Coron Memoirs - Part I

Strings of islets and islands amidst sparkling blue waters making up the Calamianes group of islands in Palawan is now visible from the aircraft windows as the ATR made its final descent towards the Busuanga airport.

The land trip from Busuanga town to Coron town was uneventful. Surprisingly, the roads are concrete!  The 45-60 minutes trip on board the van-for-hire seemed like more than an hour as everyone inside were all excited to reach Coron. 

Everyone on board was comfortable though as they don't practice overloading of passengers which makes the P150.00 fare worth it.  Taking a morning flight from Manila is the best time for travel as one arrives in Busuanga and ultimately in Coron just around 12 noon.  

Travel date : February 2011

Canon 40D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, 1/50sec, f/8.0, 50mm, ISO 800

The Coron Village Lodge became home for the next 3 days. Another surprise - the rooms are great for the rates quoted! It's a bargain. I opted to not to take their offered packages and just paid only for the accommodation.  The lodge is situated in the middle part of the town, so every location is accessible even by just walking. Mind you,  I booked my room 3 months prior to arrival since the lodge is one of the first choices among travelers in the place.

Lunch was the first order after completing the check-in procedure.  Two blocks from the lodge, on the same street, is the Lolo Nonoy's carenderia.  Its clean, just the right price and most of all 'lutong-bahay'!  I found out in the next few days that local tour groups also bring-over their guest to this place.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
1/60sec, f/11.0, 17mm, ISO 100

After a short nap, i packed my stuff in preparation for the climb to Mt. Tapyas. It's one of the popular destinations and the second highest place in Coron town.  Its base is accessible by a 10-minute or so walk from the lodge. 

I opted to take the tricycle to conserve my energy for the long climb ahead through its 700+ paved and concrete steps.  The ascent can take as fast as 30 minutes to as slow as 60 minutes, depending on ones physical condition.  Mine was somewhere in the middle. Heheheh. 

Whatever it is, make sure you get on the top just in time for sunset or sunrise.  Don't forget to bring extra shirt, a towel and lots and lots of water or gatorade!

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
1/200sec, f/8.0, 10mm, ISO 400

Upon reaching the top of Mt. Taypas, one would be greeted by the 200 feet cross fashioned from Luzon's Mt. Samat and the breathtaking view of the Coron town and the surrounding islands.  A view deck has been constructed to provide the 'triumphant' ones lots and lots of photo-ops with this gorgeous view as background.

The descent from the mountain at dusk is tricky. Not all the lamp posts were lighted. Good thing, i got a phone with a built-in flash light so it helped me out.  Whenever you go up to Mt. Tapyas for the sunset, dont forget to bring along a flashlight.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
1/4sec, f/11.0, 10mm, ISO 800

Dinner was at Kawayan Grill.

I skipped going to Maquinit hot spring since my hunger prevailed.  The food is equally great in this garden setting restaurant but expensive. A coke-litro will cost you, hold your breath, P150.00! 

Generally, things are expensive in Coron considering the locals get their supplies from either Masbate or from Puerto Princesa.  If your trip brings you further to Puerto Princesa, then do your pasalubong shopping there, otherwise you can do it in their Pasalubong Center store a few blocks from the town plaza.

Canon 40D, 1/20sec, f/4.5, 20mm, ISO 800

Mt. Tapyas and its lighted cross as seen from the Coron Baywalk.  The white building is the Coron Gateway Hotel, one of the pricier hotels in the place, rooms starts at 3K per night.  I'll still go for the Coron Village Lodge.  

feel free to ask questions regarding this post and I will respond the soonest possible.

- alr