Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Calamianes: Coron Harbor Center [Watery Wednesday]

@ mirandablue
The Coron Harbor Center was our first stop after checking in at Darayonan.  We took a tricycle and cruised around town. The harbor center is part of the reclaimed land facing Coron Bay, it's also where the Coron Gateway Hotel is located--the first boutique and luxury hotel in Busuanga Island.  Of course, we didn't stay there.:p

@ mirandablue
Beside the Gateway Hotel is the town's public market, a police station, a tourist desk, and a park called Lualhati Park dedicated to the mother of the mayor and governor--the mayor of Coron and the governor of Palawan are brothers (it seems a political dynasty is alive and well in these parts).  The park offers a beautiful view of the mysterious and rugged Coron Island, the third largest island in the 80 plus islands in the Calamianes, and part of the ancestral domain of the indigenous Tagbanua people.

@ mirandablue
Outriggers are the usual mode of transport around the islands.  Tourists rent outrigger boats to visit the islands, snorkel and dive.  Boatmen also act as guides, they know where the best coral reefs and ship wrecks (Japanese World War II ships) are, they took care of our lunch, and made sure we enjoyed our stay.

@ mirandablue
Aside from tourism, fishing is the main source of livelihood here.  Hotels and restaurants in Manila get most of their live seafoods from this area.

@ mirandablue
We're still in the monsoon season, and the weather had been unpredictable.  It was a cloudy afternoon when we arrived in Coron, and it rained all through the night until the next morning.  The mountains were also covered with fog which was quite enchanting.

The harbor center is a jump-off point to the Calamian Islands.  This is where we rendezvoused with our boatman the next morning for our Coron adventure.

Coron Island at the background

@ mirandablue


Get virtually wet at Watery Wednesday

14 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the idea of traveling from island to island on outriggers. Sounds relaxing. But choppy seas caused by monsoons doesn't sound like fun at all!

Jim said...

Great place.

2sweetnsaxy said...

It looks like paradise. Thanks for still participating!

Kim, USA said...

Wow these place is beautiful. Love it!

Watery Wednesday

Ebie said...

This is a well maintained park, so clean too!

Smooth sailing on the calm waters, and truly a tourist haven!

Debbie Taillieu said...

What a beautiful place!

Enjoy your "Watery Wednesday"

Debbie's Travels

Anonymous said...

The sights are really beautiful! I love that park!

genie said...

What a heavenly part of the would. I ust loved seeing the fishing boats. It is nice to have the seafood FRESH in the restaurants instead of having it shipped in like we have it here. Beautiful waters and gorgeous skies and landscapes. The people add the magic tough to the images. genie

Unknown said...

Wow, so beautiful there. And I LOVE your header!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Sa panaglan pa lang maluwalhati na! Lovely shots. Visiting from Watery Wednesday.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely peaceful place.

nuts said...

wow! when I can visit this enchanted place. I am so jealous with you people having this moment to discover the world.

Mildred said...

Very nice shots! Love the fourth one!
Thanks for sharing;o)

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Have a nice and happy weekend****

Photo Cache said...

This is the place I want to visit in PI the most.