LIFE LATELY: PLACES PT. 1 [Coron] + hello again
First, I want to say hello to my fellow people who desperately want to escape the invasive algorithmic junk and polished influencer-driven social media platforms, finding refuge in this nostalgic blogosphere in the name ofĀ *ahem* "self-expression", likeĀ seriously, Tumblr in 2025? That's WILD. Anyway, the only thing that saved me from completely abandoning this space was the occasional Tumblr notification that I receive on my phone. I am reminded that it's nice for my brain to share things here that I felt were kinda out of place in social media, like who reads and appreciates lengthy posts like this on those platforms? Fucking nobody.Ā So here I am, back with an updateĀ about my life that nobody asked, exercising my brain cells with anotherĀ tumblogĀ post with zero ROI, but all for the love of this community that somehow separates us from the noiseĀ fromĀ other social media.
The last "serious" postĀ thatĀ I wrote here was the Pulag climb I did last year, and since then, I haveĀ actuallyĀ had the privilegeĀ to doĀ a lot of things for the first time.Ā I feel like 2024 was a major breather for me, financially, professionally, and physically as I was able to get my shit together andĀ wander in places that I never been toĀ and reconnect with the people IĀ reallyĀ cared about, which as self-centered as it sound, what this post is all about.Ā Iām breaking these down into separate posts (and theyĀ areĀ sitting on my draftsĀ sinceĀ forever, mind you) because itās just so lengthy and at this point Iām on the verge of who-tf-gonna-give-a-shit about this, but hey, this is TumblrĀ alaĀ version 2025,Ā whoās judging?
First stop⦠Coron, Palawan (September 2024)
Letās fucking go!!!
This is my fourth time in Palawan, and twice specifically in Coron Islands, and I am still captivated by the beauty and the serenity of this paradise.Ā It wasnātĀ reallyĀ my plan toĀ go backĀ here soon, butĀ hellooooĀ piso sale flightsĀ plusĀ one of my close friends has invited me to celebrate her birthday there, so why not?Ā
As soon as we landed, we went on a hike to Mt. Tapyas, located straight in the center of the town of Coron, with rewarding panoramic views of the town, bay, and surrounding islands. It was a short hike, probably about half an hour, but a steep one, but the salt air brushing your cheek and the majestic sunset that welcomes you once you reach the top? August by Taylor Swift would start playing in your ears.Ā Heaven.
After sunset, we went straight to a saltwater hot spring located in the woods, which felt like the middle of nowhere. I hadnāt been to Maquinit Hot Spring the first time I came to Coron, so I made sure Iād get to visit the place because Iāve heard it was hot. WRONG. It wasĀ REALLY REALLYĀ HOT. It was super hot, where some people who dipped their toes decided not to go in. That level!Ā We wereĀ toldĀ to enter the hot spring gradually,Ā like feet first,Ā waitĀ for a couple of minutes, then onĀ yourĀ knees,Ā waitĀ again, and so on.Ā But once you have your body acclimated, it is spa-level peak relaxation, all negative energy, poisonous and toxic elements in your body,Ā all GONE.Ā Eme. It was very soothing.Ā Iād likeĀ to think that it did something healing and therapeutic for my bodyĀ becauseĀ Iāve heard aboutĀ that regardingĀ natural hot springs.Ā
After that, we spent the remaining days of our short tripĀ withĀ the usual Coron itinerary go-tos: we went island hopping, swam in open waters such as the world-famous cleanest KayanganĀ lakeĀ and the Malcapuya Island, which to me is still one of the best beaches in the Philippines.Ā Imagine Boracay, but without the crowd and commercial places, but even better, especially for diving, snorkeling, and budget-friendly too! Overall, Coron was always as serene as I experienced it for the first time. If I see another piso sale, I will go back.
So that's it for now. Next stop, Iām taking you to Saigon, Hanoi, Seoul, and Japan. Iām taking you around the world, baybeeeeee. Like I always say on this lil space, it's always an honor to have your ears... or eyes, and here we are still sharing stories in this community freely and unapologetically, keeping this what seems to be an online journal we are willing to have random people get a glimpse of, and I thank you for your time. Part 2 coming right up!
JOSHY.
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