This is the second time I visited the islands in Pundaquit, Zambales; I have already played in the sands of Camara, climbed the lighthouse of Capones and explored Anawangin. In my second trip to Zambales, aside from the three islands, the trip now includes Nagsasa Cove. I already heard Nagsasa Cove from one of our tour guide the first time I went to Pundaquit.
After our visit to the island of Capones, we travelled for almost an hour to reach Nagsasa Cove. Feeling tired and sleepy from the activities we did in Capones, almost all of us are sleeping in the boat; but we lost this drowsiness when we saw a school of fish leaping out of the water as if they are flying. Then Nagsasa Cove came in to sight. At first look at Nagsasa Cove, it looks so alike Anawangin Cove; the fine white sand, the pine-like trees along the beach, and the clear water and also the some-what river that connects to the sea.
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the shore and water of Nagsasa Cove
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| the mountain behind the Cove and the river going to the sea |
The first task on hand upon reaching the beach is to put up our tent. This is my first camping experience, so I have no idea on how to put up our tent. Luckily, the boatmen are kind to help us in putting up the tent. After successfully, putting up the tent, we changed clothes and prepare our camera to explore the cove. Not far from the shore, you will see some house of native aetas that served as caretaker of the beach. Near in our campsite are comfort rooms where campers can take a bath. There is also a small store that sells cup noodles, bread, drinks and 3-in-1 coffee. But we still recommend bringing your own food for the items are a pricey.
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| one of our three tents |
Upon returning to our campsite, our friends are already preparing our dinner. We have difficulty in starting our fire, but thanks again to the boatmen that helped us start the fire. As they cooked rice, I and a friend cleaned the fish that we will cook. There is a nearby faucet that allows campers to clean their food and wash their utensils. You can also borrow a knife or chopping board from the aetas. Actually, the aetas will even volunteer to help you in your needs.
The night falls fast in Nagsasa Cove as there is no electricity, the only source of light that we have is from the fire that cooks our food. Luckily we bought along some flashlights. Then we thought of setting up a campfire. We tried to look for some woods but there was none, we only found some twigs. But, at php 10 you can actually bought woods from the aetas and set-up a bonfire. The aetas will also help you start your bonfire. After having our early dinner, some friends decided to take a swim while others huddle in the campfire toasting marshmallows. There are no stars that night, since a storm is approaching the province of Zambales. It is a windy night as you will hear the rustles of the leaves of the pine-like trees that are somewhat eerie.
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enjoying the marshmallow and the bonfire
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Some of us take an early sleep, as we are already tired from the whole day adventure. But in the middle of the night we were awaken due to the rain. We hang some of our clothes and towels in the trees and are now wet due to the rain. Even our tent is wet and seeping the rain. The good boatmen put some cover in our comrades’ tent so that it would not be wet. Unlucky for us our tent did not fit in the cover so we need to move our tent in a wooden shade near a tree. Since then we were not able to get a sleep.
We planned to get out of our tent early when the rain stop. But at 5a.m. it is still dark as if it is still night. And you can still hear the wind and the rustling of the leaves. At 6 am we left our tent, although it is still quite dark outside, the cold wind will bring tingle in your spine. We decided to prepare breakfast early as the boatman advised us that we should leave early to avoid the huge waves that the storm may bring.
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| a dark morning |
As we board our boat and take a last glimpse of Nagsasa Cove, I realized that there is still a place untouched by the commercial world, where people are always ready to help, there are people happy living in a simple life, where you can live a day without thinking of the high-tech gadgets. Where life is spend by just simply lying at the shore enjoying the beauty of nature and appreciating the gifts it has given us.
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| the afternoon sun |
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| enjoying the waves |
