The past week I was debating with myself whether to bring a car to Anawangin or to just commute. The factors were cost efficiency, convenience and my driving mood. It’s been awhile since my last veritable road trip so Friday night, I texted Irene (my girlfriend), Carms and Glenn about our meeting place, 6AM at Caltex (J. Vargas corner Meralco Avenue). It was almost always our meeting place when we have road trips. I love that place.

I think Irene and I arrived 30 minutes late. It was our mutual fault. We had a lot of time anyway so it was okay. Carms, Glenn and Irene were so looking forward to this trip because it had been a while since they had hit the shores. They were even starting to look really pasty. The office airconditioning is to blame.

To start off we gassed up P1500 worth of unleaded gasoline and zoomed on to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and got off at the San Fernando Exit. We also had our breakfast pit stop at Jollibee since I had been craving for their longganisa for the longest time. I have to wake up earlier.

From San Fernando, we pushed on towards our destination passing by more Pampanga towns and a bit of Bataan heading to Subic or Olongapo. You could actually enter SBMA and cut through saving you time but we decided to pass by Olongapo to buy our lunch: Andok’s Super Jumbo and Liempo! When you reach the Ulo Ng Apo (hence Olongapo) monument, turn right and it’ll bring you to the towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino then finally San Antonio.

For those who forgot to buy some stuff or who are unwilling to haul “fresh” food, the town market in San Antonio is your best bet. There are no big name restaurants or establishments in San Antonio. We arrived Saturday, which I think is their market day, so supplies were pretty abundant. I’m not sure if the case is the same during weekdays.

From the town proper, we pushed deeper into the suburb (Brgy. San Miguel) and made a left turn at the suggestion of the signage “This way to Brgy. Pundakit.” Tama naman siya.

I decided to park my car at Canoe Resort because I already had some connection with them. They charge P200 for overnight parking and a P120 entrance fee for each person which enables you to use their facilities, like their bathroom for example. I think the parking fee is reasonable. The P120 entrance fee is stiff and rude.

I also arranged the boat transfer through the resort. For a drop-off and pick-up the next day, we paid P1500 or P375 each. It was almost noon when we seated ourselves at our good-sized pumpboat. The sun was high, commanding and the water was pretty choppy so we were sprayed.

Coming to Anawangin, I noticed that there was a burned portion of the mountains on the left side. It really is getting dry and campers should be more responsible of their impact on places such as Anawangin.

And just like that, I was back in Anawangin.

Getting there (by commuting).

1. Take the Victory Liner bus bound to Iba and ask to be dropped off at San Antonio (P219, 3 1/2 - 4 hours). It is best to get the early morning trips to maximize your trip.
2. Take a tricycle to Brgy. Pundakit (P80-100 per tricycle, 10-15 minutes)
3. Hire a boat to Anawangin (P700-800 per roundtrip, so if you’re gonna be dropped off and then picked up the next day it’s P1400-P1600 per boat, 30 minutes)