Day 1

Going to Coron is easy. Just take a plane heading to Busuanga and from Busuanga (Francisco Reyes Airport) , there’s a lot of Van there waiting to drop you off Coron Town proper. In town, there’s a lot of place to stay which offers different amenities and package suited for different kinds people and budget. Most of them is only walk-distance from each other. However, I suggest that you research or browse the internet first few days before heading to Coron on places to stay or visit so your precious time will not be wasted in deciding place to lodge in. There’s a lot of blogs out there regarding Coron. Else, you will also find few travel and tours shop along Coron Town national highway. Coron Town is so small that you can explore the place by foot in few minutes. So no need to worry much about places to stay, restaurant, bank, market, souvenir shop, etc…

Krystal Lodge

Of all the places I’ve searched on the web, Krystal Lodge is the one that caught my attention. Not to mention that two of my die-hard-traveler friends stayed here. So I guess, they have reasons and it’s for me to find out why. Hehehe.

At first, I’m kinda hesitant to go here judging the entrance itself. I’ve been travelling a lot and used to “good to the eye” accomodation. I thought it’s not nice to pass thru the houses of local Coron villagers. But I was wrong. Sometimes, first impression is nothing if you don’t give yourself a chance of rational thinking.

The owner is very nice and kinda wondering what the hell I’m doing there (in a good way.. hehehe). All rooms except for one are all occupied by foreigners. And most of the time, her customers are foreigners who really appreciates the place better than Filipinos do. When she showed me the room/cottage, it was love at first sight. There’s no TV nor aircondition but it’s really cool in the area. Fresh sea breeze is what you paid for here. Rooms are fresh and clean. Ambience is nice. Rate is so cheap. Water supply 24 hrs. The owner is one of the nicest person I’ve met in my whole life.

The only downside I see here in Krystal Lodge is they don’t offer food. So you need to go out everytime you wants to eat but I don’t see it as a major problem because there’s a lot of restaurant outside. 3-5 minute walk will give you the following restaurant:

- Amphibiko (Arrggg I forgot the exact name) – Japanese food
- Bistro – European/Italian food
- Nonoy’s – Filipino food
- others….

One of the best photos I took in my entire life was shot during my stay here in Krystal Lodge. As a photographer, I’m not expecting to have a good sunset view here but to my surprise, God gave me a chance to appreciate sunset in Coron. Sometimes, one or few photos is enough to make your travel worthy.

Krystal Lodge at night

Will I be back ? Definitely… as this time of writing, I’ve been browsing Cebu Pacific’s flight and my schedule. Hehehe…

Will I recommend this place to stay in Coron? – Well, it’s a matter of preference. If you like city comforts like aircondition, tv, hot and cold shower then this place is not for you. In my case, I love close to nature experience when I travel and Krystal Lodge answer my needs. Sea breeze, above water accomodation is kinda rare. I enjoyed my stay here and the owner is really nice. Oh, by the way, they have free wifi and too bad I didn’t bring a laptop during my stay.

Tips: Find the cheapest place you can find in Coron because the main dish here is Island Hopping. Going to islands will eat almost your entire day so staying in expensive lodge/hotel/ or resort is kinda not practical unless you can afford it.

Krystal Lodge
Mobile: 09282252090 / 09284108074
Telefax: 02-4536343
e-mail: raymondlangit@gmail.com

Anyway, my first impression to Eagle Point is Amazing!!! It’s a resort curved at the feet of a mountain. I can only imagine how expensive the owner invested for it. In order to get at the heart of the resort, you have to park your car at their private parking lot and a coaster will pick you up. That’s how big Eagle Point is..

What I like bout this resort is their dining area. It features a very nice view of the sea while eating their EXPENSIVE FOOD. hehehe…. The ambience is somewhat romantic though. I like it…

The beach front of Eagle Point is very rocky!!! They have nice swimming pools though. Sorry to disappoint you folks but if you like to enjoy sand, this resort is not for you.

To be honest, I’m not really a fanatic of Batangas beaches due to not so good beach sand, sunset and sunrise. But since I’m also a photographer, there are some interesting subjects that I discovered.

In summary, should I recommend the place? Well… not to everyone. The place is good for me but I understand what most travelers wants particularly when it comes to beaches and accomodation.

Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas – Philippines.

Bolinao is a nice place, worth the travel and everything. I’ll be back soon…

Seaside of Treasures of Bolinao Sunset View

Seaside view of Treasures of Bolinao

Long Exposure Shot

more pics to come…

Some photos I took:

For more info about the resort, please visit their official website: http://www.lighthousesubic.com/main.php

Punta De Uian – I found this interesting resort over the Internet few hours before I left Manila and decided to check it out. At first I was hesitant because this resort is somewhat hard to find. So what I did is bought a Zambales map from Select (NLEX Shell) and start from there.

The best way to go to Punta De Uian is to take SCTEX from NLEX Dau to Subic, head north till you reach San Antonio town.

Barangay Pundaquit, Road to Punta De Uian – Road is somewhat fair except for the last 2km. Though it’s not cemented, I think it’s ok coz it’s not that rocky (we got Honda Jazz as our ride by the way and it’s fine). This road reminds me of Bolinao path in early days.

Goat along the way… reminds you of province feel.

The Resort – as expected, the shoreline is not the best around Luzon (Color gray to black and kinda rocky). But the amenities is one of the best for the price. Beach front “VIEW” is “ok to good” maybe because of Capones Island near it. Rooms are clean with TV, hot and cold water, good view around the resort and the beach. Food is kinda expensive but tastes good. Some photos:

Whenever I go, I make sure that I capture a beautiful sunset or scenery.

This is the shot that nailed it all. Worth the roadtrip.. my time…. I was surprised to see this kind of sunset in Zambales. Or I guess I’m just lucky? hahaha…

Overall – Shall I come back ? Hmmm tough question. But I would answer “Maybe” for now. My standard for a “beach” is kinda high coz I’m the kind of person who doesn’t care if I just sleep in a Bahay Kubo as long as the beach is good to photograph. I’m into photography so I value scenery more than accomodation. Well it’s just me. But for the folks who’s looking for a better resort in Zambales, I highly recommend this resort.

Their website = http://www.puntadeuian.com

Bolinao Falls

You rarely see Bolinao Falls pictures on the Internet because it’s really hard to get there. You will be needing 4 x 4 SUV or at least a vehicle with good shock absorber because the road is very rocky. According to the native there, there are three falls in Bolinao, Tara falls, Bolinao Falls 1 and 2. I got only the chance to see Bolinao Falls 2 because we were in a Hurry to leave. I promise to present to you the 2 other falls in the future…

Note: Please, don’t steal my photos. I’ve really worked hard for every picture I present and not to mention I invested a lot for my camera and gears. If you need to use my photos, please e-mail me: glenn_mendoza@msn.com. I can give you my photos as long as you’re honest on what to do with it.

Enjoy some of the pics that I took…

Updated Contact Number: 09215592732
Website: www.treasuresofbolinao.com

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942, leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.

Although Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, the Philippine and American forces held out at Corregidor for 27 days against great odds. On May 6, 1942, their rations depleted, the Allied forces were forced to surrender Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army after having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia. It was only two years and ten months later in March 1945 when the Allied forces under the command of General MacArthur recaptured Corregidor … making good his promise to return to the Philippines.

The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past – a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice."

- www.corregidorisland.com/

Allow me to share photos I took:

Malinta Tunnel

South Dock

Bombed Port

Corregidor Church

South Dock from other angle

Ruins

Before I forget, this place used to be the rest house of former president Ferdinand Marcos.