Borrowed Heaven: A blog by Shiena: Coron Palawan Scrapbook: Day 4

Its our last day in Coron and we feel that its so ‘bitin’. This 4 days 3 nights (technically 3 days as the arrival and the departure takes 2 half days already) is not enough! I think if you plan to visit Coron and want to really make it worth your while, I thing 7 days would be just right. We still have not yet visited the island of Cullion, did not do the Safari Tour and the Ship wreck Tour. More reasons to visit again :)

Buying pasalubong and tour of the city made eaaasy with these tricyles

Our last day in Coron was spent on another city tour but this time with the purpose of seeing the city for the last time and buying ‘pasalubong’ for our family and friends. Our first stop was the Public Market. Where in we bought the special Danggit (specially marinated in vinegar and garlic) that I tasted at the Coron Westown Resort Café. There’s a big pack which is worth Php 400 pesos and a smaller pack sold for P100 each.

on board a Tricycle on our way to the Public Market near the port

Next stop was the Cashew as Palawan is know to have a plantation of cashew. Our tricycle driver brought us to Coron Harvest, a small store where they sold baked cashew and garlic roasted cashew. Apparently famous Pinoy actors has come to visit the place, including Kris Aquino, Solenn Heussaff and Isabel Daza and I assumed bought some of these nuts. They sold their cashews in P100, P200 and P300 per pack.

Baked cashew, the healthy nut. They also have adobo flavor which is fried. But I like the natural nut taste of cashew.

Of course a souvenir shirt is a must but not for us but for our little guy who was left in Manila with Grandma because he cannot miss 2 days of school. Our tricycle driver brought us to Majuka as the Island souvenir store is closed on Sundays (which most restaurants and establishments are close as well). There we bought him a Coron Shirt for P140 and a P60 refrigerator magnet to commemorate our trip to Coron.

Green Mango Shake and Buko Lychee Shake

After which we head back to the hotel to check out and leave again for lunch. We were suppose to eat at Santino’s Grill but it was close on Sundays so we ended up eating at Balinsasayaw Restorant. Food was okay. Not a 4 star but maybe a 3. We ordered their Balinsasayaw Special which is a seafood in read sweet and spicy sauce, lechon kawali and enchaladang talong.

my husband so hungry

After lunch, it started to rain so we just went back to the hotel to wait for our transfer to airport and chill.

Here are some of my Coron Tips for the DIY Travelers out there:

1. Take the earliest flight possible so you can still do a city tour when you arrive. What to do in the City Tour?

a. Take the 700+ steps going to the peak of Mt. Tapyas. I recommend to go there around 4pm or 4:30pm depending on how fast you can reach the peak- so you can catch its great sunset and a good view of the islands surrounding the island.

b. Head to Maquinit Hot Spring after Mt. Tapyas. The hot spring will surely relax your tired and sore muscles from going up and down Mt. Tapyas.

2. Get all the brochure that you can find at the arrival area of the airport. Pick the best island tour and adventure that suits your budget and book it once you have decided where you want to go.

a. The Malcapuya Island Tour and the Ultimate adventure Tour provided by JY Travel and Tours were great. Ask for our Tour Guides Charlie or Bert (they are the best and funny too!) Bert did our jumpshot photo shoot in Smith Beach and CYC Beach.

b. Do not talk to sales reps or 3rd party travel and tours as we have a bad experience. ( we were not booked on the original tour that we chose so we end up paying 500 pesos more for each pax.

3. Be aware of the Tricycle fare so you won’t be shortchanged.

a. One way per person is Php30- going to the city proper.

b. Hire the Tricycle going to Mt. Tapyas or anywhere in the city as an exclusive transport –P300/max 4 passengers

c. Hire the Tricycle going to Mt. Tapyas and to Maquinit Hotsprints and back to hotel – P400/max of 4 passengers

4. Bring Snorkelling gears and aqua shoes as there are lots of island that you can snorkel but need to be careful of dangerous marine creatures like stone fish, gelly fish, sea urchin etc.

5. Bring insect repellant when you decide to go to Kayangan Lake.

6. When in Kayangan lake, enter the small cave for photo op.

7. Some Restaurants are closed on Sundays (Santion’s Grill, singugba sa balay etc) so make sure to visit them on weekdays

Hope these tips help you enjoy your Coron stay as much as we did :)