Capones Island--That No-Slippers' Land

Fisheye 2 x Lucky Super 200

If you're visiting Anawangin or Nagsasa cove, best visit this island as well. Sitting atop its rocky shores is a lighthouse where you can get a view a of the surrounding islands and seascapes. Capones island is but a 45-minute boat ride from either Pundaquit or Anawangin Cove.

Fisheye 2 x Lucky Super 200

The boat ride to Capones island is quite rocky so best visit in the morning where the tides hasn't come in yet. The resident boatmen suggested so citing that when noon comes, the waves are bigger and more treacherous since the location of the island is considered open waters. 

Black Bird Fly TLR x Sensia 200

Once you get there, it won't be beach sand that will greet you but big rocks and some sand that is surely not for the flimsy-footed.  We've seen quite a number of torn footwear littering the rocky shores to conclude as such. Add to that, my own rubber slipper got torn. Haha. 

Trekking up the hill to the lighthouse is also another hurdle.  It might not look that high but add the sweltering heat of direct sunshine and you're up to a daunting task. However, the view on top is worth all the sweat. Whew! 

Fisheye 2 x Lucky Super 200

The Capones lighthouse is open to the public and anyone may climb up to the view deck. Climbing up the hill is one but going up the very lighthouse is another matter. The stairs are narrow and as metal spiral stairs go, they tend to wobble. Not for the faint-hearted indeed. However, when you get to the view deck, you're treated to a 360 degree view of the surrounding areas and I'm telling you, it's well worth the climb.

Analogue Tips:

• Bring light cameras. You wouldn't want a bulky SLR to weigh you down when you're climbing. :P
• Slide films. Bust out those 64ASAs and 100ASAs that you can't use on normal days coz they eat a lot of sunlight. Here, they're getting a lot of that. 
• Wide angle lens cameras for the view on top. :) 
• Fisheye camera for having your pics taken with the lighthouse while on the viewdeck. :P

Pundaquit Shores-- Zambales' Gateway to your Hideaway

Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim x Velvia 50

Pundaquit is a fishing village located in San Antonio, Zambales which serves as a gateway to some of the most secluded coves and hideaways closest to Manila--Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves, among others. The shore is home to a number of resorts which offer a range of facilities from overnight accommodations to cottages for day travelers. 

Vivitar UWS x Velvia 50

Pundaquit Beach is reminiscent of local beach resorts you'll find scattered all over the country--the Philippines being an archipelago. There are a lot of small-scale resorts that offer huts or cottages for use for the day. Facilities may include overnight accommodation but most of the time, expect a hut with a roof, some chairs and a table. The people make up for the meager facilities though. Pundaquit residents are very accommodating despite the language barrier. You can arrive here with narry a schedule nor a contact person for your Anawangin hideaway and you're sure to find someone to help you starting from the tricycle driver who brought you here from San Antonio. 

Vivitar UWS x Velvia 50

Pundaqui Sunsets

As dusk falls, you'll see the sun set between the two islands in the distance; the light reflected over the calm waters of Pundaquit beach. Beach goers sit on the shores waiting for the sun to touch the horizon. 

Fisheye 2 x Eurocolor 200

 Analogue Tips: 

• Wide lens cameras for panoramic beach shots
• Fisheye for a yet even wider view
• Cameras with exposure control for lovely sunsets. ^__^
• Underwater camera

Vivitar UWS x Velvia 50

Anawangin Cove--Hideaway from the City

Olympus XA2 x CT Precisa 100

Overview
Anawangin Cove is a crescent-shaped cove nestled in the town of San Antonio, Zambales. The destination boasts of white sand beaches, calm waters and a lush forest of pine trees a few strides from the beach, serving as shade for the campers and visitors of the cove. Anawangin is a short 30-minute boat ride away from Pundaquit, or for the more adventurous, a 6-hour trek along the Pundaquit mountain range.

Olympus XA2 x CT Precisa 100

To any analogue wanderer, Anawangin is a treasure trove of sights worthy of any lens, plastic or glass. (Or none at all, for the pinhole enthusiasts.) The sparkling blue water contrasted with the pale beige sand, not as powdery white as Boracay sand but just as cool to the feet. The green pine forest and the pale green of the mountainside as the sunlight hits it will surely dazzle any analogue camera.

Black Bird Fly TLR x Centuria Chrome 200 expired

Due to its secluded location, the cove remained pristine and unhampered by technological advancements. Cellular signal is scarce if at all, assuring a stress-free hideaway. Tent accommodation is the norm here, and so is cooking over wood fire. Thankfully, there are now comfort room facilities available on certain areas.

Vivitar UWS x Velvia 50

Just beyond the lush forest is a shallow stream that flows to the sea which makes a lovely golden sunset backdrop as dusk falls.

On my last stay there 3 years ago, my friends and I decided to take a swim at around 9PM. Imagine our surprise and delight when we as we splashed around, the waves and the water seemed to sparkle, like there are a hundred glitters on our hair and skin. When we got back to Manila, I google-d it and found out they were bio-luminescent planktons. ^___^

Fisheye 2 x Lucky Super 200

Analogue Tips:

• Bring a camera with wide lens for those panoramic beach shots
• Fisheye camera/lens for those awesome barkada pictures
• Underwater camera, MUST bring!
• Slide films for those awesome awesome colors! Bust out your 64ASA and 100ASA films for you'll get a loooot of sun!
• Camera with Bulb setting, perfect place for star trail shots. 
• Flash for bonding moments at night. ^___^