Monday, January 20, 2020

Philippines 2019 - Coron Island to El Nido, Palawan Island


Blog's pictures can be enlarged by clicking or tapping them on computer or mobile device. Quality of pictures at the blog's page is fairly low, quality is better when clicking or tapping on pictures.

Ocean Echo 1 - index/list of blogs sorted by the date is located at the bottom of this page.

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Dear friends                                                                                21. January 2020


City of Manila on Luzon island was my entry to Philippines. 
Luzon is largest Philippine island with capital city of Manila. Highest population of Philippines (PH) lives in Manila and Quezon cities. 
I have visited a few places of interest in Manila. Most interesting was Oceanarium (aquarium) in Manila Ocean Park next to Rizal Park. 
Flight from Manila to Busuanga - Coron islands was quite enjoyable to see beautiful PH islands from above. 
Coron island is very spectacular and undeveloped - protected (hardly anyone lives there). Busuanga island is where all the hotels, businesses, tour companies, dive shops, etc. are located. It is only about 15 - 20 minutes boat ride from Busuanga to Coron islands. 
Most beautiful spot at Coron island to see is Twin Lagoon, highly recommended to see gorgeous limestone structures. Most of island hopping boat tours from Busuanga to Coron visit Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Baracuda Lake, Smith Coral Garden, hidden beaches and other coral gardens. 
Culion island was my next stop. Very quiet and friendly atmosphere. Nice local people, interesting to visit. 
Late Typhoon (tropical depression) has developed at beginning of December, which was the reason for some ferry service cancellations. 
Fast ferry ride from Busuanga (Coron) island to El Nido, Palawan island takes about 3-4 hours. It is enjoyable ride with many beautiful islands scattered between Busuanga and Palawan islands. This area would be boating/cruising paradise. 
El Nido town at Palawan island is also very busy with tourism. It is much larger area to explore, than Coron island. El Nido destination has many beautiful islands similar to Coron island with limestone creations. 
Second option to get to El Nido is to fly or take ferry to Puerto Princesa, Palawan island. Many shuttle bus companies provide ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Small airport in El Nido does have connecting flights to Manila and Cebu airports, but it is pricey. Motorbike rental is an other option to explore Palawan island.
Philippines are full of surprises - mostly positive ones. Filipinos are friendly and helpful. 
English is second official language in PH, which makes traveling and communications much easier.
Unfortunately I did not have a chance to explore much of El Nido area and Palawan island. 
I had to cancel my trip earlier due to serious illness. Emergency return to Vancouver hospital was the priority.
Future visit to Palawan island and other places in PH is in my plans. Will see how all works out. 
Looking forward to come back to Philippines. 

I have published 2 blogs with PH report and photos. Enjoy beautiful scenery.

Philippines 2019 - Manila to Coron/Busuanga island - is previous part 1

Philippines 2019 - Coron Island to El Nido, Palawan island - is current part 2


Kind regards.               JJ  (Jara)  Holcman               s/v  Ocean Echo 1               

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Any comments can be sent to  -  oceanecho1@gmail.com

My blog address  -  https://oceanecho1.blogspot.com/   

Please, excuse my poor writing skills and grammar.

Google translate does good job converting text to other languages.

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Ocean Echo 1 - index/list of blogs sorted by the date is located at the bottom of this page.                   



Busuanga/Coron Island  - landmark


Busuanga/Coron Island  - landmark


Busuanga/Coron Island - Mountain pinnacles (zoom in)


Culion Island - landmark


Culion Island - church


Culion Island - church


Culion Island - Christmas is coming


Busuanga/Coron Island - Mountain pinnacles (zoom in)


Coron Island - Coral Gardens


Coron Island - Coral Gardens


Coron Island - Coral Gardens


Coron Island - hidden beaches, awesome clear water


Coron Island - hidden beaches


Coron Island - hidden beaches


Beautiful Coron Island 


Coron Island - Coral Gardens


Coron Island - Coral Gardens


Beautiful Coron Island 


Beautiful Coron Island - awesome clear water 


Beautiful Coron Island - awesome clear water 


Coron Island - Twin Lagoon, anchorage


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations


Coron Island - Twin Lagoon, anchorage


Beautiful Coron Island - awesome clear water 


Coron Island - Twin Lagoon, entrance arch


Coron Island - Twin Lagoon, anchorage


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations


Beautiful Coron Island - awesome clear water


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations



Coron Island - hidden beaches, awesome clear water


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations


Beautiful Coron Island - limestone creations


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach views


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach views


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach views


El Nido, Palawan - downtown beach view


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach views


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area, sunset


Honda XRM - motocross/dirt bike - rental


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach views


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach entrance


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach entrance


El Nido, Palawan - Las Cabanas beach entrance


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area, sunset


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area, sunset


Northwest Palawan Island - El Nido area, sunset

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Ocean Echo 1 - index/list of blogs sorted by the date - 37 posts by January 2020

2020 - January - Philippines 2019 - Coron Island to El Nido, Palawan Island
2020 - January - Philippiness 2019 - Manila to Coron/Busuanga Island
2019 - October - British Columbia - Barkley Sound and Strait of Georgia - 2019
2019 - February - B.C.- Vancouver, Whistler, Inside waters - 2018
2018 - November  - Clayoquot Sound and Hot Springs Cove - West Coast of B.C. 
2018 - November  - Vancouver to West Coast of B.C. and return - Barkley Sound 
2018 - April     - The life goes on - British Columbia CA
2017 - November  - The untold truth - British Columbia CA
2017 - January   - Ocean Echo 1 - details of investigation
2015 - April     - Passage from Fiji to Tuvalu and Marshalls - End of Pacific trip
2014 - September - Lau Islands, Fiji 
2014 - September - New Zealand to Fiji
2014 - April     - North Island, New Zealand
2014 - January   - Tonga to New Zealand
2013 - October   - Kingdom of Tonga - Tonga Islands
2013 - September - Bora Bora Island to Niue Island 
2013 - June      - Tuamotus, Bora Bora
2013 - March     - Marquesas Islands - cyclone season
2012 - December  - Moorea, Tahiti to Nuku Hiva, Marquesas
2012 - October   - Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Raiatea Islands
2012 - September - Marquesas, Tuamotu and Tahiti Islands
2012 - June      - Marquesas Islands
2012 - May       - La Cruz, Mexico to Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
2012 - February  - La Cruz - Banderas Bay, Mexico - winter 2012
2011 - December  - San Carlos to Manzanillo, Mexico's Pacific Coast
2011 - October   - Santa Rosalia to BLA and Refugio, Mexico
2011 - July      - Loreto to Santa Rosalia, Mexico
2011 - June      - La Paz to Loreto, Mexico
2011 - May       - La Paz, Mexico
2011 - May       - Mazatlan, Mexico
2011 - March     - Isla Isabel, Mexico
2011 - March     - Ensenada to Banderas Bay, Mexico
2010 - December  - San Diego California, USA to Ensenada Mexico
2010 - November  - Long Beach, L.A. to San Diego - California
2010 - October   - Avila Beach to Long Beach, L.A., California
2010 - October   - San Francisco to Avila Beach California
2010 - September - Vancouver, British Columbia to San Francisco, California

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