Traveler's Guide to Coron, Palawan, Philippines

The last frontier is often touted as the one essential and ephemeral experience that every worldly veteran must add to one's pantheon of memories. It's the one place on earth that can simultaneously and infinitely appeal, enrich and heighten your senses, lifting you to escape your temporal confines and leaving the reel of your lived days wanting. Unfortunately, most folks' idea of the last frontier is what it is-sparsely populated locales, arid patches of rugged terrain and grass roots habitations, backbreaking wind chills, and most everything else your imagination could conjure up under categorically hostile conditions. And unfortunately for most folks, this trek through the wild bush isn't exactly their cup of tea when it comes to mapping out their holiday vacation plans either.

But who says the last frontier has to be a hardy, back-to-basics adventure that will test the limits of your dependence on modern-day conveniences? If pristine tropical beaches, hidden underwater sanctuaries, refreshing sea breezes, warm, friendly locals, and most importantly, an untapped wonderland of nature far removed from the clutches of urbanization but is not an anachronism of 18th century island living, then you've found your last frontier in Coron, Palawan, Philippines.

Gear up for your very own Make-Your-Own-Adventure trip. While Coron has quite a few resorts available, this isn't your commercialized postcard hotspot that's been transformed topsy-turvy into a tourist trap. Coron is an island with quite a few settlements, and the nearest town on the main island of Palawan is Busuanga. Book a flight aboard one of the domestic interisland carriers, like Asian Spirit or SEAIR, as they're the only ones that will have flights to Busuanga. Aboard a 20-seater charter flight, the trip from the Philippines' capital of Manila to Busuanga will typically take around an hour. Be sure to pack light, because weight limit is strictly measured and controlled aboard these flights.

The airport undergoes frequent bouts of reconstruction, but as of now, it's nothing more than a wide dirt road for an airstrip, and an arrival and departure shed. Take one of the jeepneys parked outside the airport and tell the driver the name of your accommodation, and you'll get to Coron Town after 45 minutes through winding dirt roads. Door to door transfer costs roughly US$3 per person.

Coron Town is nothing more than an aggregation of small settlements by the coast, nonetheless, there are basic services like a hospital, a church and decent tourist lodges available. It's very easy to get around, as the locals are very warm and friendly, and a good number of them can speak English. Start your day early by going to the market and shopping for fresh fruits and produce-local fish are abundant, and cheap. If the fare at the hotel restaurant you're staying in isn't quite to your liking, you can shop for your own fresh produce and the kitchen at your tourist lodge would most likely be happy to whip it up into a satisfying meal for you. The market is also where you can rent a boat-a bangka, as it's called-for day trips. Feel free to haggle for a good price. Depending on its size, a bangka can seat anywhere from 5 to 20 people, and usually costs from US$4-10 per head. Plan out an itinerary with the boat's driver; they can usually suggest the best places to go to sate your thirst for adventure.

In Coron, island-hopping is the way to go! Expect to be out on the sea from morning till late afternoon or sunset, so be sure to pack in everything you'll need for the trip, including lunch and snacks. Your tourist lodge's restaurant would most often oblige to pack you a precooked lunch that you can pick up in the morning, before you set sail. From the market at Coron Town, your boat's driver can take you to any of the outlying islands, the biggest of which is Coron Island. Stop over at one of the beaches at Banol or CYC. The best beaches often have entrance fees that go to the indigenous people who are the caretakers of the island, but US$2 is measly compared to the pristine beauty that these turquoise waters have to offer. After a good soak, set sail for Kayangan Lake for some repose. It's one of the two, out of the thirteen sacred lakes, that are open to the public on the island, and the serenity here is unmatched. Float around lazily, take one of the available rafts for a slow ride or just take in the beauty from a vantage point on the hilly slope. When the tide is nice and high, swing by Twin Lagoon to surprise the unsuspecting nature-lover in you. A dive through a crack between the underwater rock formations that your driver will gladly point out to you will have you emerge in a hidden lagoon that is nothing short of a gem. This is not for the faint-hearted, because it's the open seas we're talking about here, but for all the daring, it's well worth it. You'll find yourself in nature's playground, surrounded by natural rock formations, schools of exotic fish that constantly swim past you, a sampling of nautical creatures, and lots and lots of turquoise water. For the non-diver, this is as close to the real thing as you'll ever get. Further away is Black Island, which is a 2-hour boat ride from Coron Town. The black rock formations are distinct, and the island, which borders the South China Sea, is reminiscent of the tribal set of King Kong. There's a cave, with native bamboo adornments, and a small lake inside. A shipwreck is also one of the highlights of the island.

For the avid diver, there are many diving hotspots with breathtaking marine life and coral reefs, and shipwrecks to explore, like Barracuda Lake or one of the outlying lagoons. Hire a boat and get suit and tank rentals at one of the dive lodges like SeaDive at Coron Town. For neophytes, they also offer 3-day beginner diving course that will earn you a beginner's license. Likewise, advanced and refresher courses are also offered.

After a tiring day out at sea, there's nothing like unwinding in a giant tub of warm water. Take a tricycle at Coron Town to Maguinit, where the hot springs will soothe you and help you gear up for another day of island hopping adventure. Sit by the sea and take in the warm breeze. The last frontier can't get any more relaxing than this.