Poignant Potipot

Potipot Island

This quick island getaway trip has been on my mind for quite sometime. My need for a relaxing vacation before the Holy week is really gnawing at me so as soon as the sky cleared up from the rain, off we went. For some of you who just needs to let off some stress but feeling adventurous at the same time, this is one place I would recommend. The place is just a few hours away from Manila.

Here's to let you know how our trip to Potipot island was.

Potipot Island Getaway (March 31-April 2, 2012)

Saturday, March 31, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
5:30AM - 9:00 AM	Departure from Antipolo to Subic via car	>NLEX Toll fee: P45.00 (San Fernando Exit) >SCTEX Toll fee: P112.00 (Dinalupihan Entry)
9:00AM - 9:30AM	Stop Over at Subic (SBMA)	>Engine & Battery Check, Restroom and Snacks
10:00AM - 12:00NN	Exit SBMA (via Kalakalan Gate) go straight to Castillejos until San Narciso Junction. Turn right at the juction to enter town proper and pass by towns San Felipe, Cabangan & Iba	>Photo ops of scenery, lahar riversand mountain ranges >Watch DVD
12:00NN - 12:30PM	Stop over at Iba	> Lunch at Jollibee
12:30PM - 2:00PM	Exit Iba then pass by towns of Masinloc & Candelaria where you'll see the signs of Dawal Beach Resort along the national road. Arrival at Dawal	>Upon arrival confirm reservation for the next day and arrange boat transfer to Potipot Island (P400/boat/6pax)
2:00PM - 2:10PM	Boat ride to Potipot Island	>Waterproof everything
2:10PM - 2:30PM	Set up Camp
2:30PM - 4:30PM	Island activities	>Snorkeling >Photo Ops >Tour the whole island (for 20 mins)
4:30PM - 5:30PM	Cook dinner	Pre-cooked meals are more convenient. Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water
5:30PM - 9:00PM	Dinner	Night socials, bonfire
9:00PM	Lights out	Secure all things inside the tent before going to dreamland
Sunday, April 01, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
6:30AM - 7:30AM	Breakfast
7:30AM - 10:00AM	Island Activities	>Snorkeling >Photo Ops at the famous driftwood >Last tour of the whole island (for 20 mins) >Sunbathing
10:00AM - 11:00AM	Break camp. Boat Transfer to Dawal resort
11:00AM - 12:00NN	Check in at Dawal resort	Complete the payment for the reservations (P1,600/2pax) and go for lunch.
12:00NN - 3:00PM	Siesta	ZZzzzzz
3:00PM - 6:00PM	Resort activities	Free: Pool, Beach Volleyball court With pay: Billiards, Table tennis, Darts, massage
6:00PM - 7:00PM	Dinner at the restaurant	Set meal: P120-160/pax Ala carte: P200+
Monday, April 02, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
7:00AM - 8:00AM	Breakfast	>Cook your own
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Swimming pool
9:00AM - 10:00AM	Prep for Departure	>Check out at Dawal Beach Resort
10:00AM - 1:00PM	Road trip to SBMA	Pasalubong: mangga along the road (P50/kilo)
1:00PM - 4:00PM	Lunch and Side trip at SBMA	>Duty Free shopping @ Royal
4:00PM - 7:00PM	Arrival at Manila	Home sweet home

POTIPOT EXPENSES
Gas: P2,000 - Full tank
Accomodation (Dawal): P1,600/2pax
Food
     Island; P1,000/2pax
     Resort: P160/meal
     Road: P100/pax (Jollibee)
Boat Transfer: P400/boat/6pax
Overnight fee at Potipot: P300/pax
Pasalubong:
      Mangga: P100/2kilos
      Duty free shopping; P1,500 (mostly chocolates)

CONTACTS:
Dawal Beach Resort & Restaurant
Bo. Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales
Mobile nos:
0919-5730952
0920-6651577
0916-7231108
www.dawal.com.ph
reservations@dawal.com.ph


Pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Moonlit sky with shooting star

Shoreline enveloped with moonlight

Night view of the resorts from Potipot island

View behind our camping area

Look who just flew in!

Centralized "ihawan"

The other side  of the island

The Campsite

Beach front

Cam whoring with my beau

Survivor Potipot (Celebrity double???)

 

Another large space behind our campsite

Right side view of the beach front

The Famous Driftwood

Back view of the campsite

View of the Potipot island from Dawal resort

Left side view of the beach front

Sunny smile!

Dawal Beach Resort

Calm Calaguas

Halabang Baybay

Travel time again together with Rey's colleagues. I love the way they plan their travel, so carefree yet so organized (see Anawangin post). We didn't travel via bus this time and instead rented a van to take us there. I just shelled out some amounts of cash to pay for the whole trip and everything was taken cared of. Bring some extras for emergencies ,rule of the thumb, as I don't want to experience what happened to me during my previous Bohol trip. Na-ah!

Paracale Seaport

Calaguas Island (Halabang Baybay)
Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Itinerary c/o Bibing

Macho men of LTP upon arrival at the beach

DAY 0 (10-June-10 Thursday)
1900H - ETD Paracale via CUBAO

Day 1 (11-June-10 Friday)
0500H - ETA Paracale
breakfast, market
0800H - ETD Maculabo (by boat)

Lunch in progress

0900H - ETA Maculabo
beach bumming, explore, photo ops, hill trekking, lunch
1330H - ETD Maculabo to Mahabang Buhangin, Tinaga Island, Calaguas (by boat)
1430H - ETA Calaguas Island
Set camp, explore, beach, beach, beach, dinner
2030H - Socials, Bonfire, Lights off

Day 2 - (12-June-10 Saturday)

0700H - WakeUp Call, Breakfast
beach, beach, beach
1130H - Lunch / wash-up / break camp
1330H - ETD Calaguas to Cumalasag Island (by boat)
explore, photo ops
1500H - ETD Paracale
1600H - ETA Paracale / wash-up
1800H - Dinner / ETD Manila
(OPTION: BAGASBAS beach for surfing activities then lunch or Cam Sur, a 2.5-hours drive from Paracale)

DAY 3 (13-June-10 Sunday)
Manila - HOME SWEET HOME


ESTIMATED EXPENSES

MNL-Paracale-MNL (via Superlines aircon bus in cubao) - 485*2 - 970
boat 4500/15pax - 300 (depending on the confirmed participants)
food - 300
camping fee - 150

1720php + pocket money =)


THINGS TO BRING:

* tent (rain proof)
* footgear: rubber slippers, beach sandals
* wide brim- hat
* sunglasses
* sleeping bags
* Insect repellant and or soap with critonella to ward of mosquitoes
* sunscreen, sunblock, sun tan.
* Flashlights / headlamps
* first aid kit / medicines
* Camera with enough battery and memory cards
* cellphone (warning: signal can still be patchy at times

Play volleyball, sunbathing or just plain cam whoring

* a waterproof pouch and bag to store your valuables in
* moist towelettes
* Tissue Paper
* kikay kit
* Huge garbage bag to protect your gear while on the boat, it's better to
water proof your things...
* waterproof jacket or raincoat
* snorkeling gadgets
* utensils... (be earth freindly, no to disposables, EVER!)
* stove / cookset (optional)
* BOOZE!

Crystal clear sea water

Beach front

My second camping trip was a great experience. It was a long boat ride from Paracale Port. Luckily, my motion sickness were held at bay. It was the longest hour ride I've been. Everyone was getting a little restless already and hoped that we'd arrive there sooner to avoid the scorching heat of the sun as it reaches its highest point at noon.

Gorgeous fine sand

As soon as the beaches were on sight, everyone was ecstatic. Much more when we arrived at Halabang Baybay (Long Beach), the longest stretch of fine beach among its group of islands. I was deeply fascinated with the place. Some would say Boracay might lave looked like this in its earlier times. Well, I've never been to Boracay so I could not compare. But of all the beaches, Calaguas is the most exquisite, unspoiled island I've ever been to. Its sparkling turquoise-like waters are so clear, for a minute you'd think you're in a swimming pool.

Summer nights here are really lovely. You only have the sea of stars to light up the whole place (apart from rays coming from a nearby ship hundred miles from the shore). When you look up, its like the whole universe has descended. The stars are so hypnotic it can mesmerize you up to no end. Those twinkling heavenly bodies will also find its way in the water when you swim at night. When you create a swirl in the water, you'll see lights dancing around your hand, its like magic. Also you can skinny deep for all you want and no one would really care. Its like a paradise you've never dreamed of.

Suvivor Calaguas... oh yeah!

View from campsite

There are no resorts here but there's this one concrete house with one restroom (you're free to use it). No more digging up of pit somewhere to do your thing. Just make sure you maintain the cleanliness in the area. The caretaker of the place also has a mini sari sari store where you can buy junk foods and sodas.  But I suggest you bring your own since prices here can soar way way up.  There's a poso or water pump for all your kitchen and bathing needs. A mystical, untouched place, I would say it's the best place to camp if you want to escape the city and just laze in the sun.

Wonderful Anawangin

Anawangin Cove

Camping time! All gears ready for another outdoor adventure. Again among the many firsts, time to rough it out in the wild this time. First time I'd go on a trip without the luxury and convenience of a hotel. Rey and I chose to spend his birthday at Anawangin Cove in Zambales by camping out together with his colleagues from Lufthansa Technik Phils, who hosted the trip.  I have always been interested in meeting new people and this group was very accommodating. 

Matanglawing Rey

Quite the anxious one, since I had no experience on camping, I had no idea what to bring. I tried asking around about what things to get. My boyfriend, a seasonal hiker, helped me on my essentials. Below is the IT we followed for the trip , breakdown of fees and what-to-bring list (c/o Bibing)

ANAWANGIN COVE
San Antonio, Zambales

DAY 1, MAY 1, 2009

Pundakit shore

7:30AM – Assembly at Victory Liner Terminal, Pasay City
8:00AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:00NN– Arrive in Olongapo, (Lunch at stopovers), Last minute shopping at Gapo Market
1:00PM – Depart for San Antonio
2:00PM – Arrive in San Antonio town proper, Buy drinking water, coal
2:30PM – Boat ride to Anawangin
3:00PM – Arrive at Anawangin, Pitch tents

Tricycle ride going to Pundakit

4:00PM onwards – Leisure time

DAY 2, MAY 2
Do whatever you want

DAY 3, MAY 3
6:00AM – Wake up call
6:30AM – Breakcamp
7:00AM – Depart for Capones Island
8:00AM – Arrive at Capones, Visit the lighthouse
9:30AM – Depart for Pundakit
10:00AM – Arrive at Pundakit, Breakfast, Wash up at Manong Alfring’s house
11:30AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:30PM – ETA Olongapo, Lunch at Chowking
2:00PM – ETD Manila via Victory Liner
6:00PM – ETA Manila

BUDGET
More or less P250 (not so sure) – Bus Fare from Pasay to San Antonio and vice versa
More or less P1000 – one boat rental to and from Pundakit (Round trip); Optional: sidetrip to Capones Island  P1,200 per boat, 3 to 4 pax per boat)
P20 – trike fare from San Antonio to Pundakit

Setting tents at the camp site

More or less P1,500 with Chowking! :)

WHAT TO BRING
1. Food for 3 days and 2 nights – chip-in P200/pax
2. Tent, Burner/Stove at Lamp
3. Snorkeling stuff
4. Swimwear
5. BOOZE!

It was that simple. At P1,500, you get to have fun in the wild. At the cove, we stayed at the campsite on the left (facing Anawangin). Much cooler here than on the left side because of the pine trees. For those who are worried about bathroom facilities, the campsites have restrooms. But the one on our side is better. They have motor pumps and provide large drums that are always filled with water. 

Pine trees: a good shade from the scorching sunlight at midday.

Wet campers

Dry river bed found in the woods

Lighthouse at Capones Island

Unfortunately, I was not able to buy cake for my dearest (for fear that the icing will just melt), an earnest request. Sorry about that sweetie.