Stormy Coron Adventures 2

The weather during our second day in Coron was kinder. The skies cleared up a bit, the sun was even peeking through the clouds a number of times.

At 10am, we were off to our island hopping tour. We availed of Nice in Paradise Travel and Tours’ “Coron Island Tour” or “Tour A”. This tour was conveniently arranged for us by our Lodge’s front desk.

The rates of island tours in Coron are pretty much standardized, so prices do not really vary between tour operators. For P850, you will get to visit six attractions: Kayangan Lake, Twin Peak Reef, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon, CYC Beach and Balinsasayaw Floating House. However, due to a not so perfect weather condition, the tour’s itinerary was slightly modified. Instead of going to Twin Peak Reef and Banol Beach, we visited Atwayan Island and Smith Coral Garden. We were also not able to go to CYC Beach and Balinsasayaw Floating House.

First stop: Kayangan Lake

Entrance to Kayangan Lake 

Dubbed as the cleanest lake in Asia, this 60-ft deep body of water really lived up to its reputation. Despite its depth, you can still see the rock formations within the lake. That is how clear the waters are. You don’t need a mask or goggles to enjoy the “view”.

End of hike. Welcome to Kayangan Lake.

Deep, clear waters of Kayangan.

Atwayan Island and Buffet Lunch

This was the only part of the tour where I was confident enough to remove my life vest. The water was friendly enough for a leisurely swim, not that deep and no strong waves. We also had our lunch here. The tour package includes a buffet lunch and an afternoon snack.

At Atwayan, tourists take a quick dip before having lunch. 

Snorkeling at Smith Coral Garden

For me, this is the highlight of the tour. The corals were amazing! They were full of life and color. I’ll let you be the judge:

My words will never do the sights justice. It’s better for the photos to tell the tale.

Smith Coral Garden

Underwater beauty

Full of life, yet so peaceful. It makes you forget about the storm brewing above the waters.

After swimming around for half an hour, we went off to our last stop for the day.

Final Stop: Twin Lagoon

It was already around four in the afternoon and the tide was already high. Our tour guides had a very ingenious way of ferrying us from our boat to the lagoon.

This was how we went in. Not sure if we were happy, excited or scared in this photo, though. Haha

The lagoon was encased by tall karst limestone rock formations. Once inside, you get a feeling that you are inside a movie set. It was just surreal. Again the waters we were treading were deep, despite the clarity of the water, I had difficulty seeing the sea bed. It was a bit eerie, apart from the other tourists there were no other people in sight, and yet our tour guide told us that there were communities that inhabit the place. Sometimes, you get the feeling that you’re being watched, but when you look around the limestone cliffs there is really no one there, or so I think.

Inside the lagoon. We didn’t realise that our camera lens had droplet/s of water, hence the blurred portion of this photo. Still a sight to behold.

After floating around for half an hour so. It was time to head back. It was getting late and the weather was not cooperating.

It is true that Coron’s beauty is really beyond what you see in the surface. It is a haven for divers or even those who just love to be in the water. In reality, I’m really more of a heights than depths person. However, despite not being a proficient swimmer, I was still able to enjoy the beauty of Coron’s waters.

Lubang Island: My two-hour dip

Yup. That’s what I got during my entire stay in this beautiful island in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines – two hours of sand and sea vitamins.

My Mom, together with my aunt, was voted as this year’s Mayordoma for the annual Santacruzan festival. Nine long days full of prayer and processions, street dancing and of course, Sagalahan and closing festivities for two more days. We came late for the celebration, arriving only in time for the Sagalahan, which my sister and I were a part of.

Lots of work to do, so little time, they always say. So that’s basically the reason why I only had two hours of almost free time. But you know what, it was enough – and worth it, as always.

Low tide at Punong Bato Resort, Lubang Island

 

Favorite sunset

 

 

Silhouettes never get old.

Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance pose)

With a sunset like that, what is two two hours? Perfect.

 

 

Stormy Coron Adventures

The Philippines offers 7,107 islands to everyone who wants to experience a holiday in the tropics.  Imagine yourself…basking under the sun, sinking your feet into fine white sand and swimming in crystal clear blue waters.  One of the best islands to visit in the Philippines is Coron.  Coron is about an hour’s flight from Manila.   People from all over the world have raved about its beauty.  However, just like any other island in the country, Coron is not exempted from the wrath of the monsoon rains.Last August, we went to Coron.  Now remember, the Philippines has basically two seasons; the wet and the dry.  August falls on the wet season.

Hello, Coron. 🙂

Though excited, we managed our expectations; we knew that chances are the weather will not be perfectly sunny on the duration of our stay.  When we got to Coron Eco Lodge, it started to rain.  It rained so hard, it felt like a storm was upon us.  Needless to say, all island hopping tours were cancelled that day for safety reasons.

Worry not, all was not lost.  The town of Coron offers other activities and attractions for visitors like us were stuck in the island for the day.

We did not let our afternoon go to waste.  First stop was a climb up Mt. Tapyas.  Lucky for us, the foot of Mt. Tapyas was only a stone’s throw away from where we are staying.  If your accommodation is a bit farther off or you don’t feel like walking to the base of the mountain, you can always take a tryke, fare is about P10 per person.  From the foot of Mt. Tapyas, you need to climb up 700 steps to get to the top.

Last two…HUNDRED steps! 🙂

At the top you can get a 360 degree view of the town.  It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset, but given the weather conditions during the time of our visit, there was no sunset for us.

After taking a few moments to enjoy the view, we made our way down.  We walked back to the lodge and got ready for our next and final attraction for the day, Maquinit Hot Spring.

A long way up…a long way down.

After walking up and down 700 steps, we naturally wanted to relax; and when in Coron, the best way to do this is to soak your body in Maquinit Hot Spring.  Maquinit Hot Spring is about 20-30 minutes away from town proper.  To get there, we hailed a tryke right outside our lodge and asked our good driver to wait for us while we were in the hot spring.  Arranging for your driver to wait for you is probably the best way to go since the place is really far from the main road.  We paid P300 for our tricycle ride, this covers taking us to the hot spring, waiting for us for an hour and bringing us back to our lodge.We suggest going to the hot spring at around dusk or even in the evening, especially in the summer, so you can savor the warm (sometimes hot) water with the cold breeze of the night.  It’s open until 10pm but they let people in only up to 8pm.  Entrance fee is P200 per person.  There are numerous seating areas around the pool where you can stay to enjoy some snacks or some cold drinks.  There is a store inside the complex where you can buy your food or if you want you can bring your own food with you.

Looking back, our rainy first day in Coron actually made our visit to the hot spring more enjoyable with the contrast of the cold evening air and the occasional rain showers.  We did not bother changing our clothes on our way back to the lodge, it was raining anyway, but there are changing rooms inside the hot spring complex should you want to change into your dry clothes.

When we got back to our lodge, we freshened up, headed out grabbed ourselves some warm food and a cold beer.  We called it a night and hoped for a better weather the following day because, let’s face it, what’s a visit to Coron if you wont experience at least one of its island hopping tours.

Cintai Corito’s Garden: Experience Bali in Batangas

When you want a calm, peaceful environment, a sanctuary, a certain place comes to mind – Bali. But then Bali can be too far and expensive, don’t you think? I’ve never been to Bali so I don’t have any idea what it actually feels like be to there. But I’ve seen photos, mostly from friends who have stayed there for vacation and I must say that I think it should be on my list of must-visit places. With our crazy and busy lifestyle, I guess there’s this much needed quietness in any person’s life and so there’s a longing to find a space that can actually give you that. Bali could be that place for some, but for me, for now, Cintai would be enough.

When Batangas feels like Bali

Most Manileños would visit Batangas for its beaches, but there’s more to Batangas than just their waters. There are hidden gems, like unique cafes, sumptuous dishes in fine restaurants and a garden sanctuary we found in Lipa, Batangas – Cintai Corito’s Garden.

It’s Balinese-inspired architecture will make you want to take so many pictures, in every angle. The architectural details are so intricate; there will be no space left unnoticed. You’ll be surprised that even the private bathrooms and public shower area are adorned with Balinese designed furniture. Hand-carved stone walls and sculptures are all over the place. Huge doors open up to a large garden space. A multi-purpose hall is conveniently located near the villas – perfect for all kinds of events.

Lounge by the pool

Guarding the entertainment room

Yes. This is the shower and changing room.

Convenient Stay

We managed to book via DealGrocer, so it was a lot cheaper than their published rate. The offer was an overnight stay for four persons in a Terrace Villa. It also included a set breakfast for four and free use of all their facilities. We got access to three swimming pools with cabanas and an entertainment room. You might want to get that one-hour free bike rental to explore the resort.  Also, alpacas, mini horses, peacocks, ducks, spotted deer and donkey roam around the resort. As for me, I’m fine with four-legged animals. The winged ones, not really. So if you’re fond of animals, like most kids are, you’re free to pet them. 🙂

Outdoor spa

They also have a restaurant and a bar which offer a wide selection of dishes. The popcorn with nuts and spicy honey sauce is a must-try. Now I’m hungry.

Anyway, here’s how you’ll get there (by private vehicle).

1. Take the South Luzon Expressway, heading south, take Malvar Exit onto Southern Tagalog Aerial Road
2. Go straight ahead and turn right to Balete Road
3. Cintai Corito’s Garden would be on your left

Only a few hours away from Manila, Cintai managed to bring the Bali experience a little closer to us. This might be one of the most relaxing getaways you could ever have.

Happy travels!

Cintai Website: http://coritosgarden.com

Eat, swim, climb in Nasugbu

So, summer is here. Mine begins early this year. On the first weekend of March, three of my friends and I head to Batangas for a short vacation. Last year, we acquired online coupons for our hotel accommodation with free breakfast for each of us at Chateau Royale for only P1800. You might also want to snatch some discounts here.

Though situated in Nasugbu, which is known for its beaches, the hotel is not sited near the beach. Chateau Royale is located in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 20 minutes from Tagaytay rotunda. There’s hotel accommodation or you may also choose the cabin, which is where we stayed (because of the promo). The property has its own vegetable farm, mini zoo, rock climbing facility, spa, restaurant and swimming pool, pretty much everything that you might need for a relaxed weekend.

Rock climbing in Chateau Royale

Just keep swimming

Chateau Royale hotel accommodation

The swimming pool has this “beachy” feel because instead of the usual pebbled cement or bricks, it is surrounded with white sand. Fresh harvests from the vegetable farm may be bought in front of the lobby on Sunday mornings. I can’t say much about the zoo, though. The chickens prevent me from going on with the tour. By the way, they offer an hour of free tours of the farm and zoo, which start at 9am. We opt to tour on our own since we had late breakfast. I’m not sure how strict they are with following the time and schedule of every activity but here’s a list of their schedule, from what I can still remember. Just try to follow it.

Swimming – 7am to 6pm (with lifeguard on duty), 6pm-10pm (no lifeguard)

Breakfast – 7am to 10am Tour (farm and zoo) – 9am-10am

Rock climbing – 7am-6pm (Don’t forget to sign up first.)

Spa – Have your available time scheduled at the front desk. This, I think, costs P800/hour.

On our first day, after we rested, we went out to look for this café my friend found online. Café de Nasugbu, was well, located in Nasugbu, so we thought of having our late lunch there. We had to call this café to ask how we could get there and they said it’s only 20 minutes from the hotel. It’s not, more like 40 minutes. (Or were we just driving too slow?) We finally got there, anyway. I couldn’t tell you how right now, but I’ll try to look it up again. The café was worth the long drive. The food was delicious. The service was admirable. The place was like a sanctuary, quiet and peaceful. (Until we arrived. Haha!) Snapshots, please.

This red door welcomes you to a food haven in Nasugbu.

View from where we sit

Eat and run. We went back to the hotel. Look at this view on our way back.

Must love the green fields 🙂

I was particularly excited of this trip because I want to rock climb. Each climb is P100. Money’s ready, no one’s climbing. It’s on. Until I was ready to sign, I did not know that they don’t have climbing shoes for rent. Surprise, I forgot to bring my rubber shoes. Some chose to climb barefooted, but I could not risk that. I’d rather not climb than get my feet injured.

Okay, there’s nothing much left to do, since check out time is 12noon (not very strict, we left past 12). On our way back, we went to see Caleruega church which is very near the hotel. Besides “tourists”, there were students who just finished their retreat, so the place was not as quiet as I expected, but it’s still beautiful nonetheless.

Caleruega's fine beauty and serene ambiance make it one of the favorite wedding venues in the country.

I don’t think a visit to Tagaytay or Batangas would be complete without dropping by Bag of Beans to have a drink or eat something. As expected, the place was packed with visitors. The receptionist found chairs and this little table under a tree, where we could sit and enjoy our food. It was a busy afternoon. It was a good thing that while we wait for our food, we were entertained by these young children (from an orphanage) who performed in the cafe to raise funds for their schooling. I always believed that if it’s a true and honest cause, I would never say no.

Kids perform for guests in Bag of Beans

It was almost 4pm when we finished and now, it’s really time to go home. It was, again, a quick break from our busy lives. But as I always say (or think I say), quick vacations are better than none at all.

A Glimpse of San Pablo (Part 2)

Morning greeted us with a delectable meal from Sulyap’s in-house restaurant. At 7:30, our choice breakfast was already served. In their menu was the usual breakfast meals served in any other restaurants, except that they had generous servings that would keep you full until lunch time. And what makes it even more delish is the fact that breakfast comes as complementary to the overnight stay. I had beefsilog and tabliya (hot chocolate), which is refillable, by the way.

We requested that we be seated on the second floor of the restaurant, by the window. From where we were seated, we had a view of the side of Casa Obando, the casita where we stayed. It has the charm of an old colonial house, but without having  to give up the comforts of modern amenities. Amidst the hardwood floors, capiz windows and mirrored aparador, you have a flat screen television with cable channels, air condition and toilet and bath with shower.

After we freshened up, we were off to church.

Sulyap dining

It was a busy Sunday. Tricycles and jeepneys are everywhere. Everybody was on the go. For me that was too early. I didn’t usually get up early on Sundays, or any ordinary day, for that matter (haha!). The church, San Pablo City Cathedral, was about five minutes from Sulyap. It was not so hard to get around the area and find the church. Parking would not be a problem, either. The lot fronting the church was spacious enough to put in another cathedral. We were right on time, the mass was just about to start.

It was probably the first not-too-early mass of the day. Churches usually held mass as early as six o’clock on Sundays. The cathedral was packed with people that it was impossible to find an empty chair to sit on.  So we stood for about an hour until the mass ended. A little sacrifice in the middle of a vacation that was going perfectly fine was, well, worth it.

The mass ended. As expected, the streets had become busier as noon approached. Nonetheless, it took us five minutes to get back to the hotel. A special gallery tour awaited us before we leave for Manila.

The tour was conducted by Kuya Allan, who I believe was the one in-charge of the overall management of the place during our stay. Mr. Roy Empalmado, owner of Sulyap, together with his friend, Mr. Arthur Reyes built this place and were able to conveniently blend the traditional with modern.

Mr. Empalmado is also the restaurant chef. Mr. Reyes, on the other hand, is the architect.

Sulyap was once a hotel and a school. The museum was located at the first floor. It was a long stretch full of antiques. Pictures, paintings, furniture — name it, they probably have it in one of the rooms. Most of the pieces were once up for auction or for sale, but they stopped selling because there’s a plan to renovate the building and turn it into a hotel once again. Some of the furniture and decorations will be used in the hotel rooms.

A peek inside the museum

As we entered the museum, we were in awe of the owner’s varied antique collections and the story behind each piece.  There was this painting which, according to Kuya Allan, they could keep for a hundred years and yet not be able to sell because it was not signed by the artist. Not even a date was written on the huge painting. There was a roomful of old desk cabinets, each having a unique design that signified in which province the cabinets were made.

The owner's collections

There was a glass cabinet full of toy cars– some of which the owner brought home from different countries. At the farthest end were the collection of lamps. Some lamps also had unique designs and patterns etched in them that indicated the country where they were from.

Banquet area where parties are held

The biggest room is the banquet area. This can accommodate up to 250 guests. A number of special events such as birthday celebrations and weddings have  already been held in Sulyap.

Speaking of banquet, it was past lunch time when we decided to wrap up the tour. It was already raining hard outside and traveling back to Manila was not a good idea. So we stayed and had our lunch at the restaurant until the rain stopped.

Since we still feel full, but do not want to starve as we head home, we opted for a light meal. We ordered for a pasta dish, cheese sticks, salad and chicken (if I remember it right). It was a bit pricey, though. Our breakfast was still the best.

Time to go.

Though it rained, I must say Sulyap is still photogenic. Enjoy the photos!

Inside the restaurant

A glimpse of San Pablo, Laguna (Part 1)

This year I celebrated my birthday almost a month after the actual date. A relaxed weekend trip to San Pablo, Laguna was the plan and a good friend found and suggested just the right place to stay in — Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant.

What makes “Sulyap” a perfect destination? The place boasts of serene surroundings and a gallery that’s full of interesting pieces, not to mention antiques. Plus, Sulyap is a must-see if you are a photography enthusiast. You will definitely not run out of scenic views to take photos of.

Sampaloc Lake, one of the the seven lakes of San Pablo, which is a prime tourist spot, is also found in the city proper. It is the biggest lake with an area of 1.04  sq. km. and depth of 27 meters. Fish cages, balsas for rent and food carts are sources of income for the people living around the lake. The six other lakes in San Pablo City are Lakes Bunot, Calibato, Yambo and Pandin (Twin Lakes), Palakpakin and Mojicap.

How to get to Sulyap

My sister and I, together with our friends, had a hard time figuring out how to get there although we had a map. The problem was that, the map provided was a vicinity map and would only be helpful for those who were actually familiar with the area. Anyway, here’s how to get to Sulyap if you are coming from South Luzon Expressway from Manila.

Take Calamba Exit then turn left, leading to the road going to Turbina. Go straight ahead until you find a junction (fork). Turn left. From there, you will pass by two more junctions. Turn left every time. Usually, a sign pointing the way to Puregold San Pablo are located at every junction. Follow the sign. You will find Puregold on your right. Turn left where you will find Petron gas station at the junction after Puregold. There is a sign on the road leading you to Sulyap which is on your left. Go straight ahead and there you are at the site. You can view the vicinity map here.

In and around Sampaloc Lake

After we check in and catch a quick rest, we headed to Sampaloc Lake to try out the activities there. You can rent a balsa, a raft made of bamboo that can take you to the middle of the lake near the fish cages. A balsa can be rented for only P150 and is already good for five persons. If you wish to go fishing, like what my sister and her friend did, fishing rods are also available for rent for P50 each. I’m not sure if there’s a time limit for these activities but we stayed there for about two hours. Fishing inside the fish cages is allowed but you have to pay for your catch. Though more time consuming, whatever you catch outside the fish cages is free for you to take home.

Balsa for rent, balsa ride and our impromptu tour guides, Kuya Jun and Kuya Jonathan

If you ever get tired of boating and fishing or just walking around, you can always grab some refreshments here and there. A few restaurants and food stalls line the perimeter of the lake. You can also find a spacious cafe nearby called Cafe Lago. We had snacks at this cafe right before our balsa ride.

Cafe by the lake

For me the ideal time to go boating is before sunset. The view is just amazing. Though it rained that day and the skies were cloudy, the reflection of the mountains in the water was simply beautiful. We were fortunate to be there at the perfect time.

Sampaloc Lake at sunset

As the night falls, we decided to end our nearly two hours of balsa ride with a dinner at Clydenjosh Grill and Restaurant located right across where our raft docked. The restaurant served Filipino dishes. Prices are relatively competitive, but overall the place was cozy and the food is good. Surely it was a nice way to cap off the night.