Our second day in Coron was loaded with so many activities – mostly island hopping and the weather was pretty much better compared to the day before. The sun was shining oh so bright, so getting a nice tan wasn’t a problem. From St. Louie’s we took a tricycle ride to the market where we’re supposed to meet Lisa, Joan and the rest of the boatmen (4) who assisted us with almost everything that day.
Our first stop was Siete Picados, which is made up of 7 islands. We found a good spot to snorkel and next thing we knew we’re looking at several fishes and beautiful corals. I swear! I have never seen such really striking water creations! Wow. While in the midst of appreciating such splendor, I could not help but be thankful and took pride of being here, a native of the Philippines. I have been told that the Philippines is the epicenter (center of it all) of marine biodiversity. Can you believe that? And such fact was unearthed by no less than the foreigners. Ha! While most "outsiders" see this archipelago as a haven, most of us don't. Maybe, we should try to see this country using a rose-colored eyeglasses.
Anyway, we spent a good 30-45 minutes in this part of the island before we went to our next destination.
Kayangan Lake showcases crystal clear water worthy of the Greeks. To experience the lake’s glory, one has to tackle 100 plus steps going up to the mountain and then another 100 plus steps to go down. It was a real challenge.
After putting on my gear and secured our stuff, I hurriedly leaped off the water and for a while, I felt different. The water was cold and my imagination went wild (akin to writing short stories). As I try to go deeper (and farther), there was some sense of sovereignty – free from the demands of the city life. For a while, it felt spectacular. It was very impossible not be amazed by such beauty – rock formations, water and everything in between. No wonder why foreigners (mostly Eastern European) were plaguing that shore like anything. Also, one thing I noticed from this side of the country is that, aside from the fact that the natives are very pleasant, they are also very conscious in preserving the water and keeping everything clean. Their love for the country can be seen in how they take good care of what was given.
I wanted to stay longer in Kayangan Lake but my stomach needs some feeding already.
Off to ride the boat and we found a perfect spot – super white beach and yes, clear waters. The locals are guarding this island. What Lisa and Joan prepared for lunch was more than we expected. We had grilled fish and pork chop, seaweeds, cucumber, tomatoes, ripe mangoes, banana and tons of white rice. I must’ve eaten more than my body could handle - I fell asleep while sunbathing. We left the area probably around 3-ish.
Our next stop was CYC Island. From what we’ve been told, some bogus robbed this island off it's white sands. Ha! How sad and pathetic can that be? Anyway, we took another dip and explored the underwater – again, I was in awe. I have never seen so many little fishes swim collectively that they looked like a gigantic fish. Some of the vibrant fishes are also found in this area and yes, the corals – they were stunning!
That was our last stop.
One of the best conversations I had during the trip was with the boatmen and Joana – their unending questions about how I met my beau, where we work and my religion. We also talked about having kids, city life and they asked me to tell them stories about the different places we’ve been. Such exchanges were true and without airs – something very quite hard to find in the city.
Soon, we bid our goodbyes and said our thank you to the boatmen and Joan for making our island hopping more than what we ever hoped for. It was a solid fun.
Later that night, we had a full meal at Divelink. From Coron Town Proper, we took another boat ride going to the resort. Wonderful servers – whose genuine smile has won me over, greeted us. It was a perfect setting but not until we became a captured audience of a middle-aged man who kept on yakking about the money he had to shell out to pay for the diving sites. He yakked for a good 20-25 minutes non-stop to one of the servers. I rolled my eyes several effing times in disbelief. I mean, what the hell was he yakking about? It was not as if such fee cost him a thousand bucks and besides, that amount is just some small token for the natives. Soon, the resort’s manager went to their table and explained to them why they had to pay certain amount and thankfully, his yakking stopped.
To conclude, my man was right – it was a well-deserved trip and I am more than glad that we didn’t cancel it. It was very comforting to be away for a while and just be amazed with how beautiful this country is. Patong Beach cannot outdo Coron. (Love your own. Haha!) There are still so many jewels in this country waiting to be discovered and enjoyed – we’re just sometimes too blinded by the shining rays of being outside this country.
Our first stop was Siete Picados, which is made up of 7 islands. We found a good spot to snorkel and next thing we knew we’re looking at several fishes and beautiful corals. I swear! I have never seen such really striking water creations! Wow. While in the midst of appreciating such splendor, I could not help but be thankful and took pride of being here, a native of the Philippines. I have been told that the Philippines is the epicenter (center of it all) of marine biodiversity. Can you believe that? And such fact was unearthed by no less than the foreigners. Ha! While most "outsiders" see this archipelago as a haven, most of us don't. Maybe, we should try to see this country using a rose-colored eyeglasses.
Anyway, we spent a good 30-45 minutes in this part of the island before we went to our next destination.
Kayangan Lake showcases crystal clear water worthy of the Greeks. To experience the lake’s glory, one has to tackle 100 plus steps going up to the mountain and then another 100 plus steps to go down. It was a real challenge.
After putting on my gear and secured our stuff, I hurriedly leaped off the water and for a while, I felt different. The water was cold and my imagination went wild (akin to writing short stories). As I try to go deeper (and farther), there was some sense of sovereignty – free from the demands of the city life. For a while, it felt spectacular. It was very impossible not be amazed by such beauty – rock formations, water and everything in between. No wonder why foreigners (mostly Eastern European) were plaguing that shore like anything. Also, one thing I noticed from this side of the country is that, aside from the fact that the natives are very pleasant, they are also very conscious in preserving the water and keeping everything clean. Their love for the country can be seen in how they take good care of what was given.
I wanted to stay longer in Kayangan Lake but my stomach needs some feeding already.
Off to ride the boat and we found a perfect spot – super white beach and yes, clear waters. The locals are guarding this island. What Lisa and Joan prepared for lunch was more than we expected. We had grilled fish and pork chop, seaweeds, cucumber, tomatoes, ripe mangoes, banana and tons of white rice. I must’ve eaten more than my body could handle - I fell asleep while sunbathing. We left the area probably around 3-ish.
Our next stop was CYC Island. From what we’ve been told, some bogus robbed this island off it's white sands. Ha! How sad and pathetic can that be? Anyway, we took another dip and explored the underwater – again, I was in awe. I have never seen so many little fishes swim collectively that they looked like a gigantic fish. Some of the vibrant fishes are also found in this area and yes, the corals – they were stunning!
That was our last stop.
One of the best conversations I had during the trip was with the boatmen and Joana – their unending questions about how I met my beau, where we work and my religion. We also talked about having kids, city life and they asked me to tell them stories about the different places we’ve been. Such exchanges were true and without airs – something very quite hard to find in the city.
Soon, we bid our goodbyes and said our thank you to the boatmen and Joan for making our island hopping more than what we ever hoped for. It was a solid fun.
Later that night, we had a full meal at Divelink. From Coron Town Proper, we took another boat ride going to the resort. Wonderful servers – whose genuine smile has won me over, greeted us. It was a perfect setting but not until we became a captured audience of a middle-aged man who kept on yakking about the money he had to shell out to pay for the diving sites. He yakked for a good 20-25 minutes non-stop to one of the servers. I rolled my eyes several effing times in disbelief. I mean, what the hell was he yakking about? It was not as if such fee cost him a thousand bucks and besides, that amount is just some small token for the natives. Soon, the resort’s manager went to their table and explained to them why they had to pay certain amount and thankfully, his yakking stopped.
To conclude, my man was right – it was a well-deserved trip and I am more than glad that we didn’t cancel it. It was very comforting to be away for a while and just be amazed with how beautiful this country is. Patong Beach cannot outdo Coron. (Love your own. Haha!) There are still so many jewels in this country waiting to be discovered and enjoyed – we’re just sometimes too blinded by the shining rays of being outside this country.
