The day finally came and I left the house early. Instead of taking a cab from my place, I went to the train station and took LRT1 up until Edsa station. From there, I took a shuttle to Terminal 3. I've spent 15 php for LRT and 20php for the shuttle. Big savings it is!!! I was at the airport around 1 pm and while waiting for boarding time, I bought something to eat which is obviously, airport price. Then finally, we boarded the plane. There was air traffic so, our flight was delayed for few minutes. While on the plane, the woman seated beside me started a conversation, she asked me if Coron is my hometown, where am i Staying and the likes. Before we landed in Busuanga, we exchanged numbers and asked me to text her when I have time to meet her. After of almost an hour flight, we arrived in Francisco B. Reyes Airport. I started to feel nervous, worried and excited again. This is it! Finally, I am in Coron.
Our first Stop, a stream near the airport :)
On our way to the city proper, I was amazed how green the pastures and how free the cows are.
Since my flight was quite delayed, After Checking in at Coron Backpackers Guesthouse.
Kuya Val decided not to bring me in Mt. Tapyas that day, instead we went to a boulevard where i was left in awe because of the beautiful sunset.
After the breathtaking view, I asked my tour guide to bring me to their Church nearby. :)
There was no mass when I arrived there, but I still went inside. It's nice to give thanks to Him, especially for giving another fruitful year in my life. :) Few minutes later, we started to head our way to Maquinit Hotspring, which is about 30-40 minutes from the city proper by motocycle. The road to the hot spring is quite challenging for the drivers because it's rough and if it rains, it could be slippery and muddy as well.
We arrived in Maquinit Hotspring around 6:30pm.
I stayed until around 8pm, the water is very warm and I was glad that I spent my Birthday here.
The ambiance is very relaxing and so as the water.
It feels like it eases all my body pain.
I had dinner and went to bed early. The next day, as early as 5:30 am, Kuya Val came to my hostel to pick me up, we then started to climb up Mt. Tapyas, the 725 steps of that famous mountain, made my legs so tired.
We decided to be as early as this so that I could witness a beautiful sunrise, and It was a success! Though it was a bit foggy that morning, the sun came up and shone brightly that day, which is a very good weather for island hopping.
Since I felt like I've exerted too much effort going up here, i took a chance to take a lot of photos.
Around 7:40 am, we decided to go down, and went back to the city. We had breakfast and around 8:30 am, The island hopping started. Our first stop was the CYC island but i didn't get a chance to take photos since i was snorkeling around the area. When we reached the island, i was surprised to find a dog and a cat there. I felt happy seeing these animals in the island but then again I was bothered, how can they even survived there without someone taking care and feeding them. Then our next stop was Green Lagoon.
The Green Lagoon
I got to meet a lot of new friends. There are Filipinos, Chinese (a solo traveler too),
Koreans,some English guys and Australian couple. :)
Then we went to Kayangan Lake, we had our lunch before trekking up to get a better view of the lake.
Lunch!!!
And the view of ever famous- Kayangan Lake, It is really beautiful
We spent some time at the lake, which is a mixture of 70% freshwater and 30% saltwater, swimming at the lake feels good.
Our last island for that day is what they called the Siete Pecados. I enjoyed snorkeling in that area because there are a lot of fish. Actually the whole part of our snorkeling trip was so enjoyable because there were a lot of fish. :)
 |
| Siete Pecados |
The next day, I availed the Malcapuya, Banana Island and Bulog Island tour. There were only 7 of us in the boat, except the boatmen and guides as compared to my Kayangan lake tour, in which we were 19.
Malcapuya Island
It was more or less 2 hours boat ride to get to Malcapuya, and when we get there our boatmen started to prepare our lunch and we had it there. After spending a few hours there we were called out by our guide since we are moving to other island which is Banana island.
The Japanese-Filipino couple :)
We did snorkeling and stay for a few hours in Banana Island then we head for Bulog Island.
I saw this cat and came to him right away. He looks so hungry! So I gave him the leftover bread I was supposed to feed the fish. :)
After taking some pictures in this island we head back to the town proper, on our way back I get to witnessed my last sunset in the island.
Sunsets never fail to amaze me.
And so that's it.. my last night in Coron, the next day, while I was having breakfast, I've met someone in that small restaurant and offered me to be brought to another spring which is called, the Mabintangin. The water is so cold. And the ambiance is very serene, and you will really feel the great connection with nature. I'm glad I was brought here, how I wish I have more time so I could still dip myself in the cold water of this spring. Anyhoo, I enjoyed every moment of my stay in the island.
While I was waiting for the van to pick me up, I can't help but play with this little baby, :) sooooo adorable kitten!!!
meow
Then just before I leave Coron, it rained so hard. I thought my flight will be cancelled.
Good thing the rain stopped just as I was about to go to the airport. :D
Then, while I was waiting at the departure, I saw the Korean couple I've met during my trip in Kayangan lake! They were a cute couple! Very nice and fun to talk with.
We promised to meet each other again whether in Korea or here in the Philippines!!! :)
One more thing, traveling alone was never bad, it's a chance to meet new people and experience more of life! It's an opportunity to be more independent. :)
It's truly More Fun In the Philippines! :p
My Itinerary
Day 1
- take last flight from Manila
- Arrival in Busuanga Airport
- Go to nearby stream
- Check in at Coron Backpackers Guesthouse
- Look around the city
- Watch sunset by the boulevard
- Go to Maquinit Hotspring
- Dinner
- Early morning trek to Mt. Tapyas (5:30am)
- Watch sunrise
- trek back to city proper
- breakfast
- Start of island hopping CYC island, Green lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Siete Pecados
- Lunch at the island (kayangan lake)
- snorkeling/swimming/beach bmming
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Start of island hopping (Malcapuya, Banana island, Bulog island)
- Lunch at the island (Malcapuya)
- beach bumming/ swimming/snorkeling
- Dinner
- Brunch
- Tour to Mabintangin spring
- Free time
- Travel back to the airport
- Flight back to Manila
Transportation:
From Lrt 1 to Terminal 3 (airport) 35 pesos
Food - Sandwich & drinks (at the airport) 200 pesos *(If you have time, better to eat outside! It's way cheaper. ;) )
Motorbike Rent: 350 pesos *(pick up from the airport, transfer to & from Maquinit Hotspring, short city tour)
Accomodation: 500/night/room **(3 nights) 1,500 pesos (Room good for 2 persons)
Maquinit Hotspring entrance fee: 150 pesos
Dinner: 300+ pesos (me & tour guide)
Tour Guide fee: I can't remember the total amount I gave him since he was with me for the past few days. more or less 1,000 pesos
Mt. Tapyas: No entrance fee :)
Breakfast: 100 pesos
Tour A (Kayangan Lake tour) : 650 pesos
Snorkeling gear: 150 pesos **But I got it for 100 pesos only for my first tour,
on second day since I'm running out of money My guide help me get a snorkeling gear for 40 pesos. hahaha :D But this is just me, I don't think it will be given for that price again. :p
Dinner: 300 pesos
Breakfast: 100 pesos
Tour C (Malcapuya tour): 1,200 pesos
Dinner: 200 pesos
Breakfast: 100 pesos
Van transfer to the airport: 150 pesos
Terminal Fee: 50 pesos
Van from Terminal 3 to Lrt1 Taft Edsa station 20 pesos
**Food Cost is just an estimated amount
Coron Backbackers Guesthouse: + 63919 388 6028
I hope this one helps :D Let's see the world!!!
Our eyes are better than cameras :p “I know the best moments can never be captured on film, even as I spend nearly half my life trying to do just that.” ― Rosie O'Donnell
