Anawangin dreams

Got a quick weekend time away from it all.  Pine trees on the beach.

A small swamp leading to the campsite.



The campsite. First time to do camping and it was with my good friend Wella who came all the way from California. Wella and I have been friends since high school, the only remaining close high school friend that I have. We went there just the two of us, no husbands and no kids. And it was like high school all over again.  

happy campers

wella setting up the tent with the kuya

So the fault is we are not that prepared. We didn't come with cooking stuff or even uling but at least we had sleeping bags. Good thing though since it was only one night and that we had baon of rice and daing na bangus---easy viand that can last up to a few days without reheating. Oh and some very reliable cup noodles. Hot water is sold 10pesos from a lone tindahan on the island. Every item is hiked up thrice the usual price so better bring the entire house in handy small pieces.

The beach was a nice grainy off white. Not powdery sand feel like in Boracay but good nonetheless. At least it is devoid of anything that is too much for a tropical paradise. But since it is summer, people camping at night still get to party the natural way--- in the dark, with the stars, among the pine trees with a bonfire and some guitar strumming and singing. Very nice alternative. Very back to basics. Very good for some heart to heart talk and life planning moments except that didn't much happen to me and Wella because we are so dead tired from hiking and climbing.

About the hiking part. One charm of Anawangin is the mountain just beside the beach that is waiting to be conquered. It isn't really an easy climb and some people who are not used to climbing just went back. Me and my friend took 3 hours back and forth to get to the second mountain while as most of the people stopped at the first mountain. A nice view keeps you company while on the way to the top telling you to just keep going.

And from this scenery, i knew a great view is about to unfold once we get there. A moment to take our breaths away and relish that feeling mountaineer moment.

the beach and the swamp

other side of the mountain

Wella and I are a bit proud of ourselves for reaching the second mountain since most of the people wouldn't waste energy and enthusiasm to go to the second one. It was harder because it had sharper rocks and the way is a steeper climb down to get to the next mountain with no trail. A few daring men climbed there and so we're a bit high upon setting foot to the second one since we're girls in tsinelas and braving it all in our panties. We even called ourselves Panty Mountaineers while singing climb every mountain... ford every stream.... Wala na kaming pakialam kung ma-sight nila ang mga kuyukot namin basta mega climb lang kami. Concentrate to the max with matching will power to go where the boys are and not because we wanted to make landi. But because it's there and we want to go there--in our panties! bwahahaha.

my posture needs improvement

Wella savoring the view from the top

view from the second mountain

And us being girls, we had the requisite shot of bringing sexy to the mountains via Wella. She is a part time pole dance teacher and does yoga thrice a week hence the body and the arms. 

The greatest discovery about being there is the sound of the wind gushing through the mountains. It is surreal. Like the wind is alive and talking to us. Have you heard the sound of the wind on the opening credits of the Sound of Music before Maria sings? That is the exact sound! Like it's whirring around us and we almost jumped for joy after hearing that. The feeling is indescribable, a precious moment and i thank God for that. I wonder what's up on the third mountain? We saw only three men go up. If we had enough time and water we'd be climbing there too. So i guess babalikan namin yan...

Aside from conquering a mountain in panties with no bruises, we also found new friends, Em, GL and Axel.

at camara island

I really needed the full sweat of hiking, the drive to just do it, the backfloat, the sound of the wind and everything else in between that this place had to offer. Thank you Anawangin!