The Busy Boys are back for another summer adventure. This year, me and the boys decided to give beach camping a try. Schedule conflicts make these adventures tricky to plan, but we still make it a point that we get to do it at least once a year. This trip had a chill start with everyone getting picked up from their houses (almost everyone. Lol). The drive to Zambales was quite eventful, we teased, bullied and caught each other up with what we’ve been doing since we last got together. Once there, we dropped by the town’s public market to pick up the supplies we needed. This is an activity that I really enjoy whenever I go on out of town trips. I’m not yet sure why, I just do. Hehe.
It was back on the road for us after that. Google Maps lead us to this resort (I did not really pay attention to the resort’s name so I can’t recall what it is now, plus they overcharged us, so no free advertisement, Sorry.) where we left our ride and rented a boat to take us to our destination. What followed was the longest boat ride ever. Apparently the cove we chose to go to was the furthest of all the coves of Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. Our late arrival (past 11:00 am) at the resort did not help either since the waves were already high at the time and if the boat went too fast, we run the risk of capsizing.
I was wondering why the guys manning the boat gave us big garbage bags and asked us to put our stuff inside. I got my answer five minutes in to the boat ride. We were riding against the waves and every so often sea water would splash inside the boat giving us a salty shower. I was lucky to be seated at the back, before the water reaches me it will hit my companions first. Lol. After an hour and a half, with some of us dripping wet and all of us tanned, we finally arrived at the shores of Nagsasa Cove.
We were led to a nipa shed which will be our accommodation during our stay. The bangkeros helped us pitch the tents while we organized our stuff. When everything was settled, I got the chance to look around, suddenly I forgot about the long boat ride or that my stomach was growling, (I exaggerate, I was very hungry. Haha.). It was all worth it. Nagsasa Cove was a far cry from the hotel type resorts we were used to. Mountains. sand, trees, nipa sheds and tents, the vibe was very chill and relaxing. The place was awesome.
With everyone exerting effort in preparing our (very) late lunch from scratch, we were able to sate our hunger in less than an hour. Not bad for a group of boys huh?
Our accommodations in Nagsasa
One of us brought a portable stove
Portable, waterproof, shockproof speaker.
Upon our arrival we were all quick to notice one thing, there was no mobile reception in Nagsasa. This meant no phone calls, no text messages, no mobile data. This might sound scary to some, being cut off from the outside world, but it was a welcome change for me. Electricity supply was also limited. The place gave us the chance to go back to the basics that we often neglect back at home, talking and interacting in person. That’s what we did for the rest of the afternoon.
Shot na!
When the heat of the sun became bearable, we took our session to the beach front. The sea breeze keeping you cool, the sun as your light and the sand as your cushion, nothing beats sessions by the beach.
Bury a Buddy Part 2
We pretty much stayed there till sunset, only breaking for a quick dinner then we went back for a night time chill out session by the beach around a modern bonfire.
The darkness of Nagsasa was not frightening, it was peaceful. The only source of electricity was a generator. Anyone who wanted to have a light had to pay Php 100 for it. Aside from that, it was total darkness.
Thanks to the LED lights of our mobile phones and disposable styrofoam cups, we were saved from the trouble of building a fire and enduring its smoke. The night was warm so fire would have just made it hotter. The modern bonfire was a stroke of brilliance.
No firewood? No problem. Modern bonfire.
Eventually, the excitement wore off and tiredness due to all of our activities for that day caught up with us. We called it a night and retired to our tents.
I wish I could say it was the most peaceful night’s sleep I’ve had, that I slept like a log. It wasn’t and I did not. Sand may seem soft when we walk on it, but sand serving as a bed to sleep on was a different story. The tent was the only barrier we had from the sand and it was like lying on a lumpy rock. Haha. I woke up with a stiff neck, sweating (sun plus closed tent equals sauna. Lol.) but still in a good mood. It was a great experience since I have never slept in a tent before this. It was something I’m glad I was able to do but its not something I’d like to do on a daily basis. Hehe.
It was just around 5:00 am and my buddies were still sleeping so I decided to walk along the beach and maybe catch the sunrise, one of my favorite things to watch when I go to the beach. Armed with my camera I walked towards my destination.
Gotcha!
I lost track of time, it was already 7:00 am when I got back to our camp. The boys were up, and one of them showed me what was left of our food. A stray cat or dog beat us to it while we were sound asleep. Lol. We had no choice but to buy some “golden” (cost Php 10 each!) eggs to cook for breakfast. To take our minds off food or the lack of it, I showed them the photos of the lagoon I discovered this morning, it was at the far end of the cove but we had time to spare.
See you at the crossroads
We had all the time we needed. Lol.
Photographer duties
My turn! Haha.
The part that connects the lagoon to the sea was shallow but the current was strong enough to carry us. We had a great time laying there, floating and letting the current propel us from the sea to the lagoon. We did his several times. Lol.
One of us had this awesome idea to stick the monopod in the sand, and set the timer to my mobile phone’s camera so that we could all be in the photo. From the LED light bonfire to the monopod turned tripod, we Busy Boys will never run out of brilliant ideas.
Test shot.
Dadbods. Haha.
As the well worn cliche goes, all good things must come to an end, same goes for this adventure. Me and the boys left Nagsasa Cove with awesome memories. We arrived back to the unnamed resort after a two hour (Yup, took us longer now, it was less wet though.) boat ride with me singing loudly halfway through the trip to distract myself from feeling nauseous, I did not want to end up feeding the marine life. Lol. All things taken in to consideration though, I’d say this adventure is one for the books, or in my case, the blogs. Hehe.
