As we end Day 2, we had to look for something to bring home. Pasalubong hunt. Unluckily we were not able to find some items we can bring back to Manila. So we just walk around and eat at Lolo's carinderia. Since it was night and I am a super LOMI lover, its a must for me to try coron's local lomi. I ordered adobo, rice and I can't even remember and of course, LOMI. It's just fine and OK. Dinner is done and we need to sleep early for our Early Calauit Island Tour. Our call time is 4:00 AM.
Some facts in our group, Gerald is the alarm clock. He never fails to wake us all up. True enough! I ask him to set his alarm 2:30 AM so that everyone can take a bath before leaving. It was 2:30. Taking turn for the shower and we are ready for 4:00 departure. We were not told to check our Van in the gate so we just wait for big knock-on-the-door.
It's 4:30 and still no one is knocking. I already send an SMS to our tour coordinator Ate Brenda that our van hasn't arrived yet. I decided to check outside, I realized I should always follow my instinct. Kuya driver is waiting outside! The gate was closed so he just waited outside.
2 Hour Drive
It's still dark, usually I always stay beside the driver. On the passenger's seat, I can see the beauty of night time. Moon, stars and creepy shadows. My guys are sleeping so I just listen to my mp3 and just enjoy the dark highway. Once in a while, I am having some chit-chat with the driver. (sorry, I already forgot the name). For about an hour of rough drive, AG suddenly talks. "Kuya, wala ba tayong madadaanang pedeng mag-CR?" he asked. Kuya says that about an hour we will be on our destination for our breakfast. After 10 minutes, AG exclaimed, "kuya, wala ba talaga?, di ko na kaya eh." It's dark and we were like in the middle of nowhere. Kuya then stops and find the best Spot! KM35! Paul and Bajoy being Girlscouts, have wet wipes and alcohol. AG doesn't have a choice! He needs to let it GO! AT KM 35! With all the bushes, trees and creeps of night time. Too much for that stomach troubles, let's fast forward...
That's AG!
It's almost 6AM, we were about to arrived our Breakfast drop-off.
DAYON KAMO LODGE and KAREANAN
And were here,
The breakfast was normal! Hotsilog! We also have coffee and pandesal. Honestly, the pandesal is unbelievable! It was yummy. This is the kind of pandesal I'm longing to taste.
After the breakfast, Nene the Dog is playing with us. She is the sweetest dog I've ever seen.
I'm gonna see you on lunch Nene, we're now going to our Calauit Island Tour!
More rough rides, malubak, maputik, maiksi... It's really a hard drive and an unbelievable road!
Since I was on the passengers seat. I had a lot of talks with kuya driver. I learned about the history of Calauit Island and how it was put-up.
It was during the Marcos Regime, when President Ferdinand Marcos volunteered the country to be the home of the Kenya Animals like giraffe, gazelle, zebra and elands. As per our driver, only President Marcos raised hands when president of Kenya ask a favor to transfer some of their wildlife to ensure continuity of wildlife due to the diminishing animal population. Learn more about Calauit Island.
Calaiut Island is now a sanctuary for Wildlife. Local animals together with the transported animals from Kenya are local Palawan wildlife. Among the Palawan local wildlife were Mouse Deer, Peacock Pheasant, Palawan Deer, Palawan Bearcat, Wild Boar, Crocodiles, Alamid Cat, Monkeys, Eagle, Porcupine and Turtles.
By the way we finally reach our destination, we will be transferring to the Calauit Island Proper using a motorboat. The boat cost PHP 400 back and forth.
Calauit Island
We reached Calauit Island. Entrance fee is Php200 per head and PHP1000 for the truck/rover. We waited for the firs group to finish since we arrived a little later. As a usual thing, we took pictures around and we had some pack snacks so we make used to the time to chill and talk.
As we are posing and playing on the swing and seesaw, we were introduce to our guide Kuya Ruben/Robin.
While waiting on the hut, our driver bring in the Ice cream of the giraffes. Leaves of a locally grown tree in Calauit. I can't remember the name but the leaves is like minty in smell and it looks like leaves of balete. haha, I'm not even sure with my description.
Suddenly, the giraffes are coming nearer to the hut. They might have smell the leaves brought by our driver.
And so...
3 Giraffes came into the hut. It was enough for us, but of course we do want to see the herd. Kuya Robin was saying there were about 27 new island born/breed of giraffe from the original 11 from Kenya.
We then boarded to the rover to check out the zebra, deer, gazelles and other animal.
Zebra
Giraffe
Crocodile
Monkey
More Giraffe
Gazelle
When we are in the middle of our tour, Joseph feels the same feeling he feels yesterday! Yes! The forest this time. He says baboons were looking while he is doing the did! hahaha
Alamid Cat
That was like 2 hours of roaming on the wild and we had enough. It was indeed a memorable experience.
That's the final leg of the trip. We are now going back to Coron. But before that, we will still have lunch at Karaenan, Dayon Kamo Lodge. It's the same way back, rough road!
Lunch Time
Lunch is almost ready when we reached Busuanga.
Earlier that morning, we were ask what do we like for lunch. As they claim that seafood is fresh in their place, so we go for seafood. I ask for shrimp and fish for everyones benefit. I was not actually a seafood lover but due to my guys, I have to think of what they like. (the kindness in me. lol)
Lunch is ready and were ready to dig in.
Sinigang na Hipon and pinaputok na isda (not tilapia). Isn't that lovely? This time I was able to enjoy seafood! The shrimp has this sweet taste, one character of a fresh seafood! I really enjoy the lunch. After we got so full from that beautiful lunch, we had some spare time to spent and the owner Ate Violy gave us their calling card. She also tour us around their lodge and have a good chat to us.
Ate Violy is a Manila girl. She is a midwife at her time, she was assigned for Busuanga for 2-3 months. She admit, she fell-in love to the place and of course to the love of her life. They have 3 kids. I remember her youngest is now 28 if I recall it correctly. Her eldest is now a police woman, the second (32y/o) is the manager of the restaurant and lodge (saw him in breakfast, meztiso at pogi) and her youngest is in abroad. It's a long and a really good story! If you will plan to go to Calauit, make sure to drop-by this place. Learn more about Dayon Kamo by visiting their Facebook account.
We enjoy everything. Ate Violy really knows how to entertain. See you soon!
After the good talk, we were now on our way to Conception falls. We will just drop-off to see the place.
Did I say we will just see the place? hahaha, Yes, we did. Hit the water! How can you resist the clear, cold and refreshing water? We don't actually bring some extra baggage so for me I had to hit the water in my briefs. lol. Don't worry, I don't keep pictures and you will not see any! hahaha
It was over, the mesmerizing water shortly relieves us. Back on the road.
At about 4:00 in the afternoon we reach Amphibiko.
Since I ask them to visit the church, we immediately took the shower and go for dinner. About to get dark, we go to their church and say a little prayer. Thank you Lord for this very wonderful experience.
In our group, I am Mr. Congeniality so I was able to had a good talk with tricycle drivers, guides and some locals. AG and I asked our Trike driver on Day 1 what's the best place to have a night out. So we go to Kawayanan Grill Station.
The food was fine. So we decided to have to end the night with a drink. We had red horse and sanmig Lights. It was all fun. and ohh BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our dearest BAJOY!
We got to sleep early since our flight back to Manila is 9:00 AM. We still need to do some pasalubong shopping.
That is the end of our Coron Adventure! All-in-all I spent Less than PHP 8500 (including seat sale, pasalubong and everything).
For those planning to go for a Coron Adventure, don't hesitate. For me it is "The Adventure". Enjoy!
