Bluer than blue/SWF

And I never saw blue like that before
Across the sky
Around the world
You've given me all you have and more
And no one else has ever shown me how
To see the world the way I see it now
Oh, I, I never saw blue like that...

~ Never Saw Blue Like That, by Shawn Colvin
Listen here 

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Animals & Bliss/Photo-Hunt

These two photos were taken in different areas of Busuanga Island.  From Busuanga airport to our hotel, I noticed a herd of cows in the field, some even crossed the road  to join their compadres on the other side (even cows adhere to the illusion that the grasses are greener and tastier on the other side :p). I wondered out loud if there were road accidents here caused by these animals, and our driver confirmed it.  But as everyone who lives in the island knows about cows walking around this pasture reserve, the driver said that running over a cow is just plain recklessness.  The cows belong to the King Yulo Ranch, a 40-hectare cattle ranch that is supposedly the largest ranch in southeast Asia, but the number of cattle has dwindled over the years. The ranch was sequestered by the government more than 20 years ago based on allegations that it was part of the ill-gotten wealth of the owners, who were tagged as cronies of an ousted president.

From Coron town, we climbed Mount Tapyas, the second highest point in the island.  The views from the top were pure bliss---the grass-covered hills, the silhouettes of nearby islands, the natural beauty of this island, are simply soothing to the senses.

Linking to Saturday Photo-Hunt and Keyhole Pictures

High [Photo Hunt]

These are snapshots from the Calamianes, a group of over 80 islands in northern Palawan.  Perched on higher ground overlooking the bay at an 18th century fort in Culion Island is an old cannon.  This was one of the cannons used by Filipinos to defend the island from Moro raiders during the Spanish regime.

One of our destinations in Coron Island was the twin lagoon.   It's a pair of hidden salt water lagoon with remarkable warm and cold water temperatures.  High jagged bluffs surround the twin lagoon, and one couldn't help but feel small amid the magnificence of these granite mountains reflecting on the emerald green lagoon.

Mount Tapyas in Busuanga Island doesn't look that high  although the 700-plus steps I climbed  leading to a giant cross at the summit was challenging.  But the hike was equally rewarding especially when I saw the 360-degree views of Busuanga from the top--from the shimmering waters of Coron Bay, the rolling hills and mountain ranges to the distant and nearby islands of the Calamianes.

Get high at Photo Hunt

Calamianes: Sky-watching from Mt. Tapyas

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Watching the effects of the changing light on the hills of Busuanga Island as the sun sets in the Calamianes.


Golden sunshine covered the slopes, hills and valleys surrounding Mount Tapyas.

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Blades of grass bowing in gentle September breeze.

Countless shades of green color the landscape.  

The grass is greener in Busuanga Island than anywhere I've been to in the Philippines.  No wonder there are more cows here.

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Mount Darala mountain range

 Clouds drifted over Mount Darala, a dormant volcano.

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A blissful moment of solitude as I scanned the spectacular views of the nearby islands in the Calamianes.

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Calamianes: Start off to Coron Island

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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.

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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!).

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Calamianes: 700 Steps to Mount Tapyas

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From where I stood at Lualhati Park by the harbor, the cross at the summit of Mount Tapyas seemed unreachable.  The cross was there to be admired from a distance..."unreachable" was a happy thought that didn't last long.  Because right after I took this photo, Cherry, our guide, asked if we were ready to climb Mount Tapyas.  I was floored, I protested, I knew the pain!  I have climbed mountains in the past, and have promised myself "never again".  But my little sister was determined to see the top of the mountain.  Cherry assured me that it's going to be an easy climb because of a concrete stairway, "Only 718 steps, ma'am," she said sweetly.

We climbed aboard our tricycle, and it took us back to the streets of Coron---the hilly parts, until we reached the base of the mountain.  Boys selling bottled water were there to greet us.  I knew I would be dehydrated before I reach the first 100 steps.  I had a moment of panic when I saw the stairs---the trek to Batad rice terraces came back to haunt me!

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Mount Tapyas is one of the mountains in Busuanga Island. It stands 210 meters above sea level and offers a panoramic view of Coron Bay and the nearby islands of the Calamianes. During Holy Week, the faithful make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer by climbing Mount Tapyas.

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The best time to climb Mount Tapyas is late in the afternoon when the sun is not as intense.  I thanked my lucky stars for cloudy skies and benches along the way, perfect for people like me who needed to catch their breath every 10 minutes.  Shooting also provided a breather, and somehow disguised my laborious, heavy-footed steps.

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view to the west

The views were all worth stopping for.  A dozen steps offered a different perspective.  The western part of Calamianes was shrouded with heavy clouds while the sun beamed towards the east, highlighting parts of the lush, mysterious Coron Island across the bay.

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Looking down at the verdant Coron town and the reclamation area where we were at just over an hour ago.  I couldn't believe I was able to reach the top in less than an hour, without fainting. Gosh, I am so out of shape!

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I still couldn't enough of this sight---the craggy slopes, dark crevices, I wondered what was waiting for us at Coron Island, what secrets it would reveal.

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At the back slopes of Mount Tapyas was this breathtaking sight---gentle, verdant slopes bathed with  sunshine; invigorating mountain air filled my senses, and my knees seemed to be working again!  At the background is Mount Dalara, a dormant volcano, the source of Maquinit hot spring, the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines.

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The golden sunlight was beautiful, and I was looking forward to a gorgeous sunset that afternoon.  But the sun wasn't in the mood to show off...it retired quietly and without fanfare.  And to make up for it, a rainbow appeared on our way down!

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Twilight at Mount Tapyas as we traipsed down the stairway.  Despite the strained muscles and throbbing ankle, I'm glad I experienced Mount Tapyas.  A visit to Busuanga Island is not complete without it.

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The blues are for Sally at Blue Monday