amazing Coron!

Just 2 days after our wedding, we were on our way to Coron! This trip is actually a gift from my parents. My mom asked me where we wanted to go when we go home to the Philippines and since I've never to Palawan, and I've seen photos of how pretty Coron is, this is where I wanted to go.

We pretty much settled all the arrangements months before returning back home. I've researched a couple of websites about people offering Coron packages and we've chosen Coron Wonders to help with our trip. Our transaction with them are all done mostly via email and a couple of times through sms, and dealing with them is a breeze.

We took the early flight going to there and after an hour flight, we reached paradise.

Not only my family came with us in this trip but a couple of relatives too. There are 11 of us in this trip.

When we reached Busuanga's Francisco B. Reyes Airport, there is a van ready to pick us up and drop us off to the hotel we're staying, Princess of Coron. Ate Rina  of Coron Wonders met us at the hotel and welcomed us. We freshen up a bit and changed clothes then we're off to discover Coron.

The town proper, airport and all the hotels are all situated at Busuanga Island. Coron is the island next to it. From Busuanga, it takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the place you're visiting to discover the island. We went first to Banol Beach where we would be having our lunch.

Banol Beach

There were about 4 nipa huts at the beach and they are mostly occupied by other tourists as well. Ate Rina and her team prepared a really good lunch for us. It's simple but very filling.

Lunch right on the beach

After lunch, everything that we took to the beach (food, utensils, trash), we took back again to the boat to preserve the beach's cleanliness. It's the best way to care for the place. With tummies already full, we're off to discovering the island. First stop: Barracuda Lake.

There is a bit of a trek going to the limestone walls covering the lake. As you descend on to the lake, one word would come to mind. Serenity. There were no other visitors at the time when we were there and it feels like the whole place belonged to us. We (the younger members of the group) and the mamang bangkeros are able to persuade all of our group to dive in, with jackets on of course.

Next stop: Kayangan Lake and Cave

Kayangan Lake

Next to Kayangan Cave is the most photographed spot in the whole of Coron. Just looking at this picture, one would immediately know that it was taken there. The photo above is the island on the photogenic spot. Going to the Kayangan Cave/Lake takes a HUGE effort. You'd have to trek a slippery and rocky trail going up the Cave. Most of our group members have to take breaks in between to reach the infamous spot. Oh mosquito-repellent lotion is absolutely necessary.

trekking to Kayangan Cave/Lake

After trekking up to the cave, you then have to trek the same rocky slippery trail down the Lake. It was well worth it, jumping down a cool and refreshing lake would the very thing that you would love to do after the trek. Rock and tree formation surround the entire lake.

Kayangan Lake

Next stop: Siete Pecados

Siete Pecados is named as such for having 7 small islands surrounding the coral marine area. I loved this spot, we spent most of the time snorkeling with the fishes.  And boy, we saw tons of fish. Fishes of all sizes and all colors. We come prepared to feed the fishes, buying bread for them to eat. They take the bread right out of your fingers!

One of the Siete Pecados

marine life at Siete Pecados

It was almost 6pm when we're done snorkeling with the fishes. The rest of stops in Coron Island we'll continue tomorrow before heading back to the pier.

Day 2: Banana Island, Malcapuya Island and Bulog Island (sand bar)

Our second day didn't start in sunny note. It was raining and with the rain, waves are definitely big. It took us almost 2 hours to reach Malcapuya Island and to be completely honest, that had been one of the scariest boat ride ever. We can feel each wave as it slam on to our boat. It was completely terrifying. And as we reach Malcapuya Island, it was sooo worth the boat ride.

It was still raining a bit when we got to the island but after half an hour, the sun shone. =) Ate Rina prepared morning snacks for us and we eat them at the island. There were a couple of sari-sari stores in the island too, but prices are exorbitant.

Malcapuya Island

It was definitely of the nicest beach I've been to. The sand is powdery white and it sooo fine. It's beautiful. It's a long stretch of beach wherein you can frolic at the sand or have fun crashing with the waves.

Next stop: Banana Island

Banana Island

This is my favorite place in the entire trip. It's postcard perfect. If given the chance to go back again, I'd definitely spent the night here at this island. It is just sooo beautiful.

We had our lunch at the island. Ate Rina and her team prepared to food for us again. There were several cottages scattered around the island. We had a minor incident though, my brother got stung by a jellyfish here and it damped the team's spirit for a while. I thought he would have been done enjoying Coron, but after a few hours, he went in and swam with us again. Oh, and they caught the evil jellyfish.

Bulog Island (sandbar)

Bulog Island

After leaving Banana Island, we stop for just for pictures at Bulog Island. This is an great place since it's basically a sandbar. When the tide is low, you can see the ridge of sand formed. Check out the sand that we're standing at.

Skeleton Wreck

This is supposedly included to yesterday's itinerary but since we're short on time, we are not able to squeeze it in. Good thing we were able to go to it today.

school of fish

Again, there were plenty of fish at the wreck. It was actually a Japanese tanker that submerged in Coron in 1944. It was eerie to find the wreck and you can still see the whole image of the tanker ship just a few meter below the surface. Most of the media that we have on the wreck are videos, should have took pictures of it.

Twin Lagoon

Last stop of the day is the twin lagoon. The entrance cave to the lagoon is visible only on low tide, such as the time we went there. Otherwise you'd have to climb the stairs to reach the other side. We rode a balsa going to the lagoon. Salt and fresh water are said to be mix at the lagoon which is why there are places where water is cool and at times warm.

3rd day: Mt. Tapyas

On our third and last day, we decided to climb Mt. Tapyas. Only 3 of us climb as the others were busy buying pasalubong at the town proper. The trail to the top takes about 700+ steps but was safe as it is paved and concrete. There were hand railings to aide you to the climb to the mountain. It was sweltering hot when we reached the summit and then a huge rainfall fell on us. There were no cottages at the summit! We had to stay underneath a tree waiting for the rain to stop. But of course, it didn't stop. So we decline the stairs and waited at the one of the steps with roof. After the raid stopped, we climbed the summit again.

at the summit

We stayed at Princess of Coron during our stay and it was one of the most convenient hotels since they have the most amenities in the island. We booked them through Coron Wonders too.