Zambales Experience 4 Camara, Capones

1. Camara - it is a rocky island located on the right side if your facing the sea. Try to look at it's southern end and you will se a rock formation that looked like a face (seriously!)

It has a small islet on the right which is basically a huge rock formation. During low tides, mostly in the morning they are connected by a land bridge and can be reached by foot. The water is usually ankle to knee high. Try to be careful because these rocks are covered with sea weeds which made them slippery and some have pointed ends so better yet wear your flip flops. During high tide, try not to brave (or better yet be stupid) enough to cross it because the waves here are awfully strong and you will be wiped out. You can find a cool cave like structure on the east side of the island. Also, try to climb atop, its a bit hard but the view will definely take you away. Try to be careful and do your best not to step on mounds of huge red ants, their bites will make you cry. The sand around this island is really rough. It's like mashed corals and small rocks. The water is blue. Try not to swim too far because the slope of the seabed is noticeably bad. The waves are really strong as well as the under current. There are also some loose rocks because of rock slides.

2. Capones - I don't have to much to say about it because I spend a short time on this Island. The water is like that of Camara and the sand as well. You need to hike the hill in order to reach the old light house facing South China Sea.

Camara islet

Camara islet, low tide

Camara sand

Capones (left) and Camara (right)

Zambales Experience 3 boat

There are lots of boatman round and about all day. The usual rate is 1500 for a tour around Camara, Capones and Anawangin. Try to bargain, they are good people. Try put your things inside a water proof container because the sea is unpredictable. Waves as high as 4 feet pounded our boat on our way back to Pundaquit from Nagsasa. As for me, I brought a 'Lock and Lock' canister for my camera and it was surely a great idea. Also, try to wear a life vest (especially for scaredy-cats). Also, make sure that you don't over crowd the boat. They are small. 3-4 person will fit nicely ( so that is 5 including the boatman).

Zambales Experience 2 resort

Cottage outside

Mountain view rooms

Hallway to beach

Resort Beach view

Infront of the resort

I tried by best to hunt for the most comfortable versus the price resort over Pundaquit and landed on a decision to check in at Pundaquit Luxury Resort. Here is why.

Punta de Uian boast really nice amenities which includes rooms and a pool but is really expensive and not ideal if your going to spend your day island hopping and swimming. If your planning to stay and cuddle your partner, it's a really nice place to stay at. ",)

Jimz is a modest place to stay if your comfortable to sleep inside a nipa hut. Down side, your a bit far from the beach. But walking is good for your health right?

Pundaquit Luxury boast a very competitive price. The basic room can be shared by four people and has it's own toilet and bath. They also has hot water but it's not that strong. Anyways, it's a good deal though. They are also constructing a pool that is fairly big if you will ask me and the manager, Ate Joy told me they will have it finished before summer. so a big plus for the value of your money ",). Also, they have lots of huts in front of the resort facing the sea if you ever wished to stay for a drink, play some darts or skim board. Just ask for Tita (I can't remember her name well, she wears glasses, or Ate Joy) and they will be glad to lend you a board or two.

Zambales Experience 1

Vacation at last. The first vacation I had for this year so I planned to go to a really special place. I spent endless hours googling my way around to look for a place worth visiting then it striked me. Why not to go Zambales?

I saw it once aired on a travelogue show and was amazed by its beauty. I packed by bags and prepared some things to bring and then went off to paradise.

Going to San Antonio, Zambales was really easy. Just go to the nearest Victory liner stataion and buy a ticket, just make sure that your bus will pass San Antonio, then just ride a tricycle to a small fishing village named Pundaquit. It took me about 4 hours from Manila to the resort so travelling is not that of a problem.

Upon reaching Pundaquit, finding a place to stay is not a really tough task. There are lots of places to go to, Jimz, Wild Rose, Canoe and Pundaquit Luxury, just to name a few. Well, if you will ask me, try to check out Pundaquit Luxury Resort. The name may sound luxurious (luxury - luxurious, get it?) but its not. The price is mattered just a mere hundreds. You will have a safe parking area and lots of sea to swim, ow did I mentioned that they are facing the sea? Well, try to look up their site, and give them a ring, look for Ms. Joy and they will give you 20% discount off peak (June - October). early reservation may land you as much as 10% slash the tag.

In front you will see two great isalnds. Capones and Camara Isalands. I can't forget how I admired the look of Camara, specialy the face at the end of it, ( south side) and it's little rock islet.

The sea infront of the resort is great. if your a surfer or a skim boarder, your in paradise. swimming this water is a bit difficult because of strong under current and its pretty deep ( about 3-4 feet away from the shore and its already chest deep).

Try to look for reasonable deals on island hopping. The current price is 1500 for a trip around Camara, Capones and Anawangin. I was able to make an arrangement with a local tour from a boatman for 2,700 pesos for a trip Camara, Capones and Anawangin (day 1) then to Nagsasa Cove (day 2). Try not to be fooled by some boatmans because they told me that some are not resident of Pundaquit and safety might be an issue. Try to look for the boat named DJ Juday driven by Kuya Rolly (this was the boat that I took, heheheh).

Food is not a big problem either. If you don't have a plan to spend the night to camp on one of these beaches, buying freshly caught fish is an easy alternative for you. I managed to buy differrnt fishes just for 150 pesos. Look for the variety that your accustomed to. Maya-maya was great, maybe you'll be lucky to see a small stone shark too. Then just bring it to small stores located along the shores for it to be grilled, of course for a price. Well, 50 pesos for grilling and another 50 for a pot of rice is not bad right?

Try to remember that your travelling the rough seas of Pundaquit. Some sites are telling that It will take you some time to go to Anawangin. It took me 20 minutes to that cove and about 30 minutes back to the resort. Going to Nagsasa is not that tiring too. It won't take you 2 hours ( they are saying this to justify the price, try to bargain ",)) but a mere 45 minutes and the view is breath taking. Rock formations , caves, clear blue sea are some of the view or sights that will surely entertain you on your wet journey. If your planning to bring a camera or other equipments, be sure to bring lots of plastics or a water tight container because the swells could go up to four feet. It really not that rough, my boatman told me. But its better to be sure, right?

Try to read more for detailed stories about my Pundaquit trip...",)