When was the last time you did something for the first time?
I’d been seeing that on my social media feeds, and I’m proud and happy to say that my relatively recent trip to Club Paradise in Coron, Palawan had quite a few “first’s.”
First of all, I must confess, I am NOT a beach person. Anyone who knows me, knows that. I wore jeans, a long sleeved white polo shirt and heels the first time I went to Boracay. Whenever I’m at the beach, I’m often found indoors with the aircondition on full blast. Once, my friend asked me to apply sun block on her back while we were at Queen’s Beach in New York. Six hours under the sun later, she had a look at herself in the mirror and screeched, “Cherrrrryyyyl, I have your hand marks all over my back!!!” (Luckily, we’re still friends to this day.)
It was a 3D/2N “cousin trip” to Coron, Palawan. Club Paradise has been around for quite some time but it has recently been acquired by Discovery World. While renovations of the cottages and facilities won’t be completed til next year, the management, service and hospitality extended is already very much the Discovery brand.
For this particular blog post, I’ll let the photos do the story telling, but please read all the captions underneath each picture– I guarantee you will learn something new– and hop on the next plane to Club Paradise! 😀 (*Note: All photos taken with an Iphone 4s unless noted otherwise)
PAL Express departs from Manila’s NAIA 3 to Busuanga daily. I would advise you to handcarry your bags with you rather than checking them in because they left all our baggage in Manila that day 🙁Approaching paradise… Aerial shot of Club Paradise which sits on Dimakya Island in Coron, Northern Palawan (Photo courtesy of Discovery World/ Club Paradise)Club Paradise is now part of Discovery World, managed by the Discovery Leisure Company Incorporated (TDLCI), the homegrown management company behind the Discovery Hotels brandClub Paradise’s uber-friendly Resort Manager Joegil Escobar will make sure you will have a memorable stay!It is a 45-minute boat ride from the pier to Dimakya Island where Club Paradise sitsWe’re here!!! My cousins and I: Leslie Yap, Jake Lim, Myk Tiu, BJ Tiu, Barbie Tiu, Cheryl Tiu, Jed Tiu Lim #TiuristsThis is why it’s called Club Paradise…In true Discovery hospitality, a welcome foot massage is provided for each guest. My cousin Barbie is enjoying hers at the foyer of our beach front cottage 🙂The beachfront cottages are the BEST place to stay in at Club Paradise, as you really wake up to the beach! This is what it looks like now– rustic and charming– renovations won’t be done til 2015.I love this pretty and considerate touch by the foot of the stairs of each cottage– to wash off the sand before entering your roomWhat a warm, personalized welcome from Club Paradise! With framed photos of my cousins and I to boot (a Discovery signature ;)) plus sunblock, insect repellent, caps, fresh fruits and sweet treats like brownies and mini bibingkas, yummm!At the moment, not much has changed in the interiors of the beach front cottages– still simple, rustic and cozy 🙂 Renovations won’t be til 2015. You can add another bed if you are three, like we did. (Photo courtesy of Discovery World/ Club Paradise)The view from our cottage! Super love, you can just chill by any of the lounges, have a drink play games, Instagram, whatever!Strolling by the island’s lagoon, you can often spot a bayawak (water monitor lizard)I love islands where you can do a multitude of activities– like hike! (Told you I’m not a beach person ;p) and at Club Paradise, you can hike up to Eagle’s Point! But first let’s trek to Hidden Beach…Hidden Beach because well, it’s partially hidden! But more about that later 🙂Although flip-flops will do, best to bring comfortable shoes if you plan to hike up Eagle’s Point as some parts can be a little challengingOne last climb…Yay, we made it!!! Eagle’s Point overlooks Club Paradise below– and look behind us to see that tiny floating island in the middle of the ocean, it’s called Isla Walang Lang-Aw… you’ll see more on that in a bit!Top view of Club Paradise from Eagle’s Point
So remember I said that I did something for the first time? Well, it was snorkeling!!! While I know lots of people snorkel, it was a first for me and I thought it was a huge deal since I’m not a water baby– AT ALL! But the weather was really bad that day and we couldn’t go island-hopping so the decision was made.
And guess what, I fell in love with the underwater! The marine life at Coron is so outstandingly beautiful.. I saw blue starfish, and stingrays and schools of swordfish and gorgeous Missoni-printed fish… and..… this little fella! Actually, I saw 4 of them and I wanted to cry out of happiness. Just imagine how truly amazing it is to be swimming/ snorkeling with these gorgeous sea turtles. This has convinced me to try diving next trip! (Photo taken from Club Paradise-TripAdvisor)And if you do go diving, if you’re lucky, you get to swim with the Dugong (Sea Cow). He’s sooooo cuuuuteee!!! (Photo courtesy of Club Paradise)This is the absolutely stunning Isla Walang Lang-Aw (Island Without Trees), which is under the jurisdiction of Club Paradise… (Photo courtesy of Club Paradise)We kayaked for 30 minutes from Club Paradise to Isla Walang Lang-Aw. It was my first time to do it (another first) and I was pretty terrible, but hey, A for effort, haha! These are my cousins Barbie and BJ who did very well.Isla Walang Lang-Aw (Island Without Trees) is a completely uninhabited island. No trees, no humans, no nothing.. Just us, a pristine white sand beach and a gorgeous limestone cliff! Super duper love!Look what I found! A really precious cove within the limestone cliff on Isla Walang Lang-Aw (Island Without Trees). I really love this island!And this was our farewell lunch– a really precious lunch prepared for us at Hidden Beach!!! An incredible spread of ensaladang talong (eggplant salad), sweet & sour salmon, grilled chicken (inihaw), tinolang manok, garlic grabs and shrimp and fried spring rolls plus the best bagoong! Plus Club Paradise’s homemade buko tartlet and kuchinta. What an amazing experience! Don’t forget to request for it when you visit Club Paradise!Filipina celebrity and actress Ruffa Gutierrez (“It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” on E! Online) also had an amazing time at Club Paradise 🙂
And look what made it to the cover of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia!!! That’s Isla Walang Lang-Aw in the background! #PinoyPride
What are you waiting for, come spend your next holiday at Club Paradise in Coron Palawan. It’s only a 60-minute flight from Manila via PAL, with a 15-minute car ride, and 45-minute boat ride!
For inquiries and reservations, contact Club Paradise at +632 719 6971 to 6974 or email cp.reservations@discovery.com.ph or visit www.clubparadisepalawan.com/ www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com or via Agoda
