Falling in love with Coron

Best trip I have had by far. 

I was so enamored by the overwhelming beauty surrounding me. I found myself wondering how the locals of Coron could be so modest when they have so much to be proud of and brag about - but then again, maybe that's why they were blessed with such beautiful landscapes.

I arrived in the unassuming town of Coron a little before lunch. I settled in my room and set out to reserve spots for my tours at Coron Galeri. I was a bit disappointed that they did not have Sea Cow Watching tours but I figured there's so much more too see anyway. 

I climbed up Mt. Tapyas around 5pm, with a bag of chips in  hand to provide support and energy whenever I feel like giving up ;). Unfortunately for me though, about 200 steps up, it started drizzling. Then it started pouring. Then I had to run down the steps like a crazy woman so that I don't get drenched. It stopped after a few minutes though. 

They say, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. And a rainbow, I got :) What a beautiful gift on my first day in Coron! 

 I had the moon rising on my left and the sun setting on my right. Worth each of the 700 (+200 the first time) freakin' steps I had to take.

Sunset at Mt. Tapyas

Going down Mt. Tapyas was much more pleasant. I had dinner down the road along the National Road (which was about 7 meters wide). The sinigang was still boiling when they served it! and they have really good avocado shake. 

My second day in Coron started around 8am at the Coron Galeri office. After a few minutes, we walked to the port to start our first tour - which included a visit to the CYC Beach, Twin Peaks Reef, Hidden Lagoon, lunch at Isla Bulungan Beach and finally, the famous Kayangan Lake.

CYC Beach

Twin Peaks Reef

I tried hiding my tummy fat at first. but I've given up at this point. haha

This felt soooo goood!

One of my favorites was Hidden Lagoon. The water was crystal clear, the top part is salt water and the bottom part is fresh water according to the tour assistants (but they're big fat liars, they also said there weren't any jelly fish and I saw one. So can't be sure) .

Lunch time on one of the beautiful islands! :)

Lunch with this view. So amazing. 

 The last stop of the tour was Kayangan Lake. The saying that goes 'Save the best for last' applies here. On top of the hill, we had a very nice view of the limestone formations. And descending into the lake, it. was. immaculate. I could literally see the bottom clearly.

 Imagine swimming in this cool, clear water surrounded by limestone formations. I'd go back just for that.

This tour covered the most popular areas in Coron and I was extremely satisfied. Got super excited for the next day! 

My third day was pretty rainy. I missed the sun so much! It was freakishly cold on the boat and my tropical skin was getting frost bites. kidding but I was really cold!

I took another tour that went to the Lusong Gunboat Wreck, Calumbuyan Island and the Coral Gardens.

View that morning. :O

Lusong Gunboat was not even an actual structure, much less a gunboat! I was so disappointed :( It wasn't that bad but I think I set my expectations too high. A guy I met went wreck diving (scuba) and he was telling us how he was able to go inside of a sunken boat, go through the corridors and rooms. There were event cement mixers on the boat, under the sea! He seemed to have had an amazing time - and I was a bit envious. haha. okay maybe a lot envious - that if I had more days, I probably would've gotten my diving license right then and there. 

Check out my gogglezss. haha was so excited to jump in! The Coral Garden is hiding underneath the water!

Taiwanese guy photobombing.

The typhoon late last year destroyed most of the corals, they are still beautiful but I was hoping to see bigger more colorful ones!

The last stop was for lunch at Calumbuyan Island. There were low trees by the shore and it was very pretty. (By the way, there are jelly fish here! :O )

I seriously am planning to go back next year - with a diving license to see the Dugons and the wrecks :) Coron is just so easy to fall in love with - even if there are jelly fish. haha

Time Travel to Ancient Kyoto

I felt like I was in a movie - you know, the ones where the characters travel in time. It was like an entirely different century and I was basking in the rich culture unable to relate to the surroundings. Eyes wide open, I cannot look fast enough to absorb all the new things I'm seeing around me, feeling restless as I was afraid that I might overlook something. 

It was like literally taking the Shinkansen from 21st century Tokyo to 19th century Kyoto. The city epitomizes my perfect travel destination. Traditional architecture, in tact culture, lovely people and just as important, automatic toilets.  There's just something unique when you visit places that helps you imagine how life was in the past, Experiences like this is honestly one of the main reasons I love to travel. 

We left Tokyo early in the morning and arrived in Kyoto a little before lunch. 

Shinkansen to Kyoto

And we're here!

Upon arriving in Kyoto, we hopped onto a local train heading to Nara where Todaiji Temple is. I was so ecstatic when I saw deer roaming freely- waiting (or begging or even stealing!) for crackers from visitors (whom they sometimes run after haha). 

Deer are considered messengers of the gods here so they are considered sacred and allowed to loiter. In addition, everybody loves them - so they're good for tourism. And deer cracker sales. ;) 

Feeding them! one of them bit me btw

Deer crackers! 

Todaiji Temple houses one of the biggest bronze Buddha in the world!

BUDDHA BUDDHA BUDDHA

Rub a part of his body then rub the same part on yours and it's believed that it'll heal of any ailment 

weirdooos

Entrance 

DEER CROSSING. Where else could you see this traffic sign?

The second stop was Byodo-in Temple in Uji. I saw this on a book and it looked so pretty so I was very pleased to have had the chance to visit.

But what I enjoyed more was the walk on the way to the temple. We passed by Uji street, which is very famous for their tea. You could smell tea while passing by the different houses and establishments and there were all sorts of green tea products being sold along the street.

We also passed by the Uji bridge which has been a strategic setting/area in several wars.

The famous Uji Bashi

I was told this was a signage. But you never know with the Japanese.

The Phoenix hall which can also be seen on the 10 yen coin!

pretty <3 p="">

It was a gloomy day but beautiful nonetheless!

After Byodo-in, we settled in the hotel, rested for a bit and had buffet dinner! (this is the reason as you may have observed, all my clothes were loose)

Foie gras and snail buffet at New Miyako Hotel >.<

That evening, we headed to Gion to see the traditional houses, stores and to stalk some maikos. Those girls walk pretty fast. Although, I really was lucky to have seen one!

It has been a tiring day with a lot of walking! We walked a bit more around Gion and went back to the hotel to rest for the next day!

We woke up a bit later than we were supposed to on our second day in Kyoto. So after having breakfast, we went straighr to Gion and then took the bus going to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It was uphill and the walk was very enjoyable albeit very tiring. There are a lot of stores that sell local food, trinkets and pottery. 

Sweets in Gion

Japanese toasted siopao

Sesame ice cream

Kiyomizu-dera seems to be one of the main temples in Kyoto. It's pretty amazing how this gigantic structure does not have a single nail but has withstood centuries earthquakes, hurricanes, war, famine, cholera. just kidding! but you get what I mean. It's a wooden structure that has accommodated millions of people over the past centuries and it's still standing. Shows a lot about Japanese workmanship.

making a wish!

On the way back to the main road, we made sure to take a look at different stores in the streets and stopped by a local ramen restaurant for brunch. 

Mochi and ujicha!

The next stop that day was Inari Shrine. This place is popular for their orange toriis and is also a very popular tourist spot. The pathways in Inari are lined with hundreds (if not thousands) of toriis - which are supposed to mark the transition to a sacred space. Companies and individuals (Donors) could have one built and named after them for a hefty fee. 

To cleanse the hands and mouth before entering the temple.

Going through the tunnel of orange toriis was pretty cool tbh. I've always seen them on photos and the internet. After Inari, the third stop for the day was Kinakaku-ji Temple where you could also find the golden pavilion. This is probably the most beautiful place I have been to in Japan. Photos barely do justice to how it looks like in real life.

Our last stop in Kyoto was En in Gion. I wanted to have an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony and it was one of the highlights of my trip as well.

To my delight, tea used was Uji tea! I learned a couple of things during the ceremony including:
- use hot water just before it reaches boiling point or else, you'll lose the flavor of your tea.
-Powdered tea is used traditionally during these ceremonies.
-Each tea cup has a face (find the signature at the bottom of the cup, when the signature is on your left, then the side facing you is the 'face')
- Do not sip on the 'face' of the cup. Turn the cup counterclockwise twice at 90 deg angles before drinking.
- topic of conversation must include how pretty the tea cups are
- mix and whisk the tea until it's covered in froth.
- tea must be drank in 3 and a half sips
- and when asking foreigners where the cr is, use the term toilet. They never use the term cr. haha

                                                                                                                                                      

Kyoto used to be the imperial capital of Japan. So we've gotten a glimpse of how the busiest city was like in the past. It's has the perfect mix of modern technology and preserved culture and if anyone asks, I'd say Kyoto should be the first/priority prefecture they must visit in Japan.