Malcapuya Island in Coron

Undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the Calamian Islands

 It's tough to only have 4days to spend in Coron . So many islands with so little time. On our third day we had to choose the Malcapuya Tour over the Calauit tour because of the latter's proximity to Coron Town. Boat ride to Malcapuya is approximately 2 hours in which you will be traversing deep blue waters before you come to reach its sandy white beach.

There are no hotels or resorts in the island though you may stay overnight with the most basic necessities. We just went for a day tour but i found one blog  who can answer all your questions regarding overnight accomodation.

Path leading to the white beach is lined with cashew trees

Disappointment was written all over our face when our boatman docked  not knowing we were in for a surprise. First we had to walk thru a dusty path lined with cashew trees and in a minute or so voila there's the beach as white as boracay's sand. The place so quiet and secluded. Not too many crowds. And on the farther end of the beach you will see huge red rock formations. I say it's perfect! Backdrop perfect for my brother's pose.

PERFECT POSE!!!

Malcapuya's huge red rock formations

Our cute little Lyt found his perfect spot.

 We almost forgot to swim because we were having so much fun taking pictures.

Lunch buffet style brought and cooked by our able guides

The Surahan Fish seemed to smile even after grilling :)

The Surahan Fish is bigger than my head !

Our lunch consisted of fresh seafoods (shrimp and surahan fish), rice, veggies, grilled pork and bananas. All included in the tour cost of P 1,200 per person that we paid.

Oh and how i love the Surahan Fish (unicorn fish). It's meat is so tasty and tender especially the fats in its belly.Too bad we cannot buy this from anywhere in manila . I've only seen this fish in El Nido and Coron public market and so cheap at that.

Soon after we consumed the food our guide told us to put on our lifevests and snorkeling gears so he can bring us in the middle of the sea where the big clams are.

 My thoughts are: i am so blessed to be living in this beautiful country. Others may have to fly a thousand miles to reach this but for us Filipinos it's just within our reach. Until now, Malcapuya stays on my mind . . .

Kota Kinabalu - wish you were mine

Kota Kinabalu is a city in Sabah Borneo. Many Filipinos work and live here. It's as if you never left Phils. when you get here. Just talk in tagalog and someone will answer you back - yes in tagalog also.
They say that Sabah is part of the Philippine islands. Who wouldn't suspect? It's very near our Southern tip and in fact some people from Mindanao just board an overnight ferry boat to get to the island. It's just sad that we may never claim this land ever again. But who knows?We started off this trip at the city center of Kota Kinabalu. From the airport it will take you 15mins. to get to the city (30 mins with the traffic). After unpacking we headed to the waterfront for some r&r. Good thing it rained that afternoon and so made the climate milder.
The waterfront at night is full of vacationers and malaysian yuppies out for a good time. It is lined with bars and pubs with Filipino Bands. Makes you very proud of our Filipino talents.Day 02 was spent on city sightseeing . Kota Kinabalu has a very small city and everything can be done on foot (if you have the energy for it). Or you may take a taxi to get to some places. Taxi within the city will cost around RM 10 (P 140 or $3). Be wary of taxi touts , they can be very demanding and rude. So, i recommend you walk. Besides it's good for your health.Must see sights:Museum Kopitiam - right at the backpacker's area in Gaya st. It's a coffee shop and musuem at the same time. It houses WW2 memorabilias .

Signal Hill Observatory - there is a short cut at the back of Lucy's Homestay in Gaya st. Near the Old Police station. Great during sunset.

Atkinson Clock Tower - near the old Police station. You will never miss it.
Manukan Island/Mamutik Island/Sapi Island - take a ferry from the Jesselton Ferry Terminal. To and From the islands are timed so make sure to ask about the schedule of the boats. RM 17 per person ferry ride per island. Pay one time RM 15 per person for conservation fee. You may also be needing some snorkeling gadgets and life vests (there's a fee also).
Tun Mustapha Gallery - just right outside the city. There's a revolving restaurant inside where you can view the city 360degrees.

City Mosque - right outside the city. Going to Tun Mustapha you will pass by the mosque.
1Borneo Mall - walk to Warisan Square (fronting the Seafood Waterfront) and wait for the FREE shuttle courtesy of the mall. It's 15 to 30 mins going there.

Mount Kinabalu - 1 hr 30mins to get there. You may take a tour package or you may share a taxi going to the park . RM 150 per taxi 2 way. Upon getting to the park you must pay entrance fee of RM15 per person and guided tour of RM 15. For those planning to go to the summit 3D2N package guided tour is for you.Tanjung Aru Beach - Food stalls and restaurants where locals go to eat and enjoy the sunset. Very near the airport.
Seafood Waterfront - for a dose of Sabahan nightlife. Lots of Bars lining the waterfront. One bottle of Tiger beer would cost RM 15 to 20 each.
Filipino Market - just fronting Le Meridien hotel. Buy your souveinirs here. Lots of hawker stalls at night. For budget travellers this is the best place to eat seafood for it is very expensive to eat at a touristy seafood restaurant such as Portview.


Water Esplanade - near Hyatt Hotel.
Gaya Street - on Sundays there is a street market. Backpacker's haven. Local eateries line the street.
UMS - University of Malaysia Sabah . On your way to 1Borneo or Mount Kinabalu.

Poring Hot Springs - full of locals and tourists. Must do here is the canopy walk.
Malaysia Monument - city center
Wisma Merdeka - city center



Must eat:
Bak Kut Teh - a soup with chinese herbs and spices with pork, and other innards. It supposed to make you well and strong. RM 17/good for 2
Tea Tarik - tea concoction with cream. superb! RM 3/glass
Milo ping - milo drink concoction. Tried this at home but never got the same taste. RM3/glass.
Tom Yam - may be with or w/o noodles. Best without the noodles coz noodles can make you full. Very refreshing taste. And with a good amount of prawns per serving. RM 5/bowl.


How to get there? Cebu Pacific and Air Asia flies direct to Kota Kinabalu . Check out their website for flight schedules

Shangrila Rasa Ria - Pure Indulgence

During our recent trip to Sabah Borneo i had a chance to visit Shangrila Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu. Ms Cathy Nepomuceno , the Director of Sales for Shangrila Rasa Ria was gracious enough to allow us this one day visit .


Upon entering the resort , you immediately get a feeling of never wanting to go back home again. First thing you notice is the big open air lobby with enough comfortable chairs for the weary traveller jaded with jet lag and tired from the Borneo's hot blaring sun.

The resort itself was huge! There are 2 wings the Garden Wing and the Ocean Wing. The latter is more spacious and yes it's more expensive but worth your every penny.
The resort boasts of a 3km white beach offering all sorts of water sports activity such as Banana Boat Ride, Water Skiing, para sailing, Jet skiing, wind surfing and Lepa Lepa (traditional wooden boat charter) .
Must do in the resort is indulge in their spa facility. The SPA at Dalit Bay (located at the Dalit Bay Golf Club) offers CHI Signature therapies and massages.

Everybody in the group was excited to see the Orangutans. We planned to go to Sandakan to witness the Orangutan feeding but due to lack of time we felt it wouldn't be possible (it's 7 hrs overland from KK to Sandakan). But i was truly overjoyed when i learned that Shangrila Rasa Ria has its own Nature Reserve wherein they take care of the baby orangutans in the wild and transfer them to Sandakan Orangutan Sanctuary when they grow older.Cute baby Orangs play with their trainers during feeding time. And that's when the viewing starts. We were at the viewing deck saying oohhh and wooooww and aaaahhh everytime the baby orangs do some tricks. Makes you wanna adopt one and bring home. LOL!


The Nature Reserve offer many activities for the whole family. To name a few Jungle walk, Bird watching, Nocturnal Animal walk, Ranger for the day and their latest add on is the Canopy walk. Now you don't have to go to Poring Hot Springs to experience this type of activity. FYI, this resort sits on a 64 acre land forest.
Well , after the show we were guided to see the room types both the Garden and Ocean wing. We cannot help but be amazed how huge the rooms are that you don't want to leave. One thing more, we were told that the refrigerator provided in the room does not have anything in it because they let the guests buy their own food stuffs at the resort's convenience store. I said that's great coz we never eat or drink anything at the hotel room's bar anyway because it's kinda expensive.

Ocean wing rooms even has a bath tub in the terrace! And take note: they use L'Occitane toiletries !! Only for those who can afford the Ocean Wing rooms.

Shangri La Rasa Ria address is Pantai Dalit Beach Tuaran Sabah Borneo

How to get there? From Manila Cebu Pacific and Air Asia flies to Kota Kinabalu . Check out their website for flight schedules.

For bookings and tour packages you may contact your travel agent or email me at viaje_royale@yahoo.com.ph. Send inquiries via our website