The hidden beauty of Sta. Ana

Sta. Ana has fascinating beaches. I visited two well known beaches in Sta. Ana, one is Anguib and the other is Nangaramoan. It was a paradise, indeed. I was stunned by the hidden beauty of this beaches. My narration will only tell some of my experiences in Anguib.

You can reach this place by land or by Boat. And if your afraid of big waves i recommend you take a motorcycle from Sta. ana proper or if your up for an adventure go for the boat from san vicente port and it includes a sidetrip to the mangrove forest, a very nice mangrove forest and if you are lucky enough you'd catch a flock of birds at this place.

Anguib beach is made famous by last seasons US Survivor Palaui and Cagayan. They say this is the Boracay of the North, Anguib Beach has a powdery soft white sand and shallow waters,like Anawangin it has pine trees which compliment the beautiful beach.

First destination is the Mangrove forest park (the biggest mangrove park i been to). From here you can see a mini white sand beach in the middle of the mangrove forest and bird watching is also good here. Since the park is only accessible during high tide and it is almost getting low tide the boat man decided that we leave the place right away.

After a while, i could see a long strip of white beach waiting for me. As the boat approached the beach, i was left speechless by the sight of clear green and blue waters greeting me with the most assuring white beach in the north and I was immediately distracted by the sight of numerous colourful fish swimming around the boat.

Usually being more of an active traveller, I was looking forward to spending a few days lazing on a white sand beach, feet dangling in the water or trekking, but I was antonished by the silence of Anguib and how its beauty seemed to have calmed down my mind and body. For a while, I thought everything is good, but looking back at the sky and the different shades of clouds that is visible in the sky, I was brought back to the reality of a bad weather waiting for me at this cove.

The water in anguib is a real emerald green colour, which is complimented by deep white sand. The beaches are surrounded by some rock formations that jut out of the water, covered in patches of greenery stone. The setting is enchanting, and gives a completely different feel to the other beaches that i been. I presumed all of these beaches would be stunning and 'same, same, but different'. But as it turns out, there is no 'same, same' at all, only beautiful and different.

What more would you ask for? This is a beach bummer's haven. And if you want to stay out for some quiet time this is a perfect place,  it was like i owned this place. Such a Perfect hideaway. 

At the mangrove forest

the beachfront of Anguib where survivor immunity challenge was shoot

some of the props use for survivor

beautiful rock formation at the right end part of anguib

@ nangaramoan beach

Throwback Post : Puerto Galera

I went to Puerto Galera as part of a group outing with my teamates from convergys wayback 2007. I visited this place several times before, the first time was 2001. 

Puerto Galera is accessible and far cheaper than going to Boracay. It is home to Tamaraw Falls, Sabang Beach, White Beach, and great diving destinations.

White beach has still a lot to improve but there are a lot of things you can do here:

*Island hopping is one of the many things you can do in Puerto Galera. 

*You can actually walk to a small beach by clambering over the rocks at the end of White Beach. 

*try a ride on a banana boat and other water rides available.

*Dine on the beach front with lots of restaurants to choose. 

*Snorkling is fun especially if the water is calm.

*you'll get to enjoy the wonderful view of Sunset.

*if you like a night life , it's good to stay here.When the night comes you'll get to enjoy the fire shows, and live bands along the beach front with a cold bottle of beer in your hand.

*Very good for shopping island souvenir.

It's a good place to spend a vacation, convenient to go and affordable. The beach is somehow white and fine. I really had a great time here.

All in all, it was excellent for a relaxing yet fun getaway. 

Throwback Post : Anawangin in pictures

I was flipping through my old pictures archives and realize how many extra pictures I have from my past travels that never have been posted, so thought maybe I'd start a series of some sort of "throwback posts". I'll start with some pictures from Anawangin wayback 2005 , when the cove is not yet famous. Anawangin use to be one of my favorite places, not until it become crowded. 

I just recently pass by anawangin when our Cinco traverse concluded. I can’t help but remember the first time i visited this place. So many memories. So many stories. 

Anawangin. At first , i was already in love with you. And when i say "in love" it means i will never 

forget you. But, my last visit in 2011 makes me think twice. 

Before leaving that afternoon i revisit the Panciteria/Palabok resto in San Antonio.

It still is.

Anawangin is still in place, and so is the Palabok and halo-halo that i love. It was just as good as I remembered, and still remains the BEST palabok I have yet to have in San Antonio.

It's nice to know that Anawangin is still around. A bit dull than my last visit.But I'm willing to give you another chance. Thank you Anawangin and San Antonio. Thank you for the memories.