Coron Solo Travel Diary: Coron Town Proper and Mt. Tapyas

It was an impromptu trip. Bored and tried and it's already 7:00PM on one weekday evening at the office, i browse cebu pacific and checked if they still have those air fare promo (this was before i had the citibank cebu pac credit card, naks! free plugging!). And there was actually, the problem is where to go and whom to bring. Floro is definitely out because of his seminary duties, while the others are either 1) busy at work 2) don't want to travel with e 3)i don't want to travel with them. So I decided to travel alone and go somewhere i haven't been to. Was torn between Coron and Catanduanes since I want to explore this both province but upon seeing the beautiful pictures of Coron, well let's just say the rest is history.

To cut the long story short I decided to travel to Coron, and with the help of my ex-officemate/ twitter friend/ martha stewart in the making / process engineer extraordinaire Marjorie whom recommend me to get Mila Gamboa's service, the vacation was all set.

Ahhh, Coron, when I first set my eyes on the wide countryside, the lush grass with matching white cows, feeling ko nasa Switzerland ako! Kulang nalang si Heidi! When we arrive at Amphibi-Ko (it was owned by a Japanese, thus the name) I immediately went out and checked their little jetty area, and this what greeted me...

Welcome to Coron!

Well of course, since it's a jetty edi maraming bangka sa tabi....

The room that I got is cozy, good for two persons. The bed is comfy and the pillows are fluffy. Only problem is the television set is a little bit out-of-tune-with-the-color-department. LoL! All in all the place is great!

I travel only with one back pack and one camera bag

After a few minutes of rest, we we're fetched by Dennis, our tour guide, to start the Coron Town proper tour. First stop was the reclaimed area of Coron which now stood the Lualhati park and the town market.

Lualhati is the name of the incumbent Governor of Palawan and Mayor of Coron. Swerte ni Mommy noh?!

Along the bay, you can see bangka and yacht silently parked on the waters. Hay, i wonder when will I ride in of those yatch (insert daydream believer song here). 

Soshal Studies!

Coron Mountains on the other side of the island

Coron Gateway Hotel is located on the same area as well, according to the driver who brought me back to the airport last tuesday afternoon Kris Aquino is going to Coron ad will stay here. Wow!

From yacht which is just a dream, mukhang haggang bangka nalang ata ako makakasakay!

The weather in Coron during my whole duration was amazing! It was all clear blue skies without any hint of rain shower or thunderstorms. In short it was PERFECT!

After spending a few minutes at the park/pier our next activity was trekking to Mt. Tapyas.

Wait, did Dennis just said treking? Im wearing my 2 year old Zara flip-flops and yet we're going to do a trek?

"No problem Sir, sementado po yung hagdan" dennis said.

"OK", ayan, kalmado nako. (affected much pag hindi tama ang trekking attire! LoL!)

According to the other tour guide namin, which is a kid actually, the steps leading to the top consist of 750+ steps daw. Whoah! That's like 750+ steps! (parang market!market  or tokyo tokyo lang)

Thank God for strong legs and healthy body (thanks Gold's Gym Ayala-Alabang!) it was a piece of cake.

While walking up the stairs, I talked to the kid about his dreams, ambitions, and motto in life (joke!). He was a bright kid in fairness, and he wants to be a Police officer when he grow up. He's only 12 years old i think (he's in grade 6) and he also want to pursue or make a career/sideline in tour guides together with his auntie Mila (which is a tour operator in Coron).

After the much effort in climbing up the stairs, this greeted us from the top...

And at the back of the summit it's a totally different view naman...

Mapapakanta ka ng "The hills are alive with the sound of music" (now showing at Resorts world theater)

May secret dating place pala dito sa summit, see the cottage on the picture below, yes it is a god spot for a romatic date kasi malayo sa crowd. I didn't know there was someone out there when me and my tour guide went. Shempre nahuli namin silang nagki-kiss! LoL! Awkward moment!

The path to everlasting love

Most of the mountains in Coron are already bare or full of grass nalang because the town people cut the trees to make lumber. I just hope it won't suffer the fate as Mt Batulao did. Sayang naman. But still the view is breathtaking.

The reason it was called Mt Tapyas is that during the war, the Japanese planted tons of explosives on the mountain and it was their bastion against the Americans, Shelling and Bombardment slice the side of the mountain, hence it was called "tapyas". Pero the bangka driver told me a different story naman, hay nako  didn't know whom to believe!

Trivia: Did you know that during the war, the japanese navy hide their warship on Coron island to avoid detection from American spy plane. Unfortunately they we're detected and fighting erupt on the bay. All of the japanese warship sunk on the bay and now it is a major tourist spot for divers. At least we get something good from the war diba?!

The cross sis illuminated at night and serves as a guide to fishermen during nigh time voyage.

You have to admit, I'm HOT.

(please send me an email if you don't agree, para ipatutumba kita)

What I like about Coron is the STRONG signal of Globe telecom (shameless plug na naman!). I got 3G signal in Coron town proper and GPRS while we're doing island hoping. Ang sushal! LoL! Nakapag tweet and Facebook pa ako while in the middle of the ocean. Ayos! 

Globe and Smart installed their tower on the highest point of the mountain kasi, hence the strong signal.

After photo-ops and taking rest, we decided to go down and proceed to the next destination. Along the way, I've met the SK Chairman who's a very nice guy in fairness! He's doing his daily exercise just like any other town mate, by going up and down the stairs. Whoah! No wonder they are all fit and healthy. Sila na!

Goodbye Mt. Tapyas, See you again soon!

Next stop, Maquinit spring and sumptuous dinner at Mila's restaurant.

Sun, Sea, Sand in Coron island!

Summer is here and lets all welcome it by my series of blogs about the magnificent Coron island!

One of the best beach I've been through, pity that I didn't have much time to explore the whole area. But nevertheless I have some memorable experience with this place.

Watch out for my coron series soon!


Let's go Summer 2012!

Going Around Batad Terraces

After arriving in Simon's Inn in  Batad and having lunch and siesta, the group decided to explore Batad town below. You see we we're billeted in the Inn which is located on the top of the mountain while the town itself is located below (or on the side) of the mountain.

Exciting!!!

View from the top

 One thing that caught my attention in Snmon Inn is the Wall post of remembrance (or sort) for the visitors of the Inn. They post different items on the wall like calling cards, photos, stationaries, etc. I think it's cool to leave something behind on a place (just like this wall) instead of marking your memory on some stones, trees, and what not (which is not cool!) or bring something to Manila from Batad!

Look for my calling card here =P

Trekking starts at 3:00PM. The weather is perfect and we we're all excited. It was not that scary nor challenging when you trek to Batad. It's like a walk in the park. Naks!

Green foliage everywhere!

View from the mountain side!

Dapit hapon na dali!!

Majestic!

Outstanding!

Batad is full of Sunflower as well. There's a lot of sunflower on the road side. Wonderful!

After almost an hour we finally arrived on our main destination, it's the hut in the middle of the field. There we took rest and savor the majestic view of Batad.

We we're in front of the pack, the girls trek so fast! I think being a long legged person does make you walk fast. LoL! Since we walk fast, we have time to take some picture while we wait for others =D.

Lovely ladies Edz, Madam Patel, Alex and Mica

Finally the others catch up on us, and it's time for a group photo-shoot =D

From the terraces we finally made our way to the town proper which is located on the middle of the mountain slope. Here is the steep stairs which we need to pass through. where only one person is allowed to pass (no overtaking please!).

#Afraidyaguillar

In town proper, we did visit some old Ifugao houses where the tradition of woodcarving is still practice. Saw this rice bowl with some engravings on it. Curious as i was, i take a look on this thing and I found out that it was made sometimes in 1960's pa! Cool!

No wonder I can't master my Bikram yoga, I'm totally clumsy when it comes to balancing! I almost fell on the ricefield when we walked on these single lined paddies. Yikes!

Thank God I didn't fell, embarassing much if I did!
 LoL

The challenging part of the trek is the return to the Inn part. We took a different path which leads us to really climb the mountain slope while the other group opt to walked on a steeped stairs. 

It was fun since climbing is my expertise. Naks! Though climbing with a slr on your back is quite challenging.

Me, Madame Patel, Edz, Tina and her bf made it in the climbing part. Whew! We we're really relieved when we finally made it on the top.

And of course my fabulous friends won't give up as well. Alex and Mica followed soon after.

Triumph!!!

Edz still smiling even when the hike is rough and hard!

Cool!

More to follow...

World of Wonders in the 7th Wonder

It wa a trip i can't resist. When Dom told me he was planning for a weekend trip to Batad I immediately said yes (without thinking). Not only did I join but I drag two of my colleagues as well to Batad. 

Thank God Edz and Madam Patel was game on this trip or I will not have someone to talked to and asked to take my picture! LoL.

It was an overnight trip, and as always it was a struggle for me to travel and sleep at the bus. But the morning after the trip this scenery welcomed us at the restaurant we're eating (for breakfast).

Hola Banawe!

#itsfuninthephilippineswiththisview

Oriental breakfast for me and the girls

After an hour of breakfast, chitchat, photo-ops and what not, it's time to depart to Batad via a jeep that Dom rented out (it was included in the trip fee). Almost everybody want to ride at the top of the jeep but since it's already past 9:00AM and the sun is all up me and the girls decided it's better to ride inside the jeep. As Madam Patel would say "ayokong umitim!"

Kami na ang best in skin-care!

Micamyx, Dom, Alex.....

And the rest of the gang!

As like my first trip in the Cordillera last Holy week, the road are still a heart-thumping experience ride. There are some areas where it's a dirt road, one way only and with landslide on the side, but most of the road are paved naman in fairness.

Going to Batad is already an adventure while even riding a jeep

Rocky Road!

For almost an hour trip we need to disembarked from the comfort of our jeep and need to do the trek to Batad. It was an hour trek but with the view like this it's worth it diba?

The hills are alive with the sound of music..

One of the terraces along the way

Lovely, Energetic and Full of Energy Madam Patel and Edz

Finally. we arrive at Batad, first thing we did was list up our name in the tourist register station.

Maayos ang pila namin (may disiplina) jejeje

This way to our accomodation

And here's the view of our accomodation. Outstanding!!

More to come on trekking at Batad

Superstitions!

Together with the coming of New year comes the age old superstition of our people and with our own families as well. Some of those superstition are wearing polka dots fort New Year (which signifies more money in the coming year), 12 sets of different round fruits for good luck (heck, we didn't ever complete this one since my sisters always ends up eating all the grapes before midnight!), blowing up firecrackers to drove away the negative vibes from your house (sayang ang perang pambili ng paputok!!!) and what not.

Anyhow, I list up some of superstition which I just learned last 2011....

1. Getting married in a church with very strong structure. Strong structure = strong married life.

I actually learned this info from my good friend Shane who was married in San Agustin Church. True enough it was an old saying that you should get married in a church with reputable and strong structure. One thing that comes to my mind is the mighty San Agustin Church! It was the only church in Intramuros that survives WW2. It's in my bucket list to get married here hahahaha.

All Hail to the Mighty Church!

2. The Lion Dragon statue of China

According to the receptionist at our hotel, the lion dragon statue means goodluck and prosperity to the owner of the house. No wonder every house/ building/ temples/ establishment in Beijing has this on their doorstep. Hmmm..makabili nga ng ga-higanteng statue para sa future bahay ko.

Lucky Me?!!?

3. Visit the Church first before going in a vacation
According to Kuya Efren, before daw kami maglamyerda sa Cebu City we should at least go to the Church first par ama-bless yung vacation namin. And so we did! Ayan may ibidinsha! LoL. It was indeed a fun filled vacation at Cebu and Bantayan Island. Da best!

Thank you Lord for the Blessings ha!

4. Wood carved gods of the mountains
I have a secret to tell you. Afraidy Aguillar ako sa mga ganitong bagay na makikita sa Banaue! Waaaaaa!!! But just the same, the time I went to this place (twice last 2011) I simply pay respect to them and asked for safe passage expecially when we do the trekking in Batad and Kalinga (will post the story soon!). Nevertheless with the help of prayers narin our trip was a success and accident free pa. Yay!

Hellowh powh!

5. Shiny, Shimmering Splendor! The golden door knuckles of Forbidden Palace

Well, technically it was not only in Forbidden Palace that you can find this huge door knuckles but in Temple of Heaven as well. I think most of the Palaces in China have these one. It was plain curiosity when we we're in Forbidden Palace that all the Chinese people who passed by the door simply touch or grasp the knuckles before entering the premises. Shempre hindi ako papatalo, I did the same when I passed by the huge door of F.P. And according to our receptionist (see item 2) touching the knuckles daw means good luck. Niaha! Buti nalang nakahawak ako kaya puro blessings ako nugn 2011. (note to self: magpalagay rin ng ganitong pintuan sa bibilhing bahay para swertihin, kasama ng higanteng lion dragon statue. pag hindi pa ako sinuwerte ewan ko nalang!)

Ms Olive and her trademark pose (i.e. pa-cute and innocent effect pose)