I left my footprints in Coron!

I left my footprints in Coron hoping that I could still find them when I go back again and be with my newfound friends!

At first, I paused traveling to Coron because it was one of the typhoon-affected regions. Searching the internet I was happy to know that Coron is back to “normal”. They have cleared the debris and ready to welcome visitors with little inconvenience of brown-outs.

I left Manila with gusto because Coron is a place I’ve always wanted to visit! Like other places I’ve been in the Philippines, I usually don’t reserve a hotel because it’s easy to find one once I reach my destination. Inns/hotels advertised in the internet are usually more expensive that those that aren’t. (That’s only my thinking if you’re kinda adventurous like me and would want to try the do-it-yourself kind of traveling.)

Hubby and I arrived in Busuaga airport almost at noon, and rode a van for P150./pax to Coron town. The vans are parked in front of the airport. I acted like it wasn’t my first time to Coron Island and told the driver holler to just drop us off near the market place. (Markets are commonly located at the town center, right?) It only took a 30- minute-ride to town.

Upon reaching town, we ate at the first eatery we bumped into. After filling our stomachs, we carried our backpacks and canvassed hotels/inns nearby. We were sure the nice looking hotels charge higher so we avoided them first. The two inns we inquired charge 1,500/night as the cheapest. Then went on and found Majica’s non-aircon room worth 400 and above/night (we didn't like this place) then Mommita’s Place at 700 and above/night with aircon, tv and common toilets. (There were other rooms for 3-5 people for 1,500/room Tel. 09178230721 /09088962630) We stayed in this place because it’s clean even the toilets plus Mommita and her 3 workers are very hospitable and helpful. Mommita suggests activities you can do for the duration of your stay in Coron and her recommendations are reliable.  

We went to a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired hotel – Cota Del Mar. 

After resting a while, we discovered the area around our lodging place. It’s just a few steps to the market, souvenir shops and sari-sari stores. Then, we proceeded to where our feet could lead us. We dropped by a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired hotel – Cota Del Mar. The woodwork of the furniture and architectural ornaments are impressive!

The woodwork of the furniture and architectural ornaments are impressive!

Then, we proceeded to the houses on stilts near the area. I instantly noticed that locals are friendly. People you bumped into often greet you. (Maybe the locals are used to having visitors around so they greet new faces in the area.) Their language is Tagalog apart from their own native Cuyonon language. We went to see the aquariums where the wild and cultured sea bass are temporarily housed before they are exported, they say. I usually ask the locals, “Ano pang pwede naming makita rito?” and happy to often uncover results of my questioning.

The houses on stilts by the bay. I instantly noticed that locals are friendly. People you bump often greet you.

Before sunset, we climbed the 720 steps of Mt. Tapyas. We hired a tricycle from one of Mommita’s tryke network to the foot of the mountain. Reaching the peak of the exhausting ascend of 720 strides is rewarding because you’re at the vantage point of the entire Coron town and its islets. We were astonished to see the enormous steel cross that was toppled by wind from the terrible storm, Yolanda.

We climbed the 720 steps of Mt. Tapyas. The peak is a vantage point of the entire Coron town and its islets.

We continued our tricycle ride adventure to Maquinit Hot Springs for an entrance fee of P150/pax. It was quiet a bumpy 30-min road tryke-ride. I dipped myself bit by bit into the biggest pool first as it has the lowest temperature among the 4 hot pools. The smaller pool on the left side is the hottest. It’s the hottest spring I’ve ever been with salty water! It’s really relaxing but I felt congested after soaking myself for more than an hour! The round-trip tricycle ride to Mt. Tapyas then Maquinit Hot Springs cost P300.00. Others charge up to P500.

I dipped myself bit by bit into the biggest pool first at Maquinit Hot Springs

We went island hopping the following morning. The cheapest join riders boat (riding with other passengers) we encountered was P650.00/pax covering 5 islets (including entrance fees and food) and for a private boat ride P1,500.00. We opted to take the private boat ride, bought our own food - liempo and a kilo of fish for us and the 2 boatmen. Depending on how many you are, I recommend that you take the private boat and split the expenses among yourselves. But if you’re alone, better join with the joiner type of boat. With a private boat, you can go to the different islands of (your choice, or as recommended by the boatmen) even covering more islands than the joiner boat offers. We covered about 8 breathtaking islets and just passed through the others that seemed to have the same kind of sights. Each island has its own indescribable beauty but my favorite islands were those I could snorkel!

Beautiful sights from Kayangan lake. Islets in Coron are awesome limestone rock formations. 

The boatman accompanied me in my snorkeling activities even diving and showing me interesting colorful coral reefs and fish. Being with him all through out my ocean adventures gave me confidence in deep waters. It was his first time to dive again after the storm and dismayed to see the difference of now and before. I felt his great deal of heartbreak on how much devastation Yolanda had caused creatures underwater. He carried a big chipped dead coral of different colors for me to see.

To be underwater (I mean snorkeling) - observing the sea creatures is often a superb experience. I feel being in a different world and the best place I'd ever be! How I wish to live in that kind of environment! The ambience of serenity and peace with all the colorful fish nurture my senses! I wonder how a school of fish are just united following the same accord. Could people be as amalgamated!

At every stopover you make on an island, you pay 100/pax and 200/pax at Kayangan lake for the indigenous who presumably own and take care of the island except the beautiful public CYC beach and another one. Lucky us for there’s no fee here on this beautiful beach. And since we’re adventurous, we climbed the rocky hill. I felt a sense of gratification for we still could climb holding on to the left-over roots/branches of trees from the storm, Yolanda.  On our way back we had a stop over at an exquisite, tropical inspired bungalow-style hotel called Balinsasayaw where we met the owner herself relating how much devastation Yolanda brought to their resort. She relates that her Pili trees were  already in bloom but have been toppled by the storm!

Balinsasayaw is a tropical inspired bungalow-style hotel. Pili trees in bloom were destroyed by the terrible storm, Yolanda, says the owner of the resort.

On the third day, we proceeded to Calauit Island taking the public non-aircon Rafal bus to Buluang. You can catch the bus near the market place. The fare is just 100-130/pax. It left at 10.30 a.m. and arrived around 1.30-2 p.m. in Buluang. We often discover the least expensive way to see places. Traveling by bus allowed me to see the extent of the typhoon in the provinces. My heart goes to those affected by the terrible storm.

Upon reaching Buluang, we went straight to Calauit Island by a pump boat recommended by the bus driver for a fee of P1,250.00 to and fro. (Going to Macalachao and riding a bigger 10 min.-boat-ride at 200./pax would have been way better - a lesson learned.) The sea was rough and got scared when the pump boat suddenly stopped working in the middle of the rough ocean. I was relieved when the boatman got his small boat worked again and arrived safely in Calauit. Wheww!

Buluang to Calauit Safari Park by the tiny pump boat is a 30-min.-ride. The staff welcomed us and were introduced to people who would take care of us for the duration of our stay. We “camped” at a gazebo where we stayed for the night. We paid 200./pax for the entrance fee and P350. for the gazebo accommodation.  I give thanks to Mang Jose A. Santiago who was responsible for preparing our meals and other needs, to Mr. Rolly Alcantara who toured us around the park. The island uses a generator that works until 9 pm.

Calauit Island is a sanctuary of exotic African animals.  It’s lovely to see zebras, deer, elans out of "captivity" grazing nearby our low-fenced gazebo! I thought it would be dark once the electric generator was turned off but the brightness of the full moon enabled us to spot the surroundings and needless to bring a flashlight to go to the toilet which is a few steps away from the gazebo. I had a sound sleep because of the fresh air, under a mosquito net, hearing the sound of the crickets and other animals.

What a pity to see traces left by the terrible storm - many trees broken or uprooted and rooftops of structures were blown away.

The illuminance of the full moon enabled us to spot our surroundings from the gazebo where we stayed for the night.

It’s lovely to see zebras, deer, elans out of "captivity" grazing nearby our low-fenced gazebo! What a pity to see traces left by the terrible storm - the gazebo now leaning. There used to be 2 gazebos but the other one was totally destroyed by the terrible storm.

In the early morning, we spotted a giraffe drinking water from a barrel just by the fence of our gazebo. What a lovely view! Then, more came, and another more! The animals get their daily food in the morning at the same spot so we were fortunate to give the giraffes their favorite meal.

We toured the area where the animals – monkeys, eagle, baboy damo, snakes, crocodiles are caged.

Mr. Rolly Alcantara toured us where the other animals – monkeys, eagle, baboy damo, crocodiles are caged. More than the fascinating animals, I imagined that the trees added attractiveness and gave shelter to the area but has been toppled down by the storm. Every person you meet expresses his/her heartbreak and sorrowfulness of the effect of the storm. I listened to their endless stories. The only words of consolation I could utter is: “We just have to be thankful because you did not lose any member of your family!”

Shortly before lunch, we traveled back by the same pump boat assuring him that his boat shouldn’t break again. The boatman was very careful this time. To relieve us from our previous bad experience, he dropped us at a beautiful islet and gave us time to appreciate it.

We bought danggit (a kind of a dried fish) here then ate lunch with the family. We broiled Manong's newly caught sea bass and ate together on a banana leaf. 

He also brought us where we could buy dried fish. Just a view from a distance to the shore, I saw the crushed coconut trees! We disembarked and met a very hospitable family. Manong Vizcarra relates his experiences during the storm. He believes even more that there is a God because He protected them from being hurt from the trees that could have fallen directly to their hut.

There are no other people in this world who are more hospitable and friendlier than Filipinos!

Despite of adversity, it’s amazing to see how this family tries to make life like normal. Filipinos are indeed resilient! The two pigs are Manong's granddaughter's playmates.

Yes, I saw the uprooted/ravaged trees just 1-2 meters away from his house. Their nipa hut is still in a ravaged state brought by the storm. Meeting these victims enabled me to realize what resilience really means. Again and again, I uttered my words of consolation! Despite of adversity, it’s amazing to see how this family tries to make life like normal.

We ate lunch with the father’s newly caught fish, broiled it and ate together on banana leaf. 

We ate lunch with them sharing the father’s newly caught fish – broiled it and ate together on a banana leaf. There are no other people in this world who are more hospitable and friendlier than Filipinos! I listened to Manong’s granddaughter's horrifying experience as she was turning torn pages of a book spread on the ground for sun dry, hoping to recover some pages. As a sign of gratitude to the family we offered them our left over goodies and some money. Manong’s wish is for us to go back and hope that he will have built a cottage for us to stay by the pristine shore!

We spent the night at our boatman’s house. I bought food (fish, octopus, stingray and rice) for us to share. I felt their delight that we were with them but really more so with us! Thank you for your hospitality!

We rode on a motorbike back to Coron through the generosity of Chris and Antoy. I was touched by Antoy's kindness when he related to me about his charitable gesture after the storm such as comforting his neighborhood by inviting them to watch the latest Pacquiao's fight on his TV! (He's one of the blessed and fortunate to have electric generator in Buluang.)  The neighbours were temporarily relieved and forgot the tragic caused by storm Yolanda when they watched Pacquiao's fight.   The effects of his good deeds were apparent to the happy faces of the storm victims. Kudos to you, Antoy!

This kind Senior Inspector Chief, who introduced himself as Alex Malatag invited us to have lunch with them in celebration of their Christmas party. 

We rode on a motorbike back to Coron through the generosity of Chris and Antoy for 1 and a half hour, picked up our things we left in Coron, then to the airport. The two motorbikes cost P1,500. Busses going to Coron are unreliable especially on arrival time and we were worried we’d be late for our plane ride supposedly at 9:30 am. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the airport, I received a text that our plane carrier was going to be delayed till 4:30 in the afternoon. (Only in the Philippines!) We could have stayed longer in Buluang or Coron and spent more time with our newfound friends. The consolation we got is the invitation from an ever hospitable Filipino who offered us lunch when we were looking for a restaurant. The kind Senior Inspector Chief, Alex Malatag invited us to just have our lunch in celebration of their Christmas party with the rest of the airport employees.

I left my footprints in Coron hoping that I could still find them when I fly back and be with my newfound friends!

Of all the places I explored, I always encounter a unique feature of that area. This just proves that God provided us creatures to please us and enjoy! May this pleasure we enjoy be handed on to our next generation! Let's take care of our heritage!

My travel tips to Coron:

1.     When you go island hopping as a group say, 3 persons or more, it’s best to take a private boat. It only costs 1,500.00 for the boat from morning till late afternoon. If you sum up the cost,  it’s cheaper than the joiners boat. Joiners boat offers 650-1,500/pax depending on the how many islands you’re embarking. The joiners boat however, is inclusive of the fees you pay for the 4-5 islet stopovers (P100/pax and P200./pax at Kayangan lake) and food. With a private boat, you can go to islets of your choice and may be covering more than 5 islets compared to what the joiners boat offers. You can buy fresh food in the market and the boatman will cook for you. They carry all the utensils with them. Private boats are anchored at the back of the market.

2.    When going to Calauit Safari Park and you’re on a budget tour, take the public non-aircon bus that leaves at 10.30 to Macalachao. Ask the bus driver to take drop you where you can go to Safari Park. It takes about 4-hour bus-ride with a fare of 130-150/pax. At Macalachao, ride a motor bike to the shore where you can take a boat to cross the island.  You can already view the Park at the shore. The boat-ride to Safari Park is 200/pax one way. In any means of transportation and package deal you choose, traveling to Coron is worth the trip! Indeed, It's more fun in the Philippines!

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