I came, I surfed and got Stoked in 2009

I blame  my friend Karen, who I first surfed with,  for this post. She sent me a text message saying:

" I remember the Tower of John!"

Back in 2009, I so wanted to go and try surfing. I've been telling everyone that I want to go to La Union and surf even though I don't swim well. Who cares? I'm young and fearless plus I'm willing to pay a surfing instructor to guide me and teach me how to paddle.

We were already set to go to La Union when we got a text from one of my friend's contact and heard the ultimate party pooper for surfers:

"There's no waves today and in the next few days sir."

Whaaat?!

I've already bought a surfing outfit and my bags are all packed two days before and now don't tell me we're not going?! I have already set my heart to surf and there's no way I'm going home and spend the weekend in take outs and DVDs.

By three in the morning I was furiously googling places where we can surf until I stumbled upon Zambales and found Crystal Beach Resort. And the next thing I knew, all of us, coming from Pasig, QC, Makati were furiously running to catch the last decent time bus going to the bus terminal.

The photos here are intended for personal consumption, I did not plan on blogging about it until Karen's text.

So, here are some of the photos from my first ever surfing trip.

The surfing school and beach/campsite/retreat

We stayed at the Tower of John. I wish I had taken more photos so that I can show you what it looks like. It was the cheapest and scariest looking hut, it was more like a tree house and we paid Php1,000.00/night when it was worth Php500. Well, at least breakfast is included.

 The  next night we transferred to the attic with decent doors and bathroom and paid extra.

We had the traditional tocilog breakfast and met the owner, June, who was very nice.

They have Kayak boats and Indo Board to practice balancing. 

On our way to the beach (separate from the resort) to surf. We had to take lessons from instructors first before going in.

I wish I could post surfing pics but I swear they're not flattering! Haha!

But I am very happy that I was able to stand on the board, and well, surf to be politically correct.

I did try and try until you almost himatay! 

Unfortunately I have not been into any surfing trips after that, but at least for once in my life I have felt what exactly it feels like to be stoked. Although the very next day after surfing, I can’t laugh without feeling that my entire ribs are about to crack, but it is just the best feeling ever. 

Contact Information:

Mobile Numbers:

SUN :(0922) 841-9004
GLOBE: (0917) 545-2791
SMART: (0919) 939-3153
Manila Tel: (02) 514-2117, (02) 941-9004


Multiply site: www.crystalbeachresort.multiply.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crystalbeachresortzambales

Survivor Philippines: The BMS+Blacksheep Version in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

We were supposed to go to Anawangin Cove in  Zambales but on our way to Zambales we found out from one of our googled boatmen contacts that Anawangin’s full ( 400+ campers for the long weekend) so we opted for NAGSASA COVE instead.

Thanks to the power of the internet, we found out that there are too many people on Anawangin Island through some boatmen contacts that we found online. We decided to go to Nagsasa Cove instead.

Nagsasa Island turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because most people are after Anawangin Cove but it turned out that Nagsasa Cove has better beach, better privacy and we didn't have to line up to take turns using some of the limited “facilities”. (comparison from those who's actually been to Anawangin before going to Nagsasa Cove) 

We arrived in Pundaquit, Zambales at a little over past 8pm.  (Parking fee is Php 100-150/night, depending on the season) We took the 8:30pm boat ride in good faith, everyone was nervous during the 1 hr boat ride trip.

We stayed at MANG TOTOY'S CAMPSITE, in NAGSASA COVE, ZAMBALES: 

 

Mang Totoy, his store and a view from his campsite

MANG TOTOY CAMPSITE, NAGSASA COVE ZAMBALES

Contact Number: 0999.176.9830

Boat name: DEFENDER (holds 9-12 pax)

Boatmen: 

Arturo Matuguina / Bong Matuguina: 0999.176.9830

Reynald Liwarin: 0910.816.2974

*** Contact the boatmen and ask them to take you to Mang Totoy's Campsite in Nagsasa Zambales so they can reserve the camp site for you. 

*** Mang Totoy's Campsite is gearing towards the right side of the island, coming from Pundaquit. 

Things to expect in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales:

• Pundaquit (Where the parking and the main shore) to Nagsasa Island is 45 minutes to 1 hour boat ride
• Nagsasa Campsite to falls – 45 minutes
• No cellular phone signal
• No electricity. At all.
• No slightest hope of internet connection
• It’s a good thing we stayed at MANG TOTOY’S CAMPSITE, (Entrance is Php 100/head/night) because he owns probably one of the only stores in the island and here are some of the things you can buy from his store:
• Soda (softdrinks) – Php 80
• Bottled water for drinking – Php 45 / Php 15
• Nescafe 3-in-1 Coffee – Php Php10/sachet, includes 1 styro cup
• Canned goods like sardines, tuna etc.
• Candies, Chips, Noodles
• Sanitary Napkins and other toiletries

Tips:

• You can also request to rent a “gasera”, Php 40 will last 3 days.
• The wood used for bonfire is Php100/set, they can set it up for you.
• Mang Totoy can also arrange a trekking trip to two type of falls (prices are negotiable): 15 minute trekking to the  “small” falls – Php 30/head1 hour trekking to the “real” falls – Php 100/head
• They have a decent and slightly decent changing rooms and toilet where you can take a bath. They have installed faucets so no need to manually pump water. Not bad for trying to “roughening it up” for the first time.

The moment we arrived the guys took charge of our tent "compound"

Boys check how to make fire to cook food, us girls check the nearest decent bathroom/comfort room

Our version of our Island food

This is what it looks like, waking up in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales:

 

Kuya is a local of zamables, he walked all the way from Subic.

They charge the huts Php 100/night. It's best to bring a tent... I just couldn't resist taking a photo of a manong in a jejecap. 

It's not sand, it's LAHAR! 

View from the mountain.

 To save money on bonfire wood, the guys looked around for improvised wood to start fire

All work + All Way = The BMS Blacksheep Way! 

On our last night we had hotdogs, s'mores (roasted marshmallows), wine and beer. Some of us literally slept under the stars. ( Something I need to check off my things-to-do list, haha)

I am always the first one to wake up in our group and I don't know why. This is what Nagsasa Island looks like around 6am. No sunrise shot, sun is on the other side of the mountain. I love this blurred photo of Lyle getting out of his tent. He looks like he was ejected from his own tent haha. 

7:30 am we went to the nearest small falls. It's 10-15mins of walking from the beach front.

The small falls

 by 8:30am we loaded our things to the boat:

1 hr boat ride back to Pundaquit, Zambales

And inspired by my friend Joy’s assessment strategies from work, she calls it GDD (What was GOOD, what was DIFFICULT and what we could’ve done DIFFERENTLY):

GOOD:

• The place is not crowded and our tents are strategically located near the rest room
• Surprisingly there weren't any horrifying mosquitoes but it’s good to bring some insect repellent lotion.
• We were able to just relax and chill because there’s nothing to do. You’re not forced to check on your office email, Facebook, twitter and other social networking sites that hinder you from face-to-face interaction with real people.
• You get to really bond with people, make new friends with fellow campers, do crazy things on the beach (like my cousin went skinny dipping in the dark and literally took a bath in sea water late at night, haha!)

DIFFICULT:

• It’s challenging not having electricity.
• Also quite challenging when you’re used to taking long comfortable showers.
• Challenging not have cellular phone signal. It has really become a necessity.

DIFFERENTLY:

• Pack less clothes. Trust me on this.
• We could’ve brought more mat/sleeping bag, another sarong to sit on the sand.
• We could’ve brought more beer, food and chips, drinking water.  It’s expensive to go thirsty and hungry on the island.

***Special Thanks to my guest photographers: Rogus Solis, Ronald Hernandez, Jan Pollisco and Stewart Blackett.