Tuesday, April 28, 2015

4 days 3 nights adventure in Coron



If there's another definition for paradise in just one word it would be "Coron".
Definitely mesmerized by the beauty of everything that Coron has to offer. Every island has its enchanting magic. They're all different but have something in common, beauty.
 Plus, seafood dish can be found in any restaurant. All cooked in different manners but still tastes superb.
White sand, clear water, sun, good company... what else can I ask for? Nothing.

Coron is a small town, so you won't probably get lost. And I highly recommend it for solo travellers. I felt really safe during my stay. Everything is just blocks aways. Travel agencies and shops are all walking distance. And for another recommendation, it's way better to purchase tour packages in Coron. It's way cheaper than booking online.

I must say that it's the best and most beautiful place I've been to so far. Seriously. No hesitations about it.

So here's the itinerary of our 4 days 3 nights trip, may 6-9,2015, in Coron with my friends, Melvy and Dianne.

Day 1:

Our 3:15pm flight with Cebu pacific was 1 hour delayed so we arrived in Coron around 6 pm already.
We hopped in a van that took us in the town proper. We had to pay Php 100 each for the ride. Time travel is around 30 minutes. It was surprising that there were no rice fields along the way, i wasn't used to it. Instead, there were mountains everywhere.




We checked in at Jazmine's Place (http://www.jazminesplace.com/). We spent Php 8,000/3pax for 4D3N of stay. Their rooms are very pleasant, i highly recommend it, too.



After resting, we rented a tricycle to bring us at the Maquinit hot springs just for Php300, back and forth. Entrance in Maquinit is Php200, but if you're a student remember to bring your I.D for discounts. Too bad we didn't bring ours.

The maquinit hot springs was really hot, literally. But it was indeed relaxing. We didn't catch the sunset so we didn't take too many pictures.



Then, we had dinner at "Lolo Nonoy's Food station". It was about to close when we arrived there but, luckily they still welcomed us and had us as their last costumers for the day. Their food is really affordable and delicious.


Afterwards, we booked our first DIY island hopping in Expeditions.




Day 2:

We had our first island hopping tour in private by paying Php 1,700 each, lunch included. We DIY-ed our tour. We were able to visit 7 islands: Siete pecados, Kayangan Lake, Barracuda, Banol beach, Calacuchi beach,Twin Lagoon, and Hidden lagoon.
(Pictures below are in order)








We had to manage our time so we can hike Mt. Tapyas before sunset, and so we did.
Mt. Tapyas was really a tiring activity, i can't recall how many stairs there were, but the view was really worth it afterall. Imagine the scenario, the sun setting behind the islands of Coron. Amazing.

 


Later, we had dinner at "Sinugba sa balay" and their food was totally exquisite!


At night, we walk around the town proper and spent like more or less 30 minutes to surround it. It's that small.

Day 3:

This time we had a joining island hopping tour to save money. The fee for visiting Malcapuya island, Banana island and Bulog dos island costs Php 1,200; lunch and snacks included. It's expensive due to it's distance. Time travel is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

At first, i thought that joining a group tour would be awkward but I was wrong because you get to know people, make friends with them. In our boat, we were 16 + 2 tour guides.

Malcapuya Island:




Banana Island: It is called Banana because the island itself has a shape of a banana leaf.



Bulog Dos Island:




After our tour, we decided to have a dinner altogether at "Kawayanan Grill Station". A place where they serve cocrodile sisig and el nido soup. We took the tricycle to reach the place by paying Php 10 each. We ate seafood, we sang the karaoke, played billiards, etc.

This day was fun because of the new people we have encountered.

Day 4:

Had our breakfast at "Kawayanan Grill Station", again.


Last day also means last minute of buying souvenirs! Bought their traditional delicacy, cashew nuts. It's really delicious. I should have bought more, but it was kinda expensive.

And before our 12 noon flight we had to go back to the airport and had to bid goodbye to the paradise. Sadly, our flight was delayed again for 2 hours.


Back in Manila, again.





And that's our memorable adventure in Coron. Here's an additional information about our expenses:

Just for more or less Php 10,000/person you can enjoy an unforgettable underwater experience in Coron. But you can spend less by joining tours, picking hostals or room for backpackers instead of hotels if you're in budget.

Roundtrip airfare : Php 5,000
Island hopping tour: Php 1,700+1,200= Php 2,900
Airport fee : Php 70
Airport-Coron-Airport transportation: Php 200
Souvenirs: Php 500
Maquinit hot springs: Php 200 (entrance)
Food: Php 1,000 (depending on your prefence)

In our case, we had to spend more for transportation because we live in Ilocos. Spent around more than Php 2,000.


I hope everyone gets to visit and love Coron like I did.



Watch our Coron adventure video in this link below:
https://www.facebook.com/jessicafelipe17/videos/vb.1552909790/10206089322262740/?type=3&theater


Most of the pictures and the video are taken with: Goprohero4silver 

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Adams-apple adventure!


When you arrive at Pancian, Pagudpud there's this left turn to reach Adams. It's about 1 hour till you reach the town. 

Meanwhile, take photos!


One way to get there is to hire a truck. Roads are still under construction.




You can find several hanging bridge. 
Motorcycles pass through it when there are floods, they said. 


Municipio of Adams! Consisting of only one barangay. 


Living the simple life, it is. 

The Anuplig falls.


Don't forget to try their local products! 
I loved the lemon grass juice.

With the mini tan-ok performers. 




Food from the town. And yes, that's a fried frog. It tastes like chiken. And the other one that looks like white little eggs is what you call "buos". They're weaver ants. 





Adams was listed in my places to visit this year 2015. And thanks to my very close friend, Gem Alegre, made it possible. Now i can cross Adams. 
It was a pleasure visiting you. Till we meet again. 

HERE'S A LINK OF OUR SHORT VIDEO FOR OUR ONE DAY TRIP AT ADAMS:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10205845637970785&set=vb.1552909790&type=3&theater

Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte


Dumalneg is Bangui's neigbour town. You get there by entering through Lanao, Bangui.
 Green rice fields with mountains at the background is the usual scenary. 

At the municipio of Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte with one of my dearest friend and tour guide, Denish.


The residents call this place, Arar-o.
 Arar-o is the ilocano name of pine trees, they said. ( I don't really know the correct spelling of it)


And if you turn around, you'll found this. A majestic river. 


A place where I'd escape to find peace if I lived nearby. 


CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10205932439540770&set=vb.1552909790&type=3&theater



Saturday, February 21, 2015

Your reason



You're role here is to be my online journal where I can keep and share my experiences in my life. Maybe a travel that I'll never forget, an unusal happening that someday will make me smile everytime it passes through my mind, a melanchony or a romantic song I composed, a review or reason why I loved such movie that i've recently watched...

Besides, you also bring positive outcomes for me. You're helping me for my writing skills improvement. Also, not to forget my past, knowing that I'm a forgetful person. You're there to remind me the good and bad things that happened and will happen throughout my life. You might not understand your value because you're not living thing, but just so you know, i'm grateful to have you.


Saturday, February 7, 2015

Sirok ti rangtay

There are places that you only visit when it gets dark and tell me, have you ever tried visiting it in the daylight? 

Pamulinawen is a festival celebrated in Laoag City every february. The kids would rather know it as the period of carnival beneath Gilbert's bridge. It's a place where you'll encounter crazy rides, bright lights, loud sounds, and kids and teenagers having a good time. 

I kinda find it a place where you'll probably get to waste a lot of money, that's why I try to avoid entering. However, I have a friend, Czarina, who loves taking photos like me, who mentioned me to try photoshooting in the place. And so we did. I also gathered 2 friends/classmates of mine making as 4 in total. 
So after school, around 4 we arrived at what we Laoageños call "sirok rangtay". The entrace was free because the rides were'nt operating yet. Although, it was embarassing having people staring at us, but we didn't mind. We didn't care for the sake of having this amazing shoots. 
The rides made our background very lively and colorful. Besides, it seems like we're in a foreign country, right? Or let's just imagine it for a while. And now im doubting if I should also visit it at nightlight.

Sharing some of my favorite photos below: