How Nagsasa taught us about climate change

While many people have heard about how great and wonderful Anawangin in the western coast of Zambales is, our group decided to go a little further to Nagsasa Cove. Not that we did not appreciate the lake and beach and the pine trees of the former (which was also the venue of a John Lloyd movie, I was informed), the place was just a tad too crowded for our liking.

Nagsasa is about a slow-boat’s ride away from Anawangin.  While the place has also started to become popular recently, there’s still plenty of space to enjoy the beach which is roughly twice the coastline of Anawangin, the gery-white sand and the clear waters.

According to a friend who has also visited the place two or three years back, there used to not be any commercial establishments in the Nagsasa. Now, though, there’s the Beach Place where people can rent gear and recreational equipment in case they didn’t come boy scout-ready.

 

Still, I’d recommend Nagsasa for the more adventurous and not so high maintenance. You’d have to be able to build a tent, a bonfire and be able to go to the bathroom (yes! Thankfully, there is a true bathroom) in the dark.

Nagsasa also offers a trekking trip for those who want to squeeze in all the adventure they can from this little cove. For only P50-P100/person, your guide will get you from the beach, through some grasslands, through rocky paths, through a river, over boulders and finally to the falls.

Unfortunately for us, the river dried up when we did the trek and the falls was down to a trickle. The water was cool and (for those who drank) sweet.

TIPS:

·         HOW MUCH?  For commuters, the budget for this trip is roughly P1,500 (AO May 2012). Includes fare (bus to Olangapo, bus/jeep from Olangapo to San Antonio, tricycle to Pundaquit, boat rides, camping fee). Excludes individual meals.

·         HOW TO GET THERE? The Victory Liner bus station in Cubao doesn’t have trips directly to Iba, Zambales. You would have to stop over at Olongapo and get a bus/jeep to San Antonio. If you're coming from Pasay though, you can just ask to be dropped off at San Antonio. Also take note that the said bus terminal sells tickets to Zambales starting 2:30 AM but leaves around 3:30 AM. When at the San Antonio Municipal Hall, get a tricycle to the resort of your choice from there (each ride is usually P30/person). Remember to ask your boatman/guide if he's meeting you at the resort or at the municipal hall.

·         WHEN TO GO? Come to Nagsasa during the dry season (April to late May; or November to February). For us, though the weather forecasts said we should have expected thunderstorms, we only experienced a slight drizzle. The waves though, were slightly less forgiving.

·         WHAT TO BRING? Bring lots of water for drinking and cooking. While spring water (from the falls) and mountain water (available through hoses near the campsite) might be potable after filtering with cheese cloth, this would not be advisable for those with sensitive stomachs or for children. Just so you know, the store in Nagsasa charges P30 for a 330mL of bottled water. (Surprisingly though, they sell Halu-halo for P35).

Also bring a tent, a sleeping bag/blanket, sun block, appropriate footwear, bags for water proofing and for your wet clothes, food, flashlight/headlamp/candle and matches, your own surfboard or skim board, a camera and your sense of adventure. Leave your Diva behind.

·         WHAT NOT TO DO. Aside from being a diva, please, please do not litter. Trash from Pundaquit and Anawangin were already floating on the water. Please preserve the beauty of our beaches and our waters by not littering.

·         POSSIBLE DISAPPOINTMENTS? Please take note that you will not have any cellphone signals while at Anawangin/Nagsasa unless you plan on bringing your own tower.

      If you’re hell bent on seeing the falls, and you’re the sort of person who likes getting disappointed, try asking your guide if there really is a falls to see, first. Also, if you plan on trekking, bring the appropriate footwear. Your flip flops would be ruined climbing the boulders. Also, try the berries your guide might point-out- they’re a good source of energy.

If you plan on going to Capones, ask your boatman to pick you up early. The waves get bigger the later it is in the day.

·         WOULD YOU GO BACK? Definitely! The cove offers most of the activities I like trying out- the beach, the mountain and the supposed falls. The bonus for me here is how quiet it is and that there are pine trees along the coast (I’m a sucker for pine trees, I think).