Coron: One of God's Greatest Creation

Yey it's my birthday today! I'm glad I'm in Coron when my 25 years of existence occured (Naks! Venus? hahaha!) The experience I had in this place was incredibly amazing. My mind is so overwhelmed of stories to tell kaya kahit I just got back today I’m already writing it. I’m afraid I might miss a thing.

Sneak Peek
Remember my FB wall post on this pic with a caption "See you soon"? Wala pa ko sa picture nun.

Eto na ko ngayon. yihaaaa!

I had a lot of firsts on this trip kaya unforgettable talaga siya. This was my first availment of a seat sale. Kung seat sale nga bang maituturing ang P 2683.00 roundtrip. It was a lazy Thursday afternoon, February 18,2010 when I saw a Cebu Pacific Promo. I reserved my Mother and my Cousin Marge, which is single at that time. Bakit ko sinabi yan? You’ll see later why. I thought I just got a major major discount. 4000 kasi yung sa cousin kong isa na galing na dun. Meron palang piso fare na tinatawag. Hihihi! It was also my first flight ever. Nakakahiya man aminin. Hahaha! Pero sa dami na ng travel ko, I admit ngayon pa lang ako sasakay ng airplane. This was the first time I celebrated my birthday outside metro. I went beyond the usual. I want to go back to where the celebrant gets the treat not the guests. It’s my day anyway.

After 8 months of waiting… It was just a week when I reserved a lodging place. I’ve read Sea Breeze was the cheapest of all for only P 300 per night sa fan room with common bathroom. But the contact numbers posted on the blogs were no longer available so I ended up with Sea Dive Resort - 09209458714. Same type of accommodation pero 400 siya. Keri na rin. Kuya Toto was the famous bangkero I’ve read so yun tinawagan ko siya 3 days before. I also rented a van to pick us up from airport to Sea Dive. It was Kuya JJ – 09284083105.

Ate Marge was single at the time I reserved this flight. Pero ngayon Married na siya and guess what.. she’s 3 months pregnant. O diba sa tagal ng pag-aantay ko sa Coron Trip andami ng nangyari. Akala ko hindi na siya makakasama samin. Na-bother talaga ako. Luckily, her OB allowed her. And now we’re 4. Kasama na ang husband niya, Kuya Jeff. Ayiiiii!

My belt is back! My tummy needs to be punished for a great pose later

And were ready. Please bear with me if I’m going to include my first flight experience. Hihihi! Sige na please. Sarap kasi ng feeling. Level up na ko. Literally. Woot woot!

Busy Airport


Patterns


My first ever plane ride. Excited nako

I think we're here. Siya na ang sign!

Yung Take off and landing portion... para ka lang pala sumasakay sa chubibo. Ok na ok ang feeling. We arrived just in time - 10:30 sharp.

Busuanga Airport

Feel na feel kong turista na talaga ako. hahaha! that's kuya JJ, our van driver

Coron Town Proper, where Sea Dive is located is a 40-minute drive from the airport. Along the way, we passed by Yulo King Ranch- a 7000 hectare ranch and the largest in asia. A lil trivia about the Yulo Clan... well they're just the famous associate of the Marcoses. They belong to the so-called Elite Circle sa Pinas.

Sea Dive Resort

We paid kuya JJ 150 each. We just put all the bags in our rooms and change for our Day 1 Island hopping. By the way, the whole itinerary was just my idea. Mahal kasi ang package kaya nagtiyaga na lang ako magbasa ng blogs para malaman ko ang best spots. At around 11:30, I saw Kuya Toto waiting for us at the front desk of Sea Dive.

There he introduced Kuya Jason. Fully-booked na pala si kuya kaya ipinaubaya na niya kami kay Kuya Jason. I was sad nung una kasi nga maraming magandang ocomments kay Kuya Toto. Jason was quiet at mahiyain unlike Kuya Toto... ma-PR. So there.. Jason is our official bangkero/boatman (his contact number can be found at the bottom of the page) Let's save the best for last. Pinag-isipan ko talaga ang finale portion ko na yun e. hahaha! Read on to find out.

The plan was to bring packed lunch at sa island na lang kakain pero dahil ayaw na ng mga kasama ko na magbibili pa ng utensils and everything, kain na lang muna kami. Kuya Toto led us to Binalot tong Dahon. The food was just ok. A typical karinderya taste. Pero ayoko ng maging choosy at gusto ko nang makarami ng island.

Day 1

We finished our lunch at around 12:30 pm. I showed Kuya Jason my perfected itinerary. With just one glance alam na daw nya. Ok... Sabi niya e. It’s a must to bring bread sa lahat ng oras mo sa laot. Kaya from Manila pa ang bread na dala ko. Mukang kulang pa siya kaya bumili pa kami sa palengke. Tinuro din niya samin ang hiraman ng snorkel mask. Its 150 per day. We headed to our boat near Coron Public Market. Then I saw Kuya Jun Jun. Assistant bangkero/tikin master/muro ami. For now, just take it as it is. Makikilala nyo rin siya later.

I would like you to meet Princess Giselle, our boat. 


First stop, Siete Picados 

Unang araw pa lang nangunguripot na kami. Entrance fee here is 100 each pero sa tindi ng acting skills namin naka 50% off kami. I've never been to Ocean Park coz I don't think i'm into fish thing. But the fish feeding experience and the stunning corals I've seen changed my impression on them. I was afraid to dip into the shallow water at first. Feeling ko masisira ko yung corals. Well, aside from that, sinisindak ako ng sea urchin. Sa super clear ng water nakikita ko sila. Based on what I've heard, kailangan mo ng suka or calamansi or pag no choice naman, wiwi ng lalaki para mawala ang rabbies ng sea urchin. Hindi ko alam kung sa Sea Urchin ako natatakot o sa wiwi. Hahaha! Pero napilit din ako ni Kuya Jason. He even led me to the rock na tutungtungan ko habang nagpapakain. Safe daw dun. Ambait niya. 

I love the clear water. Takot pa kong bumaba sa tubig when this was captured. hihihi!

Finally.. paradise it is!

My first snorkeling experience

Dahil nagmaganda ako, feeling ko alam na alam ko ng gumamit ng snorkeling mask. Kala ko sinusubo yung buong mouth piece. hahaha! para ko sasabak sa boxing. Magkakasakit na ko sa bato nung natutunan ko siyang gamitin. Shit ang alat! hahaha!

feeding time

Oo na.. Ako na ang nanggulo sa nananahimik na tubig.

When I'm with them, para na kong nasa loob ng nuknukan ng laking aquarium

Wow! I want to stay here forever. I've never seen anything like this.

Nagkakandalunod na ko makuhanan lang to. Literally, it will surely take your breath away.

Next stop, Kayangan Lake. Entrance fee is 200 each.

Approaching Kayangan Lake 

Hailed the cleanest lake in the Philippines. Now this I gotta see..

Super clean

Hindi kami naka-kuha ng discount dito. Mahina ang acting power. hehehe!

awesome foursome

OMG! Hindi ko alam na mataas-taas pala ang aakyatin dito at ang laki ng steps. Kaya kaya ni buntis to?! I felt like, cargo ko if something happens to her kaya ingat na ingat kami sa kanya. Buti na lang talaga sinama namin si Kuya Jeff.

I thought girl scout na ko. Nagdala nga ako ng insect repellent dahil I heard malamok talaga dito. Naiwan ko naman sa room. We rested for a while when we're almost at the top. Kuya Jason said may cave daw dun, mga 20 steps away kung san kami namahinga. Kaya kahit hindi pa ko fully recovered sa pagod, sumama na ko sa kanya and left them. Then I saw the ever famous postcard shot kaya dedma na si cave. hahaha!

Strike a pose and feel the fame

(pansin ko lang ha.. mas marami ang maganda kong shot pag no-look.)

After the tiring steps up, puro pababa naman ngayon on our way to Kayangan.

We're lucky no one was there. At nauna na naman ako sa kanila. Kuya Jason was helping my Mom kasi and Kuya Jeff inaalalayan si Ate Marge. Ok Photo op.

Peaceful indeed

At last, hindi siya maalat. And the water is so clear. There were a few fishes. Matutulis man ang nguso nila, harmless naman so don't worry.

Next destination, Twin Lagoon.

getting closer

100 ang entrance each, pero naka 50% off ulit kami. The usual way of passing through it is to swim under the small opening or go climb the ladder. Pero may humirit.. meron pa daw isang option sabi nung bantay - through pag-higa sa Balsa. Actually ayaw ni Kuya Jason kasi high tide, baka hindi daw niya kayanin i-tapat yung ulo namin sa butas at either mauntog kami or ma-deform ang ilong namin. hahaha! Pero we insisted. Oo na makulit na kung makulit. Ingat na ingat siya.

At dahil nakasalalay ang ulo't ilong namin, kailangan magpicture picture muna. Souvenir ng matinong ichura.

Ok we're ready!

You rock!

We just passed by Skeleton Wreck near Banol Beach. We could barely see the skeleton itself, malalim na kasi. Nagpakain na lang kami ng fish ulit. Dapat 100 each din dito pero dahil isa lang naman ang bumaba samin sa may wreck, 20 each na lang kami. Hanggang sa nahiya na si caretaker, umabot ang tawaran sa free. Hehehehe! Ayos!

Arriving at Banol Beach

Siguro masyado kami na-excite sa fish feeding kaya when we arrived at Banol shore, wala ng gana yung mga kasama ko. Hindi na bumaba ng boat. Ako na lang nagpicture-picture. Hindi na rin kami pinagbayad. hahaha! Barracuda Lake is just the same as the Twin Lagoon kaya hindi na rin kami nagtagal.

lovely sunset

That ends day 1.

Bago kami naghiwa-hiwalay sabi ni kuya magluto daw kami sa beach the following day. He insisted na siya na ang bahalang ipagluto kami. Sumama na lang daw ang isa samin mamalengke kinabukasan. Si Mama na lang sumama sa kanya. He charged us 1500 for this day.

Coron Market is just a few steps away from Sea Dive

Dinner at Bistro Coron

Day 2

Welcome to Malcapuya

A taste of Bora. Well... the fine sand at least.

Feeling ko tumatapak ako sa polvoron. Ang cute ng sand.

Medyo mahaba ang biyahe. 1hr 30 mins ata. Kaya habang nags-snorkel ako, nakaramdam ako ng sakit ng ulo and eventually na-suka suka ako on my way to the shore. Sorry fish and corals. Pinilit kong umabot sa shore pero wala talaga kong nagawa. Nakatulog ako ng bonggang-bongga sa hammock. Entrance fee here is 150 each. And as promise, ipinagluto nga kami ni kuya Jason at Kuya Jun Jun. Seafood fiesta. Ayaw nila sumabay samin. After na lang daw namin. Kahit ata kaladkarin namin sila, wa-epek. So binilisan na lang namin para hindi naman sila gutumin.

the peaceful sea and the not so peaceful langit

@52 and she still can! (Marie France model?)

Say Hi and Goodbye to Starla the starfish.

Si Kuya Jeff ang pumaslang sa kanya at ini-ahon siya sa tubig. Iuuwi daw nya.

Ok busy kami...

me and my fake crocs.. hahaha!

Cliff View

Next is Banana island.

Kuya Jason said we should go visit Banana Island even just for photo op since our meryenda should be spent in Bulag 1 & 2 talaga which is pag-aari din nung bantay na yun. So bumaba kaming lahat. Naki-usap si Kuya Jason sa bantay na si Aling Violeta na wag na kaming singilin sana kasi hindi naman kami maliligo dun. Gusto lang niya ma-experience namin yung island na yun. Ayun, sinungitan siya. Bababa-baba pa daw hindi naman pala magbabayad. Wag na daw kami mag-picture kung ganun din lang. Ang gusto niya mangyari, magbayad kami sa Banana ng tig-100 tapos 100 each ulit sa Bulag. Kaya to the rescue na si mama. By looking at this pic, you already know what happened.

Picture lang pala makakapagpa-amo kay ate. hihihi!

Banana Shore

ang jump-shot na hindi mahuli huli ni ate marge.. thanks kuya jeff! You saved my height. Feeling ko napudpod na ko kakatalon. hahaha!

relaxing ambiance

Approaching Bulag 1 and 2...

Totoo nga pala yung joke according to some of the folks we've met there, that they have their own version of hundred islands. For every island you visit, you pay a hundred. Nung una hindi ko siya nage-gets e. Until kay Kuya Jason nanggaling. Hagalpak kami. Perfect ang timing.

We really loved that long stretch of sand bar linking the two islands. Too bad the rain poured heavily the moment we arrived. Pag humihinto ang ulan, larga na ulit ng kodakan.

Hindi ko alam na enjoy palang magkaron ng sabuyang lupa sa shore. Kala ko sa snow lang masarap gawin yun. hahaha! I love it kuya jeff! ikaw na ang naligo ng lupa. wuhuuu!

Bulag 1 and 2

try ko nga mag macro

♪ there's a monkey on the lawn ♫

ang grooving grooving mangrove

We saw that there was an on-going construction of concrete establishments on Bulag 2. Mukang bagong resort. Inabutan kami ng ulan nung sinisilip namin kung anong meron. Good thing there is an improvise masisilungan ng construction workers. Naki-silong kami at kwentuhan galore ulit. Nalaman namin, from the makers of Boracay in Aklan, here comes Bora 2 in Palawan. It's three years in the making daw. Ang babait nila. Dahil hindi kami kasya, kami ang pina-upo nila at sila ang nag-tiyaga na nakatayo.

the smiling sting ray (buhay sya ok?)

We saw another starfish. Na-outshine si starla. Don't worry baby, pareho kayong papaslangin.

According to Kuya Jason, Coron is a Zero-Crime town. Duda ako nung una, pero when I got the chance to talk to a lot of people from the Public Market every morning na namimili kami at nagb-breakfast, unti unti kong nafe-feel ang warmth nila sa mga turista. Some even recognized us. Even foreigners na dun na nakatira, palabati. Kung meron man daw gagawa ng kalokohan dun, sigurado daw na turista din yun. Kaya daw hindi sila ino-Ondoy. Mababait daw kasi sila. Nasalanta kami nun e, kaya natawa ako. Sapul. But then I realized, siguro nga tama siya. Napakadalang daw nilang bagyuhin, pero nung pauwi na kami, mukang yun na yung madalang na bagyong sinasabi nya. Delubyo. Raging waves approaching us.

Hindi ko na na-capture. Well, I wanted to pero hindi naman water proof cam ko. Malamang nagalit ang kampon ng karagatan dahil binibitbit namin pauwi ang mga starfish. I don't know where to hide. Kahit san ako sumuot sa parte ng bangka, masakit ang tama ng ulan. Sabi ko iba na to. May something. We're getting scared. Natapos ni Mama ang Rosary. Makapigil hininga ang biyaheng yun. Mabait pa rin si Bro samin at naka-uwi kami ng ligtas. And that ends Day 2. Kuya Jason charged us 3000 para sa araw na to.

If you are not as kupad as our group, and you still have a lot of time, pwede na kayong dumiretso ng Culion Island and embrace this historical place. I know before hand na malapit siya sa Malcapuya pero ginawa ko siyang pang Day 4 without my family knowing it. Hihihi! E ala naman na kasi kaming gagawin sa araw na yun.

Dinner ng mga Niger sa SeaDive Resto

pwede na siguro sa apat na katao to

Day 3

Actually, on my itinerary, this day is allotted for Calauit Safari. But Kuya discouraged us since the animals is not as many as before. Some of them died. Also, I've seen giraffe and Zebra sa Manila Zoo. I don't think there's a huge difference. Super layo din kasi ng biyahe. 3 to 4 hours. Imagine, masasayang ang 8 hours namin. So scratch! Namili ulit kami sa palengke. Pero this time kami na ni mama ang namalengke. Shy na kami kay Kuya. Supposed to be, bili na lang kami ng Chooks to Go kaya lang tatanghaliin kami at 9am pa ang bukas. Hindi ko pa alam kung may lutong chicken na nun. Calumboyan is an hour and 45 mins ride. Kaya pang-chicken BBQ, hotdog at ensaladang talbos ng kamote ang pang-lunch namin. Oh and yeah, don't forget the bread.

good morning neighbors!

parang bundok ng teletubbies

Keep your cam with you always, you never know the surprises Coron can offer. Mahirap ng magsisi. We saw 3 Tuna and a flying fish jumping off the water. Pakitang gilas.

First stop, Sangat Japanese Gun Boat Wreck

Kakaiba ang ambiance. It's eerie. Feeling ko hihilahin ng nagmumultong hapon ang paa ko. hahaha! Dati daw kasi, tinaguan ng Japs ang Coron nung WWII. Maraming lumubog at hindi na nai-ahon. Mai-ahon man, lasog lasog na. Coron became the Ship Wreck Diving Capital of the Philippines. Ang catch dun, naging fish sanctuary na rin siya. Kaya maraming fish inside. It's a must na bumaba ka at magsnorkel. I don't wanna miss a thing here kaya set aside the feelings muna.

Kuya Junjun and his muro ami side

Ang laki ng ship na to. Kahit hindi ko ilublob ang cam ko, you can see it clearly. Namanginoon ang cam case ko. Nung ginamit nina Kuya Jeff, nalunod sa tubig. Ayun ayaw ng mabuhay. Kaya ako na lang ang photographer niya habang nagsswim-swim above the wreck.

Next Stop, Calumboyan Island

It's 11:30am when we reached this place. Late na para magluto ng lunch. As usual sila kuya Jason ang cook. Sayang daw kasi ang moment namin kung uubusin ang oras sa kakaluto. Since they've been there for years, it's a pleasure for them to serve us naman daw. I'm so touched.

Sea weed ba ito?

Remember Kuya Toto? I saw him there. He was with a group of 8 with 3 assistant bangkeros. Kinaka-musta niya kami. He keeps on saying pasensya kasi hindi niya kami nasamahan. Pero sabi ko, sobrang ok kami kay Kuya Jason. In fact, I'm thankful na siya ang ni-refer niya. Nag-alok si kuya Toto na siya na daw ang bangkero namin for Day 4 para magkasama sama naman kami. I responded with a smile. Ayoko na actually. Masaya na kami kay Kuya Jason. My mom agreed na dapat hanggang sa huli, Jason-JunJun tandem pa rin kami. Isa pa, maraming assistant si kuya Toto, maraming isasama sa budget ng pagkain. hihihi!

Its almost 12 na and hindi pa luto ang food. Wala namang dapat sisihin kundi ang kabagalan namin. Pero hindi ako nakaka-ramdam ng gutom. Sa ganitong ka-gandang lugar, nevermind your tummy. hahaha! Snorkel ulit.

Nung naka-pahinga na ko sa duyan, lumapit ulit si kuya Toto. Kala ko mangungulit na naman. Bigla siyang may inabot na 4 packs of Cashew Nuts and 1 pack of Panucha. Awwww... A very thoughtful bangkero. Almost 1pm na kasi yun at nakikita niyang hindi pa kumakain ang grupo namin. Nahiya talaga ako sa kanya. At last nakaluto na rin sila. 1pm na when we started eating. Matagal kasi lutuin ang BBQ. Hehehe! sana pala tinola na lang. This time napilit na namin silang sumabay. Yehey! We left the island at around 3pm and headed to Coral Garden.

As the name says, it's pretty obvious what to expect here. And my expectations were exceeded. Sobrang ganda ng mga corals. May parang glow in the dark pa nga. Those stands out from the rest.

Dahil sa sobrang bigat ni Kuya Jeff, nawasak ang kawawang hagdan ng bangka. May souvenir tuloy siya sa paa.

ang sugat bow! (Read on, I'll have my turn you'll see)

Good thing I have alcohol with me. Pero sabi ni kuya Jason, hindi naman ma-iinfect yun dahil nasa tubig alat kami. Mas nakakagaling pa nga daw yun.

Next Stop, Lusong Sunken Ship.

This time, hindi na kami nakalapit dun sa ibabaw ng ship mismo. May diver kasi. Baka daw tamaan ng propeller. Kuya Toto and friends were there as well. Since takot na si buntis and my mom sa ship wreck, kami na lang ni kuya Jeff ang magsswim papunta dun. Actually, I'm scared too but Kuya JunJun promised to lead me there. Mega kapit lang daw ako sa kanya kung pagod na kong magkakawag sa tubig. Ayos!

Pero may problema, wala na kaming hagdan. Pababa is easy, pero kung pano kami aakyat... that's the problem. Medyo malakas ang current nun, matatangay kami kaya dapat medyo makalapit man lang sa wreck. Since, Kuya Toto arrived first, naunahan nila kami sa rope na pagtatalian sana nung bangka. Kuya Jason suggested that the two boat should be linked para makatawid ako. Mahusay! Kailangan ng malupit na timing kung pano ako tatawid.

The group of Kuya Toto followed Kuya JunJun too. Ang galing. It's just a feet away from the surface. Pwede daw ako tumungtong sa wreck itself. I love it. Ingat lang kasi it's rusty.

Hinanap ko si kuya Jeff, wala siya. Hindi na pala siya nakasunod sa amin. Malakas daw ang current. If I know masakit lang yung sugat nya sa paa. hihihi! Palusot.

When I was about to go back to our boat, siyempre makikitawid ulit ako. Hindi ako sanay sa hagdan nila, ayun.. I had a small cut on my nose. Tumama din yung taas ng lips ko. Namamantal pa naman ako pag nadadali. Pagdating ko sa boat namin, dinudugo ako. hahaha!

On our way home, malakas lakas na naman ang ulan. We saw a buhawi on the sea pero malayo siya. Hindi ko na rin na-capture. It was different from yesterday kasi may kulog at kidlat na ngayon. Mas scary. We paid 3500 to kuya for this day. Sabi niya samahan niya daw kami sa Mt. Tapyas bukas ng umaga, gusto nya din daw dun. Of all the blogs I've read, wala ni isa man sa kanila ang sinamahan ng bangkero papunta dun. You have to sacrifice a peaceful sleep for this because we wanted to catch the sunrise. Kaya sobrang na-appreciate ko yun.

I texted him nung matutulog na ko. Dinramahan ko para bigyan ako ng discount sa trip bukas. Effective. From 3000 to 2500. Ayos na ayos!

Day 4

Kahit pagod siya the previous day, still he came - 5 am sharp. Sobrang bait talaga ni kuya. It's Mama, me and Kuya Jason lang. Ayaw na rin nung mag-hubby bumangon ng maaga.

our goal...

about a hundred steps na lang

The big cross is just right where it should be. He created this astounding place. Hindi ko pwedeng palagpasin ang moment na to thank Him. Ano ba naman yung 719 steps. Just a little sacrifice and truly.. a great way to start your day.

superb view

Nakababa kami mga past 6 na. Umuwi muna si kuya para magprepare na sa trip namin. Dumiretso na kami ni mama sa pamamalengke. Yung luto na sana ang dadalin namin pero madalang ang bukas na karinderya ng ganung kaaga. Konti lang nabili naming luto. The rest, our favorite alimasag. We passed by Coron's version of Baywalk - Luwalhati Park.

Coron's Mala-Hollywood sign

morning at the port

Ang over maximized nilang tricycle

Konti na lang ka-level na ng FX ang capacity. 2 person can fit at the back, 2 in front, 2 on back ride, at isama mo pa ang driver. Woah! a total of 7 passengers.

Bound to Culion Island

Malayo-layo din ang biyahe namin papuntang Culion. 8:30 kami umalis sa SeaDive. On our way there, mga 1 hour na ang nakalipas nun e, kuya stopped the engine. Na-bother kami. Sinilip ni Kuya Jun yung propeller. May sumabit daw na plastic. Kaya please lang, keep Coron clean and green ok? Nakaka-abala sa kanila. Pero mga 5 minutes lang kami nakahinto and go na ulit.

Dahil naka shades si kuya JunJun, natuwa ako at ginawa ko siyang subject for a while. hihihi!effort!

It was supposed to be a one-hour and 45 minutes ride pero unfortunately, when we're just 30 minutes away na lang from Culion, naputol na ang dyaskeng propeller. Nagtawag na siya ng rescue. Sayang din yun sa gasolina. Good thing may isa pa siyang bangka.

We're stuck sa may Pearl Farm. While waiting, sabi ko magluto na lang kami. Ang cute. Nagsasaing kami sa gitna ng laot. Tapos nagkkwentuhan na lang kami at napag-usapan si Juday at ang Ploning. Hahaha! What a topic. Cuyunin kasi ang salita ni kuya Jun Jun, yun din ang salita ni Ploning. Akala ko nga Tagbanua din siya. Yun kasi ang mga native na nagbabantay sa mga isla. Tinuruan pa niya ako. I hope I got it right... Dayon Kamo - Tuloy po kayo.

Yung Cuyo island na shooting site ng Ploning, dun din sa bandang Coron. Kaya pala puro kasuy din ang pelikulang yun.

a stranded pose

improvised stove saves the day

boat compartment

the pearl farm

Kinuwentuhan niya kami tungkol sa pangte-take advantage ng foreigners sa mga Tagbanua nung araw. Dahil marami ngang ship wreck dun, may mga nakukuha ang natives na gold at foreign currencies. Since they don't know how valuable it is, they just exchange it for a sack of rice or some other basic necessities. They even offered money to buy some of the islands for a very cheap price.

At last, after 40 minutes, dala na nung father ni kuya Jason and friends si Giselle 2. Hinila na lang namin yung isang boat. Napansin nila na mabigat din at lalo kaming tatagal sa ganung setup. Kaya yun. We left Princess Giselle at sina tatang. Sila na lang daw bahala mag-ayos.

the rescue operation

approaching Culion Island

Pagdating namin sa Culion it's almost 12 kaya bago kami bumaba ng boat, we shared the lunch. We saw a lot of children playing and swimming on the shore. Dedma ang sea urchin. I realized they were so lucky to live in this majestic place.

they're all smiles

... ang dinedmang sea urchins
(kinakain daw yun ng mga taga-Culion according to Kuya Jason)

To give you a background of what Culion is, dito lang naman dinadala lahat ng Leprosy Patients nung araw. This small town is so quiet, parang may misteryong nakatago (promise!). Mukang harmless naman ang mga tao. Though, napakalayo nila sa kabihasnan. It's Sunday at lalong nagpa-tahimik sa lugar. Madalang ang nakakarating dito. Kuya Jason admitted, this was just his second time here. Hindi naman kasi mahilig ang local tourist sa history.

From left to right: Kuya Jason, Me, Mama, Ate Marge, Kuya Jeff

We rode the tricycle in the picture going to the oldest church in town (na-experience ko din at last). It was named La Immaculada, built year 1933. Kala ko aabot kami sa misa. Nakakapagtakang wala halos tao nung dumating kami. Inaayos pala siya.

side view

What we enjoyed the most is Fort Culion. It was just beside the church. Overlooking ang sea. Yiiihaaa!

I saw another postcard, when we were in their tourism center, exactly the same as this shot. hehehe! gotcha!

si Jack.. Si Rose.. at ang canyon

We passed by Culion Museum at mukang malas kami that day. Closed siya kasi weekend. Nga naman. Hay!

Pero hindi sumuko si Kuya Jason. Hinanap nila ni Kuya Jeff ang caretaker. Ginalugad ang Culion at pinuntahan nila sa bahay. Luckily he was there. Nilalamok na kami nung dumating sila. Dapat talaga laging ready ang Off lotion. Again, saludo ako sa effort ni kuya. Mabuhay ka.

Yun na nga. Inopen ang buong museum para lang sa aming lima. Cool! May film showing na-inoffer si caretaker. Nakakatuwa kasi 5 lang kaming nanonood sa auditorium. It showcased the history of Culion and the struggles of all doctors assigned there to find a cure for the deadly disease. Hindi rin sila nakaligtas sa gyera nung araw. Tapos naglibot na kami hanggang sa taas. The caretaker charged us 100 each. 150 pag foreigner.

painted version of the whole Culion

ward bed

When I was a kid, I always wanted to be sick. Senyorita moments yun e. Nung nakita ko to at kung sakaling nabuhay ako sa panahon nila, gugustuhin ko pa kaya?!

take a look at the nun (masisisi nyo ba ko kung sinabi kong misteryoso ang lugar na to?)

I found an excerpt somewhere. Maybe from one of the doctors.

Since the mode of transportation before was so poor, here comes the Ambulance, Culion Style.

a replica of a Leprosy Patient

Photography back then

medyo scary yung structure ng school.. sanib!

Municipal Hall of Culion

Did you notice wala halos tao sa mga pictures ko? The population is so few that they can even pinpoint kung sino ang mga dayo.

As usual, inaasahan ko na ang ulan. We got used to it na everytime uuwi kami, sasalubung siya. Kuya had a hard time sa pag park ng bangka kasi tinatangay din siya sa laki nyang yun. Hahaha! Peace kuya...

See the dark clouds and the heavy pouring rain?
Director na lang ang kulang. Pwede ng makabuo ng Ondoy the movie

Awa ni Lord hindi kami nakadagdag sa picture na to

Dahil may on going delubyo, tamang tama para sa final destination- Maquinit Hotspring.

Sabi ni Kuya Jason, tutal umulan naman, baka high tide na ngayon dun kaya ihahatid na niya kami. Baka daw kasi tagain kami ng tricycle driver sa rent. Based on what I've read, ganun nga yung usual way. I never thought pwede siyang bangkain. Natuwa na naman ako sa kanya. Tinanong siya ni mama kung pano ba kami uuwi, coz we thought he's just going to drop us off. Pero hindi pala, antayin niya daw kami at ihahatid pa rin hanggang samin. Awwww... wala na kong masabi.

approaching Maquinit

Mangroves are everywhere

enjoying our last stop

"Thank you for visiting. Come again" -rainbow

Ang sarap magbabad. I felt like I was in a Spa. Buntis is not allowed. Sorry ate Marge. Bawal kasi mainitan ang baby. May mga dumating na studyante from Busuanga. Ang dami tuloy tao. The temperature was about 40 degrees. Tamang tama lang. Na-miss ko tuloy ang 88 Spa Experience ko. Maya maya pa parang nararamdaman kong umiinit lalo. Sabi ni kuya Jason, baka daw kasi na-ihi na yung sandagunot na studyante. hahaha! Maloko talaga. At dahil sa likod kami ng Maquinit dumaan, its free. Bravo kuya, Bravo!

That ends Day 4. Sabi ko diba naka-discount ako ng 500 kay kuya? Sa dami ng nangyaring adventure ke kamalasan yan o ano pa man, all in all I was so satisfied. Kaya ako na rin ang nahiyang bawasan pa siya ng kita. Nasiraan na nga yung tao e. Isa pa, this will be the last day na magkikita kami. I really hope not. I'll be back. I'll make sure of that.

the last sunset

Panic buying of pasalubong in Everly cheverly. It's not cheap I must say but the t-shirts I bought have a pretty good quality. If you don't have enough money left, I suggest the souvenir shop beside Bistro Coron.

I'm a proud negritang pinay. It's a sign na nag-enjoy ako ng sobra

Goodbye Coron! I will miss you big time!

I promised Kuya Jason, that I would help him and this is the least I could do. He doesn’t know how to use the Internet, which is a great opportunity sana para ikalat ang contact number nya. Kaya he’s just relying to those who know. So here it is.. our boatman's contact number Coron edition – 09085053687. Salamat sa greatest boatman ng Coron. Woot Wooot! More Power Kuya! Clap Clap Clap to the nth power!

Total expenses? 5700.00 per person approximately. That includes the boat rental, beach and museum entrance fee, food, snorkeling masks, van and tricycle transpo and accomodation. Remember, we're only four. Kaya medyo mahal. Air fare and pasalubong is not included. I know mas madiskarte na kayo sa sale ngayon. This will be my last trip for this year. I have 3 scheduled trip next year at lahat sila less than 500 na ang roundtrip ticket. Nadala na ko. hahaha! Until then!