Im not a water loving person and the type that would spend hours submerged in the salty waters but I do appreciate the water. However, as I got the chance to visit more places in the Philippines, I slowly became converted and one of the places that lured me into loving the waters was Palawan.
The first place I got to visit in Palawan was during my high school days and it was in Puerto Princesa, the premier tourist destination of the province. I got to see the beauty of Palawan before and I did not thought that there was even more to explore in Palawan.
Coron is part of the Calamianes group of islands, situated north of palawan. The town's laid back setting and it's natural beauty are fast becoming magnets that attract local and foreign tourists alike. As they said, Coron boomed its tourism last year so with my cousins and hubby in tow, we headed to Coron for a 4 days - 3 nights adventure hoping to catch a glimpse of what the place has to offer.
at terminal 3
When we arrive in Busuanga airport via PAL, accredited service of PAL is waiting for us, we pay P300 per head for the service for the back and fort airport transfer. We arrived lunch on our first day and we we're excited when we reached the Coron town. Just an fyi, there's no hotel (i mean like 3 or 5 star hotel) in this small town, only lodges and inns, after checking several lodges, we chose to stay at Coron Sunrise Inn because of its cleanliness and cozy style. We unpacked our things and headed to town to eat lunch. It's an interesting trip for the walkaholics like me to explore the unique charm of Coron and wonder how people live there and how the hell they entertain themselves everyday! hehe
On the day of our first island hopping tour, Manong anton arrange our tour, we rented the banca for P1,500 exclusive of the entrances and food so before leaving the pier, we shop for our baon in the market.
Places we visit on our first island hopping and their entrances:
Cayangan lake - P200.00
Twin Lagoon - Free
Barracuda Lake - P100.00
Banol Beach - P100.00
Siete Pecados - P100.00
Atwayan Island - 100.00
Gunboat shipwreck - Free
Maquinit hotspring - P100.00
CYC Island - Free
Imagine the rate of the entrance of each tourist spot, you will wonder why they collect such a big amount for that place as if they're the one who maintain the cleanliness of the place. Anyway, if you're a nature loving person, you'll definitely love the scenic place and enjoy the water which I did.
banol beach
On the 2nd day of our island hopping. Our first itinerary is to drop by at the market for our food. More than halfway to the market, though, it started to rain and we were worried that the waves are not safe to sail in, it tends to be erratic and for sure it is dangerous for all of us but luckily the rain subsided. We bought food for our lunch like liempo, fish, itlog na pula etc, good thing the bankeros will be the one to cook for us.
This time we’re going to 3 islands only, the rental for the banka is around P3,500 to 4,000 because its too far from the town, make the most of your bargaining powers when talking to the boatmen and since we’re only five they give us discount, we pay P3,500 only.
At around 7:00 am, our tour guide Manong loaded our picnic basket to our banca then we left for the pier located at the back of the Coron Public Market. It was a smooth trip going to the island. When we reach the malcapuya island, it’s like entering the paradise. Iba talaga! we spent our whole day in malcapuya island.
Island we visit on our 2nd island hopping tour and the entrances:
Malcapuya island – P150.00 (the best island)
Banana Island – P200.00
Malaroyroy beach – Free
malcapuya island
On the third day, we went to Mt. tapyas which is a 700++ steps up a hill with a giant white cross and a breathtaking view of the town and the neighboring islands (just like Tops in Cebu). Tourists usually go up in time for sunrise or sunset. We started out around 5:30am, and made it to the top in time for sunrise. (guaranteed months work-out and penitence in one! Hehe). After the tapyas, we shop for our pasalubong.
wala pa ko sa kalahati ng mt. tapyas nyan, pahinga muna kasi sobrang nkakapagod..
I had so much fun with our island hopping tour, going to beach and just float in the crystal clear waters of Coron.
At Coron Bistro resto
On our last night, we order in our lodge, our last sumptuous meal (crab, lapu-lapu, pork and deserts).
We had to wake up early (4th day) the following day for our flight back home. As I was seated comfortably inside the plane, all experience during our trip flashed back in my mind. The memories of the astonishing waters of malcapuya Island were in my mind when the plane took off from the runway. What I don’t like in Coron is all the things are quite expensive even the food, pasalubong like kasuy that cost P500.00 (mas mura pa sa antipolo), then the danggit (syempre I bought some dried fish kasi bilin yun ng mother-in-law ko). And also t-shirts from souvenir shop which is our pasalubong to my in-laws.
PAL service going to busuanga airport
**IM HOME AND WILL BE BACK TO WORK**
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