26/02/2016
I left Puerto Galera by catching the 6AM banka to the mainland. There after, I shared tricycle with the local girl to the bus station where the local paid for the ride. Lucky me the bus did not take long to be filled with passengers. I reached Manila city around 10AM. I knew traffic is terrible in Manila. So, I decided to go to the airport though my flight was departing at 2:50PM. I was heading to Terminal T3 without noticing that I was actually departing from Terminal T4. I only realised I was at the wrong terminal when it was 12PM. Without further delay, I went to the information counter to find out how to get to Terminal T4. I was fortunate to be informed that there are airport shuttle bus that is going to every terminal. Hence, it only took me 15 minutes to Terminal 4 by using the shuttle bus.
I proceeded to the check in counter to drop my baggage and was surprised to know that the airline staff also had to weigh me in order for us to have a smooth flight with a smaller aircraft. Just for those who wonders, I bought the ticket four months earlier while Cebu Pacific was having a sale. I paid PHP2,791 or RM271 for a return ticket Manila - Coron with additional baggage allowance of 15 kilograms. Be really careful when buying Coron flights. Most of the airlines flying to Coron is using a smaller aircraft. Thus, the free baggage allowance is lower. It is advisable to buy the extra baggage while booking your flight ticket. This way you will avoid inconveniences and troubles at the airport.
It was an entertaining flight with Cebu Pacific. They have games on board and you can win Cebu Pacific merchandise. The flight attendants would take turns to list a random thing or ask you a simple question about the destination we are heading to and the first person who raise their hand will get the opportunity to win the merchandise. As the game progressed, both the flight attendants and passengers became more excited.
It was a quarter to six o’clock when I reached Francisco B. Reyes Airport. One could get out from the airport for a fare of 150 peso. You just need to tell where you are heading to the van driver and they would sort the tourist according to the accommodation among themselves. I already arranged my accommodation at Patrik and Tezz.Guesthouse. So, I just followed which van I was directed to. It was getting dark by the time I left the airport. After 1.5 hours in the van, I reached Patrik & Tezz Guesthouse. I was not alone. There were a group of local that had a same flight and van transfer with me to check in at Patrik & Tezz Guesthouse that night.
I was told that the room that I supposed to check in was not ready. Another guest was in that room. So, they gave me another room and I had to change the next day. Without fussy, I settled the first night with the double bed room.
I had the best mango juice for the dinner. It was only 10 peso per cup. I went back to Patrik & Tezz Guesthouse and called it a night.
27/02/2016
I woke up early the next day and wandering along the streets to find halal food. It took a lot of effort to find stall that cater halal food. I was lucky enough to come across dyazstuffs.blogspot while googling it on the internet. Based on the picture from the blog, I went out and about looking for it. I then recognized the table cloth and started to ask the owner of the stall. Isnaiah, the owner of halal stall in Coron, Palawan might be the only one that cater halal food for Muslim. I ate a plate of rice, chicken and shrimp for 80 peso only. While eating, I chatted with Isnaiah’s husband, Faisal. He told me that they moved here 3 years ago from Mindanao and choose to raise their kids aged 6,5 and 4 here in Coron. He also mentioned that they have about 300 Muslims in Coron. The conversations gave me a different perspective about Muslim in other country. Faisal gave me a free ride to Coron town as they were also heading there.
I kept walking around Coron town to find a good deal for wreck diving. Most of the dive shop offer a similar price which was around 3,400 peso for 3 dives a day including equipment and lunch meal. After wandering for quite some time, I signed up with Sea Dive Resort for 3 dives a day for the next day.
Later at evening, I went climbing 742 steps of Mount Tapyas. I was approached by the local, Jay Dugan who offered to assist me climbing. However, I declined the offer nicely. He then catched me 5 minutes later at about 100 steps. It was not a bad idea to have company while climbing Mount Tapyas. While waiting for the sun to set, we spent time exchanging opinion over education, job, religion and lifestyle. The good thing about having a conversation with local is that they always remind you how to be grateful in your life despite of the difficulties. Some people are struggling very hard to stay alive.
28/02/2016
I went to bed quite early last night considering today I had signed up 3 dives with Sea Dive Resort. Poor me, I was wide awake all night. I saw one pretty big bed bug while I was about to sleep. It was a creepy moment for me. They kept coming out from the bed and crawling on the bed. I spent the rest of the night by squishing the bed bugs. As I heard voices from outside, I went out checking and realised that the group that checked in the same time with me were having the same problem. I could not bear it anymore and checked out as early as six o’clock in the morning. I was blamed for the bed bugs when mentioning it to Tezz’s mother, the old lady. She accused me that I was the one who brought the bed bugs. It was early and I had to reserve my energy for diving. What was the point of throwing my energy to pointless argument early in the morning when I had a better way to drain my energy?
The called time for diving was at 8:00 AM. So, I quickly went to other places to check for the availability for the rest of the stay in Coron. I managed to find a dormitory room that was beyond my imagination for what I could ask for. The dormitory room is equipped with air conditioning, comfortable beds with personal lockers, and en-suite bathroom with hot and cold shower. Besides, the room can accommodate for four persons only. Personally for me, it was a good bargain. I would recommend everyone to stay at Seahorse Guesthouse.
I spent the rest of the day at the sea. The first dive site was at Akitsushima. I dove for about 40 minutes and went deep as 34 meters. It was a priceless moment for me to be able to swim through the wreck and witness the Japanese shipwreck that sunken during the World War II. It gave me an eerie feeling while I was inside the wreck.
The second dive site was at Taei Maru. I dove for about 43 minutes and went deep as 25 meters. The visibility was not that good but it was an enjoyable dive.
The last dive of the day was at Lusong Coral Garden. I dove for about 45 minutes and went deep as 16.6 meters.
29/02/2016
I signed up for Coron Island Ultimate Tour which is known as Tour B1 with Coron Galeri. This is truly an ultimate tour for everyone, a whole day eco-trip which provides a variety of experience. I went for a minor hiking to see Kayangan Lake. It was a mesmerizing view that no one could deny. Later, I went swimming and snorkeling at Twin Peaks Reef and Calachuchi Coral Eden. The tour guide also brought me to Hidden Lagoon that the tranquil waters are surrounded by limestone formations. I had my picnic lunch at Isla Bulungan which has fine white sand. Before going back to Coron Town, I was brought to CYC Island for snorkeling and swimming. I paid 650 peso for Tour B1.
01/03/2016
I signed up for 3 dives a day with Coron Wreck Diving for 2,900 peso. The rate was a bit lower because the dive shop would drive you to the nearest village jetty to hop on the motorised banka. The jetty was much closer to where the World War II wreck was sunken. It was definitely a pleasing journey to pass by the local village. My dive sites for the day were Olympia Maru, Morazan Maru and East Tangat wreck. Personally, I did not enjoy my dives. This is due to the other two divers were quite new to diving and they had a high air consumption level. So, all the dives were average of 32 minutes.
02/03/2016
I went to Isnaiah’s stall to have my breakfast. As I had nothing particular to do today, I wandered along the streets with nothing on my mind. It was noon when I walked pass by the local school where the kids just finished their school and waiting for their parents to pick them up.
Later at night, I went to Coron Coliseum for Night of Dances. It was a competition among the local schools. It was such a pleasure to blend in with local to get a better understanding of their local dances.
03/03/2016
I signed up for Las Islas Tribal Eco which is known as Tour B2 with Coron Galeri. The first stop was at Siete Pecados Marine Park. It is claimed to be the best snorkeling sites in Coron. I also got the chance to experience the natural wonders of island called Barracuda Lake, home of beautiful rock formations above and below. I had my picnic lunch at Dimanglet White Beach. I was also brought to Coron Coral Triangle for another snorkeling and swimming activity. The final leg would be to immerse myself on a Lajala Cultural Village where Tagbanua indigenous communities could be observed in their natural way of living. I was brought to the new church of the Barangay Lajala where the original barangay chapel was devastated by typhoon Yolanda in 2013. I paid 750 peso for Tour B2.
04/03/2016
I was picked up as early as 5:30 in the morning for airport transfer. It was a smooth one hour journey to Francisco B. Reyes Airport. When I arrived, the queue to check in and drop my baggage was short. My flight was on time and I left Coron with such a heavy heart.
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