For more pictures follow the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/tonycesare/PalawanPhilippines?authkey=Gv1sRgCMDt-t3A3K2cKw&feat=directlink
Palawan is one of the large islands on the western side of the Philippines; it is billed as “the last ecological frontier in the Philippines” and we could see why. The flight in was beautiful. On approach the plane was cruising by jungle covered mountains and coral reefs fringing islands. Upon landing we were treated to what Tony thought was a more authentic Filipino experience than Manila or Boracay. The airport was tiny and HOT! The baggage claim was nothing more than area full of people trying to pull their luggage off of a small truck. As we left baggage claim local merchants were trying to sell us their goods –including large machetes!
Immediately we thought we should do a bit of exploring. Luckily we soon met Mar-- short for “Mario.” Mar is a tricycle driver in Palawan and he probably makes about 1000 pesos per week (which is about $20USD). He picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the shopping center, on to lunch and back to the hotel. Along the way he convinced us to take a city tour with him that included the crocodile farm, the butterfly park, a look out on a hill overlooking the city, and Bakers Hill (a complex with a bakery, gardens and lots of funny statues). His tricycle was a bit rickety and had some trouble putting up the hills with 3 side-saddle passengers –especially in the POURING rain -- but he was always good natured and super friendly. He spent from 11 am to 6 pm showing us around, waiting for us while we ate or checked out the sites and telling us interesting facts about the area. At the end of the day, we paid him 1000 pesos for taking us out for a cool day around the small city.
On our second day we took a boat to ANOTHER small island paradise called Dos Palmas. Dos Palmas is a resort of Palawan and had everything you would expect on an island paradise. J White sand beaches –check. Palm trees lining every coast –check. Fruity drinks –check. Beautiful coral and fish to see while snorkeling –check. We had a fabulous, relaxing day playing in the water and getting some sun, followed by dinner in Puerto Princessa that night. FYI: Dos Palmas was the island where the “Dos Palmas Kidnappings” occurred in 2001, but there was no evidence of any problems when we were there.
The final day we took a ride to the Underground River on the South China Sea side of the island. We crossed the mountains in a van ride that seemed harrowing at times. Lines, lanes, signs, and all traffic laws are merely a suggestion in the Philippines and cruising through the mountains on bad roads makes your heart beat a bit quicker sometimes. We saw lots of Jeepneys with people sitting on top and hanging off the back while the bus careens through the mountains. Water buffalos tilling fields and beautiful mountain scenery. At the underground river we were treated to a boat ride through the longest navigatable underground river in the world. But, we also saw… MONKEYS! Real live Macaques in the wild --something Tony was really looking forward to –and they surely didn’t disappoint! Playful and energetic; cunning and scheming; jumping all over and even stealing some tourists’ food. They were like little cheeky little kids!
After another harrowing ride home we wanted to go to dinner – and who happened to pass by to pick us up? MAR! He took us around to the restaurant, the bay front and was kind enough to pose for some pictures. It was a good way to end the time there.
Next up: Cebu.
Immediately we thought we should do a bit of exploring. Luckily we soon met Mar-- short for “Mario.” Mar is a tricycle driver in Palawan and he probably makes about 1000 pesos per week (which is about $20USD). He picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the shopping center, on to lunch and back to the hotel. Along the way he convinced us to take a city tour with him that included the crocodile farm, the butterfly park, a look out on a hill overlooking the city, and Bakers Hill (a complex with a bakery, gardens and lots of funny statues). His tricycle was a bit rickety and had some trouble putting up the hills with 3 side-saddle passengers –especially in the POURING rain -- but he was always good natured and super friendly. He spent from 11 am to 6 pm showing us around, waiting for us while we ate or checked out the sites and telling us interesting facts about the area. At the end of the day, we paid him 1000 pesos for taking us out for a cool day around the small city.
On our second day we took a boat to ANOTHER small island paradise called Dos Palmas. Dos Palmas is a resort of Palawan and had everything you would expect on an island paradise. J White sand beaches –check. Palm trees lining every coast –check. Fruity drinks –check. Beautiful coral and fish to see while snorkeling –check. We had a fabulous, relaxing day playing in the water and getting some sun, followed by dinner in Puerto Princessa that night. FYI: Dos Palmas was the island where the “Dos Palmas Kidnappings” occurred in 2001, but there was no evidence of any problems when we were there.
The final day we took a ride to the Underground River on the South China Sea side of the island. We crossed the mountains in a van ride that seemed harrowing at times. Lines, lanes, signs, and all traffic laws are merely a suggestion in the Philippines and cruising through the mountains on bad roads makes your heart beat a bit quicker sometimes. We saw lots of Jeepneys with people sitting on top and hanging off the back while the bus careens through the mountains. Water buffalos tilling fields and beautiful mountain scenery. At the underground river we were treated to a boat ride through the longest navigatable underground river in the world. But, we also saw… MONKEYS! Real live Macaques in the wild --something Tony was really looking forward to –and they surely didn’t disappoint! Playful and energetic; cunning and scheming; jumping all over and even stealing some tourists’ food. They were like little cheeky little kids!
After another harrowing ride home we wanted to go to dinner – and who happened to pass by to pick us up? MAR! He took us around to the restaurant, the bay front and was kind enough to pose for some pictures. It was a good way to end the time there.
Next up: Cebu.
No comments:
Post a Comment