Coron: Nature at its best!

Coron trip
[Feb.26-28, 2013]

After our reef diving at Twin Peaks on our first day, 

we retreated to Coron's Maguinit Hot Spring.

To reach this place we had to hire a motorcycle and we coursed through rough trails.

I have only tried a few hot springs, but this is definitely the best for me. 

The temperature is perfect! You have to ease your body slowly into the water so you don't

surprise yourself with a sudden change in temperature.

After that, you can feel every inch of your body loosen and everything just feels so relaxing from there.

It was late afternoon when we arrived and several people were already there.

This was the ideal place to relax and end an adventure-filled day.

The spring's favorable effects ^^,

They built a wooden bridge/walkway that leads to a view of the open sea at the rear end of the spring's pool.

What a great view!

Coron never runs out of scenic views and nature wonders.

Speaking of nature wonders, our last adventure in Coron was mountain climbing.

We woke up just a few minutes before 6AM and decided to take on the the 700+ steps of Mt. Tapyas.

Nothing could have prepared us for this climb. It was definitely not for the weak of heart

--literally and metaphorically speaking! 

Good thing they created safety stops every hundred steps or so.

At least you have the chance to catch your breath and steady your heart.

And then, when you get to the last few steps...you get that additional pump and excitement!

I made it!!!!!!!!!!! And the view from here is ever more rewarding. 

Thank you Lord!

The sleeping giant during sunrise.

We made sure we were able to take enough photo memories for keepsake.

We only had a few hours left before we head back to Cebu...

and the view you get to appreciate from here..all the more makes it soooo hard to leave.

Goodbye for now and THANK YOU for the best memories!

Another Day in Paradise

Coron trip
[Feb.26-28, 2013]

 Pass Island is one of the many white sand beach islands of Coron. It's actually 2 hours from the mainland.

Without a doubt, it was worth the trip. How we got here instead of Banana Island and Malcapuya Island? Our misfortune (refer to previous post) started early in our second day for island hopping, yet, somehow, it had gotten worse. Our guide and boatman informed us that there was no way they could take us to either Banana or Malcapuya island because of the strong, huge waves. Bringing guests there would be too risky at  this time. So my dreams of frolicking on the white sand beaches of both islands just disappeared. After all the talking, we agreed to settle for Coron Loop tour. That was all we could manage with the time we have left. However, to appease us, our guide said we can to go to another white sand beach in Pass Island but it was 2 hours away. After weighing our options, time management and all that, it boiled down to: If we do not go to Pass Island, we do not have food to eat for lunch. What the??!!!

 Backtrack to 8AM this morning when we arrived at the port... Our guide met us and said that a couple will be sharing the boat with us. We protested, calmly, of course. When we availed of our tour package, we made it very clear that we would like to hire an exclusive boat just for my friend and I. Our contact person for this tour said he will heed our request provided that we paid extra (meaning additional 1k each). And yes we agreed and paid. The only reason we wanted the boat to ourselves is so that we can have control over the places we wanted to visit at our own time and pace. We only had this day to discover the islands of Coron and we'll be leaving for Cebu the next day. That's that, we were not against sharing, mind you. Hehe! So after we explained this to our guide, he said okay we will arrange another boat for you. The couple who was already settled on the first boat immediately left while we waited at the port for ours. And just like that, our food also sailed away with them. Apparently they have prepared all the food and utensils on the boat thinking that we were all going to be on the same trip. But we're not, so here we are with no food. We just finished our trekking and swimming at Kayangan Lake and it was just about lunch time. We were so hungry. What we have left were peanuts, some mLs of royal softdrink and some cookies. Now, it turns out, that the couple was going to spend the entire day at Pass Island. So, for the sake of our famished tummies  and for the sake of survival at sea, to Pass Island we go!

 After what seemed like hours and hours of travel, we finally arrived. Thank God this little island paradise was so worth the trip! Heaven on earth as they say. A perfect retreat.

 Guests were lying on the sand, relaxing, clearing their minds and dozing off with the cool sea breeze around.

Right after we practically devoured our seafood feast at around 2pm, we're off to swimming and snorkeling!

 This is me, pausing for a moment to take all of this in and keeping a photographic memory of Pass Island.

But of course, there's always a camera. Hope you enjoy the rest of our photos!

 This photo only means one thing, we just have to go. Letting go of a beautiful thing is always difficult, but we just have to or else we will face strong currents if we travel by nightfall.

 We will come back. That's a promise we wish we could keep as long as we can.

 The beautiful sunset made it all the more dramatic. Thanks a lot. LOL!

 What to do in a 2-hour boat ride. Picture!

By the way, that's our guide right there. Hands down, the best guide in Coron ever!

Thank you so much for making us enjoy this trip so much.

We'll be back to discover more of Coron. That's for sure! 

The Pristine Lake of Kayangan

Coron trip
[Feb.26-28, 2013]

This clandestine gem was so worth the trek. 

Well, for us, a great adventure always comes with a tiny bit of drama. Just a tad of drama so to say.

We could say we have gotten used to this little 'delays', because we never miss out on them in all of our trips.

So, this was our second day in Coron, Palawan and we were so excited to finally see everything about this place. This day was solely scheduled for island hopping in our exclusive boat. We were on a budget trip but we were not really willing to share our boat with others so we can go to as many destinations in our own time. We even wanted to start as early as 7am, but the coordinator of our trip suggested that we go by 9am. They said they still have to cook our food. Okay then!When we got to the port, we met with our guide, had our life vests on and met our very kind-hearted boatman who even lead us in prayer. Weee! Our excitement was way over the top! To the islands we go!!! Aaaaaaaaand............ suddenly the boat's engine did not start. Our old boatman, pulled the trigger harder the second time. Aaaaaaand..still nothing happened.Three to four other men went near our boat and helped the old man's boat to start. After several attempts, they informed us that the boat's battery was the problem. Hmm...alright, then let's replace the battery! The old man's son was asked to run and buy a new one. So we waited, at the same time we reminded ourselves that it's gonna be fine. Everything will work out well as it should. After what seemed like forever of waiting, this boy came back and talked to the old man's wife who was at the port. It turns out, a new battery would cost as much as 3k up if I'm not mistaken. Woah! So what now?????!!!! My friend and I were definitely running out of our precious time, the very little time that we have left in Coron. And of course...we were running out of patience. I was not going to sit and wait anymore, so I said, calmly, of course, can we just transfer to another boat? I explained to all of them our sentiments of having so little time in Coron that we wanted to make every minute count. Thank heavens these people were very good-hearted, they kept apologizing for all the inconvenience and finally agreed to let go of what was suppose to be their profit for the day. They gladly referred us to another boat. They even bought us some snacks to make up for the "almost" 2 hours that we lost. Yes, it was nearly 10am! Imagine our anxiety, regret and frustration.

 Anyhow, here we are, on our way to our first destination. Our original itinerary included Banana and Malcapuya Island in the morning and Coron Loop in the afternoon. But that's not going to happen now, is it?! All I requested...no...begged... was to be able to go to Kayangan Lake. So here we are..

 Pose and smile as if nothing happened. We were just so relieved that we are moving already.

 After all of the sadness soon comes happiness.....when we got to this area, it was like all of our negative vibes flew away. This is so beautiful!!

 This was actually nearing the entrance/docking port of Kayangan Lake. But would you look at that view!

 Takes your breath away!

When we go to the port, we were told that the lake was a few minutes of trek away. We had to leave the boat and trek our way to one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines. They say, if you have not gone to this place, then you have never gone to Coron. Who wouldn't want to miss this place anyway?!

 After the knee-shaking trek of going uphill and downhill several times, we now have a glimpse of the magnificent Kayangan Lake. What they say is true, the water is crystal clear.

It has a certain calmness about it that as soon as you dip your toes in its cold brackish water, you feel all your worries subside. Everything about this place is a cure for the soul. 

 As soon as I had my life vest and snorkel and mask on, I immediately hit the water.

It was deep indeed but because it is so clean and pure, you can clearly see the bottom and all the little fishes swimming around. 

 We enjoyed every single minute swimming in the lake's refreshing cold water.

 We felt like our souls were cleansed and washed anew. We are humbled yet again by the wonders of God's creations. 'Til then Kayangan Lake!

 On our way back, we had to pass by this viewing deck. This is not actually the view of the Lake, rather this is the view of the area where the boats are docked.
This turned out to be the most photographed location in Coron. 

A souvenir photo for myself..fail. More like a silhouette. Who cares!I was here! Lol!

 A huge map of Coron behind us...

Back to the boat and off we go to our next destination: Pass Island.

Not Banana, nor Malcapuya Island. Find out why in my next post =)