december-2011

LESTER LEDESMA
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
PUERTO PRINCESA
AREA CODE (48)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN Most hotels in Palawan can
arrange to have you picked up at the airport.
Tricycles to the city center cost about PHP35.
Vans are also available for hire and are not
too costly.
BY DAY Swim and snorkel in Honda Bay,
and stay overnight in Sabang after visiting the
Underground River. Sabang Beach is stunning and
such a nice place to hang out. There are a lot of
affordable resorts if you want electricity all night.
BY NIGHT Check out Palawan’s nightlife. There’s
live music at Katabom Bar on Rizal Ave every
night. It’s especially fun on Wednesday and
Saturday nights when Palawan’s best band, Mitu’s
Tribe, plays.
SLEEP Hibiscus Garden Inn is a refreshing
change from the usual boxy hotel room. It’s
cozy, affordable and quaint, like Palawan itself.
hibiscusgardeninn@gmail.com
{ 206 }
Amina
Evangelista-
Swanepoel
executive director,
Roots of Health
BEST LUNCH Heavenly Desserts
by Dorothy on Lacao St, in front of
NCC department store.
BEST BUYS Quality yet affordable
placemats, bags, blinds, baskets and
other woven goods at Binuatan.
MUST-TRY If you have a car, head
to the beautiful Nagtabon Beach for its
white sand and crystal-clear waters.
You can go island-hopping too.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
AL LINSANGAN
PHILIPPINES
BUSUANGA (CORON)
AREA CODE (48)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN From the airport, take a shuttle
to the town proper of Coron, which will cost about
PHP150 per person. The ride takes 45 minutes
to one hour. Call for more information. Tel: +63
(928) 408 3105, (921) 265 2210
BY DAY The best attractions include Kayangan
Lake and the Twin Lagoons. There are many
islands and beaches to visit, but try not to miss
Malcapuya. It may be farther to travel to by boat
compared to the other islands, but it is worth it.
BY NIGHT For a sumptuous dinner, Bistro Coron
is a must. It is a quaint restaurant located in the
city proper, popular for its food and drinks; try
the Bistro Pizza. They also have a very extensive
menu and reasonable prices.
SLEEP Try Sunz En Coron for a unique resort
experience. They have an amazing swimming
pool that changes colors from blue, green to
purple and pink. www.sunzencoron.com
Anton V.
Gregory
advertising
professional
BEST SOUVENIRS The great
photographs you’ll compile from all
the breathtaking sights.
MUST-TRY Go diving and see
the remains of the shipwrecked
WWII Japanese warships.
INSIDER TIP Bring enough
cash. Not many restaurants accept
credit cards and there aren’t many
ATMs around.
The sunken Japanese warships off
Coron make a good diving site.