When we went to Coron waaaay back 2012, our tour guide asked us if we've been to Puerto Princesa already, I said not yet since Coron is our first Palawan destination. He said we might not appreciate it that much since Coron is more beautiful than Puerto Princesa. After 4 years, its still on my mind so I don't have high expectations of the place.

Honda Bay Island Hopping is one of the popular tours in Puerto Princesa. Honda Bay has several islands but only a few of them are open and the rest are protected areas or are privately owned. 

Our Honda Bay Island Hopping is consist of three islands, Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island.

On our way to the jump-off point we stopped by a store to rent snorkeling gears and aqua shoes for PHP 600.00 for the two of us.

Our first island didn't impress me that much, but I'm not disappointed yet as I know this place has its own charm. 

Luli Island

Luli Island means lulubog- lilitaw (sink & rise). During high tide, the island disappers and during lowtide, it reappears. You can do snorkeling or board diving here and other are already having their packed lunch here. I really wanted to try board diving, too bad I don't know how to swim. There's also a small table selling some snacks. 

Cowrie Island

I got to admit that this island has the clearest amd bluest water among the three island. There are water activities and volleyball nets, cottage and tables where you can drink and hang out if you don't wanna swim. Locals also offers to take artsy photos of the tourists mostly Filipinos. 

There are other islands I think but I don't know why they aren't included in the package. 

So, is it true that Coron is more beautiful that Puerto Princesa? The thing is Coron offers something that Puerto Princesa doesn't have and so does Puerto Princesa. This island has its own charm, I've been to only three islands and I have yet to explore other islands of Puerto Princesa.

PUERTO PRINCESA 2016: ITINERARY AND EXPENSES

xx, Joyce

I knooooow, most of you have been to Boracay and knows what to do, what to expect or what to see. But for those first timers like me in one of the Philippine's pride, here's what you can do and what we did in Boracay.

It is not new to everyone that Boracay has one of the best sunsets. Although not shown in these photos as the sun already set, (Hehehe) I'm a witness to the beauty of Boracay sunset which you shouldn't miss.

2. Visit Puka Beach

In our case, a side trip to Puka Beach is included in our stay at Alta Vista and they also have a cottage/ cabana that their guests can use for free. But for the others, this is included if you avail the island hopping or if not, you can hire a tricycle from D'Mall to take you there.

A visit in Puka Beach is a must when in Boracay as this beach is far away from where the action is and less crowded. Though the sand is not as powdery as the main beach, it still has the same charm and beauty. The sand is so white and the water so blue. I was so mesmerized! Too bad we had to stay for an hour only as we still have activities to do before we check-out the hotel for our flight.

For our activities, right after our not-so-enough 1 hour stay in Puka Beach, we went straight to the main beach to look for the cheapest Parasailing and Helmet Diving. Other activities are Fly Fish, Banana Boat, Island Hopping, ATV, Zorb Ball, Zipline and a lot more, but those two are my choices. These two activities are quite pricey compare to the others but I think this is one of what Boracay is known  for. After minutes of walking, the cheapest we got is PHP1,700 each for the two activities at Sting Ray Watersports. 

Parasailing is the best, if not, one of the best activities in Boracay.If I remember it right, there are 3 crews on the speed boat ready to assist us. They put us in a harness and explained the do's and don'ts. We were up for about 15 minutes which at first I think is very short. When we were released in the air, the speed boat slowly getting smaller, we saw the island up there and it is so beautiful. We were the kite and we are flying. We saw different hues of blue and green, we felt the air and I felt dizzy. HAHAHAH! But really, I felt so blessed I was able to experience this kind of adventure even for once in my life.

Helmet Diving is walking on the ocean floor wearing a very heavy helmet about 20++kgs, carrying a bread for the fish so they would go near you for a picture taking.

Before we go down to the water, we had a short briefing of the hand signals underwater. But don't worry, you'll get it easily as it is just okay sign, picture, video, feeding the fish or if you wanna go up already.I got scared because there's a woman before us who's been trying to go down a few times and in the end still didn't make it. I was just thinking that I have seen lots of my friends did this so there's no way I can't. So they put the helmet on my head and boy, it was so heavy even underwater, the diver gave us a pinch of bread for the fish and had pictorial underwater. At first you'll feel the pain on your ears as you will be submerged for about 13++ feet but you'll get used to it in a few seconds. You will just stand there for about 15 minutes feeding the fish while the diver take your photos and after that, its done. Just like that! The experience was just okay but I don't know how to swim anyway so I'm thankful for this experience that I got to see the underwater minus the beautiful and colorful corals.

We availed our activities at Sting Ray Watersports in Station 1 which I highly recommend. They are organized and fast, they have radios for communication in case they have to pick up guests, they have their own speed boat which looks brand new and their equipments for the parasailing and helmet diving is still in its good, if not best condition, still better than the others I saw on the internet.

There are lotsssss of restaurants in Boracay. The whole stretch of white beach is filled with restaurants and bars, different cuisine, different ambiance, you'll never run out of options. Too bad, we weren't able to try those highly recommended food/ restaurants in this island due lack of time. I really blame myself for staying just a night here, its so hard to squeeze in everything. But that only means I have lot of reasons to go baaacckkk!

Its almost past lunch when we arrived in the island from the airport so we were too hungry since we haven't had breakfast because of our early flight. While we are looking for place to dine, most of the highly recommended restaurants I read in the internet are all full since its lunch time. And then we saw Big Mouth with only a couple diners. We gave it a try since we are too hungry and we only wanna eat so we could lay down ourselves in our room.

We tried their Sinigang and Lechon Bagnet and man, I didn't...... I don't wanna say something bad about this restaurant but, I'm never eating here again if ever I come back in Boracay.

For dinner, we had a buffet dinner courtesy of Astoria Boracay. When we were in Caticlan Jetty Port about to board the banca, a guy from Astoria offered a free buffet for the two of us. Its Astoria and its free so why not. The guy just told us to bring our cellphone or cameras because they are promoting their newest branch in Station 3, he even told us they can tour us if there's still time so we can see and maybe consider Astoria the next time we come to Boracay. So I thought that we'll just have to take a few shots and if we liked what we see ate and saw, we can promote this to our friends.

We walked the long stretch of White Beach to Station 1 and looked for Astoria. I got excited, its front beach and I like the idea of dining on the beach. But I'm wrong! Someone assisted us waaaay at the back of Astoria crossing the street, up to their office pantry-like where they set up a buffet. I was so disappointed, but we were there anyway and its free. Before we start, their manager talked to us and asked few questions like where we came from, our job and where we're staying in the Island and told us they will just promote their membership for about an hour or so I think.

We had our dinner. To be honest, I don't know if its the same buffet they are serving for regular paying guests or is it just the buffet they served for us during that time because its free, but I don't like it. I'm not that those food critic but I know what is good food from not. I hate their pesto pasta, it has no taste and very oily. The viand is..... I don't wanna talk about this anymore.

The thing is Astoria Boracay wasted more that 3 hours of our time promoting everything, every single branch they have all over the Philippines and even their sister companies around the world.

The only satisfying thing we had in Boracay is this fruit shake. It save our nightmare in Big Mouth and the buffet in Astoria. True indeed that it is the best fruit shake in Boracay. To be honest, I haven't tried any shake in the island aside from the Mango Shake in Big Mouth which I didn't like anyway, but when I had the first sip of Jonah's Milk shake, I already knew why it is the best in the island.

So there, those are the things we were able to squeeze in our little time in Boracay. This island has a lot to offer you'll never run out of things to do and our overnight stay is definitely never enough. But it only means that I have a lot of reasons to go back here, on 2016 maybe?

P.S This could probably be my last adventure for 2015 since December is a peak season which means... no leave at work allowed. But I already had plans for 2016 and I'm excited already. 2015 has been a great year for me in terms of travel and adventure but I'm looking forward for more travels for 2016. We'll never know! :)

xx, Joyce

ready for island hopping

The island hopping started a little late because the boat's engine won't start. We waited while they're fixing it but ended up transferring to another boat.

I'll let the pictures do the talking. Let's start the island hopping!

Siete Pecados 

Arguably the most popular spot in Coron, and made even more popular when a television show made Siete Pecados their setting. Legend has it that seven sisters swam to the main island to follow their parents and subsequently drowned. The spot where they drowned is where the islands are now present. Siete Pecados is a great snorkeling spot, and certainly one of the best in Coron.

Kayangan Lake is dubbed as the cleanest lake in Asia and  is considered a sacred place by the Tagbanua tribe of Coron Island, Philippines.There is so much to do in Kayangan Lake, trekking, swimming, snorkeling and picture taking. Here you will find the most picturesque part of Coron, the Kayangan Lagoon.

Half-way the trek, we reached the most picturesque part, the Kayangan Lagoon. There's also a cave but no one has entered and knows its other end.

After having enough rest, we continued with the trek down and we finally had a glimspse of Asia's cleanest Lake, Kayangan Lake.
The trek maybe tiring but everything was worth-it.

Twin Peak

We're all awed by Coron,Palawan's beauty. Dead tired but worth it. I'm so in-love with Palawan. After the activity, we freshen up, rest and had our dinner in Bistro Coron.


xx, Joyce

Arguably the most popular spot in Coron, and made even more popular when a television show made Siete Pecados their setting. Legend has it that seven sisters swam to the main island to follow their parents and subsequently drowned. The spot where they drowned is where the islands are now present. Siete Pecados is a great snorkeling spot, and certainly one of the best in Coron. - See more at: http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/coron-travel-and-tour-packages/where-to-go-coron-palawan-tourist-spots/#sthash.kfF2700H.dpuf

Arguably the most popular spot in Coron, and made even more popular when a television show made Siete Pecados their setting. Legend has it that seven sisters swam to the main island to follow their parents and subsequently drowned. The spot where they drowned is where the islands are now present. Siete Pecados is a great snorkeling spot, and certainly one of the best in Coron. - See more at: http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/coron-travel-and-tour-packages/where-to-go-coron-palawan-tourist-spots/#sthash.kfF2700H.dpuf

Arguably the most popular spot in Coron, and made even more popular when a television show made Siete Pecados their setting. Legend has it that seven sisters swam to the main island to follow their parents and subsequently drowned. The spot where they drowned is where the islands are now present. Siete Pecados is a great snorkeling spot, and certainly one of the best in Coron. - See more at: http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/coron-travel-and-tour-packages/where-to-go-coron-palawan-tourist-spots/#sthash.kfF2700H.dpuf

Puerto Galera is the northwesternmost municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is located at the southwestern end of the Isla Verde Passage, about 130 kilometers (81 mi) south of Manila.

From Guadalupe, we jumped-in a bus going to Pasay Taft. From there, we rode the LRT going to Gil Puyat Station where the Jam Liner bus terminal is located. Just look for the bus with Batangas Port signage. It took us almost 2 hours from the bus terminal to the port. Once you're there, you will never get lost since there are lots of sign and men offering you get ferry tickets from them, and they will lead you to the ticketing area in Terminal 3 where ferry/bancas going to Puerto Galera are docked. We chose the Father and Son Lines, round-trip tickets cost 500PHP each plus the 80PHP terminal and environmental fee. The boat ride took us almost 2 hours and it was so scary. At the middle of the sea, where the rain was so hard, the engine stopped 3 times, but I was too dizzy I never felt scared at all. LOL. The boat docked at Muelle Pier and another boat transferred us to White Beach. Thank God we arrived safe and sound.

For our accommodation, we saw this cheap deal in Ensogo that costs 2400.00 3 days, 2 nights stay for 4 persons. Blue Water Lodge, though not located in the front beach, for me is highly recommended. They only have 2 floors with 13 rooms. The place, the rooms are clean though not exactly like what we see in the internet I still love that our room is spacious and clean specially the bathroom. They also provide towels. It has 2 double bed, air-condition, a drawer and bathroom with shower that's not working.

After checking in, we fixed ourselves and had our brunch in a restaurant by the beach.After having our breakfast and lunch in one, Rycelle and I changed clothes for a swim at the beach til afternoon. We took a rest for a while until its time for dinner. But before having our dinner, we walked around the beach and watched the fire dancers perform which was really awesome. After having our dinner, we called it a day and dozed off.

Our day started a little late. Our group availed the island hopping plus snorkeling package for 200.00PHP each. Since we still haven't had our lunch, the boatman brought us in an island where there's a small carinderia that sells freshly cooked meals. I really love the experience of having lunch in an island, and photo ops while waiting.

After having lunch, we jumped-in the boat and we're excited for snorkeling which was my first time. Rycelle and I were both scared for we don't know how to swim, but our boatmen encouraged us that we're safe as long as we have our life vest on. There's a separate fee for the small banca that will take us to the snorkeling area and the kind boatmen let us experience it for free for a few minutes just for us to have a glimpse of what we could see. Good marketing strategy, we're all awed by the underwater creatures so we gave in to paying again. Bad thing we don't have under water camera.

After snorkeling, we all had a blast, so far were all enjoying, we went to another island for a swim. We stayed there for 1-2 hours and us ladies had the pictorial in our bikinis.

After the activities, we went back to white beach happy and satisfied and sun-burned. We took a rest for a while, wash-up and had a massage by the beach.

Our third day, we have to pack our things and go back to Manila. I'm loving the place, I don't want to leave but we have to. Our check out is 11:30 but we scheduled our ferry back to Batangas Port by 3:30 so we had a 3-hour room extension. We spent our time looking for pasalubong. All items are soooo cheap I almost shopped all my remaining money with souvenirs.

All of us enjoyed the 3-day stay in Puerto Galera, though I promised myself I don't wanna go back here because of the dizzy boat ride, I wanna be back here soooon and visit other famous spots. I'm happy and satisfied on how our 3-day vacation turned out.

The whole gang :)

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us." :) 
EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER