Private Island Weekend in Zambales

When you get invited to a private island getaway for the weekend, the only logical reaction is to open your jaw in disbelief, close it before flies find a new home, and mentally squeal "I'd love to go!" before realizing that you have plans. Screw those plans and say hello to a fun way to jumpstart February!

The private beach belonged to my boyfriend's ninang and family friend. The stretch of white sand and clear waters was a really great break from the usual city view.

Fun fact! Loose Zambales beach seaweed  costs P5 a kilo and is great fertilizer

Owning an island is like buying the opportunity for a permanent vacation. Who could say no to drinking fresh buko juice, enjoying the sand between your toes, with the wind cooling your sun-kissed skin every waking day?

I tried making suman but the lady said she'd re-do my masterpiece because the loosely wrapped suman would ruin her kick-ass suman. Yes I paraphrased that bit.

The woman making suman was like a machine!
Supah fast hands!

I was surprised that they only used basic ingredients for food that was nothing short of delicious. For one, this fish tasted like sinigang but was made from the stuff in the photo below.

Hello there breakfast!

YOLO kids digging up the sand to find these crabs

These girls were nice enough to help me find my lost shades

A very interesting stopover

I don't have enough camera equipment with me to take a photo of the bazillion of stars in the sky. I swear it was magical when the clouds went away, unwrapping a night sky that I've never seen that pretty. Each 2 stars are probably half an inch apart. When it couldn't get any better, out comes a firefly crossing the horizon. I slapped Jopet's arm out of glee multiple times. If there were 10 fireflies, he'd have happy bruises by yours truly.

I've been to several beaches but this trip to Zambales is one of my favorites. Aside from experiencing a lot of things for the first time, the people are extremely nice and generous even if they've only met me that day.  

Where do you see yourself when you finally retire?