The Amazing Coron - Day 1 to Paradise!

Last March 18-20, 2010, I was able to visit one of the most enchanting places on the Philippines, the island of Coron, Palawan. I keep reminding myself that I passed up on an opportunity to join my college friend on her birthday trip to Singapore since we were booked one month in advance last year before my friend invited me to join her (bummer, but I believe there are reasons :) for it).

On our way, I am really nervous on riding Cebu Pacific small plane that carries at least 60 passengers (I'm not so sure, but that's how I observed it while boarding the plane). It was a nerve-racking 45 minutes up in the sky and during the first 15 minutes of our ride I can't help but clutch my rosary and pray. But afterwards, I began to ease up and became accustomed to the whizzing sound and the deafening roar of plane's engine and propeller. :)

We arrived at Francisco Reyes Busuanga Airport around 10:30am and been picked up by the hotel's van and went to Mt. Tapyas Hotel. For a few minutes, we changed for beach outfits and made sure that we brought along our camera and other stuff and met our other friends from the Coron port for the start of our tour.

Here is our itenerary for Day 1:

Our first stop is our welcome lunch and our trip to Kayangan Lake. I must admit when we reach the top part of jagged cliff, I am really amazed at the scene right in front of my eyes. Kayangan Lake is the famous picture of Coron since it features the brackish and serene waters of Coron. Then we proceed to the other side of the lake where one of the deepest and most clean lakes in the Philippines is found.




Then we went to the Barracuda Lake, which is deeper than the Kayangan Lake and its kinda scary trekking the cliff going to the lake, since it's too steep and the rocks are sharp. The foreigners who were snorkeling before us, told that the water in Barracuda lake is scary deep since you can only see the bluish dark waters below. I was too chicken to go far since I am not that confident with my lifevest and I always get muscle cramps in my legs even trying to swim for a while.

Our next stop is another famous Twin Lagoon, where during low tide you can swim under the rock and go to the other side. During high tides, you can cross the other side by using the ladder found on the top of the rock. Good thing, that when we arrived at the lagoon, it was already low tide and I've been able to cross to the other side since our boatman, borrow a "balsa" or floater that is made of bamboo tree. Kinda fun riding the balsa and see the other side of the lagoon. It was clean, eerily silent and enchanting. But one should be careful snorkeling along Twin Lagoon since there are sea urchins underneath which can sting you (my bf was one of the poor victims of the sea urchin).




(the sea urchin)

After our Twin Lagoon trip, we proceed to Skeleton Wreck where the famous Japanese Galleon is located. Even you don't use the snorkeling gear you can still see the shadowy outline of the centuries old galleon which is also a home to corals. Pretty colored fishes can be found also on the Skeleton Wreck and of course the sea urchins that are visible during low tide.

Here are the things you will find under the Skeleton Wreck Beach :)




Our last itenerary for the day is the CYC beach which used to be big and pristine. But since some evil people stole the white sand of the beach, it looked like abused part of land, but you will get to witness one of the beautiful sunsets here.



After our very tiring day, we went to Bistro Coron for dinner. From our hotel, it was few blocks away and we did a short cut after asking for directions. The food is nice (we were too starved to take pictures so we dig in right after our waitress served our orders).

There will continuation on our Day 2 and Day 3 trips :)

The Great 2009 Escapades

Since graduating from college I always wanted to travel. Not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Until now I am still keeping my fingers crossed that 2010 would be the year for me to go out of the country and visit at least 2 countries (still a hopeful thinking because I am still saving up) :D. For now I did explore some places here in the Philippines old and new that always left a good memories and best shared with friends.

Here are some of the snapshots of my escapade last year:

Puerto Princesa, Palawan - January 24-26, 2009
This is an unexpected trip. Me and my HS friends agreed that on our first out of town travel we choose Hongkong and Macau (one of my dream destination). Unfortunately budget issues arise during our booking, airfares and hotel accomodations. It is way over our budget and one of our friend is having doubts on splurging a lot since their company is on recession. Good thing, my friend suggest that we travel locally. They have a resthouse in Palawan and she wholeheartedly offered a place to stay in Palawan. She assure us that we will enjoy our stay. True enough, we did have a blast and unexpectedly fall in love with Palawan. The friendly people, pristine beaches, the nature trips and delicious foods entices me to go back to Palawan once more. Best of all, I get to share this with my best pals from HS.

Our trip to Crocodile farm

The View from my friend's resthouse

Going to the Underground river - beautiful formation of rocks

Inside the Underground River

Going back to the Sabang Beach

Sabang Beach

Iwahig Penal Colony

Iloilo, Philippines - April 4 - 12, 2009
One of my favorite places in Earth. I know some people would think there's nothing to see in Iloilo. Iloilo is special to me because this is where my parents grew up and most of our relatives came from Iloilo. I still remember when I was a little girl, going to Iloilo excites me because either we were riding in plane or ship I get to see my grandparents and go to places I don't usually see in Laguna or Manila. My last trip to Iloilo was in 2006 and I didn't get to enjoy it that much because it was only four days trip. This year I get to appreciate more of Iloilo and visited places I know exist in Iloilo but never went before. Holy week is a nice time to go and visit Iloilo since you get to see diffrent Spanish-old churches and ancient mansions. Not to mention the "taltal" (penitence) in Guimaras Island. For almost 25 years I've been visiting Iloilo, this is the first time I truly appreciate and enjoy our province. I am still looking forward in going and bringing friends here in the future.

View from our town in Sta. Barbara Iloilo

My Cousins playing around

At the back of my Lolo's house

Our Holy Wednesday "taltal" in Guimaras and enjoying the nice view in the top of Balaan Bukid

The View from Top - from Balaan Bukid's summit

The 15 minutes boatride from Iloilo

Snapshots our Visita Iglesia in Iloilo during Maundy Thursday:
Miag-Ao Church - One of the best! I always read and watch Miag-ao church on lifestyle / travel magazines and even on Discovery and National Geographic Channel, but I never expected to be amazed on the old architecture and design of the church. Some people says that the Miag-ao Church resembles the Paoay church in Ilocos (which I have to see first) but for whatever reason Miag-ao Church got my full attention. From the intricate design in the front facade, the long stretch of aisle where you get to walk up the altar and the secret passages that were created during the Spanish times.





St. Anne Church in Molo Iloilo - Known as one of the Spanish era church that our National Hero Jose Rizal visited on his way to Dapitan. I personally liked this church since it showcases all church pillars with female saints. I also liked the interior of this church because of the three domes in the altar and the old pulpit located near the altar. If ever I get to marry and choose a church of my own whim I would either choose Miag-Ao Church or the St. Anne Church in Molo. It brings special feelings to old world.








Jaro Cathedral and Bellfry in Jaro Iloilo
I always see this church when going to Iloilo city but I never went inside this before. If the St. Anne Church in Molo is the feminist church this one is the male dominant saint church. Too bad I wasn't able to see the saints since its a holy week and all saints are wrapped in a velvet cloths. I give thanks to Nuestra Senora Candelaria and baby Jesus or called there as "Our Lady of Candles" (which said to be growing and growing each passing day). The Jaro Cathedral was blessed by Pope John Paul II during his papal visit in 1980's.





Then the Traditional "Prusisyon" (Procession of Saints during Good Friday)









Guimaras Philippines - May 1 - 3, 2009
2009 was a lucky year for me because I was able to visit Iloilo and Guimaras twice. This time with my BF and his college friends. I already went to Guimaras a couple of times in the past but I never experienced exploring the island and stay there for a couple of days. We went to do island hopping and swimming in the cool water and lounge in the white sands in Raymen Resort in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Though the weather is kind of upredictable because it's sunny when we get there then the next few hours are raining. We get to visit the turtle sanctuary, snorkeling / swimming and do photoshoots on the islets.

Some of the snapshots of the adventure!

The Ave Maria Islet

Guimaras Port

The Turtle Sanctuary in Guimaras

Subic - The Treetop Adventure August 2009

Last time I went to Subic was almost 10 years ago during our HS fieldtrip! It was nice to know that there are few changes and improvements around Subic. I am not a thrill seeker but we did enjoy the Subic Treetop Adventure. You get to be a Spiderman and Superman for a few minutes. For those like me who are afraid of heights, this activity will really test your boundaries. In fairness, I get to enjoy the treetop activities and once again explore Subic :)

Me - taking my most feared activity...

The View from cable car

Notes: Some of the pictures in this blog are collected from my friends who's always my frequent travel buddies :).