A Change of Scenery: Coron, Palawan - Day 1

Just as the title said that's what my friend Therese told me one day, that she needed a change of scenery.  Working at home can have its toll. You work, you eat, you sleep at home. I had a hard time adjusting from office work to home work but eventually got used to it after probably half a year. So, after a short time contemplating I told Therese that I'm game but our trip should be very cheap as I'm trying to save up. We agreed to look for an out-of-town deal in the Luzon area since it's nearer. After a few days of looking around deal sites we spotted many great out-of-town deals since it was off-peak season (rainy season). We considered Tagaytay, Zambales, etc. but we ended up looking through deals in the Visayas area as well since it was incredibly cheap and comparable to the Luzon deals. Cebu was our first choice. There was an island called Camotes in Cebu that first sparked our interest. It was cheap, it was isolated and it was lovely. A change of scenery would be perfect there. But because the travel agency wasn't replying to our emails we went ahead and looked for other deals. It was a blessing in disguise because we ended up finding a great deal in Coron, Palawan with tours and everything. We lost no time buying the deal and went to the agency for booking. The booking part was tricky since it was the rainy season but Therese was dead set on the date which is Sept 15-Sept 17. I was a bit reluctant but we were super lucky. Those days were the only days it wasn't raining in Luzon until October :P.

So below is a journal of our trip to Coron, Palawan. Hope you enjoy the pics and find it helpful if you're planning to go there.

Manila to Coron

at the terminal in NAIA 3

inside Cebu Pacific plane

one of the islands of Palawan

arrived at Busuanga airport (airphil express plane can be seen as well)

our plane

entrance to the airport

the plane's passengers going in their respective vans

all vans on the way to their respective hotels

roads are pretty good

at Coron town (simple, clean town with friendly people)

we arrived at the pier

our next ride to our hotel

person from the hotel waiting for us

restaurants at Coron town. just imagine the fresh seafood!

on our way to the hotel

free boat ride to and from the hotel

Dive Link Resort

Dive Link Resort from afar

Dive Link Resort

Dive Link Resort

Dive Link Resort

walkway to the resort

swimming pool

our welcome drinks fresh from the trees!

view from our room

nice quiet place

walking around the resort

rental huts

rental huts

rental huts

there's a basketball court

walking around the resort

walking around the resort

peaceful afternoon sunset

at the sunset deck

very nice to go kayaking on those peaceful waters

starfishes!

 Coron Town Tour

free ride back to town for some tour

we're going to climb that cross later at Mt. Tapyas

the public market!

Coron town

Coron town

going up the mountain

view from Mt. Tapyas

view of the cross (we didn't make it to the top :P)

view from Mt. Tapyas

at the bottom of Mt. Tapyas

peanut brittle factory

At Kawayanan Grill Station

We had Red Crab and Kinilaw (raw fish in vinegar)

sisig as well

Cross at Mt. Tapyas at night

town lights

Dive Link Resort walkway at night

very peaceful moonlit night

view from our room at night

• Click here for Day 2

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Brownies and cupcakes from Bread Monster

My sister brought home these heavenly brownies and cupcakes one day from the Fort. I'm a fan of Brownies Unlimited and I really don't know other brownie brands who are as good as them. Until now that is. Well the cupcakes and brownies from Bread Monster really tastes so good, has a fluffier texture to it and has that melt in your mouth kind of feel. Although it's really good I still can say the chewiness of the brownies in Brownies Unlimited is something I will always crave for especially their Rocky Road. But if you want something new, a different feel but with the same satisfaction then try this out from Bread Monster. My sister said they're located in Market Market at the Fort. Enjoy!

brownies and cupcakes from Bread Monster

food

Dragged at Café Breton, Westgate

I just accompanied my older sister to the mall one weekend to go to the salon and she going to have a facial. It's just one relaxing afternoon and after I'm done I just went to my sister's derma and was ready to go home. So while I waiting for her to come out I was quite shocked when I saw a friend of hers greeting me in front of the derma place. I thought what a coincidence but wait, is it? Then I realized we're both waiting for my sister. As it turns out they're going to hang out. Wow very nice of my sis not to inform me. She did give me a choice though, either she'll take me home first or her friend is going to treat us both out. I really wanted to go home and relax but of course it's kinda rude so I went with them anyway. Yes the treat didn't entice me at all, believe it or not. Hmp.

I'm glad I went anyway. It's been a while since I went to Cafe Breton. Too bad it's not my younger sister who went with them. She's the one who's been wanting crepes for the longest time. I didn't feel like eating dinner though since I'm hung up with this Scottish actor. *Sigh* it's one of my phases when I admire someone so much. So I went straight to dessert since I can eat sweets even if I don't feel hungry.

My sister's friend ordered Galette Paysanne, a whole Hungarian sausage, onions, egg, asparagus with cheese sauce, with Hungarian sausage slices; for my sister the Poseidon, Smoked salmon, dill sauce, sour cream, capers; and mine Strawberry Short Crepe, Strawberry preserve in syrup and cream, a generous serving of strawberry ice cream topped with whipped cream.

I tasted the sausage and salmon. They're both great. The salmon maybe a little too small for its price. I'm not sure if one will get full in that. But my crepe is humungous! It's not a camera trick. It's really that big. I mean the plate is big already and the crepe is almost covering the whole plate. I'm satisfied with my dessert or maybe it was too much for me. It's best when you're sharing it with another person. I love the quiet ambiance of the place. I love their food. I love Cafe Breton at Westgate.

Galette Paysanne and strawberry milkshake

Poseidon

Strawberry Short Crepe

Poseidon and Strawberry Short Crepe with white wine and mango juice

desserts

Cielin's Peaches and Almond Cake

Cielin's Cake House has a new dessert and it's called Peaches and Almond Cake. We were deciding whether to try their old bestseller, Mango Torte, or this one and decided to go for their newest creation instead. I have posted before about their Lemon Meringue Torte and I find this cake similar to that except it has peaches in it. I love this one better though because of the almonds! The 'something' missing in the Lemon Meringue Torte I found it here in Peaches and Almond and that is the crispiness! I love that there is a crunch to every bite. I love the cream and I love the peaches. My mom said it probably lacked peaches but I didn't mind. I felt whatever fruit you put inside this cake it will still be great! I really love this new creation!

Cielin's Peaches and Almond Cake

Close up Peaches and Almond Cake

Cross-section of Peaches and Almond Cake

Slide of Peaches and Almond Cake

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Harry Potter 7 part 2 and Tender Bob's

 On the third Saturday of this month me and my friend Therese decided to have lunch at Tender Bob's after watching the last installment of the Harry Potter movie saga. We have planned this day for weeks knowing that there will be an early reservation for a Harry Potter movie. We've learned our lesson before not to take chances with Harry Potter or we'll end up falling in a very long line or not be able to watch the movie at all due to limited seats. So, we always reserve in advance a week or two before the showing. We didn't want to watch it in 3D. We wanted to concentrate more on the story than the effects. After the movie though I'm thinking maybe watching it in 3D would have been better since there's not much story to hang on to. Anyway I didn't cry during the movie. Only afterwards when I got home and my family wanted me to give detailed accounts of what I saw then did I start to feel a lump in my throat for Prof. Snape and also then did I realize what a wonderful story it is. But maybe I felt teary eyed also because I'm going to miss all of them. Just like Harry and the gang it's the end of our youthful days and it's time to move on. Someday I'm sure HBO or Star Movies will have a Harry Potter marathon in their channel. I'm sure I would be one to watch that.

After a very intense movie it's nice to know you'll be dining in a good place. Tender Bob's is known for their steaks and Therese had always loved them so this is where we had lunch. I ordered their USDA Prime Ribeye Steak (6 oz) because it's what they're known for and even though I rarely order steak I remember I'm always fond of them. My good experiences were at Stone Grill and Circles in Shangri-La Hotel. I loved both their steaks and I always ask for medium rare. So that's what I got at Tender Bob's as well. Therese didn't order their USDA because she was concerned of the taste. She even asked the waitress what they'll put in it and the response was just salt and pepper. Therese knew it will be bland for her so she didn't order it. I think it would be the same with most Filipinos. This didn't stop me though. Ever since my "less-carb" diet my taste had become sensitive and I started appreciating less salty and less sugary food. I'm glad for this because I really appreciated their USDA Prime Ribeye. As you can see it's not that thick but it made me full fast. It's so juicy, tender and you can taste the high grade meat if you're not using any condiments. I was racing against time because the room was cold and my steak was getting cold fast. I knew it wouldn't taste good if it's not warm. My mouth is watering now just by looking at it and remembering the taste. I would definitely go back to this resto again.

Tender Bob's USDA Prime Ribeye Steak - Hungry size 6 oz. - medium rare

Since Therese wanted medium well and more flavor in her meats she ordered their Baby Back ribs and Porter House Steak from their Domestic Premium Steaks line. I tried her Baby Back Ribs and it was superb. Very soft and tender unlike from other restaurants that seemed dry and overcooked. The Porter House was flavorful indeed perfect for Filipino taste. Since I only tasted these I'll definitely come back again and order a plate for myself.

Tender Bob's Baby Back Ribs

Tender Bob's Porter House Steak

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