Coron

I took the Proppeler plane to Coron again. Even from the plane I could see that the landscape was breathtaking. Like the airport in Daraga, the airport in Coron is pleasantly small; one luggage carousel, 2 gates - cute. My driver was already waiting outside...yes, I had booked transportation again, but this time in a shared van, to save costs. But before I was even allowed to leave the airport I had to pay a tourist fee, 200 pesos. 

The road from Busuanga Francisco Breyes airport to Coron leads down the mountain via a winding road. Where exactly is my accommodation? Good question; at least I know its name: Enna's Place.

I was the first to get out of the van, a blue tricycle with the sign Enna's Place was waiting for me in the middle of the road, from there it was only a good 200m down the dirt road.

The accommodation reminded me a lot of Archery's in Moalboal - a little out of the way but decorated with great attention to detail. I was welcomed with a cold juice (somehow it's good for the throat even if it's actually bad)

On the first day, I rented a scooter for 5 hours and drove a bit through the area to Cabo Beach. The landscape here is breathtakingly beautiful. When I checked in, I was given a program booklet, as this is my last week in the Philippines I'm going on a tourist tour: the Cebu Ultimate Tour.

I'm not really into the tourist stuff, but it was actually a really nice day. I have to say that I wouldn't have gotten to these places without such a tour or a private tour. We went to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, Sunset Beach, Las Islas de Coral, Cyc Beach and the Reef Garden. It was magnificent. We could have done without the canoe that I was talked into and shared with Kevin, a Frenchman traveling alone, as it was much nicer to go snorkeling (except at Twin Lagoon, where the canoe was really worth it).As I wasn't supposed to dive due to my ac-cold, which of course I didn't, I had actually signed up for the Reefs and Wrecks snorkeling tour for day two - but unfortunately that was fully booked; so it was island hopping; or rather the tour is advertised here under Island Escape Tour: It went from Malcapuya Island to Banana Island and Bulog Dos. Beautiful beaches, picture-book beaches ... dreamlike...There was a lot to see while snorkeling on Bulog Dos. After lunch, I found a somewhat hidden hammock on Banana Island and used it for a nap. The highlight on Malcapuya Island was the snorkeling tour. To get to the "swimming beach", we had to walk a bit, almost to the other side of the island. The Coral Garden is about 100m away - they offer a slightly different snorkeling tour: you go out with a small motorboat; no, you don't sit in the boat, you hold on to a rope that is attached to the left and right of the boat and are pulled over the entire Coral Garden, it was amazing. The guide had some cookies for the fish - they are quite greedy and it's very funny when the little fish try to snatch the cookie out of your hand - they have an unexpected amount of strength, especially the parrotfish.We had so much fun with the fish, there was so much to see.... Back on the beach we looked at each other - there were seven of us hanging on the boat.... all with somewhat pained faces: plankton jellyfish - we all got stung^^ we didn't see the little mean jellys. Nevertheless, a wonderful trip to beautiful beaches, with a super tasty lunch (I'm always amazed at what the guys conjure up in the really spartan, makeshift boat kitchen) and on the way back we got surprised with Toron - I just love it 😍

On my penultimate day in Coron, I rented a scooter again to explore the area a bit. I had actually planned to climb the 712 (don't hold me to that) steps up to the Coron sign - but somehow I couldn't find the way and ended up in Borac Bay; a really pretty spot. No beach, but steep coastline, I looked for a shady spot to hide from the midday sun and enjoyed the absolute peace and quiet for a while. On the way back there was a downpour - as I've mentioned before, it's kind of half as bad here; you're wet but it's still super warm and when it stops raining you're dry again; or as good as - with the high humidity here you're never really dry^^ Still, I wanted to change, so I went to Enna's to change and wait until the rain was over (sounds like I had planned to drive past my accommodation; in fact, once again I didn't really know where I was - but a street sign said Coron so I couldn't be too wrong) When it stopped raining I set off for Coron again. In a Korean restaurant (Miso) I ate the best kimchi of my life (so far) - wohaaaa it was super delicious...

I wanted something to remind me of this vacation, a souvenir for myself. But I'm not really the kitschy type who has bits and bobs everywhere... Something that reminds me of a very beautiful and insightful vacation. I got a tattoo :)

There are lots of tattoo studios in Coron. I talked to a few of the artists, had them show me their machines and previous work and then decided on one: I'm super happy with the result and can really recommend Bertink06 (IG)!

I did it! I climbed 721 steps up Mount Tapyas - omg that was exhausting. But let's start my last day in Coro from the beginning :)

After breakfast, I hopped on the scooter to visit the Maquinit Hot Spring.The water was 41°; it's fascinating how cool the (perceived) air temperature of 39° can seem after a dip in the hot spring :) The place really invites you to relax.

Back in Coron I had a little craving. I decided to go to Om's Thai. I had a mango salad and fried tofu: divine. Too bad it was my last day in Coron, the menu had a lot more to offer - I can only recommend, if you are ever in Coron, go to Om's Thai - 5 out of 5 noms^^

After a short stopover at Enna's, I thought I'd try again to get to this mountain with the lettering (after failing miserably the day before and ending up in the middle of nowhere again, you remember?). I actually found the way - albeit a little differently, but never mind. To get to the top you have to climb 721 steps - a bit of a challenge in the humidity - but I managed it, in one go and without a break - whoop whoop. It was really worth it, when you get to the top you are rewarded with an incomparable view over Coron. There was even live music. The poor guy had to run up with all his instruments. As a personal reward, I fancied an ice cream... but where... well, there was a McDonald's. I've rarely seen such a crazy menu in a McDonald's: McSpaghetti (burger and spaghetti on the menu); fried chicken with rice. Crazy. Fortunately, the classic McSundae was available :)

So that was it, my last day in Coron - before heading on to Manila; Coron is an incredibly beautiful and diverse island. I will miss it...