Travelogue: Liw-Liwa, San Felipe, Zambales

I have always been a fan of accessibly-cheap getaways. Luckily, my boyfriend and I found one in Sitio Liw-Liwa in San Felipe, Zambales. Not only is it inexpensive and near the metro, it is also very peaceful there. It's a good four-hour bus ride from Metro Manila. How cheap you ask? Well, the beach is free. You can swim all you want, just don't forget your sunscreen! You can pitch a tent near the shore or choose from the wide array of affordable accommodations within the area. 

We left on a Saturday night and took the last Victory Liner trip to Iba, Zambales (11:30 p.m.). We arrived at San Felipe around 4 o'clock in the morning (drop-off point is at Bobulon Elementary School - left side of the road). We then hailed a tricycle and told the driver to take us to Circle Hostel. 

How artsy is this hostel, eh?

For future reference, this is their surfing rates.

They are open 24/ 7 as posted in their reception area.

However, when we arrived at the hostel, I called the number above for 20 times (Yes, I kept count), but I never got an answer. So, we decided to stay at Ate Fely's Eatery,  which was just across the road, until the hostel opens. They were still close then, but there was an open spot where we can sit.

At around 4:30 a.m. the eatery already opened. Good thing though, the guys who own the store speak our dialect (Bisaya) and they're also very kind. Kuya (forget to ask for his name, my bad), the one who opened the store, told us that we can go up to the hostel's common area and sleep there while waiting. He told us that's what other backpackers do when they arrive there at wee hours. So, we followed his advice.

Stairway to the common area

I woke up around 7 o'clock in the morning, when I noticed someone is setting up breakfast at the coffee table - the receptionist! I went down to pay for our day's trip. We also rented two lockers for our stuff. Before eating breakfast, we decided to check the beach, which is an 8-minute walk from the hostel.

Indeed, we weren't disappointed by what welcomed us. Only 1/4 of the whole stretch of the beach was occupied. Some were surfing while the others were just beach-bumming. The waves are bigger compared to the beaches I've been to. No wonder people love to go there to surf.

The sand is gray-ish but very fine, nonetheless. 

Wild waves!

Best feeling ever: Sea water, cool breeze, warm sand

Hi there!

So this is your "crowd."

For only 75 PhP each, drink is already included (L-R: Tocilog, Embusilog)

After walking along the shore and basking in the sun, we went back to eat breakfast at Ate Fely's. It was already past 10 in the morning when we decided to finally try surfing for the first time. We rented two surf boards - one board for an hour and the other one we rented for four hours (half day). Also, we paid for two instructors to teach us the basics, you know, newbies. LOL!

 I love this photo because of the waterfall illusion (and the guy on the surfboard. Haha!)

This had to be zoomed-in. LOL

Learning how to ride the waves in an hour is actually possible. After maybe four or five attempts to stand up the board and balance, I finally succeeded. My boyfriend was able to stand up on his second try - a fast learner eh? LOL! We had fun, though it was kind of a pain waiting for a good wave. Imagine having your back exposed to the sun's scorching heat for an hour, it's excruciating! According to them, September to December are the best months to surf. Well, we might as well be going back sometime soon then. 

My surfboard was kind of edited, hence, the "No Fear." LOL!

Malayo ang tingin!

Sweet! Until next time, Circle!

It was, indeed, another first for us, but it's definitely not going to be our last. It's still summer and the heat is still on, so might as well make the most out of it. How about you, how's your summer going? 

Thanks for dropping by!

Budget reference:

Pasay-San Felipe, Zambales via Victory Liner - P303

RT Bobulon Elementary School to Circle Hostel via tricycle - P100 

Day trip fee - P150

Locker - P20 (free if you bring your own padlock) 

Surf board rental - P200/hour | P400/half day

Surf instructor - P200/hour

Breakfast - P75 (with drink)

Lunch - P75 (with drink)

San Felipe-Olongapo - P80

Olongapo-Caloocan - P202