Coron: Sights and Sunsets at Kayangan

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

One of the last places we visited in Coron, Palawan is Kayangan Lake. Said to be one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, Kayangan, as with most lakes in the area, is actually part salt water and part fresh water. The fresh water, we were told, comes from the hills and the tall limestone cliffs that enclose the lakes.


The lake is on the other side of a steep mountain. So, to get to the actual lake, you had to climb up this mountain. They have built a staircase there, so it's very accessible. The downside is, it's very accessible. This means a whole lot of tourists. I do think, however, that the lake is spacious enough for many people. So the swim there is still very much enjoyable.


I have to be honest. None of the pictures here are of Kayangan Lake itself. The pictures here are actually of the views you see going to and from the lake. There were these huts you see as you approach the staircase. The contrast in the colors of these huts and the crystalline turquoise water was to me very bizarre, interesting and at the same time, amazing.


There are other lakes and lagoons in these parts worth mentioning. One of them is Barracuda Lake. Not many people can access it because to get there you have to climb up and down very sharp rock boulders. No staircases. Very dangerous. I was even advised to not bring my camera with me, which was fine. But when we got there, I felt like we discovered a hidden gem. We were the only ones in that vast blue-green water. I even went cliff jumping there. Amazing. It was truly an outstanding experience.


After touring Coron island, it was time to get back to Coron town. At this time, the sun was already setting. We were already on the boat by then, cruising our way through the water. This was fortunate, because we got to see one pretty unforgettable sunset Coron had to offer. That was our last day there. And the sunset was the perfect ending to our wonderful trip.



For other Coron-related posts and photos, please see:
Coron: Boulders at Banol
Coron: Waddling around CYC Beach
Coron: Lusong at Sangat
Coron: Exploring the Town

See the rest of the post here...

Coron: Boulders at Banol Beach

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

On our third day in Coron, Palawan, we visited an amazing white-sand beach. On our way there, I asked our local guide/slash/tour arranger/slash/lunch provider if it was a private beach. He answered yes. Bummer. He then continued that it was owned by indigenous Mangyan tribes. I was relieved.


We arrived at Banol Beach (that's its name) just in time for lunch. We settled on a hut and had our hearty lunch there. We were lucky we had arrived before a number of other boats and tourists got there. We were able to have the beach to ourselves for at least an hour.


The place had these huge rock boulders sprawled around. The beach is not that vast, really. The place, in fact, is in a cove, bordered by huge rock mountains. It didn't stop the local Mangyans, though, from calling it home. I guess the huts and the tables are theirs. When we got there, some of them were also preparing their lunch. I even overheard some chatting with tourists, teaching them some local words and expressions.


It's really obvious what charms the place has: powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. There's plenty of that in Coron, I noticed. The places are the kind you see in travel magazines. the kind you look at and say, I want to go there.


After lunch, we explored the beach more. On the other side are more huts, which by the time we discovered them, were already occupied by tourists. It didn't matter really, because on this side of the island are these flower-bearing trees. I am not really sure what kind were they, but obviously they are a beautiful compliment to the gorgeous beach.



For other Coron-related posts, please see:
Coron: Sights and Sunsets at Kayangan
Coron: Waddling around CYC Beach
Coron: Lusong at Sangat
Coron: Exploring the Town

See the rest of the post here...

Coron: Waddling at CYC Beach

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

The Coron Youth Club (CYC) beach can be found in a very small islet, still a part of the larger Coron Island. We went here on our second day in Coron. It was our first stop and it did not disappoint.


As we approached the island, it surprised me that there was this woman already far from the beach, and yet, the water reached only up to her waist. I realized, as we got nearer, that most of the beach is actually under shallow water. Which was amazing.


The water is so shallow that our boat, in fact, could not get near the island. The area was not deep enough for it. So, they dropped us off a few meters a way and we just waddled our way to the beach.


We were fortunate enough that only one small group of tourists was there when we arrived. And the place is large enough to contain us all. We had a one side of the island all to ourselves.


There is quite a number of trees on the island, some of which lay dead on the shallow beach. They are quite beautiful fixtures to the place. Plus, they make for good photos.



For other Coron-related posts and photos, please see:
Coron: Sights and Sunsets at Kayangan
Coron: Boulders at Banol
Coron: Lusong at Sangat
Coron: Exploring the Town

See the rest of the post here...

Coron: Lusong and Sangat

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

We were in Coron, Palawan for four days and three nights. As I mentioned in my previous post, the town has a bay, not a beach. You have to arrange for an island-hopping tour of the whole archipelago to get to these beaches, and to all other snorkel sites, lakes, etc. that Coron island also offers tourists.


On our second day, we went to Lusong. There they have a coral garden and a wreck of a WWII Japanese vessel. It's underwater, of course. It was the first time I or any of my travel companions ever saw a shipwreck. It was scary and creepy, yet exciting. Unfortunately, nobody had an underwater camera. So boo to us. I, though, was able to take a photo of the coral garden, from above the water, of course. It still amazes me how crystal clear the waters are there. Amazing.


The tour we paid for also includes a very hearty lunch. Pinoy-style fish steak, grilled porkchops, some greens, some fruits for dessert. Yeah, family style lunch. What's even better is that we had it on a secluded tropical paradise--the Sangat Island Reserve.


There is a resort in the island, which, it seemed to me, catered only to foreigners. I think there were less locals than foreigners in that resort, and I'm including the resort staff here. It isn't odd, really. The island seemed like the place you'd find in James Bond movies, where expat criminals would hide and lie low.


The resort is so secluded, so quiet, so peaceful. It was already noon and save for this little girl and her dad, we were the only ones standing in that long stretch of white-sand beach. So I thought, why didn't we choose to stay here? Ah, yes. Accomodations in the island is rather steep for our yuppie budgets. See for yourself here in their website: Sangat Island Reserve.


Exhausted from the hearty lunch we just had, we rested in the hammocks by the beach. We had our "ah...this is the life" moment. I wanted to take more pictures but damn, the camera's battery was running out of power. When that happens, it automatically shuts down the shutter. So, no more picture-taking!


We spent the rest of the early afternoon exploring the reserve. At the end of the beach, we found a rock cliff. What's neat is that they've built a wooden footbridge along the face of that cliff. Below the footbridge are rocks, pretty sharp ones, and the blue-green waters of that cove.

At one point along the bridge, you get a 180-degree view of the pristine waters of the island. It's one of the most amazing views I've ever had. I need to go back there to take a photo of it. I want to take it back with me to Manila to remind myself of that breathtaking natural beauty.

For other Coron-related posts and photos, please see:
Coron: Sights and Sunsets at Kayangan
Coron: Boulders at Banol
Coron: Waddling around CYC Beach
Coron: Exploring the Town

See the rest of the post here...

Coron: Exploring the Town

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

Coron is a municipality located in an island north of Palawan. I first heard of it when I was working for (would you believe it) the town's congressman who was based in Manila. I didn't know much about it then. I just knew it was a popular tourist spot, mostly to foreigners, which to me meant big bucks for you to get there. I was wrong.


From the airport at Busuanga, an adjacent municipality, we took a van transfer to get there. It's a 40-minute ride through unfinished roads from the airport to the town, costing 100 to 150 pesos, depending on how good you bargain. There are many vans waiting for tourists right outside the small airport. If you've arranged to be picked up by your resort/hotel/lodge/tour agency, however, then this won't be a problem.


Upon arriving, we went on to exploring the town by ourselves (which is free, by the way). The most fascinating thing about the town is that while you will see many tourists, most of whom are foreigners, the town still retains its provincial quality. None of the touristy-tacky hallmarks you see in places like Bohol or Puerto Galera. Case and point, we were not able to find the one souvenir shop in town.


It's quite peaceful there. Maybe we're just so used to big-city noise that poblasyon-noise just pales in comparison. I am not sure. You have to take note, though, that the town has a bay, not a beach. No, the beaches are located elsewhere (which is why arranging for island hopping is necessary, but more on that in my next posts).


We had lunch at Sea Dive Resto and Lodge. The food was okay (just okay, not great). The view at the restaurant, though, is definitely more than okay, a million-fold okay. The restaurant sits on the bay itself. It was constructed on stilts. So, from the restaurant, you have a 180-degree view of the bay and the surrounding islands. Breathtaking, I must say.


Sea Dive Resto and Lodge is located near the town market. To get there, you have to walk this long pathway, this long foot bridge. The entrance to this pathway is by the main road, the same road that passes through the town market. It's easy to find. Just look for the resto's signs.


After lunch, we had some rest before deciding to go up Mt. Tapyas. It's the highest peak in the town. The stairs leading to the peak would not be that hard to find. Mt. Tapyas is a popular spot. So, there are many signs on how to get there. If all else fails, ask the locals.


Brace yourself for the climb. We got tired of counting the steps to get to the peak. We probably lost count. Anyway, there are benches along the way where people can catch their breath and enjoy the sights. It's a pretty exhausting and leg-shaking climb. Catching the sunset there, however, is definitely worth every drop of sweat you will make.



For other Coron-related posts and photos, please see:
Coron: Sights and Sunsets at Kayangan
Coron: Boulders at Banol
Coron: Waddling around CYC Beach
Coron: Lusong at Sangat

See the rest of the post here...

Promise

This blog has moved!


WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

I will see you Summer '09. I will, I will, I will.


Image Sources:
Digital Photographer.com
Asia Travel Pictures.com
Myscrapbook-lyh.blogspot.com
Travel Blog.org

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