Palawan, You’re the One!

CEBU, Philippines - Palawan, as surveyed by the international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, bested other 30 islands worldwide, pushing the white sandy beaches of Boracay to the 12th spot. Thanks to Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River, Palawan has earned the votes of over 76,000 readers but –  sorry to burst your bubble – this article won’t be about the said attraction.

On a clear-sky day last month, on October 20, we touched down at the Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga Island, Coron, Palawan. The scars from last year’s typhoon Yolanda were still visible around the airport. A welcome band tried to cover up the traces of the devastation by playing festive music.

After checking in at the Coron Westown Resort, we wasted no time in exploring the town. A trip to a place would not be complete without souvenirs to bring home. Ate Lenny, our tour guide from Green Earth Tours and Travel, took us to a souvenir shop, to the plaza – and to Mt. Tapyas.

It was no joke climbing up more than 700 steps to get to the summit. Perhaps what kept us on was the breathtaking panoramic view of the town that awaited everyone at the top. Well, not to mention the health benefits to gain from such good exercise.

Tired from the climb, we headed off next to Maquinit Hot Spring, which was a 30-minute bumpy ride away from Mt. Tapyas. It was already dusk when we got to the place, so there was not much to see anymore. But, curiously, the local people would suggest that tourists go there at night, citing that the water temperature is down and, thus, more tolerable. By day, the water temperature would go up to 43 degrees Celsius such that one would need to be really tough to be able to stand it.

The second and third days of our trip were the highlight! We basked in the pristine waters of Coron’s beaches and at nearby islands. One could see fish swimming by the shorelines of Malcapuya and Banana islands. Fishes would even gather close to someone who feed them, which we did.

Other interesting sites to visit are the famous Twin Lagoon and the Kayangan Lake. Like at Mt. Tapyas, one has to climb up a mountain to reach the lake, although – thank God – it doesn’t take another whooping 700 steps to get there.

Kayangan Lake, the natives told us, is named after a big bird which used to live there. But hunters have scared the bird away. The natives believe that the bird still lives in nearby mountains or lakes that are out of the reach of people. There is also a folk belief that mythical birds and spirit entities dwell in tranquil lakes and virgin forests. 

Coron is definitely a great travel destination. And a one-of-a-kind experience in the grandeur of nature!