With another freeze headed my way next weekend, I’m envious of one of my Manila high school friends who has been visiting in the Philippines for over two months (as he has been doing for many years). He recently posted some photos of a trip to Busuanga, about an hour flying time southwest of Manila. If you’re looking for low key natural scenery, Busuanga fits the bill. And if you like to scuba dive wrecks, there are many sunken Japanese ships nearby.
Here’s why I’d rather be in Busuanga next weekend…
Coron is the “big city” in Busuanga
On the flight to Busuanga, you’ll have an aerial view of Taal Volcano and its lake, which is also the photo at the top of this blog.
Taal Volcano and Lake
Rooms with a view at Sea Dive Resort, Coron
View from resort deck
View to Coron market
But of course the reason to go to Busanga is to get on (and into) the water, so let’s go….!
Leaving Coron
Banol Beach – lunch!
We got grilled squid, grilled fish, mangos and more!
On Banol Beach
Back on the water
Relaxing on Lunch Island
Traditional living
If you’d rather be on Busuanga, you can start planning you’re visit here.
Lovely! But you can keep the grilled squid!
I’ve not had grilled squid and most of the fried squid I’ve had in the US has been rubbery. But when we were in Spain, we checked out a hole in the wall near the “gypsy” section of Barcelona based on recommendation in Rick Steves’ guidebook. We got this huge platter of assorted seafood, including fresh fried whole baby octopus and it was delicious!
Steve-
This looks like an unspoiled little piece of heaven. Any chance you’ll be spending part of your time there going forward?
I can see you in retirement as the owner of that seaside rsort hotel!
All the best,
Jack
Maybe…. The alum I mention in the post is Andy Butler (72). His brother Brian is our class. Their younger sister Susan is a pediatrician there and treats many of the kids of AS alums who live in Manila. Their grandfather was the first U.S. Postmaster General in the PI after the US took it from Spain in 1898. Their father was AS Class of ’39.
What a beautiful place! It looks incredibly appealing to me from where I sit here in frozen Minnesota!