Archive for category Philippines

What to expect in Coron Island, Palawan?

Posted by roanne in Philippines on April 28, 2010

Boat - Coron Island, Palawan

When you go to this ethereal place of Coron Island in Palawan, think about working out and backpacking. This place is filled of, uhm, water and land adventures that you have to be physically fit and prepared to climb and swim through the rest of the day (or depending on your itinerary).

Here’s the deal:

  • Mount Tapyas requires you to climb 750 steps. The stairs are cemented and in good condition, but 750 steps is no joke. Double that and you’ll get 1500!
  • Going to Kayangan Lake requires you to pace up and down 350 grueling steps (700 back and forth). By grueling, I mean uneven rocky steps and wobbly makeshift staircases.
  • Barracuda Lake has like around more or less 20 steps, but that requires climbing those very steep limestone rocks and avoid (free-) falling on them.
  • Of course, going to lakes and beaches surrounding this island requires you to swim and snorkel around. Get to enjoy the crystal waters as well as the awesome world beneath. Be wary of the sea urchins though. You can find lots in Shipwreck Lagoon, so donning a pair of aqua shoes is a must.

    • All lakes and beaches are teeming with corals, schools of various kinds of fishes and other forms of marine life. Witnessing such marine biodiversity will wow you and make you think twice on wasting precious water in the future.

    I wanna try scuba diving in Apo Reef next time, but hafta take scuba diving lessons first!

    Anyways, here’s my favorite spot: Kayangan Lake. Do not miss this should you go to Coron.

    Kayangan Lake in Coron Island, Palawan

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    At Kennon Road, Baguio City

    Posted by roanne in Baguio City, Philippines, Photography on April 25, 2010

    Kennon Road, Baguio City, Philippines - 2010 I'm Roanne

    Some random house in Kennon Road, Baguio City, Philippines

    To be honest, I wasn’t really all that excited going back to Baguio. The place just looks like Manila. :( It’s sad that it’s too commercialized already. Maybe it’s just me, ‘coz I yearn for some rustic type of place whenever I go out-of-town.

    Anyway, what’s nice about being in Baguio is the weather. Summer heat is much more bearable there than in the city.The weather was nice and a bit chilly when we got there, so strolling around wasn’t much of an ordeal. I also love Baguio’s ukay-ukay, lengua de gato, peanut brittle and even the sundot kulangot (some thick, sweetened coconut preserved encapsulated in a small circular fruit-like container).

    If Manila has Luneta Park, Baguio has Burnham Park where you can enjoy a nice picnic under the less aggressive sun.

    Burnham Park, Baguio City, Philippines - 2010 I'm Roanne

    Burnham Park, Baguio City, Philippines

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    At Coron Bistro, Coq Au Vin

    Posted by roanne in Coron Bistro, Food, Philippines on March 19, 2010

    Been to an out-of-town trip recently. I deserve a bit of a breather anyhow. Well, it’s not the R & R thing you could think of, but perhaps the trip itself deserves its own post.

    Here’s what I got for dinner during our second night. Well, I was able to try Coron’s finest seafood, so I opted for something way different that night—a French deli called Coq Au Vin in some place called Coron Bistro. It’s a braise of chicken, carrots and mushrooms swimming in red wine sauce. I paired it with french fries, which is a little Belgian of moi.

    Coq Au Vin at Coron Bistro in Coron, Palawan, Philippines

    (click on the image to enlarge)

    Verdict: It’s actually tasty and yummy! I love how chicken was braised soo perfectly, as ’twas really soft and tender. I also love the just-right taste of the red wine sauce. It’s not overpowering at all. My only concern was the so-so frites (french fries).

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