Get stoke and stoned in Liw Liwa Zambales

Stoked in Liw Liwa Zambales

The last beach that we visited before 2013 ends is Sitio Liw Liwa in San Felipe Zambales. A not so famous surfing/skimboarding spot for now. But this place I would say is much better than La Union.Why? Cheap accommodation, less crowded and it’s much nearer than La Union. They offer same water sports anyway so why bother travelling for 7 hours just to surf if you can take it for just 3 to 4 hours right?

What to do in Liw Liwa

There’s a lot of things to do in Liw Liwa. From surfing to skimboarding on flats or waves, frisbee or do whatever makes you happy. The beach is all yours for it’s damn empty and wide. You can even get naked if you want to. Naahhh just kidding. I’d say this beach is a good place to bum around, to relax ourselves from the stress that we’re getting from our work, bosses or even from our nagging or annoying parents. hahaha Peace ma. Grab a couple bottles of beer, move your ass to the beach and lie down on the sand. Then, get drunk! Don’t make your life so complicated once you’re on the beach. You went there to relax right?!

Now, don’t worry if you don’t know how to surf or skim. Locals are there to help or teach you. Surfing lessons cost P400 for one hour and that includes the board rental. If you’re confident that you are good enough, then you can rent a board for P200 for another hour. For skimboarding lesson, that I don’t know. Forgot to ask since I have my own board. Just go to Kila Bot Sir Ping Spot and ask for prices. It’s better to get instructor from them coz those guys know how to rip the waves.

Where to stay in Liw Liwa

At Circle Hostel, you can either sleep on Bunk Beds for P350/night, on a Hammock with built in mosquito net for P250/night or you can pitch a tent for P250/head/night. This place may seem cool but if your are talking about privacy, not a good place to stay. You’ll definitely hear someone snores at night. 

Everything should have been all good at Circle Hostel except with one problem. When we woke up the next day, the caretaker didn’t even bother to ask us if we want something for breakfast. Breakfast is included so it should be ready by then. And she wasn’t even nice that morning. Damn! I wish we stayed at Kila Bot Sir Ping Spot where they offer a room for P800/night/room which is good for 4-6 people or pitch your tent for P80/night/head.Cheap right? Yah, you better stay there and have your own breakfast the next day. Circle only served 6 breads, 1 pack of stuffing and 3 banana for the 3 of us anyway.

Where to eat in Liw Liwa

Food and liquors are available in Sitio Liw Liwa so you don’t need to buy that in town. One is in front of Circle Hostel and the other one is in front of Sir Ping Spot. I didn’t get the names of the store. You can choose from variety of food such as Tapsilog, Spamsilog and whatever itlog (egg) you like. Hahahaha A bottle of beer cost P26.00. Pretty sure you’ll get drunk with this kind of prices. I did. Hahaha

So what are you waiting for? Get your lazy ass movin’ and head on to Liw Liwa Zambales while it’s not yet crowded. Watch this lovely dogs, bum on the beach read a book (wee??), surf or skim and make sure you don’t get a broken bone once you get home. Or walk around the beach and do some photography. There’s a lot of good subject to shoot on to.

My overall experience in Liw Liwa Zambales?

It was solid! Great sunset, less expensive and a beach that is almost for us only. Perfect! A great way to end 2013 and a perfect weekend getaway for everyone.

If you want to go to Liw Liwa , here's a quick guide! Peace out ya'll! haha

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Posted on 10:20 AM by Unknown

Camping out in Masasa Beach

Masasa Beach

Batangas is well known for its diving spots in Anilao, beaches like Calatagan or Laiya, and mountains to hike like PicoDe Loro or Batulao, who would have thought that there’s one paradise that lies in Tingloy. A beach that is rarely visited and untouched by developers. With its powdery white mixed with black sand, clear turquoise warm water, it truly is a haven and a MUST visit. Masasa Beach offers a picture perfect sunset since it lies at the tip of the coast.

It was around 10:15 in the morning when we arrived in Anilao/Mabini port. Just in time for the first trip to Tingloy which is 10:30 am. It took us 45 minutes to reach Tingloy. Then took a quick 10-15 minute drive on a tricycle to Sitio Masasa then another 10 minutes walk to the beach. From the jump-off point to the beach, the view from here is so inviting. You’ll see trees, rice field and the green water from the beach. Both of us were almost shouting saying “wooaahhh, wow! Yes!”. The kid in us burst out not minding what the locals might think of us.

Upon reaching the beach, we looked right away for a place to camp. After finding one, we dropped our bags and sit our asses on the sand while our toes were dipped in the water. It was irie man! We had our moments for a few minutes. Naks! Hahaha I then set up our tent and after that, we both found ourselves swimming and snorkeling. Sky was dead boring at 5:30 pm. I was already complaining and upset because of it. It was almost 6 when the sun finally set. But damn! The sky showed off and fed our eyes with warm colors. Masasa beach really is unpredictable one! This place is one true gem of Batangas. The weather at night was cool. It’s not hot nor too cold. And the sky was filled with stars. Perfect for star trail photography!

People in Tingloy were really nice. Everyone that passes by says “HELLO” with a smile on their faces. At night, I honestly wasn’t able to get a good sleep because I was worried for both of us (me and my partner). We were the only campers on that beach during that time. And locals come and go passing by on our sweet spot even late at night so it’s kinda creepy. But it proved me wrong, they are really NICE. I mean REALLY REALLY NICE. Nothing happened to us and no one disturbed us at night on the beach. For water source, you have to take a good 5 minutes walk from the beach and from there, you can take a bath.

 

If you’re planning to get to Masasa beach bring a tent for this place doesn’t have resorts and also a good camping lamp that will last overnight coz power lights here is only up from 12am to 12pm. There’s no entrance fee for this beach. Before hopping in on a passenger boat, better buy your goods and water in the market since there’s no restaurant in Tingloy. If you think that you don’t have time to cook for lunch, you can ask the tricycle driver to drop by first in Lomihan near the hospital. They serve meals from Monday-Friday while on weekends, they only sell a few such as Pancit or Lomi for PHP 60.00. And never forget your snorkeling gear for you not to miss nemo! Nah, just kidding! Bring one really coz this beach is good for snorkeling. 

Masasa beach is picture perfect. But don’t expect too much. Since it’s a public beach, trashes were scattered around the shore like plastic bags, cans, bottles and things that were probably left by campers. So if you may, please, bring a trash bag with you and put it in the right place. Be responsible for once in your life and learn how to take care of the gifts that we have. Swimming area is clean. On the left side, there are corals in it, just watch out for sea urchins and jelly fish! While on the right side of the beach, it has less corals which is ideal for swimming. If you want to get to Masasa Beach, Here's an easy Travel Guide for this beach.

So that’s it! I hope you like this post and I’m looking forward of seeing your photos that you’re in Masasa Beach. Just don’t leave your trash on the beach okay? =)

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Posted on 9:32 AM by Unknown

Truth about Burot Beach

Burot Beach

This beach is known for one of the nearest beach in Manila. Upon seeing photos online and getting' a good feedback from bloggers, my girl and I decided to give it a shot on one weekend. After getting some info on how to reach Burot Beach, we hit the road and off we go to the beach.

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Posted on 6:07 AM by Unknown

Liw Liwa Travel Guide

Liw Liwa Zambales

How to get to Liw Liwa

Get on a bus bound to Iba Zambales and let 'em know that you'll get off in San Felipe Zambales. Victory Liner has daily trip. One way fare to San Felipe is Php 290.00. Once in San Felipe, charter a tricycle and tell the driver that you're going to Liw Liwa.

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Posted on 7:16 AM by Unknown

Nagsasa Cove Travel Guide

Nagsasa Cove

How to get to Nagsasa Cove Zambales

Take Victory Liner Bus in Cubao bound to Iba Zambales. Be sure you inform them that you’re getting off in San Antonio Public Market. Bus fair to Nagsasa Cove is around Php 260.00 to Php 300.00. Once in San Antonio, take a tricycle to Pundaquit. Fair is Php 30.00/person.
For boat, you may contact JR at 0917 380 9104. Boat rate is Php 1600.00 that can sit 2-4 persons for Nagsasa Cove and if you want to go to Capones the next day, just add Php 200.00 .

Must bring: Tent, flashlight, Portable gas stove, cookware, food, water (you can ask water from JR).

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Posted on 11:37 AM by Unknown

Masasa Beach Travel Guide

Masasa Beach

With its powdery white mixed with black sand, clear turquoise warm water, it truly is a haven and a MUST visit. Masasa Beach offers a picture perfect sunset since it lies at the tip of the coast.

How to get to Masasa Beach

From Manila:

• Ride a bus going to Balagtas Grand Terminal in Batangas. Jam Liner in Kamuning Cubao has daily trip. Fare is Php 165.00 ( better be in a bus around 6 in the morning)
• From Balagtas Terminal, ride a jeepney bound to Mabini/Anilao for Php 35.00
• Once in Port, take passenger boat to Tingloy for Php 70.00
• Tricycle from Tingloy port to Sittio Masasa is Php 60.00/tryc

Passenger boat trips to Masasa Tingloy

From Anilao Port to Tingloy

10:30 Am, 12:30 Pm 2:30 Pm 4:30 Pm 

From Tingloy to Anilao Port

6:00 Am, 7:00 Am, 8:00 Am, 9:00 Am

• Tricycle from Masasa Beach to Tingloy Port Php 60.00/tryc
• Passenger boat from Tingloy to Mabini/Anilao port for Php 70.00
• Jeepney bound to Diversion Road for Php 30.00
• Take another Jeepney ride bound to Balagtas Grand Terminal for Php 8.00
• Balagtas Grand Terminal to Cubao Php 165.00

(An overnight stay in Masasa Beach will cost around Php 670.00/each just for the fare)

A must bring if going to Masasa beach :

• Food
• Water
• Tent
• Camping Light
• Snorkeling Gear
• and Camera =)

Note:

Deep well or water source is 5 to 10 minutes away from Masasa Beach. Don't leave your things unattended and never leave your trash behind. Thanks!

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Posted on 6:02 AM by Unknown

Travelling Solo in La Union

Bum La Union

Growing up in a small town in Calbayog City Samar, I have learned to live a simple life. Never appreciated traveling or going out. I have dedicated myself at work on a daily basis and drink out with my friends once in a while. That was my life in 2008 until 2011. But in March of 2011, I decided to do something else for my birthday instead of just staying at home while getting drunk. This time, I traveled alone and went to San Juan La Union to try surfing. This was my first time in surfing, my first time to travel alone and my first time to be in La Union. I don’t even have an idea on how to get there. Good thing my officemate knows how to get there and he instructed me. Equipped with a few notes on how and where to stay in La Union, I confidently went out and rode a bus all by myself. I felt excited and at the same time a bit nervous. I don’t know anyone in La Union, no one is with me, if something happens to me, no one might find out and a lot more.

There’s a lot of things going in mind that time. But when I saw the trees on the road side, I forgot my worries, I smiled and felt happy. It felt that I was in the Province again. I arrived in La Union at around 9 in the evening. I asked around for a place to stay. Locals were very nice to help me out even it was late in the evening. Since staying in Hotels are expensive, I chose a homestay coz it’s cheaper. It was Alex’s house that I’ve stayed for the next two days.

Since I arrived at night and got nothing to do, I decided to just go to the beach and hang out there with some bottle of beers. Alone and no one to talk to, I felt relaxed, stress from work was gone, my mind was empty at that time. I appreciated serenity for the very first time. Seeing stars up above the sky, hearing the waves smash into the shorelines, man, I could live a life like this. This is truly one way to escape reality once in a while.

It was a big day for me on my second day. Learning new stuff. Surfing baby! Alex instructed me for an hour for me to learn surfing. His wife Lea was the one taking photos of me surfing since I’m alone. It was hard paddling and trying to stand up on a surf board during my first few attempts. It was all wiped outs! But then after a few tries, I was able to manage to stand up on the board and ride the waves. It was really fun. I was stoked the whole day. I even rented one of their long board for a whole day. Whenever I get tired, I take some rest on their board shack and gas up with some beer. It was irie man! Then I surf again even when the sun was so hot. I didn’t bother getting dark.

Where to eat in La Union

At night, I went to Surfers Retreat for dinner, alone again. Too fed up with meat in Manila, I Ordered a good fried dried fish this time. Tasted just like the one in my province.

After having a good meal, I went back to the beach with some bottles of beer and enjoyed my last night on this beach. I had fun even I was alone through out my stay in La Union. I even made a promise to myself that I am going to get back on this place every year to surf more.

The next day, I have to bid goodbye to the beach and waves who have been so nice to me. This trip taught me a lot of things. To overcome fear of being alone, to go out and explore new things, to learn to love the nature, to be more confident. I even talked to strangers! I learned to appreciate small and simple things, to be kind to people around me, and mostly, I learned to love myself, to reward my self once in a while. I worked hard for a living, yet, this was the very first time that I rewarded myself like this. Going out freely, with nothing to worry of. Enjoying and living the life the way it should be. Because of this solo trip, look where I’ve been to and what I am right now, a totally addicted on travelling!

So if I were you, I’d give myself a bit of a reward. Get out from your room, pack your bag and go on a road trip. Life is on the road, not in a room! And see for yourself how you’ll grow as a better person.

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Posted on 8:29 AM by Unknown

Is Nagsasa Cove really worth a visit?

Nagsasa Cove

A friend of my partner invited us to spend a night in Nagsasa Cove a day before going to the beach. Hahaha No solid plans at all. Screw it. We don’t need a good planning for this. So yeah, why not! We packed our things at night and prepared for another beach experience. When we got to Victory Liner Terminal in Edsa Cubao, buses to Zambales were full. We have no option but to take another route. Since Olangapo was cancelled at that time, we have no option but to take Dau route and hoped that there will be buses from there that is bound to Zambales. But being unlucky, there’s none. So we took another bus bound to Olangapo and from there, we took another bus bound to Zambales. Long trip huh? But it’s all good. As long as we get to the beach, travel time doesn’t matter. So, lesson learned? Get a reservation if you’re going to places like Nagsasa Cove especially on Summer months and weekends. Alright? 

It was past 12 of noon when we arrived in San Antonio Zambales. After we bought the foods that we need in the market, we went straight to Pundaquit and meet up the person that I contacted for the boat. It was an hour boat ride from Pundaquit Beach to Nagsasa Cove. A bit bumpy ride but this can’t be compare to Calaguas. Hahaha I don’t want to ride a boat with those kind of waves again. Past 1 in the afternoon and we reached the famous Nagsasa Cove. Expecting that there will be a lot of people camping on the beach because it was on a weekend and summer, I was right. What a chaotic place. After finding a place to set our tents and hammocks, we bum and just enjoyed the fresh air. Swam on the beach occasionally, getting soaked under the sun, oh yeah. I’d rather be covered in sweat on a beach than in the city. Sunset was boring so I didn’t bother to take picture. If it was the same sunset in Boracay or in La Union, I might have been pressin’ down my camera’s shutter all the way down. Instead, I was busy making fire to grill the fish and the meat that we have that time. 

We dine under the clear blue sky and it was great. After getting ourselves full, puffin’ some smoke on my cigar, I was looking around in the area to find some woods for our bonfire. Some were selling woods for Php 150.00. What?! I ain’t burnin’ 150 bucks for Christ sake! When I finally lit our bonfire, it was a go for the beer. Yeah! Cold beer, cool and fresh air, bonfire, sand, a bit of pine trees, no shit! It was awesome! Since we have a bonfire, of course, we have hotdogs and marshmallows to match it. Yeah man! It was past 10 when we decided to call the night. Zai and I decided to sleep on our hammocks for no reason. Hahaha It was a good night for the first few hours. But some idiots were shouting as if it was their first time to get drunk. Stupid! Didn’t even bother that there are other campers in the area. How stupid is that? Those f@!k heads doesn’t know how to respect others. Anyway, I was still able to get a good sleep even though I hear them talking out loud. 

It was past 6 in the morning I guess when we all woke up. We then had our breakfast then we hit the beach. Then we hiked the mountain to get a good bird’s eye view of the cove. A good 15 minutes hike. Zai and my girl didn’t push through on the higher ground while Emer and I moved up. It was worth it. Gettin’ a good view of the stretch of the beach and the mountains behind it. It was a great view after all. We then trekked down and checked out the lake on the other side of the beach. After having a few pictures by the lake. We went back on swimming and bumming. Yeah dude!

At around 1 in the afternoon, it was time to say goodbye to the beach. We hopped on an outrigger boat and brace ourselves for another hour of bumpy ride. My partner and her friend saw some turtles swimming beneath our boat. I didn’t saw one. Damn it! So, is Nagsasa worth a visit? Yeah, I guess. Just do it on weekdays and not in summer. Will I come back? Nah. I don’t know. The beach is so developed. Small resorts were built in, small stores selling can goods, beers and whatever, idiot people who doesn’t respect other campers. Not my kind of beach. I’d rather go to Masasa Beach in Batangas than to go back in Nagsasa Cove.

Heres How to get to Nagsasa Cove :

Take Victory Liner Bus in Cubao bound to Iba Zambales. Be sure you inform the them that you’re getting off in San Antonio Public Market. Bus fair is around Php 260.00 to Php 300.00. Once in San Antonio, take a tryc to Pundaquit. Fair is Php 30.00/person. For boat, you may contact JR at 0917 380 9104. Boat rate is Php 1600.00 that can sit 2-4 persons for Nagsasa Cove and if you want to go to Capones the next day, just add Php 200.00.

Must bring: Tent, flashlight, Portable gas stove, cookware, food, water (you can ask water from JR).

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Posted on 7:38 AM by Unknown