Potipot Adventure

Last May 11, 12, 13, 2007, we decided to spend our summer vacation exploring the beach capital of the north, Zambales.

Around March, we were already looking for a place to stay and a place to discover. We were on a phone bazaar calling resorts in Batangas, Laguna, Bataan, even in Cavite. We were on a mission to look for a place, book it and make plans for the transportaion before the weekend of that month ends. But, sad to say it was already after Holy Week that we found the "perfect place" for this vacation.

Then we came across a suggestion of going to Candelaria Zambales, the drop off point if travellers are planning to go to Potipot Island. I remember we were envisioning that we need a quiet place, where we can bond and relax with no one watching and peering to what we are doing. For begginers, we just wanted a place that is different. I already heard this place from one of my officemates here. So, I have a background and some good opinions about that place. I also know that in going to that island, you have two major options: one is to rent a place in a neighboring resort or two, camp to the island perse. Of course the eyes of Doms, being a true blood adventurer, twinkled with the idea of camping in a remote island. But, weighing consequences, pros and cons, we decided to just rent a place in a resort. Luckiliy, Doms had a friend who went to Potipot already but they stayed in a different resort, Sunbloom Resort.

When the day came of our trip, there were no hassles. Well, except for the morning of our trip. We have no idea where the bus terminal in Caloocan is, but we were bale to manage. The terminal in Caloocan goes straight to Candelaria and we need not buy the tickets ahead of time, we just need to arrive early, and we did.

Our trip from Caloocan to Candelaria was a grueling ride for almost 8 hours. I have no complaints in the bus because the bus that we had was a new bus with a "foldable" lcd tv screen in the ceiling for movies. But, the bus stops in all the provinces that we passed by and all the barangays in each province made it hard and looong! Add the political campaigns of candidates sums up to 8 hours. Good thing we have our Ipod, pizza left-over and chips, (isama mo na yung movie na "isang bala ka lang II), we had fun.

We arrived in Candelaria with the rain starting to pour on us. The bus just dropped us off the road where it says "Sunbloom Resort" and we have to walk. By the time we arrived in the resort, the rain was already pouring. But, Ate Marcy, (the OIC of Sunbloom), was welcoming enough. She made us choose our room and she even cooked lunch for us. After our hearty lunch, we just rested and relaxed in our room until it's time for dinner. We already planned that our dinner will be spent in the neighboring resort's resto. So, we just went there. We had a comparison between the two resorta while we were eating in the neighboring resort's resto. We were happy in Sunbloom. The other resort seemed too public already. There were a lot of people there and the place wasn't that clean, The rooms were not as cozy as sunbloom's and the place was smelly. I believe it was like that because there are a lot of people in this certain resort.

The next day came and this was our scheduled visit to Potipot. We left Sunbloom at aound 11:00 am, headed for the island, with the goal of spending the day there, waiting for the sunset, hugging each other. The boat ride going to the island costs P400 and there was an entrance fee of P20/person in the isalnd.

When we arrived there, there lots of people already. There were tents, umbrellas, mats, drinks and food! Yep, you can bring food on the island. If you are from Sunbloom, you ask Ate Marcy to prepare food and dring the food in the island again, of course with an additional fee for the "bangka man". The front part of the island, where the boat dropped us off, was the part where there are waves and the sand is much finer. On the other side, the sea was calm and this is where families usually stay because the shore was flat. On the rear part of the isalnd, comes the rocky part. We were able to circle the isalnd for only 20 minutes walk. Cool! Sadly, we were not able to see the sunset in the island beacuse it rained and because it was cloudy.

All in all, the trip waas ok. Aside ffrom the idea that it rained almost all the time, the sun peeked it's way to us also, and we enjoyed it's radiance. Here are some information about our trip, that hopefully can help. =)

Sunbloom Resort = 09165439709 c/o Ate Marcy. You need to deposit half of the total amount for reservation. The rent costs P1,100/night. You can also rent a mini ref for P150/day. Tables for eating is also the same price.
Dawal Rsort = 09195730952
Boat Ride going to island = P400
Victory Liner Caloocan to Candelaria = P343/head one way