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.