Wonders of Pundaquit (Capones & Camara Island)

Our 2- day trip to Zambales includes island hopping to the wonderful Capones and Camara Islands. Originally, our island hopping was scheduled on the first day, but since we arrived at Pundaquit Beach  late, we decided to have it on the second day. 

We spent our first day and overnight at Anawangin Cove that gave us one-of-a-kind camping experience [Pls. see my previous post regarding our Anawangin escapade entitled "Anawangin Cove: A Secluded Paradise"]. Our boatman and tour guide picked us up at 7:30 on the next morning and head on to visit the Capones and Camara Islands. Excitement filled our faces as we leave the cove. 

The Shoe-like Island

Ronald Mcdonalds once hopped & played in this island, and he left his big shoe =c lol!

Capones Island is indeed the highlight of island hopping activity in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. It is known for the century old lighthouse located at the back of the island built during the Spanish era to guide local and international vessels coming from north to northwest going to Subic Bay or Corregidor Islands in Bataan. The island is a big lump of rock formations with very little soil. It can be reached through an outrigger boat, 15-20 minutes from the shoreline of Pundaquit.

Getting into the island can be quite rough as you have to fight with your fear of water and deal with raging waves. This is because the island is at the western most part of the Philippines facing the open coastline of West Philippine Sea. You must also be prepared to get a little or a lot wet. They say, these are all part of the adventure. I said, yes if you are braver than out boatman, who used to take visitors in and out of the island and learned the movements of the wind and the sea. But he said that time is different and the waves are really big.  We can even see worries on his face. Our outrigger boat is really struggling with the big waves as we get near the island. He said that it is not possible for us to get into shoreline because of the strong push of water. If we insist, the boat might get damaged.

With nothing to do, we decided not to continue with our island hopping. Although we were all disappointed for not seeing the Light house, at least we are safe. We just satisfied ourselves taking pictures of the big rock formation in front of us and head our way back to Pundaquit. 

The side part of the Capones Island

The Camara Island

Near the Capones Island, about 5 minutes boat ride is the Camara Island. This is supposed to be our next stop.  Camara Island is actually a twin island separated by a flat stretch of white sand. When the water is low, the white sand bar connecting the two islands is very visible allowing you to transfer from one to the other without getting wet.

A mummy-like rock formation, which is the other part of Camara Island. This island look-like a lying person in the middle of azure waters.

Boatmen are really struggling taking their passengers out of the boat because of raging water.

View of the Camara Island from Pundaquit shoreline

Fishing boats aligned at the shore

The beautiful shoreline of Pundaquit and the picturesque view of Pundaquit Mountanin Range, the alternative by land route going to Anawangin.

Island hopping is FUN. Don't forget to wear your life vest for safety.

Rock formations and rolling hills charm the passengers along the way to Anawangin cove.

The team is getting ready. Everyone is excited to get into the boat. Oh, by the way, this is taken upon our arrival to Brgy. Pundaquit before heading to Anawangin Cove. Brgy. Pundaquit is the getaway to Anawangin Cove and the closest shore to Capones and Camara Islands

Opps, a souvenir pls. before heading to Anawangin.

HOW TO GET THERE

Please see my post regarding our trip to Anawangin entitled, "ANAWANGIN COVE: A SECLUDED PARADISE". CLICK HERE!

MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

Our Trip: February 18 & 19, 2012

With: Pamela Mallorca, Sheryl Erpelo, Ton Lorenzo, Arlyn Bautista, Diony Castro, Aileen Columbino Melody Velasco & Lowey Velasco. 

Credits: capones.com, wikipedia

VIVA VIGAN ( A Journey Back to the Past)

I've been to Vigan 3 times already. But believe it or not, this was the first time i was able to take photos of (and have photos with) this marvelous world heritage site. Silly, but that's very true. Thanks to Pamela, Sheryl and Anthony for granting my request to drop by to Vigan on our way home from our Pagudpud trip just to take some photos for souvenirs. And so here, i have the photos for this blog.. Hope you like it..

Imagine the sound of the horse's hooves pulling calesa while moving across the cobblestone street, and the 5 centuries old houses lined-up along the famous Calle Crisologo. Now, who will not agree if i say stepping into this place is like being transported back to the time when the sentry of Spaniards are seemed immovable at our country's doors?

Established in the 16th century, Calle Crisologo in Vigan City is a famous destination in Ilocos Sur which according to unesco.org, "the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia."

With its unique architectural design and features that has withstood the test of time, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed it as one of the World Heritage Sites.

It can be a little disappointing though to see that many of these old houses owned by private individuals have now been renovated and converted into museums, restaurants, tourist inns and other commercial establishments. Another thing to be mindful of is the numerous souvenir shops that is common along the street wherein merchandise like t-shirts and bags are being hung everywhere that somehow affects the natural beauty of the old structures. Yes, these can be an added attraction to tourists to enjoy their trip wherein they can shop for Vigan's best products like antiques, woven products, basi wine, burnay, chichacorn, jewelry, woodcrafts, vinegar, sweet products and others, but let us not forget our responsibility in preserving this gift of culture for our next generation to see.

Nevertheless, there are some houses that have been completely preserved. These are the houses turned into antique shops where the structure complements to the shop's concept.

Strolling around can be tiring. If you want to see the whole stretch of the street and the marvel of this Spanish colonial town, you may opt to hire a Calesa to enjoy your visit. The current rent for the Calesa is P150 per hour. Other places you may explore includes the pot factory, the Plaza Burgos, Crisologo Museum and the old Church and the Bell Tower.

I heard a lot of times that a walk at Calle Crisologo at night is magical. I wish one time i will be able to experience it as well as getting up from bed as early as 5:30 in the morning to feel the serenity of the place.

Of course we did lot of poses..

 

 
























THE ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

If you are a Roman Catholic, take a visit at the St. Paul's Cathedral. It is considered a major religious landmark not only in Northern Luzon but the country as well and the center of Roman Catholic Devotion in Vigan City.

The church as it stands now was completed in 1800. The original structure was built in 1574 upon the
command of the Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. It was a mere chapel then, made of wood and thatch. In 1641, the chapel was replaced by a church.

How to get there

By land, Vigan City is approximately 8-9 hours ride from Manila.Dominion Bus Line, Viron Transit, and Partas operate terminals in Vigan and offer regular trips from Manila-Vigan and vice versa. Florida, Farinas Trans, Philippine Rabit and other bus line companies that offer regular trips from Manila to Laoag also stop at Vigan City.

If you hate long hours of traveling by land, Vigan can also be reached by air via SeaAir that fly from Manila every Fridays and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Cebu Pacific Air and other airline companies fly to Laoag City daily, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or other arranged vehicles to Vigan. 

MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE!

Credits: unesco.org, wikipedia, vigan.ph

Date of Experience: October 22, 2011

With Pamela Mallorca, Anthony Lorenzo & Sheryl Erpelo

GOTA ISLAND: Survivor's Haven (CamSur)

Photo Credit: caramoanislands.com

Gota is the gateway to the other islands in the Peninsula of Caramoan, Camarines Sur. 

Gota became famous for it has been picked as the venue for the shooting of the popular and hit reality TV Show, The SURVIVOR. The Survivor TV series has more than 50 versions from different countries all over the world including our very own Survivor Philippines. It is also known for choosing an entirely isolated location for the contestants to compete for cash, fame and the chance of becoming  "The Sole Survivor"

Gota Beach is pristine, secluded and almost paradise where anyone can see nothing but nature - the waves, the wind, the trees and falling leaves, the birds and other species. This is why Gota has been chosen as the venue of the 8^th Season of the Survivor France, the first series that was exclusively shot in Caramoan Peninsula, second in the country (the first one was shot in Palawan, the 7^th Season of Survivor France in 2007) and the next is history.

With this alone, the Caramoan Islands gained popularity and has been tagged as "the Survivor's Place" and "Survivor's Favorite". Among the countries who chose Caramoan for the shooting of their survivor franchise are as follows:

        Koh-Lanta: Caramoan (France, Europe) 8^th Season –July-Sept. 2008

        Survivor Srbija (Serbia, Europe) 2^nd season -  2009

        Survivor Israel (Israel, Asia) 3^rd season- 2009

        Survivor Bulgaria( Bulgaria, Europe) 4^th season – May –July, 2009

        Survivor Srbija VIP (Serbia, Europe) 3^rd season - 2010

        Survivor Israel (Israel, Asia) 4^thseason  - 2010

        Robinson 2010 (Sweden, Europe) 13^th season –May-June 2010 

        Survivor Israel (Israel, Asia) 5^th season- February-June, 2011

        Survivor India (India, Asia) 1st Season - Summer, 2011

        Robinsonekspedisjonen 2011 (Norway, Europe) Season 11 - 2011

        Robinson Ekspeditionen 2011 (Denmark, Europe) Season 14 - 2011

        Survivor USA (USA, North America) Season 25 - March-August, 2012

We are very lucky to have booked our trip to Caramoan 2 weeks after the filming of the 11th Season of Survivor Norway that is why we were able to explore Gota. I have read in some articles that during the shoot, Gota and its neighboring islands where some activities are being held are off to the public. This is to avoid inconveniences to the staff and crew of the production and for the castaways to make them feel that they are completely lost in this part of the world. I have also learned that Gota is being rented by the producer and employ locals to assist the team. This is worthy to note that the show does not only give our country the international exposure but also provide a sustainable revenue to the province.

THE CABANAS

Since the whole area is being isolated and rented by the production team of Survivor, staff and crew occupies these foldaway cabanas during the shoot. It is only after the filming that the guests can experience one-of-a-kind accommodation at Gota Village Resort.

Cabanas at night. Photo Credit: caramoanislands.com

There are more than 70 foldaway cabanas that have been assembled at the very entrance of the beach. According to a source who requested not to be named, these cabanas were imported from China and worth P60,000 each.

The Boat Bar

 
1 & 2. Wooded bridge leading to the survivor's tribal council place. 3 & 4. Some of the props used by the Survivor's castaways. 5. Hanging Bridge near the tribal camp. 6. Conference area for the staff & crew.

THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CAMP

Survivor's Mark.

 CAMWHORING FOR SOUVENIRS:

at the Gota Village Resort entrance

"The Survivors"

 

 

The beach. The "Survivor" thing.The experience. This will definitely complete your journal and have this note, "Gota is the place to be".

Gota is one place you can enjoy its natural and unexploited beauty in many ways.

Date of Experience: September 13, 2011

With: KAREN REYES, ROSALIE & JARED JUMAWAN, LADY LUTRANIA, JERRY OBRA & SHYANE RODRIGUEZ

Credits: Wikipedia, www.caramoanislands.com