Dasol but due to some unexpected circumstances
we decided to go to Zambales. It was our Wedding Anniv, my parents and brothers
car break-in so it’s a family trip once again. We are driving Toyota Avanza and
Innova with automatic transmission.
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| Sunset Jumpshot at Pundaquit |
We left Quezon City at around 10:30 a.m. passing Nlex and Subic via
Sctex then had lunch at Subic while we waited for my Brother. We got to
Pundaquit by 3:30 p.m. We probably stayed an hour and a half so travel time if
you have your own vehicle would be 3 to 4 hours.
We check Pundaquit Luxury and Megan's Resort but decided to stay at
Canoe Beach Resort. Pundaquit Luxury is okay but it’s far from the beach, with
Megan's it looks like it’s not well maintained.
Canoe Beach Resort has its own pool and the facilities are clean. They
even have a restaurant with affordable price. We booked 2 rooms without hot shower. We didn't mind showering with cold water the rooms are clean, they have a restaurant, we feel safe.
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| Canoe Beach Resort |
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| Our room |
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| Playground Area |
Our plan is to go to Capones Island but it’s almost dark so we scheduled
it the next day. We talked to bankeros outside. Canoe Beach
Resort offers Island hopping services but to save money and for haggling purposes
you can look for bankeros outside. I love the ambiance in Canoe, mountains
behind you and the breeze is perfect. Just bring insect repellents to avoid
mosquito bites, Pundaquit has a forestry feel.
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| Beach front |
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| I love the colors of the sunset |
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| More sunset jump shot pics |
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| Capones Island at the center and Camara at the right |
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| Gorgeous Sunset |
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| Island Hopping services |
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| A sample of their menu |
My Mom and Dad left the next day because of an emergency meeting and we
went on Island Hopping by 6 a.m.
We passed around Camara Island and the tide is high so we didn't check
it. Then we went to Capones Island, I love it. The sand is a bit white but what
I found is they are actually sea shells. There are portions where the sand is
fine but we stayed on the side where the kids can swim. The water is clear too
and we were the only ones at the Island for about an hour. We asked about going
to the lighthouse but we were told it was an hour trek so after swimming and
taking a lot of selfies we hopped on the boat and went to Anawangin.
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| Camara Island Photo from my Brother |
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| Capones Island Photo from my Brother |
Photo from my Brother
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| Capones Island Photo from my Brother |
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| Clear Waters Photo from my Brother |
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| Sand is a little white with seashells in Capones Photo from my Brother |
Anawangin is a popular camping site famous for the white sand that was
formed by the lahar ashes when Mt. Pinatubo exploded. It’s also famous for the
pine trees that would let you think you are in another country. The trip from Capones
took about 20 mins and when we got there all my expectations went down.
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| To the campsite |
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| Campsite |
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| Excuse our selfie |
We were not informed about the 50 pesos entrance fee which is fine but
we didn't bring cash with us. Probably the bankeros faults but they told the
Anawangin authorities so we got in and will pay later. The place is ordinary,
my Brother wants to camp another day but we have kids and babies with us so we
didn't entertain the idea besides I'm not ready for camping.
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| Staying here because of the shade |
There were a lot of pine trees in the camp site but I didn't like
the place. Responsible trash disposal were not followed by some so it was
really unsightly. It looks good in the pictures but there are so many trash around. We went swimming and the water is oily. The sand doesn't look
white too. There were even orange bubbles floating that looks like puke. It was
supposed to be breathtaking because of the Mountain Ranges, Pine Trees and the
Sea but I think Anawangin is exploited. I prefer Potipot Island and Capones. I'm being choosy or what or maybe we were on the wrong side I don't know. I really can't tell what's the buzz about or maybe because we were 6 years too late when it was becoming popular.
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| The view is still amazing |
We went back to the hotel after a few dips and talked about extending
our stay for another day and we did. After eating breakfast at around 10 am we
ordered lunch to bring at Capones. We plan on setting up the tent and staying
there until 5 p.m. Hooray!
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| Back to Swimming |
We only have 1 tent because my Mom and Dad has the other one but it was
still fun. We found a spot under the rocks and after pitching the tent we had
our lunch. We were told by the bankeros that instead of hiking to the
lighthouse they will just dock the boat near the lighthouse.
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| We just have to go back |
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| Pitching of the tent |
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| They move the tent |
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| Our lunch |
It was a little adventure and we checked the South part of the Island
passing a wild path with tall grasses. I was afraid of going there with the
thought of snakes but I conquered it and it was a sight. The sand is finer with
lesser sea shells but the beach is rocky it’s probably similar to Blue Lagoon
or Casa Consuelo's side in Pagudpud. Slim and I stayed a bit, the sand is
softer so it was a better camp site with shades from the trees.
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| The south side |
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| I really like it |
Again, there are a lot of irresponsible campers or visitors who leave
their trash on the island. We should take care of our environment to preserve
places like this. I want my children to see this in the future.
We went back to our camp site and swim some more. By 5 we packed up and
went to the boat. We were expecting to go to the light house but the bankeros
didn't told us that it will be dark soon and it’s hard to go by the lighthouse
since Capones doesn't have lights. We were disappointed because they didn't tell
us earlier. The bankeros are good people but I don’t know if they are quite shy
in telling us information
The kids jump to the pool right away when we got back. The kids have
been swimming 2 days straight now. Swimming at the pool and swimming at the
beach when we went to the islands and back to the pool.
After staying the night we went home the next day and had breakfast at
this American theme restaurant/Car Wash place called Double Suds then went home. The food is good but expensive. There were foreigners having breakfast so I guess their target customers are foreigners. It looks like a sports bar with sport banners and an area for Billiards and Table Games,
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| Sample of their menu |
This trip made me realize that Luzon is underrated. There are so many beautiful places in Luzon. I know it's nothing compared to Palawan or Boracay but I feel it's taken for granted. And what's good about Luzon is its within our reach, you can even travel by car.
**** Our bankero Kuya Rodel 09328695409 ****
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
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Day 1
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Toll Fees
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TOTAL
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Min Ave Exit
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45
|
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NLEX exit to SCTEX
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173
|
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SCTEX exit SUBIC
|
168
|
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TIPO
|
22
|
|
408
|
||
GAS (Gas rate during this time is around 37 in Fairview)
|
1400
|
1400
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ROOM
|
2500 x 2
|
5000
|
Lunch (for 5)
|
600
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600
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Dinner (8 adults, 2 kids)
|
1220
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1220
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1820 (I don’t know how much my
brother spent for Lunch since we meet in Subic)
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Day 2
|
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FOOD
|
||
Breakfast (6 adults, 2 kids)
|
800
|
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Lunch with BEER
|
1600
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Dinner
|
1000
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3808
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ROOM
|
3000
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3000
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BOAT + Anawangin Entrance 50 each
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3000 + (300)
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3300
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Day 3
|
||
FOOD
|
||
Breakfast
|
1000
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1000
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Toll Fees
|
||
Min Ave Exit
|
45
|
|
NLEX exit to SCTEX
|
173
|
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SCTEX exit SUBIC
|
168
|
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TIPO
|
22
|
|
408
|
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TOTAL
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21964
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***Slim and I spent about 8000 for 3 days and 2 nights. If you are a family of 10 you can budget 21000 but
if you are with your friends of 6-8 you will spend about 3000 - 4000 each if you have your
own car.***
