Coron, Palawan

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Widely considered as the Philippines’ final frontier, Palawan could very much be the microcosm of the whole country. It packs so much in such a narrow strip of land everything the Philippines has to offer but has relatively less tourists, thereby making it easier to have an off-the-beaten-track feeling. On the northernmost tip of Palawan is the Calamian Archipelago, where Busuanga Island - its largest island - is located. Famed for its superb wreck diving sites, Busuanga also boasts of picturesque sceneries, good swimming, and worthwhile hiking trips for a fun-filled weekend.

We had our two-day Coron-Calauit trip on November 1-2 this year, departing Manila in the afternoon of October 31 via Super Ferry. (Super Ferry departs Manila every Friday on the way to Puerto Princesa and stops at Coron Saturday morning before leaving for the capital of Palawan shortly after.) Upon arrival, we settled down for a few moments in Princess of Coron, a new guesthouse run by a friendly Filipina with an Austrian husband, before doing a climb of the 700-or-so (it varies with each person you ask) steps atop Mt. Tapyas to experience a breathtaking view of Coron at sunrise.

Next on the itinerary was island-hopping through a boat. Boat rentals cost about P1000-1500, including a boat captain, and a boat can carry about 15 passengers. The stops include snorkeling at the site of the Skeleton Wreck, seafood lunch at the CYC Island, and swimming with and feeding a variety of fishes in Siete Pecados, a site that gained prominence thanks to it being an on-location set of a popular local primetime telenovela.

Early next day (3 am to be exact), we were off to Calauit Island, on the northwestern part of Busuanga. It’s a 4-hour ride that’s literally a pain in the rear as cemented roads are yet to make their way to this part of the world. It rarely gets more off the beaten track than this and it’s actually part of the appeal, and provided you’re willing to rough it up the trip is well worth it: Calauit Island is home to the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, a reserve created by the Presidential decree in 1976.

The animals, which include giraffes and zebras, were shipped from Kenya in 1977 (the original animals have died out, though, and those that live there belong to either the second or third generation). The giraffes are tame enough to be fed and approached although the zebras are not. It’s advisable to visit the site early in the morning as it can be very hot later during the day, and the animals render themselves invisible to plain sight as they escape the heat. (Entrance fee to the reserve is P250 for Filipinos and P350 for foreigners, and getting there includes riding a boat across a river.)

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Photos

CYC Island, Coron, Palawan, Philippines
An island off Coron Town in the Calamian Archipelago in Northern Palawan

Super Ferry
At the main lobby of Super Ferry 4.

Super Ferry
Dusk falls as viewed from the deck of Super Ferry.

Super Ferry
Dawn breaks as the ship prepares to dock in Coron a few minutes later.

Sunrise
The sun peeks from the clouds with an island on the horizon.

Mt. Tapyas
Mountains for the background with grass on the foreground

Mt. Tapyas
A view of the landscape atop Mt. Tapyas

Mt. Tapyas
My cousin Rachel and Mari posing for a shot after the 700-step climb to the top of Mt. Tapyas

Mt. Tapyas
My cousin Sean posing for a shot after the 700-steps climb to the top of Mt. Tapyas

Coron Port
Young boys on the port where outriggers would transport passengers to an island-hopping in Coron

Tricycle
A local tricycle, Coron

Coron
The outrigger going to the sea

Barracuda Lake, Coron
Tourists kayaking under a karst

Coron
The boatman's son joining his dad for the island-hopping

Coron
Chelo tests the waters.

Coron
Chelo still tests the waters.

CYC Island
My sister and cousins posing at the CYC Island in Coron

CYC Island
A mother-and-son moment between my cousin Cel and her son Chio

CYC Island
More mother-and-son moment

CYC Island
Abie takes a break from taking pictures.

CYC Island
Sean having a laugh while taking a dip.

Comments

[maline]

warning
when you visit Coron, make sure not to get this van driver named KIT YONG a very unethical person. he’s using different airport shuttles. ask the dispatcher not to make him as your service.

[butch]

agree
met that guy recently. he used to tie up with the dirty old lady (Raquel) who gave us the package. you're right he's very unethical man. i use to sit in front of the van but when the dirty old lady came, he hurriedly commanded me to sit at the back. at last i knew that they were lovers.