7 Things to Look Forward to in Coron That is Not Kayangan Lake
With the growing tourism in Coron, it's no longer a surprise to see ads of cheap Coron tour packages online. As a constant traveler who would love to explore the Philippines, I have been drooling over this destination for so long but was not lucky enough to score budget-friendly tickets in the past years.
2017 seemed to be our lucky year, though. Affordable flights to Coron, Palawan may have been elusive, but it was no match to my sister's "seat sale ninja skills" this time. Six months ahead of our scheduled trip, we were able to book round-trip tickets to our dream destination. This meant that we had more time to save up for the trip, and fine-tune our itinerary.
So there we went, scouring the internet for tours, accommodation, and sample itineraries that we may use as reference for our DIY trip. As it turns out, almost all of the recommendations give special mention to Kayangan Lake. It's as if the whole Coron experience would not be the same if you weren't able to witness its beauty.
True enough, our trip wouldn't have been the same if we weren't able to trek up the view deck where the glistening emerald waters of the islands are complimented by the jagged edges of towering limestone karsts. However, having indulged in this paradise made me realize that this scenic view is nothing but a tiny piece of the perfection that Coron has to offer.
Here are 7 other things to look forward to in Coron, except from the beautiful Kayangan Lake.
(Taken at the farthest part of the footpath in Kayangan Lake. The towering limestones around it makes you feel that the safe is guarded by nature itself--almost enchanted if you were to ask me.)
1. The Feeling of ELATION.
It starts from booking the tickets, then to waiting at the boarding gates before you hit the air-- then it turns into an exhilarating rush of joy once your plane hovers on top of the islands. Just imagine the view of rarely touched islands outlined by fine white sand, floating on top of a sea of emerald. And just when you thought you can't get more elated, it just keeps getting better. Wait until you see its waters face to face--that sparkling translucent water that is home to a highly diverse marine life. Ah, the sight of it! And as if this isn't enough, peek through the waters with your snorkeling masks and you are greeted by all sorts of aquatic life forms that gracefully sway with the waves. Seriously, it's like watching scenes from Finding Nemo in real life. If that doesn't elate you, I don't know what else will.
(None of us own a GoPro so we weren't able to take any underwater shots. Good thing IGers such as @gee_yow are gracious enough to let me grab some of their photos. Follow him on Instagram for more awesome travel photos. Shot was taken at Malcapuya Island)
2. A Sense of FULFILLMENT.
Coron will require you to endure treking up a hill, hiking 267 steps up a view deck, and burn up time as you take 3 hours to travel around the islands. It demands you to share a big part of yourself just to have a taste of what it has to offer. It demands you of your strength, your time, your energy. And just before you are about to rant about getting burned out, it shuts you up as it unravels its pure beauty in front of you.
Everytime Coron asks you to physically exhaust yourself, it rewards you with utmost fulfillment. It enchants you enough to work hard for her beauty. It asks you to surrender to its waters, to be carried by its breeze, to melt under its sunshine. As if following the old manner of Filipino courtship, she makes you work hard for her beauty. And like most things that we tirelessly work hard for, it's always worth it. Just look at this view:
(One of the great things about Coron is that it gives you more than one perspective of its beauty., take this view from the hilltop of one of the islets in Bulog Dos. Sucks that we weren't able to stay as long as I wanted in this paradise! )
3. Unparalleled SERENITY.
Among all the tourist destinations Palawan takes pride in, Coron is the least crowded. It probably has to do with the fact that there are limited flights to here which, to some extent, contributes to the whole Coron experience.
This seemingly underdeveloped group of islands boasts of its simple and laid back living. It's where lights are out before 9pm and the only thing you would see in the skies are the glittering stars that seem to have fled from the city skylines. It's where you can slack off in front of your hotel room and watch the sun rise to its peak as nature sings its morning symphonies to you; it's where you can hear the birds chirp as that streak of golden light makes way to your irises, then to your consciousness. And then you realize that this heaven of a place is not a dream. That this surreal view is actually real.
It was the same feeling of peace and comfort I felt as I watched the sunrise in Siem Reap, only that this felt more familiar; more soothing. It felt more like home.
(Wading in the cool waters of Decalachao River as the sun sets is a perfect treat for the senses--the sky bursting in colors, the gurgling waters making a play in your ears. Taken at The Riverhouse's pier.)
4. Enveloping WARMTH.
Strategically positioned in the western part of the Philippines, Coron will never fail to give you its share of sunshine. Each part of this paradise exudes warmth. It's in the heat of the sun that you feel as you lie effortlessly on the sand, it's in the humid breeze you so desire to embrace you during the cold months, and most especially, it is in the eyes of its people.
The locals of Coron never tire to open themselves up to their visitors. They proactively offer help. They make you feel home. They make sure you have a tremendously great time. And most of all, they make you feel like you are not an outsider. You hear it in every "Magandang umaga, ser!" In each corny joke they crack. In every instance they reach out for your hand so you can get in the boat safely. Everything about its people just emanates the warmth you thought you would only feel at home.
(The cool sea breeze, the sound of the crashing waves, the strong heat of the sun made gentle by the shade of the trees--just the perfect beach getaway. Taken at Banana Island, Coron)
5. Awakened RECONNECTION.
With its 681 km2 area, this municipality may be considered relatively smaller than the average ones in the Philippines. Despite its size, however, it still makes you think big. With the variety of things you can do here, you can't help but explode with ideas of great adventure. Everywhere you look is an exhibition of grandeur. You look up and you are greeted by its graceful skies. You look below and you are welcomed by the vastness of what lies beneath the waves. Look around and be captivated by the openness of the seas that lead you to its wide horizon.
When you are surrounded by a myriad of magnificence, you can't help but be reminded of how little you are in the scheme of life; that no matter how accomplished you look at yourself, you are still but a small part of a bigger whole.
While I was there, it made me rethink of how I have invested so much on travelling to other places before exploring my own country. Going around Coron, it really seeped into my consciousness--how much blessed we are as a country. All the history lessons of conquerors trying to invade us made sense when I experienced this haven. To think these are just a few out of 7,107 (during low-tide if you know what I mean :)) that possess their own versions of perfection.
And this leads me to my next point.
(Taken at the dining area of The Riverhouse where you can dine while clearly hearing the chirping birds and the rustling leaves as the morning breeze shakes the trees. And after having breakfast, delight your eyes with cotton candy skies for dessert.)
6. An affirmation of IDENTITY.
Remember how, in grade school, we were fed how great our culture is as compared to other countries? How your elementary teachers in Sibika at Kultura would brag about how hospitable Filipinos are? How beautiful our islands are? And that our people are so trusting and welcoming, we let outsiders in without any questions? Remember the time we were told that Filipinos are generally kind and generous people? I guess we all believed that when we were younger. But growing up, you get exposed to the reality of the world and all these traits you used to believe is engraved in your national identity wears off.
However, Coron, with its peculiar brand of nostalgia reminded of how true these things are. It showed me that all the good stereotypes we heard about Filipinos are actually factual. It has a way of reawakening your sense of patriotism.
With all that's happening in our country, and as shameful as it sounds, it took me travelling to these islands to restore my faith in the Filipino culture. Without any BS, these islands would really make you proud to be Pinoy. From the picturesque views that it offers, to the scenes and people that speak to your soul, it proves that it really is more fun in the Philippines.
(Taken while en route to Siete Pecados. After marveling at the beauty of Kayangan Lake, I couldn't help but stare at the sea and convince myself that all of these things unfolding in front of me are tangible and real.)
7. The SEPARATION ANXIETY.
Yes, it may sound odd and unusual, but the last thing you really should look forward to in Coron is the separation anxiety. I'm not quite sure if my ability with words will be able to translate exactly how this works, but, do you ever have that go-to place whenever you feel beaten down? Yes, that one place that immediately pops into your head whenever you need a breather.
Imagine the feeling of going back to that place after a very long time. The indescribable feeling of missing a place before you even get there. The weird separation anxiety you feel when you think of the fact that after a few days, you'll be leaving again. It's that one of a kind feeling of falling in love with a place before even immersing in it that you should really long to experience.
So as you get all excited with your newly booked Coron Tour packages, I know you will also get to feel this weird separation anxiety. Because only places that leave a mark on your soul can have that effect., and Coron definitely will, because after being one with Coron, it will definitely be the place that completes your "T***ina, gusto kong pumunta ng _______!"
(Our backs to the camera and our hearts to the sea. Our Coron trip has really been one heck of a remarkable experience. Sad as it may feel that we had to leave so soon, I look forward to the day we get to feel its waters again. Sobrang sulit, siguradong uulit.)
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