Coron, Calauit Palawan : history and beauty in one
In my first trip to Palawan with my aunt, mother and father I went to El Nido and Puerto Princessa-- two of thirteen mainland municipalities. This time I travel alone to experience three of ten island municipalities which also are part of Calamian Group of Island-- these are Coron Island ,Calauit Island and Busuanga Island.
One can go to Puerto Princessa, Palawan from Manila , Davao,Iloilo or Cebu by plane( thru Cebu Pacific) or by boat from Manila ( thru WG&A Shipping Company )In my first trip here we went via this routes: Tacloban-Cebu-Puerto Princessa via same airline.
Nowadays, one can go to Busuanga from Manila and Cebu by plane also( thru Cebu Pacific). Busuanga is at the Northeast of Palawan and the largest of the Calamian group of Islands. It is famous for its WWII Japanese ship wreck diving sites. Which I get to see with my own eyes Yepee!
WHAT IS IT LIKE:
Going back to Palawan was a dream come true for me. Thank you Cebu Pacific for your seat sale ! This time I travel alone and stay in a backpackers place. Similar to my last accommodation this too is very relaxed and multicultural .However unlike my first trip , I come ready with a digital camera.
Day one:the tour van pick me up early morning. We head to the town church , cashew nut maker's house, Mt. Tapyas then to Maquinit Hotspring
Mt Tapyas, is the 2nd highest point in Palawan. At its top is a huge cross that stands at 2000 feet above sea level.There you get a vantage view of the entire town.It took me a long time to get to the top unlike my 50 year old Japanese companions.They climbed through the 700 concrete steps easily while I have to hold on to the rail , rest a lot and drink water a lot.It was around 430 pm when I reached the summit and the panoramic view of the sunset was all worth it
After that gastrocnemius building ascend we capped our day by relaxing at one of the few free flowing saltwater hot springs in the world. Too bad my camera setting cant capture how romantic it was especially with the vast night sky ,a full moon myriad of stars and lanterns that looks like fireflies a distance.
Day two: we took a boat ride to Calauit Wildife where we had close encounter with animals from Kenya, Africa and some indigenous fauna.. Calauit's 3700 hectare is a game reserve and wildlife sanctuary since August 1976 by virtue of a decree signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos.It was an answer to Kenya's plea to International Union of Conservation of Nature to save their animals from the the civil war that was dividing their country.
African animals sent our soil includes zebras, giraffes,gazellas,waterbucks,bushbucks,topis, elands. The island is also home to Palawan peacock pheasant,bearcat, and mousedeer. These animals interact with each other normally with least human intervention. I feel sad though for the caretaker who gets to see her family in Manila only once a year.
We had lunch in Malacapuya Island with its picturesque white sand bar. Our tour comes with free lunch and If I may say our friendly tour guide was very conversant about the province history as well and an excellent cookWe later snorkeled in Barracuda lake,Twin Lagoon,Banana island and Siete Picados . Its so sad that I didn't get to see Kayangan lake, reputed to be cleanest lake in the country for lack of time and budget.
One can actually forget the time while gazing the beauty underneath the waves. It was so surreal to see those sunken boats slowly decomposing and not feel any sadness for the lives it has claimed.I find myself awed at how it become a sanctuary to all sea creatures . The coral garden was a splash of all colors you can think of.It was because of this experience that my desire to learn scuba diving start .Last November 30, 2013 I had my discovery dive at Shangrila Cebu. My one on one dive teacher Peter who hails from UK was so patient with me . Too bad, I was too absorbed by the ecstasy of actually breathing underwater that I forgot to take pictures, Grrrr.... I will not forget to bring my camera when I do the Open water dive hopefully next year.