Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Calamianes: Start off to Coron Island

@ mirandablue
a floating bar in Coron Bay
Despite my achy joints and sore muscles from our climb to Mount Tapyas the previous day, we were off to an early start on our second day in Busuanga.  We couldn't wait to experience Coron Island. It was a rainy morning and I tell you how tempting it was to just stay in bed, have a massage and vegetate.  But we've come a long way, baby...I can vegetate at home. 

The monsoon rain continued to pour but soon after we reached the pier, it turned into a misty drizzle.  I thought we were early but outriggers were already lined up at Coron harbor, waiting for passengers.  Cherry, our guide, told us that we'd be sharing the boat with 7 other passengers.  It was a big boat with a capacity of 12.  Around 8:30 am, 7 of us were assembled by the steps, waiting for 2 more.  Ryan, our boatman, kept calling the missing passengers---we were joking around that perhaps they climbed Mount Tapyas, and were too sore to get up.

@ mirandablue
our boatman, Ryan, a.k.a. Manny Pacquiao, and his co-captain
By 9 am, Ryan received instructions to leave---apparently, our missing companions decided to skip the Coron Island adventure (too bad for them!).

@ mirandablue
Before stepping into the boat, I paused and gave a silent salute to Mount Tapyas---and remembered an old friend who once explained to me why people climb mountains (while we were walking uphill in Mount Hibok-hibok, half-buried in mud).

@ mirandablue
Mount Tapyas from Coron harbor
Coron Island or Calis Island, as the Tagbanuas call it, is a big island across the bay just 20 minutes by outrigger from Coron town.  The island is made up of massive, rugged limestone cliffs, coves, lagoons, lakes, white beaches, coral gardens---all pristine and natural.  Coron is one of the most visited destinations for wreck diving in the Philippines.  Wreck dive sites are found in a depth as shallow as 10-30 feet and as deep as 120-140 feet. Underwater visibility for snorkeling is up to 80 feet.

@ mirandablue
I took this photo as we approached Coron Island.  The rocky cliffs are striking yet unnerving.   I wonder how the Tagbanuas survive on this island for centuries.  Exploring Coron Island must be a formidable challenge even for top-notch adventurers.

@ mirandablue
Coron Island
Coron Island is the 3rd largest island in the Calamian group of islands in northern Palawan.  The island is part of a larger municipality of the same name and part of the ancestral domain of the Tagbanuas.


Get virtually wet at Watery Wednesday


14 comments:

Oman said...

kailan kaya ako makakarating ng coron. such a beautiful place :)

janakidiary said...

nice photos. im intrigued by mt. tapyas :0

janakidiary said...

such lovely photos of art sand :)

Chubskulit Rose said...

Looks like a beautiful place to explore.

Morning Dew Kisses

Dinah said...

I have been to Coron last year pero mas magaganda ang pictures mo! But still, breathtaking ang ganda nya and they have to be there to see how really beautiful Coron is. Napakaganda talaga ng Pilipinas! Bago ako nagpunta ng Coron, I said to myself na before ako mag 35 e kailangan may stamp na ang passport ko. But after Coron I didnt have the same itch to go out of the PH ;-) Unahin ko muna ang bansa natin!

Gemma Wiseman said...

This seems like a fascinating trip! There is always something so enchanting about an island! And those boats are awesome!

Unknown said...

Wow, you have a lot of new experiences here. Your'e a trooper not to give in to temptation;)

Hootin Anni said...

Mmmmmmmmmmm, a piece of heaven on earth. Beautiful scenes.

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Do stop by if you can find time.

Happy Wednesday.

Ebie said...

Business is brisk. I see the beauty of this Island.

I can relate about an uphill climb, but worse part is downwards.

EG CameraGirl said...

The vegetation on the hillside is so lush! Too bad you hd to wait so long for the no-show passengers!

Unknown said...

Nice pics (love your header photo too). And I enjoyed the tour.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

It looks like you had an exciting adventure!


WATER

Water in a drop of rain,
Water swirling down the drain;
Water clinging to the trees,
Water filling up the seas;
Water frozen, water free,
Water is the stuff for me!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Fountain of a Famous Man

gengen said...

Wow they are pretty shots...Happy WW!

RobinfromCA said...

Beautiful photos! I love to learn about new places and see other people's adventures. Thanks for sharing!