Let's travel to one of my best island adventure of all time. Welcome to Coron Palawan, Philippines!
Coron or Municipality of Coron is a first class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It comprises the eastern half of Busuaga Island and all of Coron island and about 50 more islets stretching from Tara island in the northeast and Canipo island in the south. All these islands are part of Calamian Archipelago in the northern archipelago that separates the South China Sea from the Sulu Sea.
preview on one of the highlights of our trip
When you check out the map of the Philippines, Palawan is located at the left lower part of the map which looks like a long tail as for me :D I was so excited when I finally set up an itinerary going to Coron. It was one of my dream destination which I wrote on my travel bottle. You see, I have this special jar that I stick some sticker papers on it with names of places that I want to visit in the Philippines (not around the world yet, at least that time :P)
I packed my things and of course set up all the necessary travel kinds of stuff and prepare my comfy shoes! Yep, that is really important. While waiting in the airport we tried an overpriced ice cream WHICH I will tell you now NOT to try haha It has no taste at all aside from it is expensive. It is okay for me to try ice cream like this but I am always looking for the quality. The oomph factor (you know what I mean :D)
do not buy this LOL, its a trap
We traveled by plane going to Palawan for about an hour or so. There was a bit of a delay in the airport but it's not that bad at all. We safely landed at Busuaga Domestic Airport (YAY!)
my view
almost there! I can see the pocket islands
safely landed!
our tour guides welcome us in the airport gate
on our way to the city proper
We stayed in Coron for 3 days and 2 nights. I booked for a tour to make the adventure easier for us and fun. They picked us up at the airport and brought us to our accommodation. When we got there, we unpacked our things and just bring with us a backpack with swimwear and dry clothes to wear. We don't need to waste any time so after we got settled in our hotel we get out easily as planned.
First stop that late afternoon, MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS, it offers large pools warmed by geothermal water spring in the area. The hottest pool cascade into a large pool that empties into the ocean. A very beautiful place to hang out in the evening after a long day of work OR after a long travel from Manila to Palawan. We were told not to dip for a long time because it is bad for the skin and the water is salty as well so you can possibly have an old mans skin (lol). The water temperature is around 37 degrees to 38 degrees Celcius, at first I was skeptical but when I got into the water, wow so they are telling the truth haha. It is warm to hot BUT I think you will get used to it and it was relaxing. I think we stayed there for a maximum of 20 minutes.
ready to take a dip? @lires :D
before experiencing the therapeutic and relaxing Maquinit :D
Unfortunately, we did not have enough photos of the hot spring itself because it's already dark on the poolside and we can't take good photos but I grabbed some of our social media friends out there that took some pictures in a broad day light.
photo credit to Philippine Island Tours
photo credits to Dos Ocampo
So after a long day of traveling and relaxation into the hot spring, we wanted to rest and sleep but before we head down to our hotel we need to eat our first dinner on the island. We took a tricycle ride (10php) going to MACARIOS it is a family owned restaurant who specializes in Mongolian barbeque and Seafood.
cover menu
glimpse of the inside
The restaurant is made of palm tree leaves that were weaved and bamboo. The place is neat and the staff is accommodating. The only thing is the serving time of the food is too long even though there are not much of customers that time. We had garlic shrimps and grilled squid, I will rate them as 3/5.
sam's garlic shrimp, it tastes good
squid is perfectly grilled and not rubbery
I haven't got a chance to take time on taking as many safe shots as I could because we are really HANGRY that time, I can eat an elephant (joke).
We are so tired that night and after a long day, we decided to go back to our hotel and take a rest. Excited about tomorrows adventure!
💕Tsokoletmint