Paradise Palawan Adventure

I and my friend were so excited for our trip going to Coron, Palawan. We will be going there without any reservation except for our plane tickets. We tried searching via internet for cheaper hotels or inns but we could not find a place for our liking. We were wondering though if we could find a local family who could accommodate us in their house (of course we will pay) but we did not know. I prefer to stay or live with a local family or with a group of local people rather than hotels or inns. For me, socializing and interacting with the local will let me know more about them, their culture, beliefs etc. This will give me more contentment aside from the beautiful and scenic islands that Palawan offers.

An experience I will never forget. Here  are some of the pictures we had during our trip. Enjoy!

While we were at the boarding area of NAIA Terminal 3, there was a woman who asked about our itinerary. She looked nice and like a mother to us so we talked to her. She later found out we did not have any hotel bookings, hence, she offered her house and left us to decide the amount we would like to give. We could not decide so we said we wanted to see the house first. Jeez!
We got on Cebu Pacific plane to reach Busuanga and then rode a van going to the town proper which took us almost an hour trip for Php 150 per person.

Going up to Mt. Tapyas which is a 30 minute trek from the town
proper. 

It was already dark when we arrived at the town. The woman showed us her house which was I think about four story and was still under construction. The place was nice and so with the room so we agreed. She still left us to decide about the amount to be paid.                                                                                      
She and her husband were very accommodating. The house was actually for tourist inn once the construction is done.

A huge cross seen at the top of  Mt. Tapyas

                                                                                                                                                                                           

A panoramic fantastic view overlooking the town and the neighboring islands. 

After an early morning trek to Mt. Tapyas, we headed down to an office to book for our island hopping. I forgot the names of the islands we visited but there was a package deal for the whole day visit to the different islands. Amount per head depends on the islands to be visited. We did not know any good island so we just paid the cheapest package deal inclusive of lunch and tour guide fee on that day. We tried to haggle for a lower price and the owner told us she would be giving it the next day. When we went to the port,  the boat aboard some tourists inside was ready and only waiting for the two of us. Good thing they were all nice and understood when we apologetically explained we just came from Mt. Tapyas. :)

We were 8 inside the boat. Two locals as our tour guide and captain of the boat, a couple from Spain and another couple from Manila. On our way to the different islands, we talked with the other tourists about their stay and the places they already visited. We also learned from the foreigners that they paid at least Php 3, 500 for that day's island hopping only while the other paid  Php 10,000 for three days inclusive of 2 days island hopping tour, meals and accommodation in an inn. For us, we paid less than a thousand peso per head  for that day's tour only. They were surprised about it when we told them. 

It was on this day that I enjoyed especially snorkeling. Wow! It was my first time to see those sunken ships, different lively corals, different school of fish, etc etc. Though those sea creatures look beautiful, I was still nervous every time I thought I got near them. I felt like they could just swallow me anytime. 

On our second day, we took another package which was second to the most expensive deal just  so we could see the difference.  We kept on bargaining with the owner to lessen the price as she promised. She actually changed her mind because the islands we will be going were a bit far and depends on the entrance per head and per island. We got late again and the boat was only waiting for us. Jeez! 

We saw familiar faces as we approached the boat and they were waiving and joking about us being late. They were the Spanish couple. Someone (couple from Manila)  from the other boat containing at least 20 tourists who were mostly Koreans waved and teased us being sad to be separated from us.  They wanted to join us but they were declined by the man who booked them for that trip.

We entered the boat and met new faces this time. A couple from Thailand (a German and Thai), a tanned skin teenage girl sitting next to an older man (Briton or Aussie, not so sure), our captain of the boat and another tour guide for a total of 11 people. On our way, the German asked this Brit/ Aussie man if the girl beside him was his friend. When he said yes, their conversation continued. When I looked at the Spanish couple, they were smiling towards us.

We went at the back end of the boat and found our tour guides busy grilling the fish. We talked and joke with them while taking pictures. We learned from them that they know the young girl and lives in this place. 

We stopped on our scheduled first island visit and had our swimming. We bonded with the others especially the Spanish couple and the tour guides. Later that day, the young girl joined us already while the two guides kept on teasing her about her friend. This gave us the chance to talk to her about them. I and my friend did not want to lecture her on  what she must and must not do. We only advised her to be wise. We were surprised when she asked us questions and our opinions. We shared our thoughts based on our experience dealing with different people. 

Now comes the picture here there and everywhere moment. Everyone was busy posing and taking pictures when suddenly, this Brit/Aussie man approached the German who had a nice DSLR camera and asked him to take picture of him with the young girl. I think at that moment, everyone had their own opinions already but just kept it to their selves.

Back to the islands. There's not much difference with out first day island visit except for the Barracuda Lake. The water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. We were not able to visit Culion Island which they say was once the world's largest leper colony. We did not have much time for the travel since it would take at least a day to be able to enjoy the island..so sad.

I hope to go there again in the future. 

Coron Island, Palawan

Coron, Palawan

Cordillera Song: Montanosa

Montañosa a nagan, ili a kaigorotan

Ta isu ti kadakkelan a probinsya ti pagilyan

Gapu ti kalawa na, isu nga pinagkap-at da

Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc ken Kalinga-Apayao

Ili mi jay Sagada, Nagado ti turista

Jay Bontoc ti kabisera ta ijay ti sentro na

Maysa met a kapintasan dito’y sangalubungan

Inagdan a kabite, Rice terraces jay banaue

Kakabsat a madaydayaw inkam man ipasindayaw

Tattao jay Ifugao narespeto ken nadayaw

Maysa met a probinsya makuna a Kalinga

Nagtitirad ti agong da nala-ing da pay a gumangsa

Ili da jay Apayao awan kano ti agtaktakaw

Agkawara ti karabaw ngem awan met ti mapukaw

No panggep ti kaykayo nagado jay hundred two

No kayat yo ti repolyo, mountain trail papanan yo

Napessak a babalasang nagado jay Kapangan

No panggep iti kukod mapan kayo ijay Bokod

No minas iti silaw naglawa jay Ambuklao

No minas ti patatas mapan kayo ijay Buguias

No minas ti balitoc, Philex, Balatoc ken Antamok

No minas iti gambang i-jay Lepanto, Mankayan

No ado ti ta- tao, mas karkaro ditoy Baguio

Ngem awan kano sirbin ti Baguio nu awan ti basurero

Saan yo a liplipatan tay lugar a Taluan

Ta isu ti nagtsamba-an bulakbol a ka-aduan

No panggep ti pag-gudtayman, 168 ti papanan

ta ijay ti pagsasabatan babaros ken babalasang

Ken sadino man ti papanan, intero nga amianan

Awan ti pagdanagan nu Dangwa bus ti pagluganan

Trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I had been crossing the border of Singapore and Malaysia for a number of times already. I was always in Johor Bahru mostly hunting for food and other delicacies if not watching movie at the mall. This time, one of my colleagues brought me to Kuala Lumpur to spend new year. She wanted us to take the plane to lessen our travel time but I suggested her to try the bus from Johor Bahru to KL. I reasoned out that travel would almost be the same by plane since we need to be at the airport 2 hours before our scheduled flight and at least an hour travel going to the airport. It would be an experience especially to her who does not always take long trips.

Malaysia

From Woodlands, we took the bus going to Larkin in Johor where the terminal of the coach/buses going to KL is located. We bought our ticket cost around 35 RM at the ticketing office. It is cheaper to buy ticket in Larkin than in Singapore. If you take the coach from Singapore to Malaysia, you will pay 30 SGD which is a bit expensive than in RM.

The trip run for about 4 to 5 hours from Johor. My colleague was asleep all the way while I was awake for the duration of the trip. I enjoyed looking outside my window and might be because I am used to long trips.

Couch Station in Malaysia

We alighted at the terminal and took the train going to the city. We had difficulty locating the right station going to where we booked our hotel. Mostly first timers got confused on the signs at the train stations.

Waiting for the train going to KL

Inside the train

We were able to find our hotel which was a few kilometers away from the main city and rested for the following day activities.

Went around the city the next day.

Jalan Petaling/Kasturi Walk

Looked around until we saw these signs.

At Petaling Street

We shopped some items for cheaper prices. This is like Divisoria/Quiapo/Baclaran  in the Philippines.

We also tried some street foods while on our way to the big mall.    

                    I                                            

     Inside Petronas Tower

Petronas Tower at night

Petronas Tower during the day                                        

Update: Fellows asking help in Orchard

I shared an encounter about a fellow asking $6.00.00 along Orchard.

Precy Gonzales

Here is an update on this. A month after our encounter with her, I again met her at Orchard MRT station near an escalator going up to Wisma Atria. She approached me sporting a pitiful look while asking me if I am a Filipina. I looked at her and asked what she was doing in Orchard. She then went to talk about her being abused, no work blah blah blah.

One thing caught my attention. She just had her new Malaysian passport issued on that day in Johor Bahru. I was really surprised but doubting if the passport was real. She showed me her Malaysian passport and indeed it's true. Singapore stamp is on the first page of her passport.

This made me really wonder what this woman is doing in Malaysia and Singapore.

She was trying to buy me with her story of being abused and everything like the first time we met her. I told her we met already and then asked her what happened to the money I and friend gave. She again told me she was not able to go to Malaysia that time because there was no available bus and it was night time.

I was running out of patience because of her unbelievable story. I told her I will help her but I need to ask for police assistance. She suddenly turned around and left.