CORON: A Reminder of How Lovely and Beautiful the Philippines is

     If you are looking for a karst landscape of scenic limestone cliffs, lakes, white sand beaches, lagoons, lush marine life, and popular dive spots, then, all you have to do is to visit Coron in Palawan. This place has always been one of the top destinations in the Philippines. Coron island is the ancestral domain of the Tagbanua tribes people.

 

      Coron ala Hollywood...

 

 

On our first day, we decided to walk around Coron town proper and to climb Mt. Tapyas. You can reach the foot of Mt. Tapyas (starting point of hiking) via tricycle.

 

The peak of Mt. Tapyas is the highest point one can get when in Coron. From the foot of Mt. Tapyas, you have to endure around 700 + concrete steps to the top. Reaching and standing at the peak of Mt. Tapyas will let you enjoy a panoramic view of the Coron town proper, and the surrounding seas. We stayed at the view deck and waited until sun set. What a beautiful view!

 

 

 

After couple of steps from the foot of Mt. Tapyas, we need to stop for awhile. Picture picture muna...   

 

 

The "Sleeping Giant" at the background.

 

After all the "hingal," "kantahan while climbing," "kulitan," "pawis," (may nag-alaxan ba? hehe), finally we reached the peak of Mt. Tapyas...

 

              

 

 

The Giant Cross of  Mt. Tapyas 

 

 

 

    After a long, tiring day climbing Mt. Tapyas and walking around Coron town proper, spending a few hours at Maquinit Hot Spring is a very good idea. We went there early evening as we were informed that the water temperature there is dreadfully hot especially in the afternoon. This is the only known hot spring in the Philippines that produces a 40-degree Celsius salt water instead of fresh water. As a matter of fact, it is not advisable to immediately jump into the hot spring because of the steaming water temperature... kaya we slowly immerse our body into the water; and while doing this, we were talking about the beautiful song of Barbara Streisand, “All I Ask of You.” Kuya A started to sing, “No more talk of darkness, Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you -my words will warm and calm you…”and I was reminded of the musical “The
Phantom of the Opera.” at dahil dyan, nalimutan na magpapicture sa mismong hot spring... 

   



 

   Coron trip is incomplete without the whole day island hopping; and to make sure that we will be able to complete the coron island loop, we started the hop early, as in very early in the morning. The view is breathtaking, the weather is perfect (kahit hindi summer).

    Isang matinding paghanga ang naramdaman ko... God's creation never ceases to amaze me. If I were to sing a song that day, eto yun, "I don't know what to say, You take my breath away....... You're the music that I play and you take my breath away..."





The Coron Island Loop includes:

Seiete Pecados-It’s comprised of a cluster of seven islets that are home to an incredibly rich variety of marine life.

 



Japanese Naval Wreck- According to e-Philippines.com.ph, these Japanese wrecks are remnant of the Philippines’ participation in World War II. The Philippines was under Japanese rule and US forces were bombing the Japanese naval ships near Manila. To protect the other warships, a decision was made to deploy the ships to other safe places around the islands. One of the places the Japanese navy went to was the Calamian Group, in Northern Palawan. The vessels were safely camouflaged among the islands, until a US reconnaissance team noticed that some of the islands in the area were moving. On September 24, 1944 the United States attacked the Japanese Imperial Navy in the area, sinking 24 warships around Busuanga and Coron.

 

Kayangan Lake-The Kayangan Lake itself is a great place to swim around (kaya nga ayaw ng umalis ng isang kasama namin dun). It is said to be the clearest and cleanest lake in the Philippines. Before approaching the lake itself, we climbed up and down a mountain trail. Halfway up the mountain trail, there is a cave and of course the view of the lagoon midway up the steps is stunning.

 

 

 

Just a ten to fifteen minute boat ride from the Kayangan Lake is the Hidden Lagoon. During high tide, the only way to get there is to trek up and down the improvised “stairs” embedded in the rocks.

 

Next is Twin Lagoon. It is called as such since these lagoons are separated by limestone cliffs that have an opening where tourists can pass to get to the other lagoon. These lagoons are surrounded by towering rocks with crystal clear and emerald green water. Kapoy kaya dito pero worth it naman.

 

Barracuda Lake, another amazing place in Coron. It has been named Barracuda Lake because a skeleton of a big barracuda was found in this lake. To get to the lake, from the landing platform there are 30-40 wooden steps meandering through the jagged limestone cliff surrounding the lake. Just bring your swimming gear and of course your camera and leave your other things in the boat as there is no place to put your bags inside the lake. The scenery around this lake is spectacular. This is also a diving spot (kaya puro foreigners nakasalubong namin)

 

   

     Approaching Banol Beach.......

 

     ....... and the group's favorite part of the island hopping--  kainan time.  We went to a white sand beach called Banol Beach not to swim but to eat. yummy.......

 

 

    Speaking  of food, we will not end our Coron trip without tasting the seafood specialties /offerings at Kawayanan Grill. This bar & resto was featured many times in different TV shows like Biyahe ni Drew and Taste Buddies. 

          

        Our Coron trip will not be completed without meeting and blessing the people of Coron... 

 

 

                        From the sky leaving Coron.......