Borrowed Heaven: A blog by Shiena: Zambales Escaped

Iba, Zambales is such a peaceful escape from the hassle and bustle of the metro. Where tricycle is the most useful mode of transportation, well at least for us, because this is what we used to and from the resort to get to their "bayan". We arrived in San Felipe, Zambales (30 minutes from Iba) at 3:00 am and stayed at Lance’s friend to get some sleep. After having breakfast, we walked about 300 meters to the nearest church to give our respect and said some prayers… and it was Holy Thursday. We then head to La Playa del Norte Resort. The place was very nice, we were escorted to our cabanas where our rooms have sharing bathrooms which is so cool that I though of Brenda and Brandon’s room (from the BH 90210 TV series during the early 90s). After settling our things and changing in to more comfy clothing we went to have lunch in the resort’s restaurant where they have buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. We ordered in some sizzling tuna, Kare-kare, enchaladang manga, inihaw na talong and litchong kawali…the food was superb. After some chitchat, we checked out the beach. It’s such a wonderful feeling when you’re at the beach…. The smell of it, every time the wind blows your hair, your feet on the hot sand. I can’t explain what it is… it’s a different kind of happiness. I’m so glad to be here is what my mind and my heart were saying.

Aboard the bus going to Zambales.We didn't plan on wearing the same color. Really! It just happened.

no sand castles in this beach, only sand turtles are welcome.

We headed back to our cabanas and took a nap out side our rooms while me and Adrian shared the earphones of his MD player and listened to some acoustic tunes as we dozed off. Woke up around 4:30 p.m. and grab some Doritos as I feel my stomach craved for food. Adrian and Lance went to the market to buy some seafood for dinner while Nancy and I stayed and chat about everything…hhehehe! The boys made "kinilaw na tuna" (raw tuna marinated in vinegar with spices) for their pulutan tonight and we asked the restaurant to cook our dinner while we headed to the beach for some night swimming. Around 9 pm we had our yummy dinner of barbeque and sinigang na tanigue and ripe mangoes and red watermelons. Zambales is famous for its sweet and delicious mangoes. After dinner, we went back to our cabanas and drank the night away.

Napping time for me and adrian

Woke up early the next day, 6:30 to be exact which is very unusual for me when there is no work but today is different. We need to catch the morning sun before it become hazardous to the skin. As we got out of our cabanas, our neighbor "tita Beth" which we eventually learned was the sister-in-law of the owner of the resort offered us some delicious mocha coffee before going to the beach. And we had the chance to play with her beloved pet named Chow-chow (a male Shih Tzu). He is so cute I want to take him home. The beach is calling my name! We swam, laughed, played, sunbathed, took pictures and ate. Around 9 a.m. we headed back to our cabanas, had breakfast and took a shower then played some pool. The Boys beat us this time. Lunch was again superb! We had sinigang na hipon, inihaw na pusit, inihaw na tulingan, enchaladang mangga at talong and fresh ripe mangoes.

I can't get enough of Chow-Chow. He's so cute!

Don't you just love the beach? I know I do!

Around 3 p.m. Adrian’s cousin, Kuya Noel dropped by the resort to deliver some drinking water for us. We then went to Adrian’s grandparents house to meet some relatives. Nancy and Lance tagged along with us to look for an ATM machine. After visiting his relatives and eating ice cream and maja blanca, we went to the bus terminal to check out the schedules of departure to Manila. We then went to another church in Iba before heading to the wet market to buy food for tomorrow’s breakfast and bought mangoes for "pasalubong" for our families at home. After another hearty dinner, we strolled along the beach while puffing our cigarettes and danced below the cloudless sky and twinkling stars. That was fun! We then went back to our cabanas and drank some red wine courtesy of Maricor.

The San Agustine Church in Iba, Zambales.

Our third and last day in Zambales. Lazily, I woke up and had breakfast then we headed to the beach for our last dipping. After taking a bath, we finally had our halo-halo that Nancy and I have been craving for, ever since we arrived here. And around 11:30 we checked out and took our last minute group picture and headed to the bus terminal. It was such a fun trip especially since this is the first out of town trip that Nancy and I had after graduating from high school… and of course with our respective Bebes :) ‘Till our next trip!