Heroes Before The Maps - a 200th Article Special Tribute to our Local Guides

Two years ago, we have reached our 100th post, celebrating it with some of the people behind the maps we use. As we reach another hundred, on our 200th post, we celebrate it with some of our tour guides who had been with us through the dangers, excitement and adventure of placing "uncharted" roads and trails on the map. These are our local guides, the boatmen, hike guides who knew the roads; whether safe and perilous, yet decided to remain with us to ensure that a Filipino would not be a stranger to his own motherland.

Natural Hot Springs in the Philippines

During the months of December to February, the "habagat" or the northwest monsoon is being replaced by "amihan" or the northeast trade winds. The amihan is a line of cold winds from the northern extra-tropical countries of Asia that goes down to the Philippines as the northern hemisphere cools down by December and as ice melts by February. And where is the best place to hang out during this time? Well, it would be in a cozy dip on a natural hot spring.

Lusong Island - Coron Palawan's wealth of underwater species for divers.

Lusong Island is one of the island member of the Calamian Group. Located at the northern tip of Palawan and is famously known as Coron to many. The island is south of Busuanga, the major island of the Calamian where its beauty is seen underwater. The island possesses the Coral Gardens, an area southwest of the island to where corals thrives. And at its southeast is the Lusong Gunboat, a 10-meter shipwreck during World War II and is now transformed to a plethora of corals and fish species to which divers can enjoy.

Kayangan Lake - One of the cleanest lake in the Philippines

Kayangan Lake is one of the most photographed spot in the Philippines due to its beautiful granite islet/hills spreading across the turquoise seas around Calamian Group of Islands in Palawan. A captivating scenery to which Filipinos must be proud of and to preserve. Kayangan is no doubt to be one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines to which humans and fishes alike are at harmony. Located at Coron Island, this lake is a must visit.

Tips to Survive in Coron

The Calamian group of Islands is the northernmost islands of the province of Palawan and consists of 3 major islands, namely Busuanga, Coron and Culion plus multitudes of smaller islands. The area however is famous for being called as "Coron" because of the populated town of Coron which happens to be at Busuanga Island. And its major island, Coron Island, just off Busuanga features the cleanest inland lakes in the world.

Coron Island Hopping Day 3

Calamian Group of Islands Beach Bumming (Coron) July, 25-28, 2012

Day 3 - Calumbuyan Island, Lusong Gunboat Wreck, Coral Gardens

Sea Gulls at Calumbuyan Island

It is Friday. The southern portion of Calamian Group of Islands is rainy however it is only gloomy at west. A right time to check out the western islands, specifically the island where they say you can hear the corals chant... the Calumbuyan Island. I have hired the services of our expert boatman, Marc, then head on to Calumbuyan Island and snorkel the shallow ship wreck of Lusong Gunboat and the esteemed Coral Gardens of Lusong Island.

Coron Island Hopping Day 2

Calamian Group of Islands Beach Bumming (Coron) July, 25-28, 2012

Day 2 - Kayangan Lake, Malcapuya, Ditaytayan Island Beach Hopping

Malcapuya Island

It is Thursday, quite sunny, and we are planning to start of our Day 2 by scouring through the islands at the south portion of the Calamian Group of Islands. I have two options back then, whether to go on a group trip with many others as coordinated by the hotel or plan it ourselves. We chose the latter after we have coordinated with discounted rates with our tricycle driver's contacts (Tabs) and we even have the freedom to dictate which islands we would like to go to.

Coron Island Hopping Day 1

Calamian Group of Islands Beach Bumming (Coron) July, 25-28, 2012

Day 1 - Coron

Calamianes Group of Islands

It is Wednesday and a low pressure area is brewing near Davao. We are hoping hard that we still have an ample window to be able to enjoy our Coron Trip as we are trying hard to get hold of Cebu Pacific's P488 fare to and from coron. It is still hot and sunny in Manila and the tropical disturbance is still in the southern tip of General Santos City in Mindanao. All indications are still favorable.