- Destination 1: Subic
- Destination 2: Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales
- Destination 3: Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales
- Destination 4: Dagupan City
DAY 1:
We were supposed to leave as early as 6 am because Jaims wanted to catch the track Day at Subic International Raceway. It was an invitation from the NissanBayan for the MazdaTech people to join them in their trackday. While the desire to get there was high, the need to stay late in Manila to deliver overdue work was more pressing. We first met a guy somewhere around Manila to drop off an album then we proceed to St. Luke's to deliver Bien's goodies. I stayed a little longer to catch up with Mylene who just gave birth to the Peñaranda twins. The road trip officially started at 11 am. Traffic was terrible before NLEX since the MRT station was being done. We had our first stop at Burger King. Totally got disappointed with the Whopper Jr. The last time I ate one was during my pregnancy days with Sofi. And seeing how small a whopper Jr. makes me so sad :(. Anyway Dadi got his free back massage at Burger King.
Passing to SCTEX was part of the plan. The newly constructed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expreesway was a breeze -- plus, we get to do some drifting. Though Jaims claims that it was a little boring since there's no traffic to think about. At 3PM, were able to arrive at the Raceway. In as much as I wanted to feel the adrenaline rush I just can't join him. I begged that he drop us off to the nearest lodge, hotel or whatever that is within the budget. He initially wanted to leave us at All Hands Resort, but from afar one can see how many people are dipping on the shore. I just want to rest. So we went up the road and found Crown Peak. The place looks eery but the sight of the pool made us stay. We checked in at the Tiara Bldg. After 30 minutes, I decided to bring sofi down at the pool. Knowing it will take a while before Daddi comes back.The pool was clover-shaped with depth ranging from 2.6 ft - 6 ft -- not too cold but not too hot. It has a slide in the middle, and little tables were scattered around the pool. The shallowest part of the pool was up to Sofi's neck :) We got tired waiting for Daddi so I decided to go back to our room and dry Sofi. Dad came in after 30 minutes. He was all smiles and he kept on talking how fun it was to drive around the raceway. that moment I felt he loved me a notch higher for allowing him to drive hehehhe...
We decided to explore Subic for dinner. Besides he wanted to see if the fishing spot we saw that afternoon was great. We found Annie's Kitchen near the Subic Bay and decided to take our dinner. Since we don't have a definite plan, we were extra tight on the budget. On our way back to the hotel, the mood changed. We were stopped at the checkpoint because we failed to use seatbelts. Daddi was given a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt and another ticket for not informing his passenger [ me ] to wear a seatbelt. Crap! For the entire day we were so obedient of the Subic traffic rules and just a minute far from the hotel we committed two violations. Dad was even telling me when we got there that the rules are strictly followed in Subic. and then this happened. I remember taking off our seatbelt when we went down to the fishing port. We completely forgot about it when we went back to our car :(
Day 2:
We went out without eating breakfast. we planned to find a picnic spot and cook there. 30 minutes on the road and we haven't found a spot. Locals were directing us towards Camayan, but we don't have a budget for dining out. we just want a spot for our portable stove to do its task. We went back and drive elsewhere until we got to Morong, Bataan. We got to a public beach but they say you have to pay P500 for the cottage. no way! We decided to just stroll for while in the beach then go back to Barney. On our way back, Dad turned left somewhere and we were both surprised how fast we got back to our hotel. the hour drive was cut to 15 minutes. Spooky! Anyway we decided to just go to Malawaan Pier where we stopped over last night. I cooked hotdog and hot water while the two looked over the pier. We just had bread, hotdogs, noodles and coffee for breakfast.
We went back to the hotel and since it was still early, i nudged Jaims to swim in the pool and perhaps take some pictures. Checkout was at 12 but we left around 1PM. We decided to eat lunch in Subic. Magic Lagoon. For a scorching hot afternoon, the place was cozy. Open-air, roof was made of nipa and a big pay-fishpond was on the side. Roosters as big as Sofi walked around the grill as if they're part of the decoration. We spent around P600.00 for a heavy lunch. I overheard the family behind me that they're also going to Pundaquit. We were informed beforehand that our resident bankero, Mang Randy, will not be available even after Holy Week. Anawangin Cove is full of visitors and resorts within the area are fully-booked. We're just trying our luck.We got there by 4 and it is really impossible to be island hopping around that time. The most ideal thing to do was for us to find a place to check in. I told Jaims to try inquiring in Canoe Beach Resort (our usual resort in Pundaquit), there's no harm in trying. Luck must be on our side when they told Jaims that the one who booked for that day did not arrive so they are giving the room to us. Check in is 2PM. Since it was a Sunday we decided to drop by the Church but when we got there the last mass has just ended. Since I didn't like the idea of feasting on noodles again, we thought of buying ulam in the carinderia. Jaims wanted to cook rice but since only two of us will eat[and Sofi, too], I told him to just buy cooked rice for both of us. The most tiring part of the day was packing the things again when I have just unpacked our stuff a few hours ago. Jaims thought of checking out early the next day.
Day 3:
the plan was to check out early (checkout is at 10) and proceed to Nagsasa Cove. Mang Randy referred us to another boatman and didn't recommend Nagsasa. The cove is an hour away from Pundaquit and it won't be safe for Sofi to travel that long. he recommended Talisayin Cove. Talisayin can rival Anawangin with its beauty. The good thing about it was that tourist hasn't flocked the area yet. We had the beach all to ourselves...except for a few locals who were drinking coke while singing Happy Birthday. There was a resort on the left side and a few huts around the area. We found a small hut in the middle but the owner was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he went out to hunt for food. In as much as we hated breaking through one's house, we did. There was no place to eat and his table was quite inviting. We had tocino, salted eggs and tomatoes for lunch. We also asked Mang randy to cook rice for us. As a sign of gratitude we decided to leave some bills on his table after eating. We got back at Canoe around 1PM and used the public shower room to clean ourselves. At 3Pm, we're back on the road.
Bolinao, Pangasinan was the next on our list but that would mean driving for another 4 or 5 hours. To cut the trip short, we decided to find some place along Zambales. We started scouting for a lodge by 6Pm. We were aiming for something lower than P1000 since we only intend to spend the night there. But finding something within that budget seems impossible. We first went to Dawal and they said it costs 1,200. We went around and find a few more but as we go farther down, the rate seems more expensive. When it was almost dark we decided to just go for the place that cost the lowest but they said that as soon as we left, a group checked in. We went back to Dawal and they said only the P1600.00 room was available. I went back to Jaims feeling sad but while I was talking to him the receptionist approached us and said that a P1200 room was available.With the rate and the sight of Potipot, we made up our minds that we will be spending two nights in Dawal and scrap Bolinao. We had a decent meal in their restaurant and slept like a log on our first night.
day 4:
We had breakfast by the sea. Cottages are lined alongthe beach front over looking Potipot. Sofi was busy playing with the sand that we were able to cook breakfast. Jaims and i decided to just go to Potipot after lunch to save us from the trouble of bringing lots of stuff on the other island. We spend the rest of the morning scouting for stash in the "bayan". We also looked for an ATM to replenish our finances (there are only 2 ATM there, one ran out of money) and laundry service (Jaims found out that there are no laundry service around the area and only the wives of the tricycle drivers do the washing for others). We ate in our room since I had to pack our change of clothes, Sofi's toys and the chips for merienda. Jaims bought a watermelon, too to complete the summer feel. We had Century Tuna in lechon paksiw sauce and Master Fried Sardines.
We boarded our boat (costs P400) at 1 Pm with our video cam. Potipot is just 5 minutes away from Dawal which makes travelling faster. Once we got there, a lady approached us and asked for entrance fee. Entrance is at P50 per head and Sofi is still free. While the island is small and visitors were everywhere, the place is not crowded. Tables are available and if you want to spend overnight in the island, cottages are also available for P500 a night. The sand in Potipot is finer as compared to Talisayin and the place is very shady. The water is warm and clear but Sofi and I opted not to go far from the shore since part of the sea suddenly goes deep. There are borderlinesto distinguish which part is safe to swim at. By 5Pm our boatman fetched us. We were so burnt and tired that after taking a bath, the three of us slept until 10Pm. We woke up just to eat dinner then walk a little. By 12 we went back to our room and snore the night away.Day 5:
at 7Am, I received a text from mama informing us that they are on their way to Dagupan. We didn't rush ourselves and spent an hour or so in Dawal's pool. The rest of the time was spent packing our stuffs back to Barney. It was still quite a long drive so I begged Jaims if we could eat by 12. We ended up eating at Jollibee. Nothing beats Chicken Joy and Jolly Spaghetti as hunger buster.
By 3PM, Daddi, Mommi and Sofi officially ended the Elizaga Road Trip :)
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