We have just landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and we are now taxiing to the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2. Welcome to Manila!

Those words echoed to my ears and I was really skeptic at that moment. Walking alone in the vicinity, I can feel that I’m tingling with excitement and still could hear my heart throbbing loudly. It was a mixed emotion. At last! I’m turning my dreams into reality - and that is to travel alone. Yes, that’s one of the things in my bucket list.

I really don’t know what to do at that time because prior to my travel, I didn’t have any planned itineraries. I’m just doing whatever I wanted to do. YOLO as they call it. I checked my Facebook and one of my friends referred me to a travel tour agency so I checked their page and there’s one place that caught my attention, the “Anawangin” which is located at Zambales. I contacted the agency directly and asked if there’s still a slot for me to join their trip and one of the representative told me that I can still join them. Though it was not a DIY travel, but for a first timer solo traveler like me, it's heaven in disguise. At least I can still be productive on this trip. So here’s the challenge; commuting the busy streets of Manila and exploring the unfamiliar places. They just instructed to meet them at Quezon Avenue.

It was around 12 pm when I reached Quezon Ave because of the heavy traffic jam. It was a long ride and since I had a strong desire for food, I went to Mcdo. The long wait is over and the representative informed me that they are already outside. I met a bunch of group travelers; they were so loud and they seemed so excited. The trip went smoothly and I sat still for a few hours, gazing outside the car window, my mind drifted away from the traffic jam because of excitement. The fun began and it took us 4 hours before we reached Zambales. We had a delightful walk and reached the splendid and sunny beach - warm and transparent water in bluish and soft golden sand, coconuts and other tropical plants bowing over it. I was amazed! 

We took a boat going to Capones Lighthouse and I was astonished. I really can't put words to it. I was just staring at the lighthouse on the massive rocks as the sun painted the sky and clouds in a dark blue hue; the ocean was as calm as I have ever seen it. 

The hosts were very accommodating (I forgot their names) and they informed us that there is a falls in Nagsasa but it’s an hour walk. After we have eaten our lunch and have taken some rest, we had a fun walk going to Nagsasa falls. Unfortunately it rained cats and dogs. We had a hard time hiking because it’s very slippery. It took us an hour and a half and to reach it. We expected the water to be crystal clear but to our disappointment, it looks like a chocolate one. LOL! We had fun though, another unforeseen experience. We did not stay there any longer because it’s almost 4 pm and we need to be back before the sun sets.

When we reached our camp, we prepared our food and had a little chit-chat! They were so nice and very hilarious. It wasn’t like I was meeting them for the first time or maybe I was just too FC “feeling close”? LOL. We had our campsite located near the beach and we had a bonfire going. Hearing the waves crashing onto the shore, feeling the cool breeze and looking at the stars above felt like there’s no tomorrow. It was just magnificent!

We slept early to have some energy. I was awoken by the chirping of the birds and the humming of the trees. Around 7:30am we trekked Nagsasa cove and the view was so splendid. The top view sank into a motionless tranquility. A beautiful enormous shadow of the clouds and the mountain cast themselves upon the beautiful landscape. It was paradise! After feeding ourselves with the majestic sight, we decided to go back to our camp because the heat of the sun was so excruciating!

It was indeed an extraordinary experience! Truly, as you travel alone and being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are. I just want to say thank you guys (Racel, Joan, Fedz, Jumong) for the scrumptious food and for the great company! Looking forward for another adventure with you guys!

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