Conquering Coron!

I have heard so many good reviews about Coron, Palawan so this year, I decided to include this in my list of travel places. Finally, I grabbed the opportunity this May 17-21, 2012 when I saw a promo fare from Zest Air and Air Phils. 

Regarding accomodation, I am torn between Mt. Tapyas Hotel and Coron hilltop so I ended up to the best hotel in Coron - Asia Grand View Hotel for the first 2 nights and Sunz En Coron for the remaining 2 nights. No regrets because these 2 hotels are the best! I will have a separate blog review about these hotels. 

 

Anyway, our flight to Coron via Zest Air is 9:40am but as usual it was delayed for an hour and half. We boarded the plane at around 11:30am but we took off at around 12noon. People around us are very stressed already. They are telling that this airline should close etc. Well it not my concern because my biggest worry is that it is my first riding a propeller plane. All planes to Coron are propeller due to a small runway in their airport. I am very scared when we take off because I can hear all this propellers as if it is going to blow. For 45 minutes, all I did was listen to the troubling sound of the propeller. It was a sign of relief when we landed at around 1pm in Busuanga Airport. First time to see a very small airport and also the check in baggage are manually distributed because there is no available electricity in the airport. We are fetched by the hotel's van together with other occupants of the hotel. 

On the way to the hotel, some got dizzy because we travelled through many zigzag roads and the van was speeding at times. There are times we need to stop because one woman have motion sickness. I even gave her the Zest Air bag if ever she will vomit. Thankfully she didn't and we are back on the road. After around 45 minutes, we arrived at Asia Grand View Hotel. They served welcome drinks. 

We just rested a bit and since we are hungry, we went to town and took our lunch at Sea Diver Restaurant. It is very famous and recommended here in Coron. Sea Dive Restaurant and Bar is an open air dining area above the sea water. You can see a very nice view and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze. We enjoyed our food except for the tinolang manok that tastes like tinolang tahong haha. My tip is never eat here when you are super hungry because they serve slow. There is only one waiter who has no knowledge of the restaurant's menu he need to ask the cashier person first. Anyway personally, I do not recommend this restaurant. Maybe once but that's it. Nothing special but the view while eating. 

We got back to the hotel and the receptionist advised us that the Coron Town Proper Tour is scheduled at 4:30pm that includes trekking to Mt. Tapyas. I said "What?" I'm not prepared but yeah I said go for it. We just need to rest for about an hour and half to be ready. Then around 4:30pm we are fetched by a big tricycle that can hold up like 7 passengers. Main highlight of the tour is Mt. Tapyas trek but we decided to pull it off at around 5pm to enjoy the sunset above. 

Coron town is just small so we passed by the boulevard which is like Manila Bay. We also dropped by some souvenir shops and bought magnets and key chain. Nothing much to buy. The shirts are not good. At around 5pm, we started climbing Mt. Tapyas - the mini mountain of Coron with 746 steps to reach the top. I read that 30minutes is needed to reach the top. We did it in 15 minutes haha. We already! But I was drenched in my sweat it was like running on treadmill nonstop. It was soaking hot! We are accompanied by a kid who sells gatorade and water. Unfortunately for him, I just bought 1 gatorade to reach the top so we just bought another one and gave him an extra tip by following us thinking we might buy when we are dehydrated. We spent an hour on top just taking pictures especially with the big cross as a mark of the mountain peak. Watching the sunset is beautiful. We never mind the eew feeling of the sweat, we still enjoyed taking pictures around.  

Afterwards, we needed to refresh to we decided to head to Maquinuit Hot spring around 30-40 minutes ride of out tricycle. Since it was late already, the road is very dark we are so afraid. Only the tricycle's light can be seen or else it is full darkness. Upon arriving the hot spring, we didn't feel like taking a jump in the water because it is crowded and there are so many insects flying around. We just looked around and went back to the tricycle.

We were dropped by Kawayanan Grill Station for dinner. In Kawayanan Grill, we ordered sizzling seafood and carbonara with shake and buko juice. Ambiance is quite nice under a nipa hut though they need more lights around. Overall, it was good and we are satisfied. 

Outside Kawayanan, we saw a basketball league where Pat watched for a while. He wanted to watch the whole league but I was kinda tired so went back to the hotel to freshen up. We were supposed to take a night swimming but we changed our minds so just enjoyed our very big room and sleep. 

Tomorrow is island hopping day, gotta rest well!

Seoul Searching - Day Five (May 9, 2012)

I can't believe it's our last day! We should have booked a 1-week trip (but we need salonpas by that time haha).

Since we are all so tired, we just eat breakfast in the airport around 7am. Guess where? Of course, in Paris Baguette! For the last time we ordered something different. Actually Patrick just spent the last coins he have to some cakes and ice cream. The ice cream is like their Magnum version but yummier and less sweeter.

Anyway, we could always comeback. I guess this trip will always be memorable to me. So many experiences that as of writing today, I can still remember everything and can't help but smile whenever I see our pictures.

So that's it! Goodbye Seoul! I really enjoyed the trip. What do I miss the most other than Paris Baguette? Well, I miss the cold weather, the healthy foods, and the bonding we had. I love you Seoul!!! 

Looking at the brightside, my vacation has just started!!!

Seoul Searching - Day Four (May 8, 2012)

Since we got so tired in Nami Island, we decided to just be laid back on this day. We first had our breakfast - of course in Paris Baguette! 

 

Then we searched for the location of Hello Kitty Cafe in my IPAD. I thought it is just easy to locate but when we arrive in the area, we got lost many times. We just asked some people around then finally around 11am, we arrived in the cafe. Unfortunately, this cafe do not sell any clothing. My niece wants a Hello Kitty jacket but I bought her a tea cup instead. Anyway, we spend like 2 hours in this cafe. I slept here for around 30 minutes after drinking shake. 

 

Then around 1pm, we went to Namdaemun Market where we bought souvenirs like magnets, key chains, T-shirts, clipper, and other korean memorabilia. Even though we want to stay longer to shop, we can't because we need to see the Seoul Tower. 

 

 

Before heading to the N-Seoul Tower, we went to Myeongdong area first then eat dinner around 5pm at "Two Two Fried Chicken." This is one of the best! They have big servings. We even cancelled one order because we thought it is just good for 2 but they are so many we could share for 4. 

Around 6pm, we started walking uphill to the Seoul Tower. We didn't know it could be so high, we shouldn't have bought many souvenirs. 

 

 

So when we arrived at the top, we are so tired, we just rested a bit. We walked towards Namsan Park. 

 

And since it was too late already (after resting many times), we decided not to ride the cable car going to the top of N-Seoul Tower. We just took pictures of it from below. This only says that Myeongdong Shopping is more important than N-Seoul Tower haha.

We went to Myeongdong to eat more street foods and of course buy the bags we wanted and some make-up. We also bought Starbucks souvenir tumblers. Then there is free drink for every tumbler. Since we bought 6, we had 6 free drinks too. Imagine the cold night then we are drinking Frap! haha. We spent the night there until 10pm then it is time to go back to the hotel to pack our things.

 

Just like that, day four and the final night in Seoul was over.

Before packing, we slept first because we are so tired. We woke up at around 1am to pack our things.

Tomorrow is our flight back to Manila! =(