3-Week Diary

Arrival in Manila - Sunday, November 19th, 2023

After a grueling 22-hour flight, we landed in

-
. The transition from the chilly Dutch climate to the tropical warmth of the Philippines was immediate. The weariness from our flight was overshadowed by the thrill of a new adventure—my first time in the Philippines, and Nuria's first time in Asia. Despite a forecast that nearly swayed us to Thailand, we stuck to our original plan, and it felt like the right call.

We opted for a hotel close to the airport, the

-
, given our early departure to -
the following morning. It was a decent place, clean and suitable for a one-day layover. Conveniently, it's the best-situated hotel for those en route to -
, with Terminal 4 just across the road.

Due to the weather forecasts in

-
, we decided to make -
our first destination. That evening, we managed to sort out our onward flight and accommodation, setting the tone for the adventure that lay ahead.

First Day in Coron - Monday, November 20th, 2023

Photo of flight to Coron

Our day began before sunrise as we headed to Manila's Terminal 4 for our flight to

-
. The small propeller plane ride added an element of excitement to the start of our day. Upon arrival, we waited for a van to take us to our hotel, sharing the ride with a French couple.

The hotel,

-
, unfortunately was a letdown—the room was not very clean and felt outdated, making it the least impressive accommodation of our entire trip.

View from Mount Tapyas

The afternoon was spent getting to know the town, enjoying a casual drink, and later, taking a tricycle to see the sights. We visited the bustling local market and tackled the climb up

-
, rewarded with panoramic views at the top. We capped off the day with a soak in the -
, a soothing finale to a full day.

Post-tour booking for the next day, we indulged in a local dinner and rested up for the adventures that awaited.

Super Ultimate Tour - Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

The Super Ultimate Tour was a day well spent, whisking us to seven different locations around

-
. We explored the underwater world at -
, relaxed in the -
, and were enchanted by the area's natural splendor. The day's standout was a beachside lunch with fresh coconut, and not even the rain at Twin Lagoon could lessen our enjoyment.

That evening, we dined with some Spanish travelers we met on the tour. Their next stop was

-
, which got us thinking about extending our own travel plans.

Island Escapade - Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023

We started the day with a satisfying breakfast and excellent iced lattes. The Island Escapade tour was a bit more crowded but equally delightful, especially with the company of a friendly puppy. We visited

-
, -
, and -
, each offering a unique beach experience.

The day was another perfect chapter in our Philippine saga, filled with sun, swimming, and the serene beauty of the islands.

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