El Nido has the Big Lagoon and the Small Lagoon. Coron, on the other hand, has the Twin Lagoons. Coron also happens to be where you can find the cleanest lake in the country. Personally, Kayangan Lake is the place I look most forward to revisiting next week.
Twin Lagoon
The approach to the Twin Lagoon is marked by a wall of limestone rocks. Several times during this day, I had major Middle-Earth attacks. ‘Coz I’m nerdy like that.
Cross this wall and you’d enter the first lagoon. Which is basically where the boats dock.
Once the boat is docked, you’d have to get down on the water and swim to the second lagoon, which is separated from the first one by another set of limestone walls. There is a narrow opening, however, that you could swim through. They said that if the tide is low, small boats can pass through the opening.
The tide was high when we went there, and Argel offered to “dive-drag” us under the passage. I accepted the offer when we crossed back, and darn it was exhilarating. Again, I wished I could dive.
Cross the opening, and say hello to the second lagoon!
Interestingly enough, if you move from one spot to another, you’d notice considerable shifts in the water temperature. Some parts are warm, some are cold. Not discounting the lukewarm raindrops, of course.
After a while, we left the Twin Lagoon to proceed to our next stop.
Got another Argonath attack here, only this is the sea and not a river. Haha!
Kayangan Lake
I’ll get a clearer photo of this next time, I promise.
When the boat is docked, there is a minor hike up more than 200 stone steps and down another 200 stone steps to get to the Lake itself.
Since it rained at the time, it was a bit slippery.
And then there’s the requisite picture-taking at the “viewdeck”.
And then you go down to see Kayangan Lake.
As mentioned earlier, this is said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines. Our guide even told us not to spray or put on any sunscreen right before getting into the water.
We got into the water and below is the view of the resting area from the middle of the lake.
There were giant slabs of rock formations under the lake, particularly on the sides. These limestone rocks then rise up to the tall walls bracketing the lake.
In the pic below, clockwise, from top left:
A narrow opening on one of the limestone walls, leading to a small cavern.
Us making sure not to hit our heads against anything sharp.
Rock formations underwater.
Us with our awesome guide Argel.
Obligatory group shot, taken by Argel.
I was one happy floater. Can’t you tell?
I cannot wait to check out Coron once again. After several bouts in the mountains and temples and shrines, it’s time for the beach and lakes and the sun and the sea…. I call it keeping things on an even keel. Now, what to pack, what to pack….