The Last Frontier

August 8-10, 2009
Coron, Northern Palawan
Spots visited: The Coron Island Loop – Siete Pecados, Kalachuchi, Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Banul Beach, Skeleton Shipwreck

Amidst some rocks, at Banul Beach

Palawan is called the Philippines’ last frontier. It is comprised of the main island, Palawan Island, and the smaller islands surrounding the main island. It stretches from Mindoro in the northeast and Borneo in the southwest. It is located just north of Malaysia’s Sabah Island.

The islands I visited are part of the Calamianes Group of Islands, comprised of  Busuanga Island, Coron Island, and Culion Island. I did not get to go to Culion, which used to be the world’s largest leper colony. There are no lepers in Culion anymore, but the island has become a tourist attraction because of its rich history.

The view from a cliff overlooking the ocean

Takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Before the weekend of August 8, I had been dying to visit Palawan for quite some time. I originally wanted to see Puerto Princesa, where the underground river is, but a lot of people I had asked told me that they found Northern Palawan more breathtaking. On the said weekend, I got to fulfill my dream (or one of my many dreams, at least). I went to Coron. I arrived at the Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga before lunch. From the airport, I went straight to my hotel, the Busuanga Seadive Resort.

I was supposed to climb Mt. Tapyas after lunch. But I  lacked sleep, and the beer I had with my vegetarian curry had a sedative effect on me, so I decided to sleep Saturday afternoon and Saturday night away. I know, I know, one does not go to Palawan to sleep! But hey, I was scheduled to go island hopping on Sunday, and I didn’t want to be ill-prepared for my seafaring adventure.

I woke up bright and early Sunday morning. I was scheduled, along with 5 other people, to take a tour of the Coron island loop. To say I was excited would be an understatement. The sea was beckoning, and I was more than willing to let it seduce me.

I won’t write a narrative of my island tour. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Busuanga Seadive Resort

Siete Pecados (“Seven Islands”)

Kalachuchi Island

Docked on Kalachuchi waters

Crystal clear

The path to Kayangan Lake

From a cliff overlooking the ocean

Takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

The mouth of a cave near Kayangan Lake

Taking a breather

Kayangan Lake

The steep climb to Barracuda Lake

Barracuda Lake

A break form the cold waters of the lake

The journey to Twin Lagoon

See the school of fish?

Banul Beach

The beautiful rocks of Banul Beach

Amidst some rocks, at Banul Beach

My feet on fine, white sand

Let the beach take your breath away again

Approaching the site of the shipwreck

Beneath the water are colorful reefs and a rich sealife

Mt. Tapyas

Your writer and a bangka, near Twin Lagoon

I said goodbye to Palawan a couple of weekends ago. But that’s not to say that I won’t be saying hello to it again. I plan to go to Culion on my next visit, as well as to Calauit. Calauit Island, for your information, is a wildlife sanctuary. It was declared such in 1977, when then President Marcos imported eight species of African animals from Kenya: giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, eland, topi, and bushbacks. These animals run freely on the island, which means going on a Calauit safari is like going on an African mini safari. I’ll make sure to rub elbows with these wildlife the next time I set foot on Palawan soil.

If you want to take a trip to Palawan, I suggest you contact Mr. Owen Ferrer. He organizes Coron trips for very reasonable prices. And when I say reasonable, I mean really cheap. You may want to check out his website, DIY Coron.

Bye for now!

Your writer and a bangka, near Twin Lagoon