A Glimpse of Capones Island

looks like a bird's beak

On our way back to Pundaquit, we passed by Capones Island. Original plan is to hike to the light house but time didn't permit us so we just sail around the island.

From afar, a white beach and blue waters will catch your eyes.  It's so tempting to embark and take a dip. This is real white sand unlike Nagsasa's and Anawangin's.  Camping is possible for a small group.

super white fine sand

You will not notice the light house until you reach the tail of the island.  It looks so rustic from afar.  The nearer you get from it, the more interesting it becomes.

there's the light house

it has a keeper's home

I wish to return here to camp and hike to the light house.... : )

A few minutes in Anawangin Cove

Anawangin's facade

Before going back to Manila, to complete the tour, we passed by Anawangin Cove and Capones Island.

We only spent few minutes in Anawangin Cove since our boat came late and we are in a hurry to go back home.

From the entrance, you will not have an idea that there is a paradise hidden inside.  Like Nagsasa, this cove has a clean and clear water.  There is also a long stretch of beach shore.  The difference is: while Nagsasa was divided into partitions and each partition being fenced by each owner, Anawangin Cove is only one big resort being operated and maintained by the local government.  There is an entrance fee of 50 pesos for day tour and 100 pesos for overnight stay.  Also, the beach is quite far from the camping site.



Eat, Trek and Swim in Nagsasa Cove

it's more beautiful at the top

I was fortunate to be invited to join  a department's outing last last weekend in Nagsasa Cove with side trips to Anawangin Cove and Capones Island.  Since the food expenses were subsidized, I only paid a few hundred bucks for this trip.  Besides, I have nothing to worry about this outing but how to enjoy.

We left Manila at 2:30AM and arrived in San Antionio, Zambales at 4:30AM.  It was an uncomfortable land travel but I didn't notice that since I'm sleeping most part of the trip (Nissan Urvan is not recommended for long trips with 16 people in it).  Food was bought from the market before going to the cove.

early morning in Pundaquit

Laguna: Sta. Maria's Hidden 3 Falls



my kids enjoying the experience

When my kids and I went to my bestfriend - Jane's home in Laguna for a weekend getaway, I didn't have much expectations.  I only wanted to see her town, their nice home and have some rest and break from my usual weekend.  She has been telling me about the falls they have but I do not have much interest on it.  Actually, I imagined it as a small kind of falls and nothing spectacular about it.  But we have included it in our itinerary though I was planning to cancel it (sleepy mode attack).

It's time for comfort! (for ladies only)

I remember when my very first period came, my mother prepared a cloth pad for me. They have so many beliefs then so I was not allowed for a disposable one.  Well, thanks to my mom since I don't remember any pain during the first few years that I'm having my monthly visits.  But it was so inconvenient since I have to cut and sew the cloth.  Added to this is the washing of these cloth pads which is really so yucky.  But the comfort it brought me can never be matched by any disposable one.

Came college time, I'm quite ashamed of using the cloth pads, thus, I started my affair with the disposable ones.  They are so convenient but less comfortable.  Also, we know that disposable ones are harmful to the environment.  Imagine the tons of garbage they create.
 

reusable pads made up of super soft cloth for utmost comfort

I'm so delighted when I saw these reusable pads at Caleb's Closet online ecostore.  They are quite pricey but i'm sure they are so worth it for their number of usage and comfortability.  I also love their design.  They can be neatly packed after each usage and comes with a bag (like wet bag) for every pack (of three). According to its box, they are stain-free.  I'll see about that.

For now, I'm happy that I've found these and I won't be guilty in adding harm to Mother Earth when I have my monthly visits.  You can order from www.calebscloset.multiply.com.

The Wet Bag

Sorry dearest blog...I've been busy and lazy lately.  Actually I still have a lot of articles to post but can't find the heart and energy to.

Anyways, I'm excited to include this in my articles - the joy of online shopping.

Since last year, I'm kinda hooked on to online shopping.  I'm delighted seeing goodies which cannot be simply found in the malls.  The best part is, you don't have to dress up and go out just to buy these goodies.  I have purchased quite a few - from bracelets, clothes to toilettries.

This month, I've been a fan of  " Caleb's Closet Ecostore", a store featuring organic and goodies made of natural materials for moms and babies.  Since I'm starting to be on the organics, natural and healthy stuffs, I've been enjoying buying some for my personal use.  Here is one which I found so useful at the same time fashionable for everyday use.

Introducing the wet bag! Are you familiar with the dry bag?  Unlike, the dry bag which protect your stuff from being wet, this one is the opposite.  It protects your dry stuff from being wet from your  wet things.

cute flower design...love the feel of the soft cloth

This is originally designed for soiled wet diapers but I saw it more as a wet clothes bag.  Summer is quite approaching and you know what summer means - SWIMMING!.  So instead of bringing a plastic bag (which is harmful to nature), this is the best bag to bring.  It's so versatile, fashionable, with right size, light weight and reusable.  It so affordable at P350.00 per piece.  It also comes in different designs.  I'm planning to buy all of the design to give my friends.  You cannot have too much of this bag.

If you are an organic fan like me, please check this site:  www.calebscloset.multiply.com.  Beware, you might be addicted!

Missing the Old Christmas Tradition

Sorry for neglecting you lately my dearest site.  Christmas season is always a busy season!

I'm a true blooded "probinsyana" thus I'm so accustomed to traditions - from respecting elders to celebrating events  and coming home to the province wherever you are during Holy Week and Christmas season.  Never to be missed is celebrating Christmas with the whole big family.

I remember when I was young while we were living in my grandparents' home,  we were asked to hang our socks then every morning starting on the 20th. We will wake up with our socks full of candies or chocolates.  We believed that they came from Santa.  We are wondering why our elder cousins, uncles and aunties are laughing at us.  We had no idea that they came from my Mom.  We are so proud that we have been good thus we have received gifts from Santa. 

Christmas carols have been playing beginning September.  The air smells fresh and the wind is so chilly.  You can't sleep without jackets and thick blankets.

The day before Christmas day, my lola, mom and aunties are so busy preparing for our Noche Buena.  We always have fruits, asado, menudo, maja blanca, sopas, nilaga and ham on the table even if apples and hams are so expensive back then.  Our apples came directly from the US since one of our uncles sent us.  All of my immediate relatives from my father side arrives to celebrate with us.  The house is so jam packed.  There are non-stop chatting, eating and singing.

On Christmas eve, we all go to the church to hear the mass. Christmas mass then is being held at 11PM and will finish in time for Christmas.  I remember wearing a jacket as we walk to the church since the wind is really chilly that time.  After the mass, we will have our Noche Buena and chat till wee in the morning.  We will have hot chocolate while chatting and playing.

We have to wake up early on Christmas morning since a lot of people will arrive to pay respect to our grandparents and we are excited to show our playmates our new clothes.  Everyone who arrives is surely bringing something for us - usually food.  Everyone also is required to eat.  We as kids on the other hand are also required to go to our relatives' homes to pay respect to the elders as well.  We were accompanied by our cousins to go to our godparents' homes to get our gifts.  We are also required to eat so we end up going home so full.  Every monetary gift we received (which is the usual gift) then were given to our Mom without asking her where she will put it.  It's an SOP to give her the money.  Everyone seems so kind.  Everyone is smiling.

For the past few years, these traditions are fastly changing and fading beginning when the elders are saying goodbye one by one.  This year, only a handful had visited our home.  I didn't also go out to visit some homes as I'm so busy cooking for my visitors.  I have not heard any Christmas carol being played.  The temperature is quite hot. 

Christmas today seems being celebrated just for the family alone.  Celebration is confined on your own family unlike before that you think of the whole clan.  Though there is still a lot of family gatherings but celebrations become shorter and shorter.  Is this because of a harder life?  migration? change of religion?  or change of attitude?

It's quite sad to think that the true spirit of Christmas is fading.  I still want my next generation to enjoy and celebrate Christmas how it should be celebrated - with the whole family and being thankful for the birth of Christ and for the blessings that have been received for the year.  It should always remain as a reminder for us that there is someone who is born and died for mankind.  I still wanted to see the elderly and children smile during Christmas day.