We took the last trip of Victory Liner Caloocan to Sta. Cruz, Zambales Friday. Armada Resort (where we’re staying) agreed to fetch us when we arrive early morning. The travel took 5 hours because the bus kept stopping to get passengers. We asked to be dropped at Palauig market so we can purchase supplies first. A little later, some tricycle drivers offered to take us to the port where the boats going to Magalawa are (Php80/pax, and the 4 tricycles we hired packed 4-5 people in each vehicle). One trike (and 4 of us) would have to stay a bit and wait for the market to open. The other tricycles went ahead and we just waited for the others at the port. The road to the fish port was rough, and you have to endure 30 minutes of that bumpy ride. (On a dark desert highway, cool winds in my hair…).
We arrived at the fish port just in time to witness the sunset. When everyone arrived, we took the next boat (c/o Armada Resort) to Magalawa. (Armada Resort offers tour packages. We availed of the 2 days 1 night package (bring your own tent) cost Php1200/person, inclusive of meals, boat ride to and from the island and snorkeling.)
We pitched our tent upon arriving in the island, had breakfast and off to the sea. Our companions didn’t stay long in the water because there were many jellyfish in the area we chose, but Anj and I went to the front side of the resort which was safer from jellyfish. We spent the afternoon drinking (the guys) and playing cards. Then the girls (except me and Timmi) went for a siesta. Once the hammock was set up, I went for a nap, too, thus missing the ‘good time’.
Late in the afternoon, we went to check out the other resort (actually we only wanted to take photos of the fire tree in their entrance). Refusing to risk getting bitten by dogs in the community, we turned around and took the longer way to the other end of the resort where the mangrove is.
The night was spent in downing all those alcohol we brought. We grilled the pork (rare, so rare most cuts were still bloody, we ate it anyway) and hotdogs (gone in seconds). There was too much we didn’t finish everything. BUT if we had source of potable water we would’ve finished everything.
I didn’t wake up for the sunrise the next morning (although, I was already awake when the girls woke us up, I just refuse to go outside and tried to get back to sleep). We left for Manila before noon. I had too much happy memories of the trip but too lazy to write about them. I can’t wait for the next getaway with the bunch of cool people that are my officemates!
