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Coron Expedition - 12 Days Expedition from May 19 to 30, 2000

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

DAY 4: MAY 22, 2000 Monday

NAME Sue Barling

Move to camp on Coron.

We could see more clearly now the rain had gone so decided to start our expedition proper and head to Coron Island to camp. Much organisation took place (in other words faffing about). Eventually the boat was laden and we groaned across, seeing Coron close up and personal for the first time, lifting that camouflage net to reveal the splendour of towering jagged crags, the trees seeming to cling to bare rock with their lattice of root systems. Brought back down to earth we viewed the litter on a beach and discussed the logistics (and politics) of clearance; my mind immediately started on a strategic environmental investigation mitigation measures and monitoring programme!


		What do you see as the pros and cons of CATE, the tourism organization? Helen: "I was disappointed with the Sunday CATE meeting – I thought we were there to hear issues discussed not just the voting in of committee members." John: "A definitive and well-meaning attempt to coordinate and control tourism-related activities to the benefit of all – current and future. No clear remit. No defined relationship with or influence over other official bodies. Strong organizational bias towards the business areas of the major players."

However, once paddling the sheer awesome wonder of this island of Coron overtook most other thoughts. The pinnacles of limestone are weathered to an almost gravity defying delicacy and I can never tire of framing the green waters of the lagoons by looking along prominent wave cut platforms. Often we dawdle, just being in the stillness of a semi-enclosed lagoon, letting our senses heighten to an awareness of all the sounds of nature, flora and fauna in harmony creates a priceless feeling of well-being. I feel the preservation of this essence should be at the heart of eco-tourism, a personal view and maybe not the response that would be forthcoming from all the locals who may be hungry for development as we in the west were until we began to face some of the consequences. I guess this is the basis for the sustainable development agenda, but images from t.v. and media promise a developed society of ease without the realities.

Anyway we found our camping beach and set up home from home. Discrete bathroom facilities with hot shower, comfortable mosquito-proof tents and wee Marichu, magician in the kitchen who turns out delicious food in semi-darkness with minimal equipment. The Filipino fish dishes in vinegar, adobo? are delicious and rice is ideal in such a hot climate as it does not sit heavily upon one's constitution overnight!!

Pre-sunset we had a really useful photography session all about portrait picture taking. Patrick explains methods with a focus on "naturalness" in a picture, for example, getting the subject to place their hands in a natural way so the picture does not appear posed and awkward, angling the subject and using reflected light. In the end John could have made the cover of GQ magazine. Altogether interesting, stimulating and enjoyable.

What constitutes a (former) Marcos crony?

John: “An individual suspected of corruption. Typically an official bending or explicitly ignoring the law and/or promises in order to benefit the payer of the best bribe.”

What constitutes sustainable tourism?

Sue: “Sustainable tourism necessitates long-term planning and a breadth of investigations, and adaptability.”

John: “Tourism that does not exhaust resources, usually natural, at a rate greater than they can be renewed and can therefore be perpetuated indefinitely.”

What constitutes Ecotourism?

Helen: "My mind is open...a learning process for me."

Sue: "Literally tourism to eco-interesting places."

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