August is our anniversary month. Last year, we had Johan’s baptism done on our first anniversary. This year, we booked the Coron tour to spend some quality time together. We were hoping to see all of Coron that’s why we booked 6 days. However, habagat has other plans. The rain in Coron is not the same in Manila but the waves and the winds are a different story. Our itinerary includes town tour, island tour, Malcapuya/banana island tour and Calauit safari tour. We are also planning on the Culion tour but in the end, we only got the town tour and the 2 island tours. No regrets. Safety of course is our priority. And at the end of the day, the important thing is that we are together on our special day and we are safe. It is just unfortunate that we caught Coron at a time when the weather is bad but it’s ok, life goes on and we still enjoyed Coron despite the weather. This is a long read but I hope you enjoy it and I hope you find it helpful if and when you decide to go to Coron. Happy reading!
DAY 1.
On time pick up. Nice and courteous driver. Just 5 minutes away from the airport, we saw a herd of cows blocking our way. Our driver told us that it was once owned by a Marcos crony but since it was sequestered, the government now owns the ranch and the cows. There are fat and thin cows. Why is it that when the government takes anything, it just goes down the drain. Too bad, it was once the biggest ranch in Asia. Sequestered or not, we should take good care of these animals and properties. Wala silang kasalanan sa atin. Yun lang naman.
30-45 minutes of travel time from Busuanga airport to Coron town proper. The van that brought us to Coron Town has wifi, complete with LCD TV, good sound, good vibes. Makwento rin si manong. Side story: he is not from Coron but from Fairview. He went there kasi andun ang brother nya.
When we arrived at hotel, check in was fast with the courteous and smiling staff. We just paid P500 for the deposit which is refundable when you check out. We also signed waiver forms and read the rules and regulations of the hotel and then off to our room.
Coron town tour
The town of Coron is really small. Everything is within 5-10 minute distance or P8-10 peso tricyle ride. Their tricycle can accommodate at least 6 people. We had a tricycle for our town tour although I paid for an exclusive van. Anyway, it was a different experience din naman riding the tricycle around town. Truly local. We visited the town plaza-very typical of any province in the Philippines, Lualhati park-named after the mother or grandmama of the governor (the same governor who was hiding because he was a suspect in the slaying of a journalist in Puerto Prinsesa), this park sits in the reclaimed area near the market, San Agustin church-Coron's patron saint, Mt.Tapyas viewing deck-we climbed all the 724 steps but it was worth it. The view is to die for and breathtaking. We saw the whole of Coron as well as the sleeping giant. Lastly, we went to Maquinit Hotspring-around 15 minutes from the town. It was really hot. Around 38 degrees. The list of tour includes a local souvenir shop and a local cashew factory but not sure why we didn’t go there. Forgot to ask about it.
Dinner at Lolo Nonoy's Food Station. We ordered pork sisig, embotido and grilled chicken. All yummy. We tried ordering their vegetable dish but it is not available at that time.
DAY 2.
Coron island tour
On our 2nd day, pickup is at 830am for our island tour. Went to Siete Picados-seven wonderful rock formations over a vast expanse of clear blue and green water. Lovely is such a weak adjective to describe this. This was our first stop and it surely impressed us. Then off to Twin Peak Reef-underwater activity to see the beautiful landscape down under. Fish and other sea creatures are abundant in this area. Colorful and astonishing. There are some corals too. I suggest you bring your underwater camera.
We were supposed to have lunch at Banol beach but the waves are really strong so we had lunch at the Shipwreck. They have this makeshift hut wherein half your body is submerged in the water especially during high tide. We ate a feast there.
After lunch, we passed by Banol beach then to Coral Garden-the coral reef here is amazing. We had a marvelous time looking under the sea. You should not miss this. Last stop is the Twin Lagoon-you have to climb a steep wooden stair if high tide or crawl under the rocks during low tide. The water is perfect, a mix of hot and cold; it is calm like a huge swimming pool. Our tour guide Kuya Noy showed us a little cave under. Merienda is puto coron. A little past 5, we're done.
Dinner at Centro Coron and Coronzy Coffee and Tea-a new place in town. Love the food. You should check this out. Ordered pork caldereta and sizzling squid, garlic rice, bavarian tea and cookies.
DAY 3
On our 3rd day, we were supposed to have our Calauit Safari Tour but heavy rains, zero visibility, rough and dangerous roads prevented us from going there. The coast guards also do not allow tour there as it is dangerous due to heavy rains in Busuanga. So we were given Option 2. Same island hopping but different islands. We went to Kayangan Lake-the famous overlooking lake. I’ve seen this all over the net. But being there is different. Actually seeing it is surreal but nice. You had to climb hundreds of steps going up to get to the top and have your pictures taken with Kayangan lake as backdrop and and another steep climb down to the beautiful Kayangan Lake. We went spelunking in one of the caves inside Kayangan lake and it was scary but memorable and so worth it.
Next is the Twin Peek Reef which we already visited the day before. We had lunch at Balinsasayaw floating house-or more like a hut in the middle of the sea. Eating here is amazing. Amidst the waves and the current and the wind, we had a feast of crabs, loro fish, chicken, salad, banana. As the strong waves crashed while eating lunch, we were reminded of how remarkable and blessed we are to have experienced this.
Then we're off to CYC beach or Coron Youth Club beach, went to see the corals and the colorful fish. The waves and the current were too strong that's why we had a hard time staying still. Lastly the coral garden for the 2nd time.
Dinner at Coron Bistro with new friends. It's an almost authentic Italian place. Really good food. Value for money. Ordered their pizza of Bistro and Margerita, the smoked ham and bread, vegetable pasta and Basilico pasta. All perfectly done.
DAY 4.
On our 4th day, we were kinda disappointed that we cannot go to Malcapuya, Banana and Bulog Dos islands. Due to heavy rains, strong winds and waves. We stayed in the hotel and sleep it off for half the day.
Then we had lunch at Kawayanan Grill. Ordered ensaladang talbos ng kamote, kasuy, peanut, seafood grill with lato, chicken. We tried to order other dish but they are currently unavailable at that time. We can only review what we had. We were not really satisfied with the food we ordered. The grilled seafood I had is dry, not juicy, not tasty. The chicken is ok but it could be better. The ensalada is just ok. Steamed talbos ng kamote and bagoong. Nothing fancy. All in I don’t feel like it is value for money.
Because it's Sunday, we had mass at San Agustin Church. One of the most solemn masses we have ever heard. They even turned off the lights during the presentation of the body and blood of Christ, everyone held hands during the Lord's Prayer, clapped several times to thank God for the celebration, the homily is a reflection of the simple life Coronians has. But not sure if priests are mandated to talk about RH bill. The priest there touched a little about the subject. Anyway, it is still solemn and tagos sa puso at buto.
Dinner take 2 at Bistro Coron. I love Italian food and this place made my day. We ordered Margerita pizza, Bistro salad, Hungarian sausage with spiral pasta. Yummy!
DAY 5
On our 5th day, still no tour. Heavier rains day and night. Hard to go out. Today I miss my baby Johan. Although I call my mom and yaya everyday to check on Johan, I still miss him. His smell and his hugs and kisses. Ako yata ang may separation anxiety sa baby ko. Anyway, 1 day to go na lang and we’ll be home soon.
Our new friends left today for Manila but they informed us that their flight had been delayed from morning to later this afternoon.
We just slept in the hotel and wait for lunch time to go out.
Lunch at Manneken Pis, a Belgian restaurant owned of course by a Belgian and his Filipina wife. We ordered Bolognese fusili, Salami pizza, Belgian fries and pancakes. The foods are delicious and affordable.
After lunch, it rained hard again so we had no choice but to go back to the hotel. Went out as soon as the rain stopped which is around late in the afternoon. We went to the reclamation area they call Lualhati Park and had their delicious bbq and tenga ng baboy by the sea. Walked around the park and found that Koreans are aplenty in Coron. Hindi rin nila ito pinalampas. They are everywhere talaga but they also bring also good business with them in Coron. Not that I am complaining. We even tried their halo-halo Korean style at Ice Valley.
Dinner is at Centro Coron again. Ordered sisig and tuna steak. We had a chat with the manager of Centro Coron and we found out that he is actually from Pampanga and made his living here. One thing I observed in Coron, some establishments are owned not by people from Coron but from other towns. Could be that these people love the place and would want to go back again and again and the best way to do that is to take roots and invest there. That's why they have their business there.
At around 9, we called it a night and went back to the hotel for an early flight tomorrow. It was raining again but not that hard as compared to the one experienced by Manila on the same time that we were in Coron. I have learned from this trip that no matter how well you prepare, you are no match for the wrath of nature and the advice of the coast guards. Hehehe! It is just unfortunate that we visited Coron at a time when the weather is not that good. But we had fun anyway. What matters is that we were together during our second anniversary and that's all good no matter where we are.
DAY 6
On our 6th day, it’s time to go home. The sun was peeking when we woke up on our last day in Coron. Our flight back home is at 1045am via Cebu Pacific. We had a light breakfast at the Coron Ecolodge and had our refund for the trip that we did not take (Calauit Safari). Left the hotel at 830am for our 30 minute trip to Busuanga airport. It was a breeze passing thru the security check as we don't have anything to declare. Easy check in at the Cebu Pacific counter. Not sure why there are only a few passengers. Maybe because of the heavy rains in Manila that some people decided not to take the trip to Coron.
Our plane arrived on time but left 15 minutes late of our scheduled time because the pilot was advised of the airport traffic in Manila. Due to the super heavy rain also in Manila, we weren't able to land in time. We had to circle above for about 15-30 minutes before we were cleared of the runway.
To tell you how it is, we had a small plane, the ATR turbo-prop aircraft. I guess because of the small runway so you can just imagine the impact of the turbulence as we hit the air pockets and the heavy rains. I can feel it to the bones. I was praying all throughout the flight back for a safe trip and safer landing. My friend who was a former FA in Cebu Pacific also assured us that smaller planes are safer and they have a good chance of landing safely because they glide in the air and rain. I don’t know but it helped. Good thing also that the pilot was kind and nice enough to inform us of the status of our flight. He assured us that we are doing ok and we are in good hands. We landed safely at about 1pm. But we were stranded at the airport due to heavy rain, flooded areas and no taxi is willing to bring us home to Fairview and to our Johan. Finally, at about midnight we found a very willing driver that will take us home. We forgot to get his name but he is an angel to us. Past midnight we were home again and cuddling Johan in our arms.
Where to eat: (those we tried)
Lolo Nonoy's Food Station (paid P500 for 2 pax)
Centro Coron (twice) - (first meal at P1100 for 2 pax; second meal at P440)
Bistro Coron (twice) – (first meal at P700 for 2 pax; second meal at P800)
Kawayanan Grill Station –(paid P800)
Manneken Pis- (paid P700)
BBQ station near the market-forgot to check how much
Ice Valley-P240 for 2 pax
You can try:
La Sirenetta
Seafood Dive Restaurant
Magkatabi lang sila pero magkaiba ng entrance. Dinner by the sea. You won’t miss these 2 restaurants because this is where the boats dock. The boats that will take you to the different islands in Coron.
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