ANAWANGIN COVE

I have been meaning to reach Anawangin since the first time I heard about it back in 2008. I have read reviews and ravings about how lovely and serene the place is but totally devoid of life's convenience--electricity, signal and water. So how on earth was I drawn to this place when in fact it might just cause more hassles than relaxation? Well, hello to my rough taste. I strongly dislike crowded and noisy beaches/islands like--you already have it in mind.

My philsophy is simple:

Detach from the usual once in a while and find peace in uncomplexities of nature (Basinang, 2012). 

LOL. Anyway. Seeing pictures web wide of how picturesque Anawangin is, poked my impulsive self. I want to go here and I will within this month! Whatever Raine wants, Raine gets. Bwahaha. Kidding! Bought a voucher online, hopped on a bus and voila!

Anawangin Cove, Zambales

We booked the 11:30PM bus to Iba, Zambales since I still have work until 9:00 PM (excuse the my tired fez--OT).

  We reached San Antonio at around 3 in the morning. It's not that scary since almost half of all bus passengers got off at the same town, guess we all have the same itinerary. Also our sundo was prompt (perks of  vouchers). We were brought to their house and there we waited until it's a little safe to go to the market.

We bought fresh fish and squid to grill on the cove and some spices to come with it. It so nice to go to the market very early in the morning and just be amazed with all the fresh goodies in there! It's something I really like doing (or not--lol) but cannot because I have work and I'm not a morning person.

At 6 in the morning, we head to Pundaquit beach on our contact person's ride. Cool truck and even cooler view!

Our breakfast while we wait for them to board us.

Finally! Annawangin cove is 30-45 minute boat ride from Pundaquit Beach, San Antonio.

Pine Trees! The place is calming and serene amidst the crowd. We arrived early hence the bare camp site. Wait until you see the real scene.

Assembling our tent, yaay!

Bumming around while the place is still calm. Haha

One thing that draws me to this place is knowing that river is just nearby. Photo above is an estuary. It's just sad though that some people put up fence on areas they owned, including the way to the river. This gave them rights (really?) to ask for entrance fees even if you just wanna see the river. Suck. But ofcourse we were lucky not to pay. LOL, no we didn't sneak. We just walked straight into the entrance,assuming it's alright and we're lucky to wander free. Eh ganon naman talaga dapat eh!  I just found out that they ask 50Php for entrance through eavesdropping while washing the dishes on the wash area. Haha. I don't know if it's really like that or is it drying up? The river is shallow and it's already dried up on some part. It's not like the one I see on the pictures on the net. </3

This got me so pissed. There was this sort of 'marathon' (I forgot what it's called) of motor boats and jet skis and Anawangin is one of their itinerary. They didn't actually do anything but park their rides on the shore. So san na magsswimming? They stayed the whole afternoon! Great view huh.

Lunch! The smell of grilled seafoods by the beach is one of the best things about summer!

candelight dinner!haha

Bonfire! I have never ever tried roasting marsmallows on bonfire and man, HEAVEN! hahaha. Why only now? Gee. yummmmmmmmm~ (I'm drooling again).

SECOND DAY

Again, this is our breakfast the next morning and jeez it costs double!

naman the fez.sareeh. LOL

We went trekking to see the whole Anawangin Cove from the hilltop. My brothers must have been proud of me. lol Whew! But as always, it pays off. The view is amazing!

Just a little before lunch time, we head off to Capones Island to see the lighthouse. We were planning to just have a quick drop and take pictures then back to Pundaquit. We thought we'll have lunch at San Antonio before heading back to Manila at maybe 2 in the afternoon. But.

NOBODY WARNED US! That we have to circle the whole island and trek to reach the lighthouse! We didn't even had a decent breakfast to start with. *askjfgj!!* Didn't I mention I was wearing a mid lenght dress?? Waaah.

Buti kinaya ng havs ko. Seriously, our route is way worse than what this picture shows. Sobrang mabato plus alon plus tirik na araw. We even forgot to bring water! Dieeee. There was a lot of times when I really just wanna pass out. Grabe.

The view from the top? Breathtaking.

It would have been better if it wasn't 12 noon. Haha

Oh well. Still worth it. I have always dreamed of being on a lighthouse and that's it--dream come true. It's no longer operational hence the rustic look and I love it.

We went snorkelling after so we reached San Antonio at around 4pm and that's the only time we had our lunch. Not even a decent one! Just a meal from 7eleven. Niceeeee! Got home at around 10 and still have to wake up at 3 for my eary shift! Wahaha. Welcome to my side of the world! :))

Overall, the place is okay. Well it's not that bad and not that great either. All I can say is that I have seen better. I was also disappointed with the number of people. Don't get me wrong, I just don't really like mainstream and crowd. Had I gone to this place maybe 2 or 3 years ealier I would still have seen the lushness of the place. Now, it's overly populated and overrated. But ofcourse, I still can't deny that the place is lovely. Amidst the nosie, the place is still calming, I think it is because of the pine trees and the green waters. If you do not mind being out of coverage area for your whole stay, no electricity, no cushion, no proper toilet and bathroom, no all luxuries we are accustomed to then this is a nice place for a quick getaway. Bring your friends! It's definitely for groupies.

As for me, Calaguas still holds my top 1. We'll see Coron. :)



#32: Make An Art Piece At Least Once A Week

YAAY for the time! I was able to do an art piece this weekend. This is to my oath to number 32 of the list of things I have to do before the year ends: Make an art piece at least once a week.

Back in high school and early college years when I was still active in doing paintings and drawings, I am not much on using watercolor as a medium. I can say that I am more of the acrylic,pencil and pastel kind of artist. Back then I thought watercolor is for kids (that's a shame, I know!). I bow my head in embarrassment for thinking such thing because now I realize how difficult it is to use. Sure it may seem like using acrylic in painting but I think it's more difficult to blend using watercolor. That, my friend is what I have to learn to master and doing at least one watercolor basic painting like what I did today will help me achieve the skill. That's why this time, I am giving watercolor a try. 

I'm starting on basic paintings like my fashion drawings and doing sorts of fonts. This is a great practice (doing the fonts) especially for beginners. My calligraphy practice shown above is a manifestation of my inner frustrations to go to the beach soonest--lol. Somebody take me to the ocean please. :)

I'm so so so sooo in love with this song! I always hear this wherever mall I go but I just can't seem to know the title and the singer so when I stumble upon this video on a random blog hopping, gee to my delight!



Rock my world into the sunlight
Make this dream the best I've ever known
Dirty dancing in the moonlight
Take me down like I'm a domino

Every second is a highlight
When we touch don't ever let me go
Dirty dancing in the moonlight
Take me down like I'm a domino 

Strict To Dos

I was blog hopping this morning when I got into this site and oh I was inspired! I have been feeling bored lately and I know I just have to inject something new in my life once in a while to avoid exhaustion. I have been trying to accomplish a list of my TO DOs for this year and I don't know but I can't seem to focus and finish it--including ALL things I want to try. So when I was browsing her site, I stumbled upon her list of To Dos and thought I could use it too. I blocked the things I commit to do before this year ends and added some items I personally and wholeheartedly challenge myself to accomplish as well. 

1.Discover a new cuisine, or eat something you've never tried before.

   > I am not sure why I am highlighting this item but I yes, I will try my best to do this. FYI: I am such a picky eater and trying something new (i.e. ewwiii foodies) is one of the greatest challenges I have to face (lol on that).

2. Invest in a business or idea that you believe in.

 (I already have one in mind but that would still take years. Gotta save!)

3. Expose yourself to a different kind of religion or belief.

  > Just to widen my perspective in life.

4. Make a new friend.

5. Make peace with someone who has hurt you in the past and let go of all negativity.

  (I guess I'm not ready to forgive yet but sure I have lost all negativity I had.)

6. Smile at all the street kids and beggars you see.

  > Don't judge me. I don't feel like doing this just because some (if not all) I encounter are the type who abuses when shown with even the littlest kindness. Sorry, I just don't like to entertain. I'm such a coward, especially when I'm alone someplace.

7. Say yes to all invitations.

  >This is scary, lol. but no, seriously, I have a kid and I would rather spend my free time with her than go out. Unless it's that irresistible.

8. Shut off your phone for one weekend.

  > Well, only if I'm with Jay and the rest of my family, yes of course.

9. Fight for a cause.

 > Still have to see what cause would it be, but I am most happy to be part of something meaningful.

10. Have a date with yourself: eat out and watch a movie in the cinema alone.

 > I tried eating out a couple of times already but not watch a movie in the cinema alone. Challenge. 

11. Sit down and have your portrait sketched.

 > I imagine this to be on one of the streets of Europe but I don't think that's possible this year, so maybe I'll include in this list to 12. find a place here in Manila where I can have my fez sketched (mall not counted).

13. Learn a new sport.

  >Boxing? I'm thinking of what sport to learn. I have tried table tennis, softball, soccer, basketball and I know volleyball, swimming and badminton. What can you suggest?

14. Plan a fun day together and ask your crush out on a date.

> How can I get to John Lloyd Cruz, anyone?LOL

15. Donate half of your income this month to charity.

 > Half is a number. I will, but maybe on a different way. 

16. Take art lessons.

 > I have always wanted to! Imma get back to painting, or sketching Or maybe I finally get into that workshop I have always dreamed of joining into.

17. Have your fortune read.

18. Hop on a provincial bus and go on a random day-trip adventure!

 > YES please!

19. Do a juice or fruit cleanse.

20. Purchase an artwork.

 > I'll purchase my own house first so I can hang them all.

21. Write a letter to the teacher who changed your life in high school or college.

22. Write a book.

 > I still have that unfinished story I have written back in High school. I aim to finish it before this year ends.

23. Get an Organ Donor Card.

24. Get a tattoo.

 > I badly want to get my first tattoo on my birthday next year that I already have pegs, but this is still under major thinking. hurrrr~

25. Go 100% organic.

26. Say what you think and feel, and don't lie or sugarcoat.

> I will. One of these days, I'll make another entry for just laying all out on the table. 

27. Invent a 30-day challenge for yourself and see it to completion.

28. Collaborate on a project with a stranger.

29. Open a bank account specifically for your travel fund.

30. Compilation of Amber's pictures 

> No scrapbooks please. I want it to look like a coffee table book~for kids.lol

31. Watch a theater play

32. Make an art piece at least once a week.

> Yes, once a week. I should start being strict on this or else I'll get rusty all the way. 

33. Visit at least three beaches I have never been to

> I'm eyeing Anawangin, Pagudpod and Coron!

34. Finish at least three books you can add to your collection

>Game of Thrones please!

35. Make another list and start from the top! :)

These are the things I have thought of challenging myself to do for the rest of the year. I hope to add more to this list soon! 

Bisou xx,

Raine

Amber Attends Her First Kiddie Party!

Last Saturday, March 10 we attended my boss' twin's first birthday party at McKinley Hills Village Clubhouse. I was excited because it was Amber's first birthday party to attend to. And since Amber's birthday is fast approaching, it makes me giddy to see more party ideas I could use for my little one's first birthday bash. 

Amber wasn't in the mood during those shots hence the long chubby face~lol. But Amber is such a happy baby, she loves seeing kids running around her! She smiles at everyone, so not me!lol. Aww I guess this is the start of attending kiddie parties and throwing one! I'm enjoying every bit of this. :))