i've been Coronized!

finally, i've already crossed Coron out on my dream destinations list. the unintended solo backpacking turned out to be one of the best trips i've ever had(no sweet lemons here, haha).

i'm not new to traveling alone but going to a new place where there's no one i know, that's new. having to wait for 5 hours in the terminal because of the so many flights delayed, i was becoming skeptical if the jaunt's worth pursuing. but there's no turning back anymore. after all, i needed a break.

getting out of the Busuanga airport, that's when all the amazing things started to unfold before me. while on the van on the way to Coron town proper, i had seen the best countryside in the Philippines. in a way, it resembled the terrains of New Zealand and i was really teary-eyed feeling like i'm in Middle Earth. haha.

i had no place to stay in yet. while looking for a nice and affordable inn, i had the chance to explore the small Coron town. physically, it seemed like an impoverished place maybe because it's largely undeveloped compared to most tourist hubs i visited. but when i got to interact with the locals, i instantly felt otherwise. these people were happy, satisfied and humble. it really was refreshing to be somewhere that you feel totally rural.

then i found Ralph's Pension House and i guess, it was the best place to stay in there after all the scouting i did. it's truly homey... just perfect for me! the staff was so kind, i just had to tell them what i need and they'd arrange it for me. that made this trip very convenient and easy. i was clueless how i would do the island hopping and they're the one who suggested that i'd be a "joiner".

so i joined a group of strangers, who happened to be very cool people. i was kind of hoping that there'd be another solo backpacker. there was none but it was an interesting group. there's a family of three. then there's two siblings, two best friends, and a pair of lovers. plus me, the soloist. haha.

being in the boat in the middle of the sea, i was so glad to be back to nature. nothing compares. i really can get emotional in this kind of moments, it's almost unbelievable to see the beautiful shores and rock formations. our first stop was Kayangan Lake and it's so gorgeous. it wasn't an exaggeration when my friend Baldogz told me that she lost her soul when she was once there. manong tour guide gave us the chance to get to the middle of the lake and it was spectacular (i may be overusing adjectives here but it's so true). i wanted to stay there longer but we had to go to some more places.

Kayangan Lake is the coolest body of water i've ever seen yet

then we went to the pretty white-sand Banol Beach, Skeleton Wreck where we got to be with diverse schools of fish, the Twin Lagoon where warm and cold waters combine, and the Siete Picados where there's plenty of live corals. it was really overwhelming to be with all these God's wonderful creations in just one day, plus the laughter shared with the group. superb!

son of a beach

the next day i witnessed the loveliest sunrise ever where the Maquinit Hot Spring is. it was breath-taking, stimulating, and all that. plunging in to the hot spring itself made it all the more relaxing. i can spend an entire day in those waters... but sadly, that same day i must head back to Manila.

getting as deep as the sea. hehe.
photo by Jenelyn Castillo

too short. i wish i could stay longer in Coron. but i'm really thankful i've got a taste of paradise as a year-ender for 2011. one thing's for sure, i am definitely going back. oh Coron, enchanting indeed.