PALAWAN - OCT. 3 TO 12, 2008

---

Palawan, Philippines - October 3 - 12, 2008

Only 9 days here but this incredible paradise deserves a chapter all to itself.

We flew to Puerto Princesa from Cebu City and were immediately impressed with an efficient little airport, a clean city and a courteous and helpful tricycle driver (what they call tuk-tuks here). Very high quality crafts and two excellent restaurants here.

We toured Honda Bay on an island hopper and did some snorkelling that was only OK due to cloudy water. But we saw some interesting fish and the beaches were superb. We then headed to The Underground River at Sabang, sharing a van with fellow travellers Rory and Ferry Rose. The river cave is truly a boat trip to remember with monster caverns, stalactites and stalagmites of enormous sizes. There is a vote on to make this one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Off to the legendary El Nido next where we have heard the snorkelling is some of the best in the world. Oh but very hard to get to; 7 hour van ride down a partially completed road that hadn’t been graded in months. (we heard the grader operator lost everything at the cock fights). So much better than the bus however as the ones we passed were packed. The Palawans just laugh and say we are getting a free massage as we bump along over the rough roads.

El Nido is so worth the effort. The snorkelling is 10-10-10. Superb beaches. Crystal clear water. Friendly people. Good food. No trash to be seen anywhere. Crazy loud outrigger pumpboats that desperately needed mufflers. Bacuit Archipelago is very similar but far superior to Halong Bay in Vietnam in every way. Very unspoiled and comparatively very few tourists. There are no banks or ATMs and the electric power is only on from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Restaurants on the beach and in the town were simple and delicious. We would love to come back here and stay for a month.

Back to Puerto Princesa, this time sharing a van with 4 lovely young Swiss women from Zurich. Another night at the comfortable and relaxing Pagdayon Travellers Inn. The next day we flew to Manila to travel north to Baguio and Sagada! Please stay tuned for our next instalment!

---

Photos

lunch at Bacuit Bay
with our fabulous boat guys, Christian and Jo Jo

Comments

[christoph & julia]

we want to quiet your newsletter, please!
sorry guys, but please stop sending us this fabulous blogs from this perfect beach locations. we can't stand this longer! ;-) (just kidding) you really doing great holiday 'work'! today we arrived in shangri-la, the beginning of the tibetian world (here in yunnan, china) and on monday we will fly to lhasa! but at the moment the weather here is really cold. tonight there will be only minus two degree celsius! and maybe there will be SNOW! can you imagine? so, we really enjoy our trip, but seeing your pics, we would sometimes like to switch to your place! miss you! take care! christoph and julia

[ScobieDobie]

Now it is even hotter, Christoph and Julia
You guys are too funny! I do appreciate your cold temperatures and send you sympathy nd hope you are finding lots of layers of clothing to keep you warm! Just remember - you are on a fabulous adventure and it is all good! But we do wish we could zoom you over here! We are in the South Pacific now in the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga and it is hot! We are staying in a place on the beach and the surf is roaring as I write! Please add this to your list of places to visit...some time! We miss you! Love and hugs - Al and Robin

[Jim Dibe]

Snorkelling in the Philippines
From reading your blogs that the 2 best places to snorkel in the Philippines is Apo Island and El Nido? Do you have any other locations you would reccommend? I am going in May.

[ScobieDobie]

Yes -of where we went -these were the best! I know there are others! Have fun! :) Robin