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Oct 31-Nov 8, 2016

Traveling with Cheng

GPS waypoint: 7°03'51.7"N 125°36'27.8"E
Location: Coron, Busuanga, Philippines

Good Samaritan
Since we met in July 2013 in Siargao, I have waited a long time to see Cheng again. She's a Singaporean surfer dudette, a Good Samaritan who offered to store my stuff and use her hotel washroom while I slept on my hammock on Cloud 9. We kept our friendship by email through the years. I tried hooking-up with her while I was traveling Southeast Asia but she was either in India or China. Now, we both had free time so I suggested we meet in Coron. Luckily, she said yes.

Beijing-Manila-Coron
Matching flights and getting cheap air fare wasn't easy. She'd be flying to Manila from Beijing as I was flying to Manila from Davao. But good fortune prevailed. We met in Manila as planned and took our flight to Coron where Lerma and Tom (managers of Palawan SandCastles) provided airport pick-up. Thanks guys!

Palawan SandCastles
My good 'ol Aussie friend, Outback Greg, came to the rescue by offering his resort in Cheey, Palawan SandCastles. SandCastles is an unpretentious rustic beach resort isolated on the other side of Busuanga Island, about 1.5 hours from Coron Town. It's a remote section where Dugongs are occasionally spotted. It has a house reef for accessible snorkeling, single-tracks through the local villages for mountain bike rides and nearby islands accessible by kayaks. SandCastle is the perfect vacation getaway from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Therapist Cheng
Since we last met, Cheng learned many things while traveling to India and China. She's now a registered therapist, performing accupuncture, ayurveda treatment, pulse reading, ear cleaning and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Moreover, she is a registered 200-RYT (yoga teacher) and an 8-time Vipassana meditator. We had many things in common and shared equally as much.

boat ride to Culion

Cheey
At SandCastles in Cheey, Cheng and I spent time hanging out with Greg, Melissa (another resort guest) and the Malaysian crew, who we bonded with. Through Tribal Adventures Tours, we went for boat rides and mountain biking. I would enjoin the other guests for yoga. The isolation and serenity of SandCastles was perfect in stilling the mind.

Culion
While I have been to Coron many times, I haven't been to Culion. With the Malaysians docking in Culion for a lunch stop-over, Cheng and I hitched a ride and left ourselves to explore the place. Contrary to popular notion, Culion is no longer a leper colony because there are no longer lepers in Culion. Leprosy is already treatable. However, the people who live in Culion are mostly those who survived leprosy. Culion is their home free from the stigma of the dreaded disease. Here is where they re-established themselves as normal functioning members of society and are joined by their offsprings, extending now to the 4th generation.

Ending Thoughts
Upon arrival in Coron from Culion, Cheng took the flight back to Singapore. It was short and sweet spending time with Cheng again. I don't know if there will be a next time. We don't get to choose who we meet. As travelers, friendships can have a 48-hour shelf life - we are just grateful for the chance to reunite when our paths cross. Safe travels Cheng.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Cheng Blogs

Nong Khai with Cheng Mar 18 - Apr ???, 2020
Traveling with Cheng Oct 31-Nov 8, 2016
Sex in Singapore? Oct 20, 2013
Singapore Girl July 21, 2013
Exploring Siargao's Cloud 9 July 18-20, 2013

Next stop: back to Palawan SandCastles

Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

tourist attractions

Maquinit Hot Springs - salt-water hot spring, P200/person
Calauit Safari - free-range African wildlife
Kayangan Lake - one of the cleanest lake in the country, scenic view
Barracuda Lake - thermocline, cave diving, scuba diving
Twin Lagoon - two lagoons, an outer and an inner one, where you swim through a cavelike entrance

hotel, beach house and accommodation

Palawan SandCastles - beach house, house reef, rustic beach environment away from Coron Town
Cheey, Busuanga
0998 999 3049 | 12°14'00.7"N 120°02'19.1"E
Expeditions BnB - grand opening, all new, Coron Town location, roofdeck, sea/mountain view from room
11 San Agustin St Bgy 3 Coron Palawan
0919.992.6766 | °11°59'54.4"N 120°12'13.4"E

tour and expedition

Tribal Adventures Tours - multi-day kayak expedition, day tours, island tours, mountain biking, snorkeling, hiking
+63 998.999.3049 | tribaladventures@gmail.com
Calamianes Expeditions & Ecotours - island tours, community based ecotourism experience
+639193054363 / +639202546553 / +63 9152543246 / 02 984 7795 | corongaleri@yahoo.com