ramblings, random musings, fascinations, rants, raves and revelations

I have been dreaming of Palawan for the longest time. Gay and Zelot has been there before but still decided to go back and this time, with 9 more in tow - US!

With the scourging heat of the Metro, it is the best time to check out the white sand beaches of the country. One of the more popular summer destinations is Coron in Palawan province. I, Almsie, Carlo, Gay, Zelot, Kelly, Nina, Carol, Muty, Abhi and Bochog had the opportunity to experience it’s best and more.

If you’re planning a Coron Palawan trip, you can reserve plane tickets online via SEA Air or Zest Air, Cebu Pacific or the newest that caters them - PAL Express. These are the only commercial Philippine airlines that fly to Busuanga island where Coron is.

When our group took the trip, we made our hotel resort booking online at Darayonan Lodge. The place is owned by a very accomodating and nice couple. We have not been able to get the newer rooms because they were fully booked. The place we stayed at is made from local materials so it’s like staying in a bahay kubo. The staff were very friendly and nice to talk with. Our tour guide - Michelle was really nice and funny at times especially if she would start telling stories about those who guard the islands. She’s very superstitious and yet very funny to be with.

A Palawan is perfect getaway for people who need to realx and be closer to nature. We really enjoyed it. How about our more than 1,800 pictures? Do I still have to say more?

Coron Palawan’s Points of Interest:

• Sunset91Beach - A great place to relax, white-powdery-fine sand, to get that perfect tan and to eat lunch! I’m saying this because we were so hungry that time already.
• Cayangan Lake - these is a beautifully hidden lagoon that are maintained by the native Tagbanua tribe of northern Palawan. There are other lagoons that are off-limit to tourists because they are national protected areas and according to Ate Michelle “spirit guarded”.
• Mt. Tapias - Hikers and nature lovers will enjoy climbing these peaks. At the top of Mt. Tapias is a giant cross that is lighted at night. It can be reached through the 750-step stairs which really tested Carol’s and Nina’s endurance. So you can just imagine how we all rejoiced when finally we saw them descending from the stairs.
• Skeleton Wreck - Coron is one of the best locations to go diving. I tried to do a research on this. In 1944 some 120 US Navy bombers caught a Japanese convoy at anchor in northern Palawan. Some 11 [and more yet undiscovered] World War II Japanese wrecks await divers under the vast Coron Bay.
• Maquinit Hot Spring - definitely lives to it’s name. It was really hot and it took us so much time to adjust to it’s temperature. Our teasings even included “our balls” being hard boiled before we could even go home.

So whether you like nature or the white beach, Coron Palawan has everything to offer. Go to Coron for its breathtaking tourist sites, cashew nuts, masarap foods, and great value accommodation.

What can I say about the people? One thing I remember we had a bad experience from “masungit” people like the one from Coron Bistro and the airport personnels and of course the pang-fine dining na prices of those stores you would find near the airport. And I wouldn’t advise also that you go to their public resorts like the Calachuchi Resort because it’s dirty and will not worth the travel. Souvenir shops aren’t also that cheap.