Palawan Town Tour Challenges International Travel Bloggers

Festive Philippines

Nine travel bloggers from four continents are challenged to climb 721 steep steps to the top of a summit in 32 degree Celsius heat. Will they rise to the challenge? And how many of them will succeed?

Travel bloggers stop for a rest at the 700th step.

TripAdvisor Guide to Manila

Following a fascinating and festive Travel Bloggers Exchange in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, participants of TBEX 2016 Asia Pacific were entitled to take familiarization trips to other parts of the Philippines.

I signed up for the Northern Palawan Eco Adventure tour along with eight other bloggers from seven countries on four continents.

Unlike other post-TBEX fam trips that I’ve taken, on this trip one of the bloggers was from the host country along with our two charming hosts, one from the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board and one from the organizer of the trip, Intas Destinations Management.

Following a one hour and ten-minute flight from Manila to Busuanga Airport on Cebu Pacific Air, I was greeted by a representative of Intas, who drove me to my hotel, the Funny Lion Inn in Coron, where I joined the other eight participants, who had flown to Coron on an earlier flight.

After checking in, dropping off my bags, and gobbling down a quick lunch, I boarded one of the two vans for a tour of the town with the other participants, who had already eatern.

Our first stop was Mount Tapyas, which affords a breathtaking view of the town, the bay, and the surrounding islands.

Mount Tapyas

But first the breathtaking 30-minute hike to the summit of the mount.

With 721 steps, the walk up was challenging. The view from the summit of the town, the bay, and the surrounding islands made the effort well worthwhile.

We paused to take photos of the view, pose for the requisite photo shoot at the foot of the giant cross with sits atop the hill, and – most importantly – catch our breath before make the trip back down.

Thankfully, the trip down was easier than the trip up!

Maquinit Hot Spring

Next, we were driven to the Maquinit Hot Spring, where we soaked our feet in the 38 to 40 degree Celsius therapeutic waters, which are said to come from a nearby underground volcano.

Some of us weren’t sure if we really wanted to a dip in a hot spring on such a hot day.

But we all soaked our tired feet before samplingsome mouth-watering snacks.

Best of all was the pancit guisado, the best thin rice noodles I have ever tasted. I wanted seconds (and thirds), but I resisted temptation because I was told that a sumptuous dinner awaited.

Our Coron Town Tour ended with a calorific but tasty family style dinner at Santino’s Grill Restaurant, which is one of the most popular restaurants in Coron.

We consumed copious quantities of food. But we had worked up quite an appetite.

Where to Eat and Stay in Coron

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