We had three days in Coron and probably could have done with an extra day. We did manage to check out the town, the hot springs and did a couple of day trips, so we still got a good taste of Coron, before heading off on our Tao island-hopping expedition.
January 18
At 1310 we hopped on our connecting flight PR2680 to Coron.
We landed at 1435, paid our island tax (200PHP each) and hopped in a shuttle to our hotel – Jai-Cob’s Suites hotel.
We spent $717 for four rooms for three nights. It wasn’t cheap but we thought we should give ourselves some space seeing as though we were going to be spending seven days and nights together on the Tao sailing trip.
It took us about 45 minutes from Francisco B. Reyes Airport to Jai-cob Suites, and so we rolled in around 1630.
We organised a transfer through the hotel and it cost us 1000PHP or $27.25 for the four of us.
We had a quick freshen up and then decided to take advantage of the afternoon to check out the Maquinit Hot Springs.
We paid a guy 1000PHP or $27.50 to take us to the springs, wait for us, and bring us home when we were done.
The trip was only about 20 minutes but it was a pretty bumpy ride.
Entry to the springs cost the same (1000PHP or $27.50) for the four of us.
We spent an hour or so soaking in the hot baths, chilling, and exploring the complex before getting changed and going out to find our driver.
For dinner we went to Levin Eatery – high up on the rooftop of one of the buildings on the main street. The food was good and the staff (who all seemed to be ladyboys) all seemed cool too.
Thursday 19th
We had a spare day before our friends arrived and wanted to do a day trip.
We’d already been to a couple of islands, and were about to do a seven-day island hopping adventure, so we decided to do an island trip – which would take in Calauit Safari Park, and Black Island.
They collected us from the hotel at 0830 and we were on the way.
The drive up north was a rough one, and took us about 2 hours.
You also have to get on a little boat for a short trip across to the peninsula.
Once we arrived, there was a bit of stuffing around signing disclaimers and then like, but before we knew it we were on the back of our safari jeep, heading off in search of the critters.
We spent about three hours at the park and got some epic photos with the Giraffes and zebras.
They also had a heap of creepy crawly reptiles that we could poke and prod.
I’m not generally into zoos and the like, and having been on safari a couple of times. I wasn’t totally sold on the tour, but the experience was great and you really got to get up close and personal with the animals.
When we were done harassing the animals, we were back on the jeep and the boat, headed back for the mainland.
About ten minutes down the road we stopped at Buluang Fishpond Restaurant for lunch.
Around 1430 we were back on the road headed for New Busuanga to take our boat to Black Island.
I’m not sure what any of us thought Black Island might be like, but we were all impressed at our first glimpses.
A small white beach skirted round the island with huge black, jagged limestone cliffs jutting out of the centre. The water was beautiful and clean and best of all, we basically had the entire island to ourselves.
We spent a few hours exploring the caves on the island, inspecting its huge lizards and swimming in its crystal clear waters.
I even managed to get the drone up for a while.
Eventually it was time to say goodbye, and start our long journey back to Coron Town.
We met our friends and ended up at Trattoria Altrove for dinner.
And then there were six.
Friday 20th
I was up before 0500 (probably still jet lagged) and so I decided to hike up Mount Taypas for sunrise
It’s not the easiest climb – there are more than 700 steps to the top of the 210 metre mountain – but it’s pretty straight forward.
I caught the sunrise and got some cool shots before heading back to the hotel by 0730.
An hour later the driver arrived to take us to the port for our tour.
We’d opted for the Ultimate Coron Tour and decided to get a private boat, seeing as though we were now a group of six.
The tour cost us 14420PHP or about $393 and we paid an extra 1500PHP/$41 for a Kayak we hardly used and 900PHP/$24.50 for snorkeling gear.
First stop on the tour was a very busy Kayangang Lake.
Next up, the Twin Lagoons.
We also stopped at Sunset Beach for lunch.
I probably would have liked to have gone to Barracuda Lake because people rave about it but I think we ran out of time. I guess it was probably more of the same anyway.
We got back to civilisation around 1600 have a quick freshen up before heading to the Tao headquarters for our briefing.
We met all the other people on the expedition, had a drink of their infamous jungle juice and then headed off into the night.
For dinner we try another one of the Philippines’ infamous fast food outlets: Andox Chicken.
Saturday 21st
We left the hotel bright and early and headed down to the port to meet our crew and fellow adventurers.
The next five days were a bit of a blur of islands, unique Tao Camps, snorkeling, swimming, sunbaking, eating, drinking and chilling.
I’ll write a separate post about the Tao experience here.
