Let’s start the year with a bang! This was my first trip for 2013. From work, I went directly to Victory Liner Caloocan for the assembly of the Byaheng Victory: Camping in Nagsasa Cove in Zambales. The assembly time was 4:15 AM and I’m not that excited to be there at 1 AM. It was around 5 AM when we left Caloocan. I didn’t notice the 4-hour bus travel from Caloocan to San Antonio, Zambales with my comfortable seat onboard the Victory Liner Bus and with their Free Wifi connection.

From San Antonio town proper, it was a 20-minute tricycle ride to Pundaquit Port for the boat that will transport us to Nagsasa Cove for our overnight camping. The nearby island of Capones is just 30-minutes via boat from the shoreline. We dropped by the island and had photo ops. I tried to shoot in manual mode catching the waves splashing on the rocks. I’m such a noob so sorry for the shots.

I wasn’t able to check the Spanish lighthouse since it is on the other side of the island and scorching heat of the sun was being felt. After 30 minutes, we left Capones Island. Traveling to Nagsasa Cove, beautiful view of the islands afar will be on your right side while the brown and rocky mountains on the other side. If you’re lucky enough, you can catch flying fishes leaping out of the water.

We arrived at Nagsasa around 12 noon with the Travel Factor coordinators starting to pitch the tents and cook for lunch. I reminisced my Boy Scout years by helping Ron to prepare our lunch: Tinolang Manok, Adobo, Ensaladang Talong and Mango Salad.

Other members of the trip enjoyed swimming in the clear and cool waters of Nagsasa beach but I stayed in the cottage, sleeping *evil laugh*. I just went out of the cottage when the sun was about to set. I didn’t swim throughout the trip. I just enjoyed taking shots of the landscapes. Compared to Anawangin as per Lenard, our Travel Factor Coordinator, Nagsasa has more facilities like source of water and shower rooms that’s why they chose the place over the other.

After dinner, a bonfire was lit up for the socials and marshmallows were given to all participants. I enjoyed burning the mallows because the taste is better when totally melted. The training camp of the new Travel Factor coordinators was also held in Nagsasa Cove and as participants of the Byaheng Victory tour, we were given the opportunity to judge the different team building activities held. Every group showcased their talents and creativity to survive the different challenges given by the older TF Coordinators.

We went to sleep around 11 PM. It was 3 AM when I woke up because of the freezing cold. I’m trembling so I took all possible things inside my bag that can warm me up. And I went back to sleep. Woke up at 7 AM and walked in the shorelines when I noticed that a river is just meters away. The water is so clear that the image of the mountains is perfectly reflected. I want to hone my manual landscape shooting so I took pictures and bent like a pro.

We had some coffee and bread and after a couple of hours left Nagsasa Cove. We were already in Pundaquit Port around noon having lunch at Canoe Resort. We left Pundaquit before 2 PM and continued to San Antonio Public Market located at the back of the town hall. We were fetched by the Victory Bus around 3 PM and got back to Manila around 8 PM.

THE GROUP

What is nice with Travel Factor is that you will get to know all the members of the tour since it’s not that big. For the Camping in Zambales, we were only 7 in the group and not to mention that I was the only thorn among the roses. The group was the smallest ever as per Lenard. I learned a lot from these people with their own stories shared. I’m so glad I was part of it.

WHAT TO BRING

Since the trip is all about camping, make sure to pack light and a backpack is enough for a 2-day/1-night camping. Make sure also that you bring clothes that are light and comfy. Of course don’t forget your toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and others. The following should also be considered:

1. Light Towel
2. Mosquito Repellant
3. Sunblock
4. Flashlight (for night walks)
5. Umbrella
6. Personal Garbage Bag (Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.)
7. Personal Medicine
8. Camera and Accessories
9. Swimwear (since it is Beach Bumming)
10. Jacket/Hoodies
11. At least 2L of water.

BYAHENG VICTORY: CAMPING IN NAGSASA COVE

This trip is sponsored by Byaheng Victory, a collaboration of Victory Liner, the Philippines’ premiere bus transportation company, and Travel Factor, the leading adventure travel company in the Philippines.