Manila and Coron, April 2013

Ten days in the Philippines for a combination of work and play… and what play it was, island hopping around Coron! I didn’t have as much time for photography as I would have liked, but here are the few snaps I managed to grab.

He's definitely more scary from the front. From the side he looks like a mad scientist.
He’s definitely more scary from the front. From the side he looks like a mad scientist.
Keeping guard outside my hotel in Manila
Keeping guard outside my hotel in Manila
All the cabs in Manila have the name on the doors, and also painted under the windows in the back seat.
All the cabs in Manila have the name on the doors, and also painted under the windows in the back seat.
Probably the smallest airport I have ever been in!
Probably the smallest airport I have ever been in!
The entrance to our resort. It was a very nice place to stay.
The entrance to our resort. It was a very nice place to stay.
The resort property was on a steep hillside - lots of steps up and down every day!
The resort property was on a steep hillside – lots of steps up and down every day!
This little guy liked to strike a pose above the light fixture in the dining room. The staff told us he lived behind the painting at the end of the hall.
This little guy liked to strike a pose above the light fixture in the dining room. The staff told us he lived behind the painting at the end of the hall.
I ate at least one mango every day I was in the Philippines. Usually more.
I ate at least one mango every day I was in the Philippines. Usually more.
This was growing next to the pool at the resort.
This was growing next to the pool at the resort.
Down at the docks in Coron Town.
Down at the docks in Coron Town.
MINI-TRAVELOGUES: Photo collections from my shorter trips.
MINI-TRAVELOGUES: Photo collections from my shorter trips.
Loading Up
I couldn't agree more!
I couldn’t agree more!
The walkway to the back of the boat was made of painted bamboo.
The walkway to the back of the boat was made of painted bamboo.
On our way to the first island.
On our way to the first island.
Cliff
Lake Rules
Approaching Coron Island
Getting Closer
Docking
Huts
Got my hat, got my sunscreen - ready for the hike up the hill to the lake!
Got my hat, got my sunscreen – ready for the hike up the hill to the lake!
On the way down the hill to the lake.
On the way down the hill to the lake.
Manila and Coron, April 2013
Manila and Coron, April 2013
The water really is this color.
The water really is this color.
Pausing for one more pic.
Pausing for one more pic.
King of the Hill
Leave Nothing But Footprints
Kill Nothing But Time
The moment I got down to the dock, I thew down my bag and jumped straight into the water.
The moment I got down to the dock, I thew down my bag and jumped straight into the water.
This picture doesn't capture it, but I think this is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
This picture doesn’t capture it, but I think this is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
It was heavenly to sit on these submerged rocks, trying to catch the small blue needlefish that swarmed around us.
It was heavenly to sit on these submerged rocks, trying to catch the small blue needlefish that swarmed around us.
Spotted this little guy on the hike back down.
Spotted this little guy on the hike back down.
The bug is a perfect match for Brent's swim trunks.
The bug is a perfect match for Brent’s swim trunks.
We are headed to the small lake directly under the "N" in Coron.
We are headed to the small lake directly under the “N” in Coron.
Back at the Cove
The resort let us sign out all those red towels at the top. I was in charge of making sure they all got back safely.
The resort let us sign out all those red towels at the top. I was in charge of making sure they all got back safely.
After the lake, some of us headed back to the resort to do some work whnile the others kept on island hopping.
After the lake, some of us headed back to the resort to do some work whnile the others kept on island hopping.
Sea Green
The ubiquitous casual ride in the Philippines
The ubiquitous casual ride in the Philippines
Tricycles are retrofitted onto small motorbikes like this one.
Tricycles are retrofitted onto small motorbikes like this one.
Sly
Saw this on the way to the docks to catch our tour boat.
Saw this on the way to the docks to catch our tour boat.
Arriving at our first island on day 2.
Arriving at our first island on day 2.
Note the amazing white sand beach.
Note the amazing white sand beach.
Casting Off Again
Our second stop of the day was Banana Island, where we had some lunch.
Our second stop of the day was Banana Island, where we had some lunch.
On Banana Island
On Banana Island
"Cooked" in vinegar, with some onion, tomatoes, and chilis.
“Cooked” in vinegar, with some onion, tomatoes, and chilis.
Our third and final island of the day.
Our third and final island of the day.
Perfect Beach
Cabanas
Team Sand Castle
These were near the entrance to the airport, but we saw them all over the beaches as well.
These were near the entrance to the airport, but we saw them all over the beaches as well.
All good things must come to an end. Time to head back to Manila.
All good things must come to an end. Time to head back to Manila.