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Published: March 3rd 2024
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Tour Day 141, Cruise Day 39 – There were no appealing shore excursions in Boracay, Philippines; however, I was planning to tender to shore and mosey around the dock area for a spell. Those plans were scuttled by a) a cautionary flier distributed to each cabin that warned of the precarious condition of the steps at the tender dock, and b) by the captain’s warning issued over the ship intercom about the rough seas and the increased challenges of transferring both to and from the tender to the tender docks. Four opportunities to incur additional injury to either wing! Not a prudent move, so I opted to stay on the ship.
Tour Day 142, Cruise Day 40 – “Puerto Princesa Highlights" Shore Excursion – Puerto Princesa, Philippines – Welcome to Puerto Princesa. Legend says that Puerto Princesa is named for a maiden whose ghost is said to roam the city on certain nights of the year. Pragmatic people attribute the name to the strategic location of the place as a seaport -- naturally protected the whole year and able to accommodate all kinds of vessels -- a virtual Princess of Ports, according to the Spanish colonists.
Today's orientation tour
starts with a visit to the unique Iwahig Penal Colony -- a prison without walls. Iwahig is more like a modern farm, where prisoners toil unguarded and are encouraged to promote self-sufficiency. Your next stop is the Palawan Heritage Center. This museum showcases the life, rich culture and history of the proud Palawenos who considered Palawan to be their home and haven.
At the Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum, discover five galleries highlighting the profiles of the major countries that participated during World War II—the USA, Japan, Germany, Great Britain and Russia. Each room features a collection of relics, weapons, aircraft carrier and bomber plane models, uniforms, bayonets and other significant relics of World War II.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: A few days before our arrival in Puerto Princesa, I received an email stating that the advertised stop at the Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum had been scuttled by the tour operator and an opportunity for cancellation/refund was offered. I declined but have no information or photos of that portion of the tour as outlined above. Plaza Cuartel is the former site of a Japanese garrison; today it serves as a memorial park
From Aboard ms Westerdam in Boracay, Philippines
The Deck 3 Walking Deck with the Tenders Deployed in honor of local heroes and American soldiers who perished inside a tunnel during the World War II.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Plaza Cuartel is a restored ruin of an old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned American prisoners of war on 14 December 1944 in order to prevent their rescue by the advancing Allies. Units of the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army, under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, brought the POWs back to their own camp, and an air raid warning was sounded to get the prisoners into the air raid shelters. Once the POWs were in the shelters, the Japanese soldiers poured in barrels of gasoline and set them on fire. Only 11 men escaped the slaughter; 139 were killed. A few yards from Plaza Cuartel is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Enjoy some souvenir shopping among a variety of proudly Palawan-made items.
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