Coron, Palawan Scrapbook: Day 2

It’s our first day of island hopping and we booked the services of a guided tour from JY Travel and Tours to bring us to different island beaches in Coron, Palawan. It was a fun day out in the sun and we are lucky that the group of people who joined us in that same tour are of the same age group (more or less) and everyone were friendly and no one was acting like a primadonna. One (of group of 5 friends) was even an avid user of the services that my company provide, another couple were foodie and travelers like us, a solo traveler and 4 other friends who are a bit more younger than us and 2 Chinese ladies. Once all aboard our boat, our guide Charlie gave us the standard reminders on how to take care of ourselves by showing us the photos of sea creatures that we need to watch out for as well as reminders on how to take care of the island and environment. It is indeed a shared responsibility of the visitor and the locals.

My words may not be enough to give justice to the beauty of the islands that we visited. So I’ll just share with you the photos that I have taken …

On board the boat waiting for the rest of the tourist.

about 30 minutes after we left the port, one of the boys  caught a fish...

The lucky Garfield fish that was caught. photo op with Cindy, visiting Palawan from China

Our first stop for the island hopping is the Island across Two Seasons, and exclusive resort island which I heard for P100,000 a night, you can get your own butler and exclusive use of its facilities.

Since we don't have that amount of cash, 
we just stayed on the other side of the island to do some snorkeling.

The hubby is all smile  after his 30 minutes of snorkeling in the island

This is how clear the water is. You can see some small and medium size fishes near the shore. One yellow and white striped fish keeps on biting my legs... seems like they like the taste of the sunblock on my legs.

Our next stop was at the Banana Island, according to our guide, its called as such not because the island is shaped like a banana fruit but its shaped is like the banana leaf. We stayed here for almost 2 hours for lunch and some R&R. Hubby did another snorkeling but I took a dip at the cool clear water and enjoyed the view and the sun. 

The view from Banana Island. That's our boat right there.

The cabana where we had lunch with the group.

An amazing view while enjoying our lunch prepared by the crew

While waiting for lunch to be served, saw this tire swing at the side of our cabana and memories of childhood came rushing in. I just had to try it and get a swing.

This is Lunch!!

Picture before digging in!

I love an uncrowded island. Its just so peacefully beautiful

seems like we have the island all to ourselves

Time to leave Banana Island and head to the Main Event of our Island hopping.

Dubbed as one of the most beautiful island beach in Coron with its clear water and white powdery sand, The Malcapuya Island will soon be developed by a famous resort developer. And I'm glad to be able to experience this island before it becomes exclusive to paying customers.

We did a little bit to trek going to the beach of Malcapuya since boats are not allowed to park at the shore of the beach. Unfortunately, even if visitors pay P200 per pax, maintenance and proper disposal of trash are not observed.

Almost paradise....

                         

And there it is...

Malcapuya Island Jump Shot, our tour guide has mastered taking this shot

The view from Malcapuya Island 

Whenever there's a hammock, you'll see me there just enjoying the view and the sound of the waves...Besides, its 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the sun is in its unforgiving state of heat. 

View from the top

Time for some dip in the water before heading back to the port

Our tour guide was extra generous with our time. We should have been back in the port by 5pm but we already left Malcapuya Island shortly before 5pm and the sun was setting while en route back to Coron Island.

The Tour Group on the way back to Coron...

We had so much fun and what an experience, aside from the beautiful islands that I have left my foot prints in the sand, It was the new friends that we have gain along the way was the highlight. So if you are planning to take tour around Coron, Look out for JY Travel & Tours and ask for Charlie as your guide…They take great jump shots too haha!

xoxo,

S

Tips of the day:

1. Sunblock can be delicious to fishes so be careful as their teeth can be a bit sharp even the small fishes. If I were you, don't put sunblock on your legs.

2. There are usually sari-sari store in the Island that we visited where you can buy some softdrinks, water and some light snacks and junk food. It might be expensive so its better to bring some within you and share!

3. The Tour has a pick-up from hotel arrangement but once the tour is over, you need to take a tricycle on your own back to your hotel, depends on the distance of your Hotel from the port. For us, since Coron Westown Resort is far from the port almost near the airport, we paid P60.00 (30 pesos per pax)

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

TBR Dream Marathon 2016: Are You In?

The List is Out! The post on the website of thebullrunner.com asked a simple question. ARE YOU IN?

The post says: Congratulations to the first 800 Selected Runners for TBR Dream Marathon 2016! Click the link below to check if YOU ARE IN:

Czarinna came rushing to me and said the list is out!!! We open the website together with heart beating so fast I could hear it clearly and my ears are moving on its own because I was so nervous. I can’t remember if I was praying please let me be in or thy will be done Lord. But as I type my family name in the search box, I was so nervous my hands are shaking. I press enter and there it is our name!!! me and my husbands’.

Next I search the name of Czarinna and she’s IN as well! We were like kids jumping for joy and the people in the office were so clueless of why we are so happy like kids on Christmas day. We can’t contain ourselves so we informed another officemate, Arlyn who has completed her first 42K at the OSRAM marathon in Singapore last month. I sent a message to my husband to tell him the good news and sent him the link as he didn’t believe me.

The whole day I was on cloud9 and still could not believe that I am one of the first 800 selected runners for the TBR Dream Marathon 2016.

That evening, I read the email that was sent to me earlier that afternoon that indeed I was not dreaming and I really did get in and have been selected! 

This is it! No Turning back!

XOXO,

S

The Dream Marathon

A runner’s ultimate goal is to run a marathon. Yes, the Forty Freakin Two Kilometer distance. I’ve never thought I’d be saying the words “I want to run a marathon” when I started running last year for the first time. My goal for 2015 as a runner was to be able to run a 21Km distance by December 2015 without injury.  My officemate, Czarinna who’s future father in law (at the time-- but now her legit father in law) was a marathoner and has run in the Bull Runner Dream Marathon before , told me about this running event for first and 2^nd time Marathoners. She said she wanted to try to get in for the 2016 leg. This conversation was early this year when I was still planning and deciding if I am ready for the next stage which was 21Km. But that goal came in early. As early as April 26, 2015 rather than December 2015.

After a couple more 10K run and then finishing a 10 mile run. When I was able to cross the finishline at two (21K) run, that sealed the deal in my decision to take up the challenge for the 42K Marathon. And what’s more fun is that my hubby will also join me and Czarinna. And so the count down begins… not to the race day but to the registration date.

August 7, Friday at 12nn is when the registration will open to all interested applicants for the 2016 The Bull Runner Dream Marathon. For months we have been anticipating this day. I have color coded it (PURPLE) in my calendar to remind me of the day that will change my life.

Only 800 runners will be selected by a team of judges and will be given the honor to join the TBR Dream Marathon in 2016. The most dreaded part was the essay. I had to make an essay on why I want to join the TBR Dream Marathon? I planned to prepare for it and write it ahead of time but for some reason, I was not able to do it before the registration date. The ending, I had to compose it right there and then while I did the online registration.

Registration DAY:  I have  2 scheduled interviews  before 12nn. One at 10 and the other at 11 in the morning. I actually forgot what time it was. When I return to my desk, Czarinna came running and told me that its time. Registration is open. I was so nervous opening the browser and going to thebullrunner.com website. I texted my hubby and told him that its time to register, which he did over his mobile phone as he was out of the house having his car fixed.

Took me almost 30 minutes to finish the registration as I was carefully reading each item making sure that I input the correct details and no wrong spelling.  I might have taken 15-20 minutes in composing my essay haha! 

So what was my essay?

I joined my first fun run (10K) in July 2014 by accident and it was an amazing feeling to finish it. I craved for that feeling of accomplishment ever since so I convinced my husband to run with me too. Month on month our goal is to run more and go farther. I'm not an athletic person, i don't know how to bike or even swim, but I know I can run and I hope in 2016 I can run the ultimate runner's dream and finish my first 42K. I received a notice that my registration has been accepted (at 12:29pm- that’s why I knew how long it took me to do the registration haha!)  It says that , “If you make it to the list of Selected Runners for The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2016 - 42K, You will receive registration and payment instructions via email on or before August 14, 2015 (Friday). The list of Selected Runners will also be posted at www.thebullrunner.com and www.tbrdream.com. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and will close as soon as 800 slots are confirmed and paid for.” Oh my heart pumping and so excited, I can’t do anything but wait and pray.  xoxo, S

HaRUNa: Our Valentine's Date Run

Our post valentine's date happend at Roxas Blvd for the HaRUNa 10K fun run last February 15, 2015, its a tribute to Apo Hiking Society where popular songs are mostly tagalog love songs. Its kind of fun celebrating Valentine's running with the person you love. Hope you all had a wonderful Hearts day :)