Day Trip to Lokrum Island

Head to Lokrum Island to escape the crowds in Old Town.

Peace out in Lokrum

One of the things that you should take note when in Dubrovnik is the dates when cruise ships are expected to dock at the Old Town so you can escape the crowded town by going on side trips instead.

Photo by the Lokrum Port

Lokrum Island

Just a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik port, Lokrum Island is a good side/day-trip from Old Town. The ferries leave every half an hour from the port during peak/summer season. The trip lasts for about 15 minutes and costs 40 Kuna.

Ferry Ticket for Lokrum

Things To Do

Lunch and Picnic

Picnic benches scattered all around the island

Pack your own food or have lunch at the on-site restaurants

Game of Thrones

A GOT filming location

The Iron Throne

Botanical Gardens planted during the 19th century.

Botanical Gardens

Swimming sites in-land or along the rocky coast.

On the lakes

Jump into the water!

Or use the pool ladders to go into the deep cool water

Benedictine Monastery built in medieval times.

Path to the Benedictine Monastery

Sunbathing

Along the lakes

Along the rocky shore

Take note of the times of the last 2-3 boats leaving the island to make sure that you get back to the main land as these would be peak times and there is a possibility that you would have to wait to board the next boat when the boat gets full of passengers.

Coronicles: Island Hopping in Coron

'I Love Coron' pose at Kayangan Lake

Aside from climbing the famous 724-step Mt. Tapyas, island hopping would have to be the highlight attraction of Coron. There are already some pre-arranged packages available but we wanted to visit all of the Coron highlights. So we booked a private boat tour at Coron Galeri originally priced at 1300 per pax for 3 persons inclusive of the following:

- entrance fees (all destinations are priced 100 pesos per pax except for Kayangan Lake which charges 200 pesos per pax)

- private boat

- 2 boat guides

- PFD/life vests

- buffet lunch

- environmental fees

But then, we met a couple while we were booking who were willing to come along with us, so the price went down to 750 per pax (for 5 persons) plus the additional 300 pesos entrance fees for the additional destinations we'd like to cover. So our island hopping fee was only 1050 per pax. We rented 150 pesos worth of snorkeling gear at the shop before we boarded the boat.

The original destinations included in the tour are:

- Kayangan Lake

- CYC island

- Bulongan island

- Coral garden/calachuchi
- Giant Clams Sanctuary

- Hidden Lagoon

We added Barracuda Lake, Siete Pecados and the Twin Lagoons, and removed CYC island in our itinerary.

There are lots of stores around town offering different packages. So you can just canvass and look around first before you choose the package that suits you. We opted for this package because after comparing the prices between having a tour package versus hiring a private boat at the pier, we found that the latter was cheaper by only 200 pesos or so but entails much more effort on our part:

i.e. the boat alone is priced at around 1500 depending on your haggling skills, which if divided by 3 would be 500 pesos, and then we have to pay for the entrance fees per destination, which was 900 (since we wanted to go to 9 destinations), and then we still have to buy all of the ingredients for our lunch (which the boatmen should have already agreed that they will cook the food for lunch). The total is 1300 per pax with much more effort and time consumption.

I recommend such plan to be much more suitable for bigger groups (4 or more persons) so as to save money when you divide the price of the rental fee for the boat. But again, consider the effort and time to be consumed as well.

Our group met at Coron Galeri at around 8 in the morning, and luckily the sun was high above the sky. We walked for around 10 minutes to the pier where our boat was docked. Whenever on board, you'd be advised to always wear your PFD.

Tour Hugot

Since our group is a special tour package, we can choose the order of visiting the destinations, as well as the amount of time we wanted to spend per site.

We first headed to Siete Pecados.

Spot the Siete Pecados sign

This site became famous because this was where, allegedly, one tourist 'stepped' on some sea urchin causing him to have an anaphylactic shock resulting to his death. The site has a legend in which there were seven sisters who disappeared while crossing this body of water after disobeying their parents and secretly attending a dance in town. After their supposed disappearance, 7 limestone formations began to grow on the site representing the fallen sisters.

4 of 7 in Siete Pecados

Coral reefs and marine life surround each limestone formation, and thus this site is good for snorkeling. Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes

Next stop was the Hidden Lagoon.

Groupie at Hidden Lagoon

We had the lagoon all to ourselves. The water was about 7-8 ft deep, and its color is powder blue with some hints of being green. The water was a mixture of salt and fresh water with some parts being cold and other parts being warm; it is a good place for swimming. You won't be needing your snorkeling gear here because you won't be seeing anything here. Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes.

Cyan-colored water of Hidden Lagoon

We then headed to the Twin Lagoons. 

Here we had to pay for our entrance fee because this was one of the sites we added on top of the original 6 tour destinations.

Line up and go under

You'll leave the boat at Lagoon 1, and then during low tide, your group can form a line and float in a lying down position to pass underneath the small opening to enter Lagoon 2. During high tide, you would have to climb a ladder to go over some rocks connecting the two lagoons. Here the water is deep and is dark green, and is also a mixture of cold and warm water making it a good place for swimming. Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes.

It started to drizzle but we weren't hungry yet, so we decided to head to Barracuda Lake. 

Entrance to Barracuda Lake

We payed the entrance fee, and then proceeded to climb the steep wooden steps to the lake.

Steep stairs to Barracuda Lake

Here, supposedly, you can spot some barracudas at the bottom if you have a diving gear. The water here is fresh water and is dark blue. You can try to use your snorkeling gear to view the limestone formations on the side of the planks, but other than that, there's nothing much to see. Nonetheless, it's a good place to swim. Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes.

It was already past noon, so we went to have our buffet lunch at Bulongan Island.

Bulongan Island

The island has a short strip of beach with 3 nipa huts where you can dine. We chose the one on the far right of the island and had a hearty and serene lunch. The meal was delicious and simply cooked, and consisted of 2 large grilled fish, seaweeds in vinegar sauce, rice, banana, and liempo. They also provided bottled water. Aside from having lunch in the island, you can snorkel or just wade along the waves by the beach. Recommended length of stay: 1 hour.

Simple Lunch

We then had a short stop at Calachuchi.

Calachuchi/Coral Garden

It's just a few meters from Bulongan Island. It's a small limestone formation with a calachuchi tree. But has some coral reef and various kinds of fishes. But the current here is strong. Nonetheless, it's good place for snorkeling. Recommended length of stay: <30 minutes.="" p="">

Save the best for last: Kayangan Lake.

The most photographed view in Coron

Kayangan Lake is considered as the cleanest lake in Asia. The water is crystal clear and is cyan-colored. There are some rafts which you can use to explore the lake.

Kayangan Lake Cave Entrance

It also has a cave on its left side, and you can explore it for a good 10 to 15 minutes. But there's nothing much to see there. 

 

Because the water is crystal clear, you can actually see the bottom of the lake.

Kayangan view deck

Steps to Kayangan Lake

You have to climb approximately 150 steps to get to the lake. But the funny part is that the most photographed scenery in Coron isn't actually the lake itself but the limestone formations on the lake where you will dock. And you will see this spectacular view after climbing some steps towards the real Kayangan lake.

Real Kayangan Lake

This place is good for swimming. Recommended length of stay: 1 hour or +.

The group at a bamboo raft in Kayangan Lake

Things to do in Nilandingan Cove

Aside from lounging by the beach, enjoying and spending your own 'me time' with however you like, there are lots of other activities you can do at Nilandingan Cove.

Beach hammock

For free:

SWIM or JACUZZI

Nature's Jacuzzi

 At high tide, you can just sit by the beach while enjoying the sometimes warm or lukewarm temperature of the water. It's nice to soak yourself while massaging your tired feet or muscles.

During low tide, the water recedes very far out to the sea revealing craters of nature's very own version of a Jacuzzi. The clear water is lukewarm resembling that of a Jacuzzi.

MAGIC TREE and MANGROVES

The Magic Tree

At low tide, on the far right side of the beach front is a line of mangrove trees. And a little off that bunch is a loner tree which they call the Magic Tree. Visit this tree for some magic feel.

Mangroves

SUNRISE AND MOONRISE

Sunrise

 Want to see one of God's greatest creations? The resort has the best spot to catch the sunrise and the moon rise from the far horizon right in front of the resort. Oh, what a sight to see.

Moon Rise

MOON WALK

Moon Walk

 During low tide, to the left and a little far off from the resort is a row of mangrove trees bordered by a muddy area with small rock formations that somewhat make you feel like you're walking on the moon.


For a fee:

DE SAGWAN BANCA

Rent a boat and paddle around the vicinity alone or with a friend or two for only 100 pesos per hour. Synchronize your paddling moves!

SPORTS: VOLLEYBALL, FRISBEE

Rent a volleyball ball or a Frisbee and get physical by the beach! You can rent the sports equipment from the Resort Store or at the Main House. Each is priced 50 pesos per hour.

WHOLE BODY MASSAGE

The resort also has their own massage therapist. So why not further pamper yourself and let's get those tight muscles as relaxed as possible! It is priced 300 pesos per hour.

ISLAND HOPPING

Island Hopping

The resort doesn't have their own boats for rent for island hopping, but they can recommend a boatman with whom you could negotiate with. They gave us the number of Mang Maximo, who was our boatman to ferry us from and to Mauban Port. He offered us a 3-hour island hopping for our next day, and we settled for 1200 pesos for 4 pax. We went to the other side of the island to explore the Secret Mangrove Beach with its bluish-green but only knee-waist high water with fine white sand. And then, we went a little off the same beach to go snorkeling and explore different colors of star fishes.

For free but with a tour guide (ask one of the kids playing around and they would be more than willing to tour you around, they don't charge a fee, but it is customary that you give them tips afterwards no matter how much):

NAKAHIGANG BALETE TREE TOUR

Some 5 minute-walk from and at the back of the resort is a huge reclining balete tree that would give you the chills.

FIDDLER CRABS

Fiddler Crab

 Be astonished by small fiddler crabs with only one large claw, and with different colors! They have red, blue, white and yellow kinds. Have the kids catch some for you to see them up close and personal. The spot is about 10-15 minutes from the resort.

Path to Fiddler Crabs

LAMBANUGAN

Have you ever had a sip (or shot) of pure lambanog before? This one's even better! Watch and learn how they make pure lambanog at the resort's lambanugan, which is around 10-15 minutes from the resort. They even offer free tasting! One 2 L bottle is worth 100 pesos.

For more information about their activities, visit Nilandingan Cove's website.

Mermaids

Day 2: Mermaids

When I was younger, I wasn't really much of a beach-goer. First of all, my skin easily turns shades darker after the sun, or even just the wind, touches my skin. Secondly, I grew up in Central Luzon, which has a scarcity of beaches as we all know. I also preferred swimming pools since you don't need goggles for protection when you open your eyes underwater. So I never really had a chance to experience island hopping back then.

Novies Tourist Inn Facade

Novies Entrance

On our second day in Palawan, we woke up to the sound of heavy rain thundering the roof of our room, and immediately, our hearts sank. We planned on taking Tour A for today since El Nido is pretty much famous for island hopping, among many others. Tour A was already included in the package that we afforded for El Nido from a contact person that our friend gave us. Since we didn't plan anything for El Nido, we had no choice but to get the package. Our only goal was to explore El Nido with only a good 3000 pesos to spare.

The package that we got for El Nido included the following:

> accommodations for 2D and 2N with free breakfast = 800

(We stayed at the very homey and comfy Novies Tourist Inn. During our stay, they were giving off discount rates for the rooms. So we got a huge room, which can accommodate around 4 pax, for only 400 pesos per night.)

> round trip van transfers (PPC <-> El Nido) = 1000

(You can arrange for the van to fetch you from any point in PPC and drop you anywhere in El Nido as well)

> Tour A Island Hopping = 1000

(Environmental fee, 4 destinations plus lunch, boat fee)

Dining Area

Common Area

Stairway to our room

Although the sky didn't show any signs of stopping from raining, B1 was still very optimistic that the sun would shine on our parade. For the island hopping tour, we were supposed to avail the combined Tours A and C for only 1200 per pax. But due to the weather conditions, we were only able to avail Tour A. We were fetched by a tricycle and dropped off at one island hopping tour shop in town, where we met the other participants of the tour we availed. We  then headed to the beachfront where our boat was waiting.

Off to Island Hopping

Our Tour A originally includes visiting the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Beach. However, since the current was relatively strong because of the rains brought about by the passing Vongfong typhoon, we had to cancel our visit to Secret Beach for safety reasons. We then proceeded to 7 Commandos beach instead for our last stop.

The Gang

While I boarded the boat, I couldn't help but squeal with excitement. The views from the beachfront are breathtaking themselves, it made me very excited to see what the islands have in store for us. Furthermore, the rain has almost stopped, with only a few drizzles here and there, and the skies are starting to show signs of clearing its clouds, we were definitely in high spirits.

The tour guides on board are very friendly and funny. They are relatively fluent in the English language, which was very helpful for the foreigners on board with us. They gave out facts or commentaries about the tour, El Nido, and etc, as we travel from one nature's beauty to another.

Limestone Formation near Small Lagoon

The limestone formations are really something! I am not very much of a 'nature' person, but when I saw the formations, they gave me goosebumps, and made me glorify the Creator evermore for being the genius behind it all.

Limestone Formation near Big Lagoon

Our first stop was the Small Lagoon, but it was pretty crowded when we got there, so we decided to proceed to the Big Lagoon first where we stayed for a while. We swam there, and it was fun to enjoy points in the lagoon where the water is warm, but mostly, the water was really refreshingly cool. The water was pretty much deep and displayed vibrant shades of green.

Groufie with the Gang

Swimming in the deep Big Lagoon

We then headed to Shimizu Island where we were served with scrumptious seafood lunch. You can actually snorkel while you wait for the food, take pictures or just wade or swim in the beach.

Lunch is Served

The lunch included a menu that was simply cooked, but pretty satisfying and very well decorated. It was also fun to tell the foreigners about the food. And the amount were more than enough for all of us, so I wasn't able to contain myself and had to pig out.

Fooooood

Touch down at Shimizu

Shimizu Island

Rocks and a Tree at Shimizu

B1's Photo with the Rocks at Shimizu

We then headed back to check out the Small Lagoon. The fun part is that you have to swim or kayak through a narrow crevice in between limestone formations to be able to enter the lagoon. The water was clear and was significantly shallower compared to that in the Big Lagoon that you can actually see the bottom. You can snorkel here as well, but the bottom is pretty much bare of corals or fishes that there isn't much to see. However, both lagoons are elegantly built by nature that it reminds you of the lagoon in Peter Pan and make you think that you're pretty much one of the lucky mermaids who live there.

Going out of Big Lagoon

Friendship Pose at Big Lagoon

After swimming for a while in the Small Lagoon, we then headed to 7 Commandos beach. There is a bar there where you can order refreshing drinks, a beach volleyball court, a hammock to lounge on, and some cottages for chilling out. We swam for a while and then headed back to the town proper. Our tour began at around 10 in the morning, and we were back in town at around before 4 pm.

We took a tricycle to our Inn where we freshened up and rested for a while before we went to explore the nightlife in town.

Altrove Entrance

Dinner was served in Altrove, which was famous for its brick-oven baked pizza. We ordered the Margarita Pizza, and All' Arrabiatta. The pizza was really chewy, but in a good way. The crust was relatively thin, and was pretty tasty as well. Although the pasta was not remarkable, we were still able to satisfy our hunger for about 270 pesos per pax. The interiors of the restaurant was a bit dim at night, but simply and smartly furnished. You're not allowed to wear any footwear while inside the restaurant, so you'd be asked to leave your footwear at their shoe rack. Usually, the place is crowded, so you'd normally wait for around 15-30 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour before you get seated.

Reggae Band at Pukka Bar

After dinner, we walked around for a while exploring the different small but accommodating streets of El Nido. There are lots of food places to choose from; from waffles, cronuts, bagels, carinderia type, semi-fine dining, to chill places, bars, burgers, seafoods; the town explodes with such. We then headed to the beachfront for some nightlife experience. The bars are situated a few feet from the water, so in some bars, you'd actually feel the rush of the sea to your feet while you enjoy a chill night of drinks, food and reggae music. We chose to hang out at Pukka Bar, which was recommended to us by one of the travelers we met in our Inn. The place is known for great reggae music, with relatively cheap drinks and food. What's really fun is that they have a small dance floor where both locals and tourists can have fun dancing. We also noted that almost all of the tourists there seemingly know each other already.

Dance Floor at Pukka Bar

At around 2 am, we decided to hail a tricycle to go back to the Inn and call it a night; we were, after all, pretty tired from island hopping.