Coron: Hidden Lagoon, CYC Beach, Coral Garden and Kayangan Lake

August in PH is a time for typhoons and heavy rains but there was no stopping my trip to Coron this year. I know I can't prevent the rain from happenning but at least I wish to see just enough sun to get my tan on because I was in El Nido the same time last year and the weather was unpredictable. There was sun but at most times it would rain and I didn't enjoy the island as much.

You know you're near Coron when you see these islands.

Months ahead I planned to do a DIY trip in Coron but when I got to the airport and after seeing the tour packages for low season I decided to just have an agency do all the work for me. Cherry, proprietor of Be Cool Travel and Tours took care of me and my friend for our entire stay. The package included airport and pier transfer, accommodation at Rugs 2 Riches Inn with breakfast. A 3 days island tour (A, B, C) and a complimentray town tour. All the island tours has lunch included so all we had to worry was dinner. 

For the next 3 days our routine was to wake up at 6am, exercise, breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and then wait for the tricycle that will take us to the town pier where the tour boats are waiting. Like for the entire day we would just swim in the clear blue waters and lie down in the sand and snorkelling and jump-offs from the cliff or off the boat. 

View from the hotel restaurant. Our hotel is just walking distance from the town pier. 

The town market is right in front the pier. You can buy souvenirs and swimming accessories.

Boats for Island Tour. (locals prefer tourism works than fishing.)

The tours end at around 4-5pm, we head back to the hotel, freshen up and then go out at night for dinner and a drink or two and then head back to the hotel to get a good night rest. 

Our island tours were nothing short of showcase of Corons magnificent lakes, lagoons and beaches. You can say that they may all look the same becase of it being another white sand beach or a body of water sorrounded with great big limestones that had been sitting their for so many years but hey

the lakes are really clean and the marine life are ever so alive. It is one of the best I've seen so far. The shipwreck was beyond what I imagined and the fishes were so close like as if they'd eat me. I even said at one point that I could do snorkelling all day. And I did just that. I didn't miss any opportunity. All the great things they said about the island is true and im just glad that I was able to experience the Coron at its best. 

Tour A

Hidden Lagoon

Approaching the lagoon

Well I guess this lagoon is no longer hidden since many have found it.

CYC Beach (Coron Youth Club)

You'll be greeted by two dogs when you get to the island. Our tour guide said that they were from the town across and they just swam to get here.  

Mangroves 

Lunch 

Coral Beach

We were supposed to go to Sunset beach but our tourguide persuaded us to visit Coral Beach instead coz it had better corals and he promised to give us a longer time to stay in Kayangan. True enough, the coral reef was really beautiful. I even saw a clown fish which was a first for me. 

Found Nemo and his pals. 

Kayangan Lake

Boat docks

The postcard worthy view. There is trekking involved to get to the lake but this view will ease your exhaustion. This is just halfway to the lake though but I tell you, it will be worth it. 

Small cave at the kayangan photo deck. You can go inside but there is really nothing to see.

Awarded as the cleanest lake. The water is so clear. Its a mix of salt and fresh water. 

This has to be the highlight of my Coron experience. 

Bamboo rafts are provided or you can bring your own floater if you like. I did. There were videos of tourists jumping off the cliff in this lake but our tour guide didn't allow us even if the other tourist were already doing it. He's no fun. Yes Rambo, you're no fun. LOL 

 

Tanning

good to know:
Coron is called the "hundred islands" but not like that in Pangasinan. Its a hundred island only because each island that you visit requires you to pay P100 except CYC Beach. Its already included in the tour packages though. 

Boracay with Papa and Superfriends

As a child, its a goal to give our parents a dream vacation but for my case since my parents are separated and my father lives with me I've been wanting to take him to Boracay. So when I had the money I bought him a ticket and of we went to the island destination. My travels are mostly with friends and officemates but this time around I was able to bring my Papa with me so this is extra special.

This trip was planned with my 3 good friends, @imjhaquebec @kayerikit and @blueastaea. Later on Dice and her boyfriend Ryan came along with us. We've been friends for 5 years now and every year we try to go out of town together to relax and have fun. We frequent Boracay for many reasons and our memories together in the island are so epic we cant help but be back every year. 

On our first night we stayed at Cez Manor in Station 3. My father and I had a separate room and my friends had their own. The room that they gave me smelled musty and looked outdated. Almost like a fixer upper. I could have gotten a better room in Station 2 for the same room price but it was already late night when we got to the island so I didn't bother. Another thing was the location, its too far and totally felt like a different zip code so on our second day, my father and I checked out of Cez de Manor and looked for a hotel in my fave guesthouses in Station 2. Its the isle between Johnny Rockets and Island Souvenirs. I frequent this spot because of the distance from the beach and the price of course. I asked at Shennas Guesthouse first but failed to bargain for the price I wanted so I went a little further inside the isle and found myself back at Ericko's Guesthouse. I've stayed there before, back in Feb 2014 for my birthday and I highly recommend them because their rooms are clean and updated. Thing is the new rooms are located at the third and 4th floor so going up and down can be challenge. Although given their location and the price, it checks almost all of the list. 

Ericko's Guesthouse

Cez Manor

(Check out my hotel review for more photos)

On our 3rd day, we did the ususal island hopping but this time around I jumped off the cliff in Magic Island. It was superb! I can't remember the number of times I jumped because I was just having so much fun and the adrenaline numbed any pain the fall caused. The next day I woke up with bruises in my arms because I was jumping with arms spread.

@kayerikit

@imjhaquebec

We also did snorkeling in Crocodile Island, but it was not that amazing. As expected the reef was dead. There were fishes but only a few showed up. Maybe because we forgot to bring bread. LOL! 

@imjhaquebec in Croc Island

Boat Groufie 

That's Papas happy face. 

Sunset after Island Hopping

We went to Puka Beach the next day and soaked under the sun. 

Puka's Waves

I'm in love with my coco. 

Hair flip

@blueastraea

@kayerikit

@imjhaquebec

Dice and Ryan

We planned to spend an afternoon at Spiderhouse in Diniwid Beach but they were under renovation. They have a small space to cater guest but the access to the beach was not available so instead we stayed in Wahine Bar and ordered drinks and then went back to our hotel before sunset.

My friends are not a fan of diet. For lunch my father and I would eat in Andoks or the Karenderya across Budget Mart. For dinner we ate in buffet restaurants. Boracay Peninsula for 389 and Village Point for 299. Both served delicious food. We had crabs, shrimp, clams, oyster and more. It was a good meal and really ruined my budget and diet. Hahaha. I had to do more sit ups because of that. 

Our night shindigs are spent in Pats Creek Bar and Summerplace. We didnt go to Club Paraw anymore because we were just dead tired to walk all the way up to Station 1. 

Club Summerplace 

I did paddle boarding during sunset on our 4th day and it was so much fun but the waves wasn't calm so it was kinda difficult to paddle and take a selfie. Haha. 

Hotel Review: Cez Manor Boracay

This is a budget friendly guesthouse. It is located in station 3 near Boracay Sunset and a few minutes walk to the beach. I stayed here overnight and the experience was unpleasant. The hotel needs some upgrade. The shower on our room does not work. The beds foam matress is too soft already.  The aircondition had some issues and the room smells musty. We asked for a room freshener but the hotel staff didn't respond. And also there's only one switch for all the lights. Beat that for power saving. They have free wifi though so I guess thats a consolation. 

AC vent is leaking outside our room. 

We paid P1,000 for 3pax. 

The shower is just for show.

Hotel Review: Ericko's Guesthouse Boracay

This is my go-to place in Boracay. I've stayed here twice already and I would highly recommend this for the travellers who wants a descent accommodation for an affordable price. Its is conviniently located in Station 2 and just a short 3 minutes walk to the beach. They have new rooms but its located at the the 3rd and 4th floor. It can be a challenge going up and down but for its price and location Im sure you can look pass it. 

Reception Area

All the way up. Yes. 

2nd floor walkway

4th floor hallway

We got this room for 1,200 for 3pax

Our own veranda without the view. Its right accross anothers hotels room window.