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KAYANGAN LAKE, PALAWAN

When I've eaten all the pastillas de leche (a soft rolled milk candy) and the dried mangoes I've taken with me

from my last trip to the Philippines a couple weeks ago now, I know it's time to reach into that deep pocket of

digital memories I was hanging on to until I absolutely needed it.

Bags unpacked, tan lines fading, and an empty candy jar previously filled with sugary

Philippine treats, the time has come, as inevitably would. The time to stare longingly at digital

photographs you took to remind you of what once was two weeks ago not to remove you

from the reality of your work desk (okay, maybe there's some of that), but to perhaps

lift that cloud of the Monday blues and shake yourself into perspective. Like a stack of

postcards you wrote yourself, they are just starting to arrive in the mail and for now

is enough to lift the veil of homesickness.

Hello, travel withdrawals

(from the most beautiful place I've been to this year).

I have been waiting for you.

KAYANGAN LAKE is a surreal azure lake in the northern tip of Coron, Palawan in the Philippines. Accessible by a quick 30-minute private boat ride from Busuanga, you will arrive in a beautiful beach with crystalline waters. From that point is a steep 15-minute hike over a hill to get to this clear lake hidden amongst trees. There is no trail and although there was a clear attempt at a safer path, when it gets wet and muddy, it gets super slippery.

Once you crest the small hill, don't miss the lookout for the sweetest views of the beach and the lake (pictured on the left). From there, the descent will be quick to an arresting pristine lake surrounded by tall cliffs guaranteed to take your breath away.

One could sit and just be stunned into silence, as you watch schools of trumpet fish

careen by under your feet. Of course the water is warm and delicious and it's pure

bliss just being in the water.

IF YOU GO

Coron is located in Palawan, a quick 40-minute flight to Busuanga from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Because of the hike, I strongly suggest wearing sturdy sandals like these Chacos that I wore pretty much the entire trip and recommend highly (no, I wasn't sponsored to say that either).

Lastly, please be kind to the the sensitive and beautiful environment on Kayangan Lake. Leave No Trace. Pack out your garbage with you. I also feel very strongly about using biodegradable sunscreen so as not to negatively impact sensitive ecosystems and wildlife who absolutely want nothing from the gunk of chemicals you slather on your body and leave behind. There's a bunch of biodegradable skincare products out there and you can see which ones I recommend here.

#philippines #welcome #travel