Saturday, 15 October 2011

Coron DIY Adventure Day 2 - Part 1

Posted by clapalisoc | Saturday, 15 October 2011 | Category: , , , , , , | 0 comments

Day two for our Coron trip was all about island hopping and snorkeling. I did some net searching and planned to visit the following sites:


1) Siete Picados
2) Kayangan Lake
3) Barracuda Lake
4) Twin Lagoon
5) CYC Island
6) Banol Beach
7) Skeleton Wreck


Early in the morning - not so sunshiny
We were up up and about and by around 8am, we straddled out to the public market to meet our boatman. We agreed on a price of 1500php for the whole day tour which includes a tour guide, life vests and snorkeling gears. The boatman will also cook lunch for us, provide all utensils needed and will even provide a cooler for our drinks. We agreed and went ahead, bought food to be cooked for lunch. We bought the following:


- Tilapia (2pcs): 105php
- Liempo (more than 1/2 kilo) : 100php
- tomatoes + onions + calamnsi : 26php
- rice (1 kilo): 42php
- charcoal (1 pack): 20php
- drinks (2 500ml Sprite + 1 Coke in can + 2 bottles of Sparkle + 5 pieces of ice): 112php
- bread for fish feeding :25php


Everything was set, so we hopped onto the boat and cruised!


Destination # 1: Siete Pecados - entrance fee = 100php/person


Siete Pecados means seven islands. As we reached the location, we were indeed greeted by islands sitting side by side, surrounding the snorkeling site. The water was clear and the marine life was rich! You'll see fish of different sizes and colors. We had bread ready and so we fed the fish and enjoyed the scenery underwater. 


Site Pecados


Fish feeding
huwow!
Destination # 2: Kayangan Lake - entrance fee = 200php/person


Kayangan Lake has the most number of pictures online when you go search for Coron. The view from the top of the mountain, looking down at the lake was just marvelous! (Indeed, since it'll take your breath away...just to get up there!) When we were entering the view site, I can't help but notice the lucid water with a light bluish green tint. In order for you to see the beauty of the lake, you have to do some hiking. It was surely demanding since you have to climb up and then down to reach the snorkeling site. But you have to exert effort to appreciate the beauty that will always be worth the while. Here, sea water meets fresh water. I can say that fresh water dominates the lake because when you swim, you won't feel any sting in your eyes. Marine life is stale here but you'll be amazed with the underwater rock formations. We stayed here for about more than hour! Also, when you do your pit stop in the "famous" site for picture taking, you will notice a very dark cave. According to our tour guide, no one is allowed to enter since there is no track and no lighting inside.

Entering the cove
Where the boats are parked :D
Welcome to Kayangan Lake!

Start of the climb!
Damp dark cave :D
The "FAMOUS" shot
the LAKE
Enjoying nature!
Some fishie fishie
Destination # 3: Banol Beach - entrance fee = 100php/person


Banol Beach was where we had our lunch. While approaching the beach, you'll notice that the water is so clear and the sand so pallid! It somehow reminded me of Boracay! The only catch was that the beach area was very small. Actually, come to think of it, there really was no stretch of a beach around the loop of the Coron Islands. But anyway, the sand was not as fine as Boracay's, though the rock formations were incredbile! There were a couple of huts here where you can have your lunch, by the beach. I fell in love with this beach and stayed here for a lifetime (over an hour but felt wantonly forever) -- enjoyed the sand, the water and the overall panorama.


Just arrived - Banol Beach
Enjoying the sun and the sand!
Gotta love that water!
Banol Beach - captured!
Destination # 4: Skeleton/Ship Wreck - entrance fee = 100php/person


In this site, you'll see a Japanese ship that was claimed by the sea. It's not really the whole thing anymore, it's just the frame of the ship that will be apparent. Aside from this, you'll also see a lot of fish, rich coral life and tons of sea urchin! There is also a very small beach area here. We stayed around 30mins and headed onto our next destination.

Shipwreck location
Can you see the little beach area?

Sunday, 9 October 2011

Coron DIY Adventure Day 1

Posted by clapalisoc | Sunday, 9 October 2011 | Category: , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments

Coron, is a small town in the island of Busuanga in Palawan. Not much to see inland, you really have to go to out the sea to experience the gifts of nature - rock formations, rich marine life, clear waters, white sand beaches.


Early this year, hubby and I planned out travelling to Coron. We checked for seat sales through Cebu Pacific but during that time, Piso Fare was scarce for this destination. We were a little determined to go so we booked our tickets for September even without the sale. Months passed by and we became super busy not noticing that our Coron trip is actually coming about. Though everything was not in order, we decided to give the trip a go and decided to go DIY.  We did not book nor reserve for accommodation, no van transfers or any package tours. We went on, ready with only our back packs, camera and tripod.


Just arrived via Cebu Pac
Welcome to Busuanga!


Day one ETD from Manila via Cebu Pac was at 930am. We were at NAIA Domestic Airport Terminal 3 at around 8am. We checked-in our bags, got our boarding passes, paid the terminal fee of 250php each and waited patiently for our flight to be called. The trip was short and we arrived at Busuanga Airport before 1030am. The airport was very simple, and humble - not even a conveyor belt for the baggage. Right outside, you'll find vans that will take you to Coron town proper for only 150php. The driver will also give you his calling card so he can pick you up when your about to go back to the airport.


Sea Dive Resort


Our van stopped right in front of the entrance of Sea Dive Resort. I actually scanned the internet a day before out trip to check on the hotels, inns and lodge around the area. Sea Dive was one of the most popular together with Coron Village Lodge, Rudy's Place Lodge and the only grand hotel in the place - Coron Gateway Hotel. We hopped out of the van and checked out the place. You have to go to this alley before you'll get to see the place since it is a sea front property with its own pier. The place was simple and if luxury is your game, you'll have to look somewhere else (you can check out my review of Sea Dive Resort here.) We got the Superior Aircon Room for 1100php per night.


Kawayanan Grill


We unpacked our bags, took some pictures and headed out for some lunch. We checked out the nearby food stations and decided to try out Kawayanan Grill. After we filled our empty tummies with foodie treats, we headed back to Sea Dive to catch some sleep. At around 4pm, we got up ready for our (inland) tour. I searched the internet for places that we should visit, fare around the area and possible entrance fees. Below was our itinerary.


1) San Agustin Church
2) Municipal Hall and Park
3) Lualhati Park
4) Mt. Tapyas - for the climb!
5) Maquinit Hotspring


And this was all via trike. I wanted to include Coron Harvest in this list but hubby thought of buying some pasalubong on the third day.


Once out of the Sea Dive alley, main road had tricycles already lined up , ready and waiting for passengers, touristas and locals. We asked how much it will cost to go to San Agustin Church and the tricycle driver offered to take us, visiting those in my list, for an all-in 300php.


First Stop: San Agustin Church


San Agustin Church, Coron


The Altar
Old rusty bell


Second Stop: Municipal Hall and Park


Coron Municipal Hall


Just in front of the Municipal Hall
Dirty ice cream, anyone?


Third Stop: Lualhati Park - this is just around the area of the Public Market and pier of boats that would take you to island tours. Very near Sea Dive Resort. Literally a couple of steps away, no need to take a trike.


Lualhati Park



Fourth Stop: Mt. Tapyas - where you have to climb the well known 700 steps to and from the very huge cross situated on top of Mt. Tapyas (trust me, when you take this challenge on, you will be well acquainted with the steps!). According to the girl who was selling cold drinks (who will, by the way, accompany you during the climb and will serve as your tour guide), the mountain was called Mt. Tapyas because one side of it was blown off during the Japanese war. We surely got very tired and since we only brought about 600ml of water, we had no choice but to buy from the girl -- Gatorade for 45 php.


That's where we went!
Start of the climb :D
I said don't look back!
Magnificent!
The BIG Cross
Mountain top
Great background view!
Sunset ala Coron
Fifth Stop: Maquinit Hot Spring (entrance fee of 150php each) - very far from the town proper, you will pass by rough and forest-like roads. I was surprised to see that they have already transformed the hot springs into different sizes of pools leaving the floor of each one untouched. Well, I guess that was the only way to make it easier for visitors to have some place to sit down and enjoy the hot water from the spring. This is for sure a great way to end your day and to soothe your feet after conquering Mt. Tapyas.


Maquinit Hot Spring


It was a great day and the tricycle driver even recommended a boat man that can take us on an island tour for the next day.


Summary of Expenses:


- Tricycle ride : 300php 
***(you can actually walk around the town to visit all of the destinations except for Maquinit Hot Spring which will cost you around 150php round trip)
- Gatorade : 45php
- Maquinit Hot Spring Entrance Fee - 150php each 


After taking a hot water bath, we headed out and tried Lolo Nonoy's for dinner. Since there were very few options for a good night-out spot, we decided to go back to the resort and rest.






Coron DIY Adventure Day 2 - Part 1

Friday, 7 October 2011

Sea Dive Resort, Coron - my take

Posted by clapalisoc | Friday, 7 October 2011 | Category: , , , | 0 comments

Our trip to Coron was purely DIY. I just rummaged around the internet the day before our trip for information about recommended hotels, inns or lodges, sample itinerary and must-see places, and for possible pasalubongs. Scanning the internet pages, I found several options where we can hang about for a few days. One of these was Sea Dive Resort. It was just a matter of coincidence when the van that took us to the Coron town proper stopped just in front of the alley leading to Sea Dive. We hopped out of the van with the intent to check out the place. Sea Dive is not one of those lodges located along the main road. You have to go through an alley (talk about a hole in the wall) to get to it. Situated smack right on the sea (with its own pier), it is a Dive Resort with it's own facilities and boats. They also offer a few tour packages. 


Sea Dive Resort
The alley going to Sea Dive Resort
Hubby's turn!
On the way to Sea Dive Resort


Looking around the resort, you'll see that everything is very simple -- walls made up of sawali and bamboos. Nothing luxurious, but you'll notice the rooms rented out to be nitty gritty stock and overall clean. There is a small reception area right beside their restaurant that is overlooking the sea. We also checked out the restaurant but the dishes on their menu are quite expensive and the serving, modest. We did get the chance to eat there since we were got so bushed and did not want to go out for more walk.


Reception area
Restaurant overlooking the sea
The hotel is a total of three floors put together with a sun deck (the only sun deck we've seen out of the places that could be rented out in Coron). We did not have much choice that day since most of the rooms where occupied. We got a Superior Aircon Room for 1100php per night, conveniently located at the ground floor. The room is really generous with space and includes its own T&B. What's sad though was that the T&B of our room was a bit crammed. I wish they took some of the unused room space for the bathroom. They did have utilities such as a hot shower, a must for me. Funny, when I was doing my research, I did not get into some other details like a fridge or TV, assuming that they should at least have the tube as part of the room standard. When it was time to settle down for the night, that was the only time that I realized that there was no TV! Well, hubby just convinced me that it's okay since we should enjoy the provincial getaway feel (plus that they have Wi-Fi reaching our room anyway).


Superior Aircon Room
Very simple - that's the door to the bathroom
The resort also offers fan rooms located at the second floor. According to some blogs that I've read, fan rooms are okay since it's not so hot during the evenings. But just to be safe, we opted for the aircon room.


The hotel also has a sun deck (did I already mention that this was the only sun deck we've seen about in Coron?) with hammocks and shades where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view. They also have some sunbathing chairs there just in case you feel the need to tan out. Hubby puts in a thumbs up for this if you have some time to just chill around.


That's the sun deck!
Hubby just had to try the hammock!
The staff and crew are okay. They don't offer super customer service but they would attend to your requests (and deliver a quite noticeable acquired accent when interacting with foreign guests--impressive!). 


Overall, Sea Dive Resort is a good choice as long you're not too picky or looking for something in the lines of luxurious and extravagant.

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