discoverpalawan

After a few days of exploring the caves and white sand beaches of El Nido, it was time to head north and seek out our next adventure. We bought a ferry ticket on The Princess Welia for 2,200 pesos (Approx. $48 USD) and took the 7 hour ride to the town of Coron on Busuanga Island. Coron is a quaint costal town with remnants of Spanish-European influence in the layout and architecture. To divers, it's known for the twelve WWII Japanese ship wrecks that sunk around the islands near Busuanga. When we arrived, the Princess Welia pulled right up to the front steps of Seadive Resort, where we easily booked a room for the next few days. (A cool tip: One of the staff moved us to room #209 upstairs where we had an outdoor patio ... read more

Being two dive enthusiasts, we usually choose diving over snorkeling anyday, however we took the word from locals that snorkeling is comparable to diving in El Nido. We were pleasantly surprised by the corals thriving within 5-10 feet underwater and the creatures that inhabited the reef. Courtesy of our banca boat driver Dan-Dan, we were able to try on a pair of authentic Filipino flippers! These cleverly constructed flippers resembled wooden ping-pong paddles with foot straps. We were amazed by the efficiency of the flippers depsite their simple construction. QUICK TIPS: •In El Nido there are several island hopping tours grouped in categories A, B, C, & D. We took tours A & B on two separate days. There are also options for overnight camping trips available. •Tour packages are available all around town, however we ... read more

Ever watch The Swiss Family Robinson and was curious to see how an ostrich runs in real life? Well in San Vicente, you might just get the opportunity to if you just ask Andy. Andy Caratao is the caretaker at the local Ostrich Farm and knows how to get these birds into action. Mysterious and almost mythical, ostriches are a fascinating paradox to witness, with their long limbs, tall stature, and large, feathery bodies. When we first arrived, we visited the Brooder House, home of the 1 month old baby ostrich chicks. What an adorable sight! The chicks have ample room to run around and interact with us as we were introduced into their playpen. It was an experience we will never forget! Afterwards we ventured on to feed the adult ostriches and watched how these ... read more

Today we took a banca boat from Port Barton to nearby San Vicente and decided to visit the local Dairy Farm. What an adventure it was! We hired two motorcycle guides, strapped our gear to the bikes, and took off on the rocky terrain. It was an exihilerating 45 minute ride on a gritty, dirt road. Whizzing past forests, rice fields and even an ocean view, we finally arrived at the 420 hectares (over 1,037 acres) of cow pasture. The panoramic landscape is a breathtaking sight, with pastures that stretch out as far as the eye can see. With just over 130 cows, the animals have ample space to roam and graze. Here they produce the signature San Vincente milk. The cows are herded in shifts for the daily feeding and milk pumping. After witnessing the ... read more

.... on an adventure in the Southwestern Philippines. Destination: PALAWAN For most westerners, Palawan is an unheard of destination, however it is known to the natives as having some of the most naturally preserved landscapes in the country. Eco-conscious and environmentally aware, Palawenos take pride in their land and natural resources, making this island a tropical haven. Our mission: To seek out and reveal the various highlights of this island enigma. We discovered how beautiful Palawan really was before we even set foot on the ground. The first glimpses out the airplane window are an aerial-photographers dream. Photos feature islands such as Exotic Island, Capsillay, Lumombong, and Long Beach Follow us as we set to explore the nature, culture, and adventures in Palawan. Next stop, Port Barton! Our original blog can be found at url=http://www.discoverpalawan.... read more