BLISSFULLY BLESSED CORON (March 16-19, 2013)

My Coron island paradise adventure, third in my bucket list for 2013, has materialized against all odds. I was about to jettison this adventure to the Calamian group of islands in Palawan due to an inexpressible circumstance, but I, at the eleventh hour, did not welcome the idea of squandering my airfare, shelving my accommodation and blotting out the preconceived beauty of the place that was already playing in the back of my mind. I must dare g

A quick pose at the airport's facade shortly after touchdown

The huge clay pot hence the Town's name "Coron"

It took me over 12 hours to endure the long waiting time from my time of arrival in Manila, including the flight delay, my first experience in four years. Our aircraft alighted at late afternoon at Francisco B. Reyes Airport, and further counted an extra hour or so before reaching Coron Reef Pension House.

After I checked in, I made a quick walk to the town proper to sample some local eats along the town’s square where hawker’s stalls are situated. I retired early after my meal. I knew that I had to wake up early for the island tour since the two nights before were sleepless.

Coron's modern day church at town center

I booked Tour A with Nice in Paradise agency in town. The tour consisted of 6 must-see destinations, with picnic lunch and free use of mask and snorkel set which I've haggled with the owner for Php 650 only.

Mt. Tapyas as seen from the pier 

Authentic powdery white sand on Malcapuya Island Beach

Island hopping , what else?

TOUR A:

Coron's best photo advertisement

KAYANGAN LAKE AND CAVE

The boat departed from the pier around 9:15, and headed out to the most famous place in Coron, the Kayangan Lake and cave. The lake is the Philippines and Asia’s cleanest lake as they claim it. 

From the town’s pier, you will be enthralled by the landscape of the island. The brown colored hills with sparse trees scattered make up a remarkable and a strange spectacle. The jagged karstic limestone cliffs will greet you in great awe as you behold the cool and rustic natural treat at this Kayangan spot. 

Yes, they look like golden rocks

Great snorkeling moment at Kayangan Lake

The lake is hidden. The man-made steps are steep and will test your stamina and endurance as you gasp your way up. Before going up and down to the lake, you will already appreciate the splendor of the lagoon, and the jagged limestone rocks surrounding it.

The picture perfect photograph that often advertises Coron could be viewed when you pose on the elevated stone fronting Kayangan cave and its backdrop are the limestone rocks decked with green grass, the lagoon and the white sand. It is not really the Kayangan Lake for your information.The beauteous lake unfolds its innate magnificent character once you are there. 

A wooden platform serves as the base and walkway for swimmers and tourists alike. The brackish lake contains 70% fresh and 30% salt water perfect for swimming and snorkeling activities. You will be amazed by the golden rock formations and the school of fish within striking distance as you leisurely swim and frolic afloat. This place is heaven on earth. It is best experienced than told and photographed. Tellingly, Coron is luckily blessed with these wonders.

TWIN PEAKS REEF (Snorkeling Spot)

The twin peaks are rocks and are a few meters away from the immobile boat. You don’t go or swim to its direction. You simply jump off the boat with your life vest on, follow the guide and go snorkeling. The corals are so-so and not so impressive. No live polyps. The only oddity was the antler-looking corals which I have never seen before.

Adorably clean and powdery white sand of Banol Beach

BANOL BEACH

Heading towards the beach for our third and picnic lunch on the hut on stilts, and the short stretch of strikingly white and powdery sands were by far teasingly inviting. It was definitely a new treat to feast on.

A hearty meal with my tour mates transpired. I gorged ravenously the seaweeds which perfectly matched with the chopped grilled pork and fish. Then we explored further the main sun-bathed beach with Sino and Europeans savoring their buffet lunch. The colorful banners sparked further the beauty of the island particularly when seen from afar.

Giant clam photo trick with the aid of the boatman

BALINSASAYAO FLOATING HUT

As the second and final snorkeling spot of the tour, we drifted over the coral reserves below. It, too, looked drab like the first spot. The experience was fun though, but there is not much to see. The life vest aided us to float care-free. Before taking off my mask, a guide from Masbate got me a giant clam for picture taking tricks. The clam was nonetheless reverted to its habitat, the sea floor. Well, Coron is no ordinary place to be.

CYC BEACH 

This smallisland beach is beautified by the mangroves and its distinctive features. Half of the beach boasts of fine white sands and the other half is mixed up with coral rubbles. It is the only beach that does not charge entrance fee as it is maintained by the municipality. You can also explore and discover what is behind the beach.

BARRACUDA LAKE

As the tour’s finale, we docked on the wooden pier surrounded by imposing jagged cliffs. Barracuda Lake is the smaller and deeper version of Kayangan Lake. The wooden steps and floor tailor-made for everyone facilitate the entry to and exit from the lake much easier and convenient after the day’s island activities.

More jagged cliffs surround the lake, and the approach point to the lagoon towards the hidden lake. This lake is best enjoyed by snorkeling on the sides. You will see different species of fish and golden jagged rock formations underneath the deep brackish lake.

The 6-in-1 Coron ultimate tour was definitely terrific and pleasurable. It is categorically the best tour package with the cheapest rate. Not to be outdone, the other pricier packages are equally fantastic and worth-experiencing.

TOUR B:

My third day in Coron was attributed for another island-hopping adventure. This time it was a plain beach-hopping delight to the 3 best island beaches: Isla Bulog, Banana Island and Malcapuya Island. The tour costs Php 1,200 inclusive of buffet meal that has failed my expectation. 

The agency where we booked seemed to have just rushed and taken chances in pushing through with the island tour. It was evidenced in the utter delay of departure, supposed to be at 8:30. We left the pier almost 10 am. Patience did the trick for us so that it won’t turn out as a spoiler. The boat’s engine likewise stopped a couple of times. Despite these downsides, our tour ended happily, reached the pier at dusk, and parted ways with my new-found acquaintances.

BULOG ISLAND

The Calamian group of islands is endowed with superior quality of white sand beaches. These strikingly white beaches are almost everywhere. The beauty of Bulog beach is still intact. No improvement in the area, except for one hut that shelters transient guests from the tour. Adjacent beaches add more color and beauty to the island’s surroundings. High tide deprived us from experiencing the sand bar and the nemo fish encounter. He sun was at its height and I did not brave explore the small area.

BANANA ISLAND

The boatmen led us to our assigned cottage for our buffet meal. The dishes were not as tasty as we expected it to be. Even then, we were glutted rather than gutted. Then the alluring charms of the shimmering beach began to be irresistible. 

Most of the beach fronts in Coron are short and at times pebbles and coral rubble are present. However, the tip part of the beach is where you can experience the thick and pearly white sands often accented with the clear water to blue, and the mangroves including the dead ones will most likely make you exclaim, “Wow!” I’ve got some of the best shots here for the views were awesome and unforgettable. 

MALCAPUYA ISLAND

The third beach stop was in Malcapuya. It’s the largest and longest of the three island beaches on offer, and the best white powdery sand as well. I’ve got my sand souvenir here which I successfully brought home, getting past the inspectors at the airport. As a go-light traveler, I was lucky since the airport has no x-ray machine scanners. The airport police actually touched the pouch where the sand was, but since it was so supple, she immediately let go of it. 

I rolled over the soft sands and buried my body in appreciation of it. Thanks to another Masbateño boatman whom I coached in taking my photos. This beach can contend with Boracay, Calaguas, Matukad beach in Caramoan in fineness. For me, the sand here is whiter than the beaches mentioned. 

I left the island by sampling a cashew fruit which is in abundance in Palawan, the province that is famous for its cashew nuts.

We chanced upon the setting of the sun while we were on our final stretch to the town’s pier. It was an awe-inspiring sight, a fitting end to the day’s active day on the islands and at sea.

SUNRISE ON MT. TAPYAS

This mountain trek ends my fourth day in Coron. My supposed companions welshed on the appointed time so I started my walk at 5:30 when the town was just about to awake from sleep. The wide and concrete steps are over 700 en route to the summit where a huge metal cross is erected. From the view deck, you can sniff fresh cool mountain breeze and possibly sea breeze. It is also the vantage point for the spectacular views of the town, the sea and the barren-looking islands in the middle of the sea.

In an iffy, the sun surfaced from its hiding place, thus making us busy posing for pictures and capturing shots after shots. 

It was time for us to walk down the staircase with my companions whom I recognized from the crowd while the sun was already up.

PUBLIC MARKET

We proceeded to the market to buy some food to eat. Macaroni soup and hot cake made up my last breakfast in Coron. The hot cake was no ordinary at the price of Php 10. It was better tasting than the pancakes from fast foods.

Finally, I scored a crispy dried fish (espada and danggit) plus a marinated danggit.

Everything is beautiful in Coron and Puerto Princesa. This summer getaway proved to be therapeutic after surviving all the problems and cares that unexpectedly barged into my path in the aftermath of a life’s test. Add to that all the pristine and unspoiled beaches that are by far better than the other prized beaches all over the country. I shall complete my date with Palawan in three months’ time. See you El Nido!