Coron: Sweeter the 2nd Time Around

It's my 2nd time and Coron! My second chance was all about re-exploring and re-appreciating the beauty of this piece of paradise on earth. 

Back in 2012, I traveled with my friends for the first time. This year, 2015, was there for a company planning/ outing and must say, even though I've been to places we visited, there were nooks and crannies I left unexplored.

Of course, Coron has 50 minor islets in the Calamian Archipelago of Northern Palawan and a few days each wouldn't be enough. I was thrilled to be back!
  • Mt. Tapyas- was able to conquer the 720 steps in 2012 but this time, was able to experience the 'back door' while we waited for the sunset. The back door I'm mentioning is the hilly top at the back of the gigantic white cross. I was like, oh! If the view deck gives a panoramic shot of the city (with the houses and everything), the 'back door' was pure nature: hills, skies, greenery. It was wonderful.
mt tapyas coron palawan view from below
View from below or 720 steps below hilltop level
mt tapyas coron palawan panoramic view from the deck
Panoramic shot from the view deck
mt tapyas coron palawan 100 stepsmt tapyas coron palawan cross summit

mt tapyas coron palawan back door nipa hut
This bahay-kubo is already at the 'back door'
mt tapyas coron palawan back door pathway
Look at the scenery (me included) going to that nipa. This is beside the pathwalk.
mt tapyas coron palawan hugot from the top
Apparently, the scenery is conducive for this drama. haha
mt tapyas coron palawan back door view
Can you see the view??? Thus my own drama. haha
mt tapyas coron palawan sunset1
Sunset at Mt. Tapyas
mt tapyas coron palawan steps
Time to go down
  • Malcapuya Island- first time here and if I was all praise for Banol Beach last time, Malcapuya Island gives a different kind of exhilaration. It offers a stretch of wine sand amidst the crystal clear blue waters. It was breathtaking! What's more, it's not yet developed that close to the nature, it was. There were hammocks we rested in while enjoying the view. Lunch was also superb here. The freshness of our meal complemented the serene surroundings. 
malcapuya island coron palawan docking area
I call this the docking area because here's where we parked our boat
malcapuya island coron palawan panoramic view
What greeted us! WOW!
malcapuya island coron palawan panoramic view 1
I had to take a shot, of course
malcapuya island coron palawan view
Serene :)
malcapuya island coron palawan white sand
Safe to swim also. You can see what you're stepping on and water's very clear
malcapuya island coron palawan pristine waters
Away but shallow
malcapuya island coron palawan crystal clear waters
There are fishes here near the corals!
  • Twin Lagoon- again, my first time. Wasn't able to go here last time. Going to Twin Lagoon was spectacular. Limestone cliff formations were just so awesome. As we wade through our way, our jaws dropped. Twin Lagoon though is perfect for a swim especially when in the inner lagoon. But it was so deep already that of course, that snorkeling isn't advisable.
twin lagoon coron philippines way to lagoon
On our way to the lagoon
twin lagoon coron philippines way to lagoon 1
Not yet there but the limestone cliffs enveloping us were hard to resist (not to take photos of!) 
twin lagoon coron philippines outer part
Outer part of the lagoon where we docked
twin lagoon coron philippines shallow part
The shallow part connecting to the other lagoon
twin lagoon coron philippines inner part
Happy to be at the inner part of the lagoon, eh?
  • Kayangan Lake- as always, Kayangan Lake never fails to impress. It was stunning! Beyond compare. After quite a steep ascend, I was already anticipating the breathtaking view from atop and whoa, still an exhilarating panorama. Same goes with our descent to Kayangan Lake. Happy to note that it's still as clear though there were less fishes than I can remember. Probably because we were a big group so they went away (hope so). This time too, just enjoyed the 'unsalted' water. Last time here, explored the caves but it was fun just to swim back and forth. 
kayangan lake coron palawan view
The most photographed, and for a reason
kayangan lake coron palawan view 1
Mandatory turista shot--- bec I don't have a copy before
kayangan lake coron palawan trail down
Trail down to the freshwater lake
kayangan lake coron palawan view 2
What a beauty! Apart from us, that is
kayangan lake coron palawan enjoying lake
Enjoying some freshwater
Coron is still a beauty. Three years after, I'm still in awe. I pray and hope that come another 3 or more years, Coron will stay as pristine, as beautiful. I know we Filipinos can maintain this paradise. I will never run out of hopes for my beautiful country and confidently beautiful (with a heart) countrymen. :)

coron island, palawan, philippines
I <3 CORON!

Some photo credits to dey, henry and blesr. 

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