Unforgettable Coron (Sangat Loop)

It's our third day in Coron (view our 1st day here, and 2nd day here). But before we have our island hopping, we need first to transfer to Darayonan Lodge for our last night accommodation. Darayonan Lodge is a 10 mins. drive(by a tricycle) from Coron Reef Pension House. 

We were in the tricycle when the driver asked:
Manong triclycle driver: Ma'am, gusto nyo ng arroz caldo? Libre lang, birthday kasi ni Mayor.
Us: Cge Kuya.
Manong triclycle driver (stop the tricycle in front of Mayor's house): Bigyan nyo ng lugaw yung mga bisita natin.
Us: Salamat po. Happy Birthday Mayor..!!!

We felt we're part of Coron town because the people there were very hospitable to their guest. And the arroz caldo taste really good.

enjoying the arroz caldo

We checked-in in Darayonan, and place our luggages in our room, then we headed to the port for our island hopping. And said goodbye to Zeline because she needs to go back to Manila that day. 

tricycle in coron is big. 8 people can fit in it not including the driver :o

Our tour for the day is called, Sangat Island Coral Garden and Shipwreck. We got our tour from Coron Galeri for only 750php(lunch included). It's around 9am when we sailed off to Sangat Island. It would take an hour and a half going there. The views are very relaxing that you won't get bored. 

First Destination: Sangat Coral Galden

It was hard to snorkel in this coral garden because the current is really strong. But it has beautiful corals and fishes.  

Second Destination: Sangat Hot Spring

This is my favorite. To reach the hot spring, you must swim or walk in a tunnel of mangrove. It's a bit scary because the mangrove is known for snakes and other scary animals but our guide lead the way to make sure we're safe. The Sangat Hot Spring is located on the edge of the island. It is a small pool made of rock. If it's high tide, the sea water overflow to the pool of hot water which makes the water luke warm.

I said it is my favorite because the place is very peaceful and very relaxing. You'll feel your secluded from the world. I could stay there for hours but my friends doesn't like the place very much so we went on to our tour.

Third Destination: Sangat Beach

Time for lunch, so we went to the beach near the shipwreck. 

For our lunch we had crabs, grilled tuna, seaweed salad, grilled chicken and rice. And as I said in my previous post, the food was cooked in the boat, which makes it fresh and super yummy.

After we ate our lunch, Joy, Jhoanna and I went to the side of the beach for photo shoot. As I walked in a knee high water, I felt pain in my right leg. In a matter of seconds the pain worsen. 

Me(walking towards the shore): aray.. aray.. aray.. (then I look at my leg, I saw a violet-brownish thing, which I thought was a leech)
Me: ARAY... ARAY.. KUYA ARAY..!!! ARAY.. KUYA ARAY!!!
friend and boatmen/guide: (just looking at me with a puzzled look)
Me: ARAY... ARAY.. KUYA ARAY..!!! ARAY.. KUYA ARAY!!!
friend and boatmen/guide: (still looking at me with a puzzled look)
Me: ARAY... ARAY.. KUYA ARAY..!!! ARAY.. KUUUUUYYYYAAAAAYAAAAA ARAAAAAYYYYY!!! (screaming so loud)

Then, our guide runs toward me carrying a bottle of vinegar. Saying I was sting by a jelly fish, and vinegar is the first aid for it.

After the tentacles was removed

Fourth Destination: Gun Boat Ship Wreck

Though my leg still hurts so much, I would never be left out of fun specially if it's to-see tourist attraction. (kaya tiisin ang sakit!)

Gunboat

We snorkel above the shipwreck and saw that the ship was deteriorated already(of course!haha..) and there were some corals and sea plants in it. You can also see lots of fishes in the area. 

Fifth Destination: Decalve Reef

Our last destination was another coral garden. 

Decalve Reef has a shallow water that even in the boat you can see the corals and fishes already.

The guide who rescued me from the jellyfish sting helps me to navigate in the garden by pulling me while I am holding the round floater. I told him I want to see Nemo and indeed we found a family of Nemo(so happy!). 

mommy, daddy and baby nemo :D

We headed back to Coron town. We arrived around 4pm which gave us enough time to buy pasalubong. 

We rented a tricycle for only 210php (35php per person). We went first to Coron Harvest. It was famous for its cashew product like sun-dried cashew, roasted cashew, etc. 

with the Aling Lita Escarda, owner of Coron Harvest

Next we went to dried fish stores to buy dried danggit. Then to Coron Souvenir and Gift Shop. This souvenir shop sells keychain, t-shirt, ref magnet and other Coron products. It was a bit pricey here, so we went to Coron Market to buy t-shirts and key chains. 

Coron Souvenir and Gift Shop

When we were sure we already bought enough pasalubong for our family and friends, we walked back to Darayonan and call it a day.

Darayonan Lodge
132 National Highway, Brgy. Poblacion 1
Coron, Palawan
09152976426; 09087732964
darayonanlodge@yahoo.com
http://darayonan-coron.weebly.com/index.html

Calamian Expeditions Travel and Tours

# 11 San Agustin St. Barangay Poblacion 3
Coron, Palawan
Philippines 5316

+63 915 254 3246 

+63 917 55CORON

corongaleri@yahoo.com

http://www.corongaleri.com.ph/

L. Escarda’s Coron Harvest
Bgy. Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan
(0928) 2693-998 (Lita Escarda)
escardacoronharvest@yahoo.com

Coron Souvenir and Gift Shop
Barangay Polacion 5, Coron, Palawan
0920-2030302

Unforgettable Coron ( Coron Loop)

People in Coron woke up very early. We know because the room next to ours was occupied by the owner of the pension house. And you could their commotion at 4 in the morning. But we didn't get off the bed until 7am. (click here to view our activities on our first day)

We had our breakfast of rice, lamayo (marinated danggit), egg and loganissa. Coron Reef breakfast cost 100php is actually good for 2 person.

our breakfast

Our tour for our second day was Coron Island Ultimate Tour. We got it from Coron Galeri for only 650php including lunch and entrance fee.

They pick us in Coron Reef at 8:30am. The port is 5 to 10 minutes walk from where we are staying. 

picture first before we sail off

Coron Loop is less than 30 minutes from the port. So while enjoying the views, we had some photo op. :)

feeling models lng

First Destination: Hidden Lagoon

Hidden Lagoon had a mixture of salt and fresh water.  And the amazing thing about this place is that the water temperature at the bottom is warm. When swimming in this lagoon, you can feel warm water passing on your body.

Hidden Lagoon

Second Destination: Twin Peak Reef 

Twin peak reef is a snorkeling site. You could see lots of fishes, corals, sea urchins and sea snake.Yes, sea snake, Kuya Edward saw it near our boat, and I am so thankful we were some distance away from it and was not able to see it (so scary!).

twin peak reef

Third Destination: Bulungan Beach

Bulungan Beach

Bulungan beach is in a small islet. It has cottages, perfect for our lunch. As I said above, the tour includes our lunch. I thought the foods were already cooked before we sailed but  we were surprise that they were cooking our food in the boat. Talking about fresh foods. :) 

grilled fish

While waiting for the food, we had some photo shoot in the islet. (haha!)

lunch (grilled tuna, porkchop and seaweed salad)

what was left of our lunch

A fisherman paddled his small boat to the Bulungan beach with a big talakitok fish. He's selling it for only 400php. The fish weigh 4.5 kilos. We bought the fish for our dinner that night.

Fourth Destination: Kayangan Lake

To reach Kayangan Lake, you have to trek 75 steps going up and 75 steps going down. Our guide told us that some time ago, the natives of the island believe a spirit was dwelling in it.  And they performed a ritual to transfer that spirit to the another lake so that Kayangan Lake can be opened to public. 

kayangan lake

On our way back to our boat, we went to see the famous view of this destination. The place was actually just a cliff with a small cave adjacent to it. But beyond the cliff you'll see this:

my own version :D

On to our next stop. Coral Garden. When we reached the place, it was already raining. The rain really poured out so we decided to go to the beach that was near that place. 

Fifth Destination: CYC Beach

When we reach this place, the heavy rain turned to drizzle. So we go down the boat and swim.  

CYC Beach

When the rain already stop, we asked our guide if we could go back to the Coral Garden. They said we could (yey!)

Sixth Destination: Coral Garden

Our last destination. And we were glad we were able to see it.

fishes

sea urchin

We call it a day and head back to Coron Town. 

For our dinner, we asked the pension house kitchen if they could cook the fish for us. They said they could, it's not for free of course, paluto fee is 100 per kilo. We asked them to divide the fish in to 3 dishes. Sinigang, inihaw and pan-fried.

While the food is being cook, we went to the market, 5 minute walk from where we are, to buy some pasalubong.

dried fish: one of coron's main product

We bought dried fish and head back for dinner. 

sinigang na talakitok

For dessert and internet connection, we went to Ice Valley.

ice valley

menu

our order: mix fruits

After we finished our mix fruits and checked our fb, we headed back to our rooms to sleep. Need to recharge for another island hopping tour.

On our third day, click here.

Calamian Expeditions Travel and Tours

# 11 San Agustin St. Barangay Poblacion 3
Coron, Palawan
Philippines 5316

+63 915 254 3246 

+63 917 55CORON

corongaleri@yahoo.com

http://www.corongaleri.com.ph/

Ice Valley

National Highway

Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

Surviving Caramoan

The title really speaks for Caramoan since it is always used as a venue for Survivor.Also, you have to survive the very long travel time(if you're taking a bus) going to the island.

Matukad Island Caramoan

Holy Week of 2010, Zeline, JM, Kizzy and I went to this paradise in Camarines Sur. We got our tour package from Ms. Nievas for only 5000php (bus fare is not included). We departed from Cubao around 9pm, Wednesday and arrived at Naga bus terminal 7am of Thursday. We were met there by Ms. Nievas and she brought us to Biggs Diners for breakfast.

Zeline and me at the bus

at Bigg's Diner

waiting for our breakfast

see how cool the ambiance of this resto :D

When we have our fills we hopped into the SUV for an hour and a half hour ride going to Sabang Port. On our way to Sabang, we stopped again at Biggs Diner(another branch). Ms. Nievas told us that we need to buy food for lunch. 

We reached Sabang Port, and were greatly surprised on the number of people waiting for the ferry. We were informed that all morning trips were fully booked. Ms. Nievas talked to a boatman, and told us that we were going to Caramoan not by ferry but by a boat. A very small boat. It was scary because we would sail the sea for 2 hours with rain and waves with this small boat that has 10 people in it. 

that little boat in the photo is our boat going to Caramoan

We arrived at Guilajo port after 2 hrs in the sea. We were able to arrived safe in the island(yey!). We were greeted by Mrs. Nievas relative and he ushers us to the tricycle. From the port to the place we would be staying would only take 15 to 20 mins.

We were super tired when we arrived in the ancestral house where we will be staying for 3 days. We were welcomed by Mommy Chikiting (sister of Mrs. Nievas) and her daughter Sweet. Couple of hours after we arrived, the power went off. And I am beginning to regret this tour. Because so far I haven't seen any beautiful views that I read regarding Caramoan.

To entertain ourselves, we explore the town by checking different hotels and inns. We also went to a souvenir shop and we bought a pili nut key chain for souvenir and pasalubong. Then we went back for dinner.

dinner

sinigang na hipon

grilled blue marlin

After dinner, we get ready to bed. We need to wake up really early for our island hopping.

Next day, we woke up around 5am, had our yummy breakfast, dressed up and hopped in the tricycle that would bring us to Dumaghong. 

Dumaghong,  jump off point going to the peninsula. 

off to our adventure

As the sun shone, we saw the beauty of the Island. My disappointment from the previous day vanished. It was replaced with awe. Truly, God shown His beauty through His creations.

First Island: Minalahos Beach

Adjacent to Minalahos is the Gota Beach. But we cannot go there that time because it houses the Survivor Bulgaria. And we also cannot visit Lahus Beach because the survivors were currently shooting in the island.

Gota Beach

Lahus Beach

2nd Island: Matukad Beach

We had our share of adventure in Matukad beach because we were able to climb the lime stone mountain in this island. At first, I was afraid because of my clumsiness, I worry that I will fall off the cliff. But Sweet ( our guide), Zeline and Jm encourage me, so at the end, I found my self staring at the beautiful view in the top of the lime stone.

Matukad Beach

3rd Island: Cotivas 

Cotivas was an hour from Matukad island. When we alighted in the island, we took some photos, swam a bit and ate our lunch. We also went on the sand bar across Cotivas where we found a lot of star fish.

Cotivas Island

4th Island: Manlawi

Manlawi Island has a vast sand area specially when its low tide. It was scorching hot since there were no trees to shade us from the sun. We just stayed for around 30 mins., enough time to take some photos.(haha)

Manlawi Island

5th Island: Hunongan

Hunongan is an ordinary island for me. Not much to see except the props/equipment of the Survivors who previously shoot a challenge in the island. 

Hunongan was a bit crowded so we opt to go back to Matukad Island to swim. It took us an hour to reach Matukad. Then stay there until its time to go back to the town.

We reach the town and into our place before night fall. JM and Zeline visited the old church in Caramoan while Kizzy and I had a little rest. After we had our dinner, we walk around town to buy a t-shirt souvenir.

Caramoan town at 8 in the evening

Since most of the store closes around 8pm, we go back to the ancestral house to have our beauty rest.

Next day, we went early at Guijalo Port to catch the ferry going to Sabang Port. Around 10am, we arrived at Sabang Port and Mrs. Nievas was already there to pick us up. She also gave us  souvenir bags.

JM with his bag from Mrs. Nievas

We drove again for 1.5 hrs going to CWC. But before we scout the famous CWC, we had lunch first. Mrs. Nievas introduced us to her friend who work in CWC so we could get a discount. We didn't try the wakeboard activities because there's a long queu of people waiting for there turn, so we just pay for the pool entrance but we decided not want to swim anymore. We just explore the place instead.

CWC

We stayed for 2 hrs in CWC then Mrs. Nievas pick us up again and brought us to Naga Public Market to buy pasalubong (pili nuts)

We spend our remaining hours in Naga at Mrs. Nievas house. She's so hospitable. She even cooked dinner for us ( which was not included in our tour package). When its time for us to leave for Manila, they drove us to Naga bus terminal.

We arrived in Manila early of Sunday. Though tired we had so much fun. Its was indeed an adventure. Caramoan is such a paradise, blessed with beautiful beaches and people who are so hospitable and friendly. And I am so blessed to see its beauty.








Special thanks to the Avila and Sucil Family of Naga City and Caramoan who accommodate us in this trip.


Camsur Watersports Complex Office:
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Number: (054) 477 3344 / (054) 477 3349
Fax Number:+63(54) 477-3347
Mobile number: +(63) 917 8954156 or +(63) 999 8893697
E-mail: villadelreyreservation@gmail.com
http://www.cwcwake.com/