Coron, Palawan Scrapbook: Day 1

This year, we are celebrating the 10^th Anniversary of tying the knot. 10 years ago it was raining hard because of Typhoon Jolina. Which made our wedding ceremony late for an hour. But I’m not hear to post about that. Fast-forward to 2015 -->Sept 3, It’s a clear day, cloudy and hot. The sun is up. It’s a great day to head to the beach! And not just any other beach, its CORON Baby!

Back in April, hubby and I had decided that we should do something big for our 10^th year. We are a couple that doesn’t celebrate with fancy candle light dinner (fine dining). Our usual anniversary celebration is eating out with our son or a movie date. We also don’t give each other gifts (we believe that you don’t need an occasion to give someone a gift). But since we are talking about a decade of staying together, working on our marriage was no bed of roses, but it has never come to a point where the other gave up. And we believe that calls for a celebration… We said that we should go somewhere that we both have never been to so we can explore it together. No kid attached. It just like #HoneymoonPart2 (which I used as a hash tag in my instagram posts haha!). So when there was a seat sale in CEB (Cebu Pacific) to Busuanga Coron, we said YES! Booked the flight and Hubby asked his office mate who is an advocate of cheap weekend travels for advice and suggestions on where to stay, what to do etc…. He booked at Coron Westown Resort (via agoda app), which was reasonably priced at 3,000 /night for a resort hotel.

Fast Forward to today. Its Day 1 in Coron.

Started pretty great actually, we left home later than planned (8:30am that became 9:30). Though traffic in EDSA was heavy I was not worried because it was  moving not a standstill so we arrived at NAIA Terminal 4 with ample time to get our boarding pass (we like to check-in online) and have our body weighed. Even had time to drink coffee. Boarding started at 11:00am and we were in the sky by 11:45. We arrived in Busuanga Airport 10 minutes early that scheduled.

I've obviously over packed...my check-in bag weighted 8 kilos and I'm only allowed to hand carry 7 kilos . So I had to move some of my stuff to my other hand bag. At the end of the trip I only used 50% of the clothes I brought.
Next trip, I  know better :-)  

On Board CEBU Pacific

We did not request for an airport transport since we know that there will be an extra charge. We intend to take a tricycle but there was not a single tricycle in sight. What we saw was a man holding a signage with our hotel name. So we took a chance and approach the guy if he can take us to the hotel. He actually have a list to arriving passengers and we were on the list. Yey for free ride (not a free ride after all- I saw a P300 charge for that in our checkout bill). It was a bumpy and long ride as the road is not yet completed. I actually get to reminisce the “Yamang anyong lupa ng Pilipinas” as I saw Lambak, Talampas and Kapatagan.

We arrived at the hotel after 20 minutes with welcome drinks waiting for us. Upon checking in, we just dumped our stuff in the room and head to Westown Café and Restaurant. We ordered Sisling Tanigue and Crispy Pork Belly Kare-Kare and it was surprisingly good (or maybe we are just hungry).

It was a watermelon shake kind of day.
With the perfect view of our hotel and the pool and the mountain backdrop.

the Yummy Sizzling Tanigue 

The Crispy Pork Belly Kare-Kare

our Home for the next 4 days and 3 nights

After our late lunch, and to not further waste any more time without exploring the town. We checked the offered tour that afternoon. But the hotel tour is more expensive (since they usually get a cut/commission on those arrangements) Good thing hubby got some fliers from the airport (which i recommend you should too!) on different tours being offered by the locals which was cheaper and you can get discounts. Just like we did :)

Since there was no more time to join the afternoon tour and we also realized that if its a tour, there is a time limit per destination so its better to explore it on our own and dictate the pace and time for each destination.

The only mode of transportation in Coron, the very reliable Tricycle

First Stop, Mt. Tapyas which is known to have a great view of the sunset as its one of the highest peak in the island. It has more than 700 steps (whoa!). It was actually a great cardio workout for us. Took a snap to the Cross and waited for the sunset. But unfortunately, it was cloudy and I’m already feeling disappointed as I was really looking forward to see one great sunset. But we still waited and hoped that the clouds will clear up once sunset sets in. Disappointment turned into sadness and we decided to go around the cross and see whats on the other side. And as we are going around, the sun took a peek from the clouds and  I was able to take a photo of it. Thank you God for that quick second of beauty that I witnessed. Entrance Fee: PhP 0, as this was already paid by the tax payers of Palawan says the sign.

That sign and cross up there is our destination

300 steps

almost 500 steps

700++ steps

That was the best cardio ever! Welcome to Mt. Tapyas

View of the port from the top of Mt. Tapyas

It was so cloudy that day, I thought I'd never capture a good sunset shot. But I did. Prayers do come true. Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift of Nature

Who does not love sunset, its the beginning of tomorrow.

Second Stop, Maquinit Hot Spring. As suggested by my friend Winnie, we head down to the Hot Spring after Mt. Tapyas. It was my first time to dip into a hot spring surrounded by mountains with zero cellular signal.  Entrance fee at P200/adult and discounts to students and senior citizens as long as there’s an ID for proof. The road going here however was a bit scary (if you are travelling alone don't go there at night)... I felt like I was in a Blair Witch Project Movie where in its dark, you are surrounded by trees and mountains and you hear hundreds crickets like they are ready to attack you and the only source of light is the single headlight of the tricycle. But it was a great experience and its good if you go to this place after your trek from Mt. Tapyas  because the heat from the water relaxes your sore muscles.

this wooded mask hanging on the tree welcomes the guests

The hubby

Thank you to Kuya Guard who took our souvenir photo.

So now we are hungry. One of the things we planned is to taste the local restaurants. Our Tricyle driver offered Lolo Nonoy’s . As I read a review that their sisig was the best, I had to order that. But I think the person who wrote that review has not yet eaten at the (still the) BEST sisig place in the country “Aysee”. The food here is nothing special or best but still able to fill your hungry stomach.

We are back at the hotel at 9pm and we are spent. Till tomorrow as the Malcapuya Island Escapade will be unveiled to us.

Lolo Nonoy's Sisig

Heading to our room. Goodnight Coron!

TIP of the day:

1. Tricyle drivers offer to wait for you in each destination for a round trip will costs you P300. But for 1 way fare, its 30.00 per Passenger. But I think this is reasonable if you have more than 2 destination. But since Mt. Maquinit is too far from the main road, its advisable to just accept the offer of the drivers. Just make sure you are not over charged.

2. Bring water and some light snack before going up Mt. Tapyas as you need to hydrate while going up and need more when you get to the top. Snack would be nice while enjoying the view and the sunset. 

3. Start going up Mt. Tapyas around 4:30pm so you'll get to catch the sunset (hopefully its not cloudy)

XOXO,

S