It's a moot point to go overseas looking for fine beaches. Because even if I haven't gone Magellan-like searching, I am convinced, blindfolded, that the best paradise is just next door- well, actually an island next.

Hello Coron and I got my waterproof yet summery wear to enjoy you by!

Coron is a feast for the nature trippers. It can quench thirsty yearnings for greens and blues in an enchanting backdrop. To explore the many wonders of Coron, a 3-day tour might not be enough. Anyhow, this chunk of the pie is already delectable!

Of what I love in Coron:

1. Kayangan Lake! I don't have a waterproof cam and I regret not able to take a snapshot of Kayangan atop the hills. But what nailed it was the lake where we swam. It is just so breath-taking!
2. Banol Beach- Of the vast, sparkling expanse. WOW!

I only have a point-and-shoot camera yet see how the water reflect light.

Your 'red carpet' in Banol.

       3. Siete Pecados. Seven Peaks! Great place to see 'Nemo' and the gang. Perfect!

I'll be getting my point though with an underwater cam. 

          4. Off-road travel to Maquinit hotspring.

Been wondering why the soil is red? Because it's made of silica and dolomite, materials to make a ceramic.

        5. Jogging to reach the peak of Mt. Tapyas

So far yet so near!

        6. Fruit Shakkkkkeeees!- choose what suits your budget, from 5 pesos to grande 35!

    

Watcha:

• Island hopping is requires your one whole, undivided day, so make sure that you take in with you several 'whole-days'
• Souvenirs are much expensive in Coron than in Puerto Princesa. 
• Transportation is easy too, you can just take a trike, or better yet, walk. :)
• The locals are so used to non-locals. Left and right, tourists are everywhere! So this is the place to go find an Afam! :))
• Be careful where you go sing-along. It might get burned, for all you know. 

beach blog busuanga coron experience mt. tapyas Palawan paradise Philippines travel white sand

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Time! I finally gotcha!

A few months ago, when I came back to CPMC, I chanced to read upon View Magazine. Our selling tool not too long a time ago is now a travel mag. Then I realized that my innermost being wants not just to be any writer, but a travel writer. *giggles*with kilig*

But the travails! As we know, no one gets to go places without shredding a bit of skin. And I only have a few travel experience to babble about.

Hopefully, with those few in my pocket, I'll begin to digitally ink the paper.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

I've been seriously thinking about the 10%.

But now that Coron trip is 2.5 months away, I don't know how to do all these math plus the things that I wanted done, have before the trip.

But there's no turning back now. I've made this indelible pact with myself. "Come and See", so I've read and reflected last night.

No turning back... yes!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

How far will I go for soul-searching? What will I give up to find my treasure? Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is so bold, so aggressive that it's not "me". But then there's something in her adventures and introspection that magnets me to it. It must be the truthfulness of her revelations that touched some string in me despite our difference.

I don't have the wealth of a lucky writer, that I cannot, just at this point in time, travel over Italy, India and Indonesia to find "I" but can afford to Ilocos, Iloilo and the Island of Palawan...

Eat
To unravel the culture of Ilocos was one of those memorable college projects I had. Gastronomical treats for the eyes and tummy were unforgettable.

It could have been a precursor for heart attack, but Ilocos's version of lechon kawali, called bagnet is a must-try! Their orange-colored empanada paired with the local vinegar is curiously good, too. The original chichacorn especially the cheese-flavored one made me mad at its imitators sold here in the supermarkets! Why even try when not a nibble of its goodness was duplicated?!? And to top it all, Herencia Cafe's Pinakbet Pizza is truly delectable.

As for the eye's feast, almost every spot in Ilocos is worth munching. Paoay church, Cape Bojeador, Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud... all of them. The simplicity of the city, void of "city symptoms" wraps it all up in a good break too.

During that time, despite the dearth in moolah, I was determined to explore this country has to offer in little baby steps. The joy of meeting new faces, chatting with them, knowing much of their culture is priceless, too. Meanwhile, you don't realize it, but you get to learn things about yourself too.

Pray
I had been in Iloilo, but only in a fleet moment. The only thing that remained in my memory was the statue of the Virgin Mary while sailing from the port. Too young then, and so much full of myself to understand about praying and faith.

Pray. Faith. These are my treasures now. From then, if I grew in height and age, I am glad that my spiritual health is progressing too. And I am excited that I am learning much about my Christian faith. So that I am not just a Catholic in name but in words and deeds.

Yes, treasure. Without it I can't imagine how my life would be, and that is an understatement. For the meantime that I am nurturing this, I would be curt. Then maybe soon, I'd be able to fill this space with so much of His glory.

Love
We're not on the same page. Because the love that I'd be talking now is love of travel. And Island of Palawan, hopefully, please universe, I hope it wouldn't get cancelled under any circumstance.

Sorry, but that's all I can share under this title. But who knows (let me clear that I am NOT expecting, though) maybe in that island.... Well, these cheesy thoughts, must be the fault of this book and some people I know...

To be in love, well yes I believe that it's one blessing truly worth the pain and sacrifice.



The search for self doesn't stop there though but to go beyond means to find it is really one courageous thing to do. And time flies too, so to race for the prize is worth the sweat. But I am not yet that. I'm still the great procrastinator. Making deadlines that aren't met. Planning just so the planner gets inked. But maybe then, not to rationalize, this might be the reason for my writings... So that I'd get reminded once in a while. Hope I'll see myself soon embarking on that journey.

Eat India Indonesia Italy Love; Elizabeth Gilbert Pray

Friday, June 22, 2012