AN ISLAND NAMED CORON
July 10th 2008 00:00
Maybe I should say it right away – our next destination is included in the Forbes (yes, that Forbes) Magazine’s list of the 10 best dive sites in the world. The place is always referred to as Coron, Palawan.
Well, it seems like there’s a clear blue water and white sand beaches everywhere (except in Pagudpud which I mentioned in a previous post - it has golden brown sands) so, while those characteristics, plus its unique location and the mysteries that surround the Calamian Group of islands are enough to make Coron an enticing place to visit, let us set them all aside for a while and find out how this place ended up in the Forbes best dive site list.
For purposes of brevity let us just enumerate the following: the Irako Wreck, Okikawa Maru Wreck, Akitsushima Wreck, Kogyo Maru Wreck, Olympia Maru Wreck, Kyokuzan Maru Wreck, East Tangat Gunboat Wreck, Nanshin Maru Wreck, Lusong Gunboat Wreck and Skeleton Wreck. All of these can be found in the areas surrounding the island.
Got the picture? Whew! Thanks! Okay, here's the reason: I once burned the back of my neck while peeking at those awesome aquatic structures (coral formation) for five hours in Coron, but the deepest I’ve ever gone underwater was about half the length of the snorkel and I couldn’t have taken pictures of those sunken ships. Gees…!
Now that I am no longer required to rent an oxygen tank, let’s go back to ankle deep waters and talk about the island itself. Maybe I can provide some more interesting details.
The town of Coron, Palawan is actually NOT in the island of Coron… Hold on, please…! Don’t make those flippers look threatening to me, yet. (Give me a few more ems of space and I’ll prove that I am not pulling your legs.) The Town of Coron is actually in the island of Busuanga. It was relocated (so I was told) because Coron Island, which is just a few minutes away by boat, is mountainous, has those rock formations and do not have the space for a bustling town - thus the move.
Busuanga, the town, after which the island (where Coron is located) was named, happened to be more than 15kms or so away to the West. If you are curious enough, and would like to see how that town looks as well, I better mention that there is a total of one bus (1) round trip a day that leaves Busuanga early in the morning and comes back there late in the afternoon. Right, you might have to spend an evening there if you don't plan properly.
That somehow explains how Coron continued to be where it now exists. With that bit of confusing information over, (and those flippers no longer looking as menacing), let us discuss how one can get to this divers’ haven.
There are only two ways: by boat or by plane. Should you choose the former, please check with your travel agent and make sure that you are able to get an assurance that you have the proper bookings because the last time I went there, a decent shipping lines still have just one (1) trip going there in a week. It leaves the North Harbor in Manila shortly before dusk on a Friday to arrive in its first port of call (Coron) around 6 a.m. the following day.
That ship will unload passengers and cargo in Coron for a few hours, upon arrival, then proceed to Puerto Princesa, the Capital town of the province. The travel time from Coron to Puerto Princesa will take longer than its trip from Manila to Coron and it is this same ship that will pass by Coron to pick-up passengers on its way back to Manila on a Sunday Evening.
If you are on a tight budget and you are only planning to stay in Coron for a few days, those days should better be Saturday and Sunday because if you miss the return voyage of the ship on Sunday night, you will be stuck in Coron until the following Sunday!
But not to worry because in the town proper, the not so mighty US Dollars (anymore) can still go a long way since, food and accommodations are cheap. Just don’t commit the mistake of straying in the wrong places that might cost you an arm and a leg.
Now, if you belong to that rather small crowd that could qualify to land in the Forbes list of the World’s Richest, you’d get the time of your life should you decide to sail in your own yacht or a cruise ship to get here. A plane can get you here in style, too. It is just about an hour fight from Manila, but please be reminded of a rather short runway. “Flying trains” a.k.a. jumbo jets might prove longer than the available air strip called the Busuanga Airport.
Then, there’s that little nasty bit of detail that likewise have to be dealt with. I didn’t see anybody driving around in limousines in those tiny islets. There’s a daily flight, but the best mode of transportation from the airport to the town proper (if you don’t have anybody to fetch you when you get there) would be a rather adventurous ride in a Philippine made passenger jeep.
It is not that bad, really, especially if you like things different or exotic. But I have no information if the rough and dusty road between the airport and the town has already been concreted. Maybe the absence of some of the usual infrastructures form part of the magnet that draws tourists to this place.
A wanderer, who cannot control the urge to “check out” every nook and cranny and curve of the island may find comfort in the thought that there are available motorcycles for rent. They are easy to find too if you ask around. Nope, no need to whisper your queries.
And oh, don't worry about all those dust and dirt that might eventually cover your body and make you feel like a real adventurer. You can wash them all down in an open hot spring (if you prefer) no farther than 3 kilometers away from the town center.
I rented two (2) of those motorcycles the first time I visited the place. I drove one and I paid a guy to drive around with me using the other bike. I wasn’t familiar with the terrain and the condition of the bikes. I was bound for Busuanga and I had to make sure that I’ll make it back to Coron that Sunday evening, so the 2nd bike was actually a spare.
As it turned out, we didn't encounter any problem.
But please don’t belittle the accommodations available here. If I heard the rumors right, some of your big Hollywood movie stars dumped bagfuls of their greens for a few nights of anonymous stay in the Calamian groups’ most exclusive.
White sand beach in Palawan. Source: www.palawan.gov.ph
For purposes of brevity let us just enumerate the following: the Irako Wreck, Okikawa Maru Wreck, Akitsushima Wreck, Kogyo Maru Wreck, Olympia Maru Wreck, Kyokuzan Maru Wreck, East Tangat Gunboat Wreck, Nanshin Maru Wreck, Lusong Gunboat Wreck and Skeleton Wreck. All of these can be found in the areas surrounding the island.
Got the picture? Whew! Thanks! Okay, here's the reason: I once burned the back of my neck while peeking at those awesome aquatic structures (coral formation) for five hours in Coron, but the deepest I’ve ever gone underwater was about half the length of the snorkel and I couldn’t have taken pictures of those sunken ships. Gees…!
Snorkeling heaven. Pic source:www.palawan.gov.ph
Now that I am no longer required to rent an oxygen tank, let’s go back to ankle deep waters and talk about the island itself. Maybe I can provide some more interesting details.
The town of Coron, Palawan is actually NOT in the island of Coron… Hold on, please…! Don’t make those flippers look threatening to me, yet. (Give me a few more ems of space and I’ll prove that I am not pulling your legs.) The Town of Coron is actually in the island of Busuanga. It was relocated (so I was told) because Coron Island, which is just a few minutes away by boat, is mountainous, has those rock formations and do not have the space for a bustling town - thus the move.
Coron, Palawan. Source: Wikipedia
Busuanga, the town, after which the island (where Coron is located) was named, happened to be more than 15kms or so away to the West. If you are curious enough, and would like to see how that town looks as well, I better mention that there is a total of one bus (1) round trip a day that leaves Busuanga early in the morning and comes back there late in the afternoon. Right, you might have to spend an evening there if you don't plan properly.
That somehow explains how Coron continued to be where it now exists. With that bit of confusing information over, (and those flippers no longer looking as menacing), let us discuss how one can get to this divers’ haven.
A Stingray. Pic source: www.palawan.gov.ph
There are only two ways: by boat or by plane. Should you choose the former, please check with your travel agent and make sure that you are able to get an assurance that you have the proper bookings because the last time I went there, a decent shipping lines still have just one (1) trip going there in a week. It leaves the North Harbor in Manila shortly before dusk on a Friday to arrive in its first port of call (Coron) around 6 a.m. the following day.
That ship will unload passengers and cargo in Coron for a few hours, upon arrival, then proceed to Puerto Princesa, the Capital town of the province. The travel time from Coron to Puerto Princesa will take longer than its trip from Manila to Coron and it is this same ship that will pass by Coron to pick-up passengers on its way back to Manila on a Sunday Evening.
If you are on a tight budget and you are only planning to stay in Coron for a few days, those days should better be Saturday and Sunday because if you miss the return voyage of the ship on Sunday night, you will be stuck in Coron until the following Sunday!
But not to worry because in the town proper, the not so mighty US Dollars (anymore) can still go a long way since, food and accommodations are cheap. Just don’t commit the mistake of straying in the wrong places that might cost you an arm and a leg.
Now, if you belong to that rather small crowd that could qualify to land in the Forbes list of the World’s Richest, you’d get the time of your life should you decide to sail in your own yacht or a cruise ship to get here. A plane can get you here in style, too. It is just about an hour fight from Manila, but please be reminded of a rather short runway. “Flying trains” a.k.a. jumbo jets might prove longer than the available air strip called the Busuanga Airport.
Then, there’s that little nasty bit of detail that likewise have to be dealt with. I didn’t see anybody driving around in limousines in those tiny islets. There’s a daily flight, but the best mode of transportation from the airport to the town proper (if you don’t have anybody to fetch you when you get there) would be a rather adventurous ride in a Philippine made passenger jeep.
It is not that bad, really, especially if you like things different or exotic. But I have no information if the rough and dusty road between the airport and the town has already been concreted. Maybe the absence of some of the usual infrastructures form part of the magnet that draws tourists to this place.
A wanderer, who cannot control the urge to “check out” every nook and cranny and curve of the island may find comfort in the thought that there are available motorcycles for rent. They are easy to find too if you ask around. Nope, no need to whisper your queries.
Pic source: www.palawan.gov.ph
And oh, don't worry about all those dust and dirt that might eventually cover your body and make you feel like a real adventurer. You can wash them all down in an open hot spring (if you prefer) no farther than 3 kilometers away from the town center.
I rented two (2) of those motorcycles the first time I visited the place. I drove one and I paid a guy to drive around with me using the other bike. I wasn’t familiar with the terrain and the condition of the bikes. I was bound for Busuanga and I had to make sure that I’ll make it back to Coron that Sunday evening, so the 2nd bike was actually a spare.
As it turned out, we didn't encounter any problem.
But please don’t belittle the accommodations available here. If I heard the rumors right, some of your big Hollywood movie stars dumped bagfuls of their greens for a few nights of anonymous stay in the Calamian groups’ most exclusive.
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