Looking back on my childhood years, I have been to Zambales a couple of times. But I have never had a clear memory of this province until I made this trip with my family and friends of family in a wonderful weekend last April.


Zambales is a province in Central Luzon. In approximately 4-5 hours from Quezon City, Metro Manila, the route includes a drive along North Luzon Expressway towards Subic, Olongapo. From Subic, travel could get easier towards Zambales and its nearby towns to Olongapo.

San Antonio, the fourth out of thirteen towns, was our destination in Zambales. It has fourteen barangays including Pundaquit, wherein we stayed and spent our nature trip.



Capones Vista Beach Resort, which is a private beach resort located at the heart of San Antonio, showcases the beauty of the Capones Islands. It has a good number of houses and rooms, big and small, depending on the number of people staying. It composes of a cafeteria and bar in front, shower rooms, outdoor tables and chairs, and two pools--a 6 feet square-sized pool and a square-sized kiddie pool that was semi-infinity pool. Overall, the resort has a classy and fresh vibe. It was such a beautiful place to stay considering the price.


The resort gave us a family room with two beds, a cable-ready TV, a bathroom, and a veranda in front. Located just across the swimming pool, we got a good view of the whole resort.

One restless island hopping to Anawangin, Capones Island, Camara Island, Nagsasa Cove, and Pundaquit Falls could be the perfect itinerary. But one day of a relaxing island hopping could include a trip to Anawangin, Capones Island, and Camara Island or could even be interchanged with the other two. I was surprised to find out that there were many things to see here. No doubt nature lovers would love this place.



With two days to spare, we scheduled our boat trip to Anawangin first. We rented a boat and a nipa hut with a bamboo table and built-in bamboo chairs. Our family friends brought cooked lunch and rice for our picnic lunch. Because we arrived in the island nearly 12 noon, we had no choice but to eat. All of us were starving!


Exploring Anawangin could have been more fun if we have gone to the Nagsasa Cove and visited the Pundaquit Falls. But we had no time left so we just swam, roamed around the campsite, and attempted to look over the forest at the back.










Next, we walked over Anawangin's sandy beach towards the rocky side of the island. Here, many people were enjoying taking pictures while the clear blue water and neverending waves were splashing beneath their knees.






In our itinerary, the islands came in next. Before we headed off to the islands, we first visited the lighthouse sitting on top of one island. But the current was really getting bigger and we had to swim towards the island so we voted off the lighthouse. We made straight to Camara Island, wherein a beautiful pebbled shore and surrounded by green and rocky background came to view. Breathtaking! We jumped out of the boat a few meters away from the shore.

And the real fun comes in...




Then we discovered a great place to relax, have fun, talk, and take pictures.





At around 3 o'clock, we left the island and the boat carried us back to Capones Vista. We had a hard time docking the boat due to the waves. But the boat men soon found a place a little far from the resort. We all had to make this heavy sandy walk.



While the sun on the background was slowly coming down, the single women relaxed in the kiddie pool and talked. The sun was still shining brightly but the pool was slightly lit, shielding us from the sun rays. We got no pictures to prove it but it was one of the best and most beautiful times.



One more thing, the sunset in Capones Vista was a must-see. With a panoramic view of the sea, anyone would wish to gaze at the radiant red orange sun and skies forever.

With plenty of time to spare during the evening, we drove for an hour and a half to Olongapo City wherein we visited the M/V Logos Hope and had dinner at Coco Lime. Usually, it could only be a 30-minute drive but a traffic jam impeded it.


For the second time to some of us and the first time to most of us, we entered the ship with pretty smiles and excitement. My Mom got pretty excited with the books she found that she totally bought a bunch while my Dad resorted to the CDs of different Christian artists. I just bought one book I could use for teaching. Nothing much really changed with their stocks. This time, I got a few pictures of what's inside from my brother's phone. Sorry, they were all cookbooks... GAAH..



Eating at Coco Lime was the perfect way to fill up our empty stomachs. We ordered various foods which we ate happily. The pineapple rice is definitely a must-have! If someone could only franchise this restaurant in Manila, then it would have been a big hit already. Way to go, Coco Lime!





The following morning, the resort served us our breakfast at the outdoor table in front of the pool. It was nice complimentary breakfast. I forgot to take pictures of the dishes but they were alright. They asked us our orders late at night while we were hanging out in the veranda. By the way, the whole place was Wi-Fi ready.

We checked out at 11 o'clock and had lunch at Espresso Cafe, Subic Bay. They served us literally BIG pizzas, overflowing pica picas, pasta, steak, and fries.




Anyone could definitely have the right to say, "How unhealthy!"But it did make the hunger go away.

Then we bid our goodbyes several times until we parted our ways in Mindanao Avenue. Before I forget, Quezon City people should take this road to the expressway because it is much easier.

Haaaay. Zambales, you are unforgettable. How I wish I could make another trip to the beach before summer ends but looks like I would only have summer classes and city hang outs waiting for me.