Zambales Trip: The Cast, The Budget and The Mishap

The Cast

Mitch - She - Jen - Agnes - Ate Lei - Donna - Kat - Kiboy - Me

The Budget
For this trip, we only spent 2,000 pesos each.  It is inclusive of the van rental, gas, toll fees, food during the entire trip (1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch), boat rental, island entrance fee, beach house ni dok accommodation and fare going home.

The Mishap
We rented a van so we won't have to worry about catching the bus, unnecessary stopovers and anything that might delay our trip to and from Zambales.  However, on the day of our trip, it seems that the van rental company had forgotten that we had reserved a van.  Upon calling them a lot of times, they sent a van (which, according to their story, was borrowed from a friend who also has a van rental business) to pick us up.  Well, from there it looks like they are professional enough to even borrow a van for us.  However, the problem came when upon arrival at Beach House ni Dok, the driver said he has to go back to Manila since he has other prior commitments.  Can we do anything? The company said they'll send the van reserved for us to pick us up the next day.  But the next day came and we were in dire need to go home but again, the van company had forgotten that we were actually waiting for them.  Needless to say, we ended up commuting on our way home.

The cast at the bus terminal

Note:  I do not wish to disclose the van rental company because negative publicity is still publicity.

Previous: In and Around Potipot Island

Zambales Trip: Enjoying the Water and Sand of Potipot Island

The water - not crystal clear but very refreshing.

Agnes - Me - Ate Lei

Kat - Me - She - Jen

Me and Kiboy

Kiboy, Me and the unknown :)

When we got tired of swimming (on the shallow side of the island), we turned to the sand!  Free-spa: awesome!  Though not white, the sand is powdery and is not that hot even under the sun (or so I thought! hmp)

Previous: The Ride to Potipot Island

Up Next: In and Around Potipot Island

Zambales Trip: Beach House ni Dok

We stayed at Beach House ni Dok when we went to Potipot Island last May 19, 2012.  Well, it's not the best resort (at least based on the reviews I saw on other blogs) but we still decided to stay here since it's the cheapest that we saw (and an officemate had recommended it).

We had reserved two rooms: the couple's room for me and hubby and a room good for 7 people.   The couple's room is rather small - it merely fits a single bed and the bathroom is really a mess.  The room as a whole was not well maintained and the smell -  oh so - never mind.  The other room on the other hand had two beds. Though both are big, I don't think they are enough for 6-8 people (as was described in their blog and facebook account).  Nonetheless, we managed to fit ourselves in and  get some rest.  The resort itself though is nice - especially for picture-taking :)  The good thing is, the staffs were really nice and I guesss that compensates for the room :)

Highway side: signage

The Groto

Inside the beach house

The carabao inspired cottage

beach side

Looking at Potipot Island from Beach House ni Dok

Beach side: entrance to beach house; upon entering, you will see
 the reception and the dining area

With Manang, the receptionist :)

Bed#2 of the group room

Picture-taking on Bed#1 of the group room

Outside the Couple's Room

They also offer meals for 200 pesos per person.  The price is inclusive of three viands, rice and fruit dessert.  Ours were inihaw na bangus, sinigang na baboy, meatballs, rice and mangga.  The servings were really big and the food - great.

Lesson learned: Shoot first before eating :)

Up Next: The Ride to Potipot Island