Capones-Anawangin-Nagsasa Coves: Travel Tips

Summer is here! What better way to spend the summer than to hit the beach. A popular destination for budget travellers and campers is the Zambales Coves- Capones, Anawangin, Nagsasa and Silanguin. All of these are located in Pundaquit, San Antonio- about 2 hours from Metro Manila. 

But before exploring these coves, consider the following tips: 

1. Bring Sun Block (and a Wide-Brimmed Hat)

I know that people should put on sun blocks when in the beach but visiting these coves will really expose you to the sun so don't ever forget your sun blocks! Most of the boats that offer island hopping services have no roofs. Just bare fishing boats! It took my skin a year to shed the darkness on my back when I visited these islands. 

2. Bring water and food

All of these islands are not developed. They are campers' islands esp. Nagsasa and Silanguin. The cost of drinking water sold in these islands is double the price. Also, there are no restaurants or canteens. so bring cooked meals or canned goods for your lunch or dinner. 

If you plan to stay the night at any of these coves, be prepared to share washrooms with others. 

3. Don't stay beyond 4 pm if on a day tour. 

The sea waters are usually rough on late afternoons. So if you're just on a day tour, going back at Pundaquit must be at around 3 or 4 pm. It would take half an hour if you will be coming from Nagsasa or Silanguin. Keep in mind that you're not riding a roro. You will be riding small boats that can easily be toppled by strong waves.

4. Avoid bringing babies

The coves of Zambales are ideal for groups of friends. Family outings can also be done here except if there are really small kids. Since, you'll be using small boats from Pundaquit to the coves without roofs, I think it's not advisable to bring small kids. The waters of Zambales is generally calm but it's already an open sea. 

So list these tips, gear up and have a safe and enjoyable trip!

Milk Tea, Milk Tea: Review of Milk Tea Brands in the Metro

I was never a fan of tea or milk.  It was only recently when the postings on my facebook persuaded me to try one of the food, or rather drink, craze right now- milk tea! To catch up with all the milk teas I missed ever since its conception, I went the rounds to trying all the milk tea stands and stalls in a mall near my house.

So let me share with you my own take on the milk teas I have tasted so far: 

1. Bubbatealicious

photo credit:  http://ph.openrice.com/manila/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=18436

This brand of milk tea is my favorite. Their milk teas are sweeter compared to other brands. And cheaper too! I've tried all their milk tea flavors and the best for me is the Caramel Milk Tea. 

Just an advice, their blueberry and strawberry milk teas don't taste that good. They resemble the taste of medicines- kinda sour and artificial. They also don't have the infamous wintermelon milk tea yet. 

Location: SM Fairview, 2F Annex Bldg. 

2. Tearrific

photo credit: http://jillianisyourfriend.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/check-it-tea-riffic/

I've tasted Tearrific's wintermelon milk tea. The taste is smooth with enough pearls. A regular-sized tea is about P55. Nothing really unique to set it apart from other brands. Just be careful when holding it since the container seems more "crushable" than other brand. 

Location: SM Faiview, 2F Main Building near Max's Restaurant

3. Happy Lemon

photo credit: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/12/happy-lemon-manila.html

Sorry for those who adore Happy Lemon, I think their milk teas taste a bit bland. The pearls are also bland and small compared to other brands. It's like there's more water and it's not that thick. But for some reason, there's always a long queue in their stall in Trinoma. (It must be me who's having a problem with taste buds!). Also, their milk teas are more expensive than other brands. I think the cheapest you can buy is about P85- the milk tea with black pearls. 

Just an advice, brace yourself for waiting esp. on weekends. 

Location: Trinoma Mall, 3F near the Cinema

4. Tea Tattle 

photo credit: http://jennyandjessie.blogspot.com/2012/03/tea-tattle-sm-fairview.html

This brand is also one of my favorites. (I think my second in the list. hehehe!) I only tasted their creme teas. My favorite is the Tattler's Choice Milk Tea. The milk is creamier and the taste of tea blends smoothly with the taste of milk. There's also plenty of pearls- no need for additional ones. It's also relatively cheaper than other brands. Cheapest is P60 for 12 ounces. 

Location: SM Fairview, UG across Goldilocks

5. Cha Dao Tea Place

photo credit: http://taraletseat.blogspot.com/2012/02/cha-dao-tea-place-sm-fairview.html

I simply don't like the taste of their tea esp. if it's mixed with egg white. For me, their milk teas taste like medicines- tolerable to some extent but not something you'd choose to taste. I actually did not finish my milk 

Location: SM Fairview, LG Annex Bldg. 

So there's my initial list of milk tea brands. I'll have another round of tasting other milk tea brands!