Top of Mt.Tapias, after 700+ steps!

Kim & Trina enjoying the cool water in Twin Lagoon

I'm swimming in Beach Island

Kayangan Lake

View from Beach Island

we had fun swimming here in Beach Island

Sunset on Mt. Tapias

Flour texture sand in Beach Island

Im in Kayangan Lake

Majestic view of Kayangan Lake

Affordable and clean lodging house where we stayed

Owners are very friendly and approachable :) 

We ate in Kawayanan Grill

Kawayanan Grill & Restaurant is one of the famous restaurants there that serves fresh and very cheap seafood for huge appetite! Very delicious!

Trina enjoying the awesome vacation

Kim in Kawayanan Grill

My Trip To Coron, Palawan, Philippines

I went to Coron last March 23-25, 2010 via Cebu Pacific (Busuanga) with my co-workers, Trina and Kim. We stayed in Princess of Coron, Austrian Lodge. We had lunch and dinner at Kawayanan Grill.

First day was spent going up Mt. Tapias. It has 724 steps (whew!) and a big cross waits. At the top you can see almost the whole Coron. We were surrounded with greeneries and mountains such as Sleeping Giant. The mountain is called like that because it resembles a giant man sleeping and according to myth, Sleeping Giant guards the place for those who will maltreat/abuse the surroundings. I think we spent two hours going up since we also have to rest. We waited for the very beautiful sunset which made our efforts worthwhile.

The next day was spent on Island Hopping. We were joined by the daughter of the owner, Frida and her German boyfriend. We rented a boat and our boatman served as our tour guide. One of them is Hipon. By the way, when going on Island hopping, make sure to wear your swimsuit/ swim gear and don’t forget to bring your underwater cameras so as not to miss the enchanting marine species!

The following are the Islands we visited:

Twin Lagoon- high stone formations surrounds the place and the water is clear. We dipped our feet for some cold treat and had some pictures taken.

 

Banon Beach Island- you can swim here since it has white sand, few cottages and benches. We didn’t come near the island because we stopped to view WW II Ship wrecks. Unfortunately, no one brought/ rented snorkels and we are afraid to swim so we didn’t see the ship wrecks clearly.

 

Kayangan Lake- the best among the rest! The Cleanest and Greenest Lake in the World, a Hall of famer to be exact, is here. The depth can be measured by three to four men standing up. Underneath the lake are sharp stones so better wear comfortable, durable and waterproof sandals. We swam here and enjoyed the cool water. Hipon told us that upon checking with the water supplied by Maynilad, the water in Kayangan is clearer and cleaner. Before I forget, you can’t reach this amazing lake without challenge. You have to hike at least 300+ steps in order for you to see the hidden treasure- “Kayangan Lake”. But I can assure you, the hike is worth it! For it’s not every day we see God given treasures such as this as provided for us to enjoy and take care of. Besides the lake here has been the cleanest and greenest- hall of famer in the world. I never thought Philippines has still a clean lake after all.

 

Siete Picados or Seven Sins Island- The Island will be best enjoyed by divers or good swimmers because the school of fish are here. Different kinds of fish are scattered and if I’m not mistaken, I even chanced upon a swimming turtle. Don’t forget to bring bread because you will use this to feed the fish. Again your, goggles, swim gears and waterproof cameras are needed here.

 

Beach Island- the island has white sand with the texture of flour. We enjoyed swimming here along with small fish. We ate our packed lunch here.

 

Our last day was spent on Souvenir  Shop. Of course, the last stop for our loved ones. We bought fish key chains, coin purses and wooden sculptures. We didn’t forget to buy dried fish- the famous “keepsake/present” here. Cheaper compared to Manila.