Spending Overnight at Banana Island. After the Coron Island tour in Bulog, Malcapuya and Banana Island, we then spent our night in Banana Island.
There are nipa huts available for rent at Banana Island which are available for overnight stay. It cost PHP 700.00 per person including the entrance fee. Camping is also allowed in the island which costs PHP 500.00 per person including the entrance fee. Since we're on a budget we haggled the amount to PHP 400.00 per person for the camping fee. I've read some write-ups online that the lady owner in the Banana Island is kind of strict and contemptuous. Even our boatman, told us so. Good thing the lady owner agreed easily for the price we asked. She even gave us the young coconuts (buko) which were on her table for free when we asked for it. ;)
There were no electricity in the island except for the generator.
The three of us started to pitch our tent and fixed our things while two of my companions went to their cottage. Too bad I wasn't able to take a peek on how the nipa hut looks like inside. Anyways, there were only few guests in the island that time. Looks like it's going to be a peaceful night.
At around 7:00 PM, our boatmen Kuya Jason and Kuya Reggie prepared our dinner (kami na ang alaga-in at inaasikaso).
After dinner, we went to the shore and have few drinks and have some talks.
We then decided to sleep afterwards.
The Camping Experience. While two of our companions went to their cottage, the three of us decided to go inside our tent and try to make sleep despite of the very hot humidity that night. I can still even remember my very laugh trip conversation with one of my friend, Lyndi while inside the tent.
Me: Ang init (habang pinapaypayan ang sarili) [So hot! (while fanning myself)]
Lyndi: Marx kung di mo na kaya ang init maghubad ka na lang. [Marx if you can't take the heat anymore, you can take your clothes off.]
Me: Ok...
Then we both laugh afterwards! Lol!
Since we're on the beach, I thought it'll be windy or the weather will be cool but I was wrong. But the weather that night explains something, it's going to rain.
Yes, we we're rained during our camping.
It was around 3:00 AM and we we're already on our sleep when a strong wind blows that the three of us got up easily from our sleep and looked curiously outside the tent. Two seconds after the rain fell so hard that we went outside to get our things. The water is leaking on the side parts of the tent that we need to secure our things from being wet.
I can see darkness outside, there's only one bulb lit at the table's area. It was so scary as I can hear the wind blowing and the rain falling so hard.
The son of the owners went to our camp site and asked us if we were just OK. It was so kind of them that they our concerned about us. The tent was still standing still and so we said we're still OK. After that, I can't fall into sleep anymore.
It's just my second time to do camping and I must say it was one-of-a-hell experience. It's a truly memorable camping experience for the three of us.
The sun is about to rise so I've just decided to stay awake. Me and my friend, Ian went outside and roamed the island while waiting for our other friends to wake up.
The sun rises after the downpour.
By the way, the dogs in the island accompanied us to get on this part of this island. Tour guide dogs! ;)
We then went back to our camping site.
"Us (Me, Iand and Lyndi) and our tent after the rain"
When everyone's already awake we had our breakfast and prepared for our departure to our next island hopping.
I was glad that the weather cooperates that day despite of the downpour happened last night.
We then bid goodbye to the owners of the island. You may contact Ate Violeta, 09214741602 if you wish to stay overnight on this island.
"From L-R; me, Ian, Lyndi, Patti and Jay"
What happened last night was a truly memorable experience. It wasn't a smooth camping experience as what we've expected but it adds up thrill to our Coron experience.
**********
Trip Tips:
- If you wish to spend a night in one of the island, overnight stay is available in Malcapuya and Banana Island. Corresponding fee is applicable during stay, PHP 700 per person for nipa hut/cottage and PHP 500 per person for camping (bring your own tent).
- There were no electricity in the island except for the generator.
- Bring food and drinks when you want to stay overnight; though a small sari-sari store is available in Banana Island
- A decent washroom is also available in the island
Banana island ang pinaka magandang island for me sa Coron. Didn't know you can camp there. Maybe I'll do that when I go there next time :D
ReplyDeleteYup pede. Pero mas gusto ko sa Malcapuya, mas mahaba ung shore...
DeleteIt's good your tent was able to handle the rain. It would've been such hassle transferring everything to a nipa hut whilst the downpour. And thank goodness the weather cooperated the next day :)
ReplyDeleteActually worried ako pero naging positive na lang ako for my friends kasi first time nila mag-camp.
DeleteGood thing ok nga ung weather after.
"Me: Ang init (habang pinapaypayan ang sarili) [So hot! (while fanning myself)]
ReplyDeleteLyndi: Marx kung di mo na kaya ang init maghubad ka na lang. [Marx if you can't take the heat anymore, you can take your clothes off.]
Me: Ok..."
Tulog na ako nito at sa gitna niyong dalawa...ahahah...
Contemptuous tatala si Manang ha...
I just learned that Bananan Island, along with Bulog and Malcapuya, is no longer part of Coron but of Culion Island Groups...
Ang bilis mo naman makatulog.
DeleteNext time I'll visit Culion and ung ibang island na may mga ibang ship wreck.
kxe naman...24 hours na akong walang tulog nun..
Deletegood camping experience pero i really hate it when it rains. basang sisiw. literal.
ReplyDeleteActually yung sa part ko lang ung binaha kaya di na ako makatulog. Nasa gilid kasi ako. Yung isa kong friend himbing pa ung tulog nya after. Hahaha!
Deleteang cute nakakaaliw magcamping!
ReplyDeleteparang grade 4 lang chos!
ikaw na marx :D
Mag-cacamping din tayo sa Burot! Hahaha!
Deletemahal din pala ang camping fee :(
ReplyDeleteYup, mahal din pero it includes entrance fee naman na. Sa water daw kasi kaya may fee pa din kahit camping.
DeleteKind of expensive (Php 500) just to occupy a small space on the island :(
ReplyDeleteYou can haggle the amount to PHP 400.00
DeletePero worth it naman. Ang saya mag stay sa island overnight. :)
How much for entrance fee alone? If ever one wants to just check out the place for the day.
DeleteP200 each!
Deletewhen i go to coron this will definitely be on top of my list.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back to Coron and do camping ulit.
Deletehmmm... naispatan ko na ang tent :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe... Excited na ako magbeach ulit! =)
DeleteHello po, yung 700 inclusive na po yon of entrance fee and food?
ReplyDeleteNope, you need to provide for your own food.
Deletedo they provide the tent?
ReplyDelete