Blogs from Taytay, Palawan, Philippines, Asia

This was our last little experience of heaven..Victoria's House on Aligmanuan beach. Apparently some people come straight here from the PP airport and go nowhere else. It certainly is relaxing. During this short stay, we watched a gorgeous sunset off some cliffs, swam with fluorescent plankton at night!!!! (which stained our swimmers) and watched baby turtles make their way into the surf from the sand. This is a fishing and farming village and we tourists are very minimal here. The towns people love to say hello, especially the children. We booked a minivan ride back to Puerto Princesa on the last day ( 4hours) and flew home. Long, long flights and airport transfers :( but a very memorable trip. One of our best ever.... read more

This is not a travel blog. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, this is the story of a class struggle: of ordinary people versus those in power; of the poor versus the moneyed; of the uninformed who chose to become enlightened versus those who are keeping them as such. This is the story of poor farmers and their fight to keep their lands from those who are grabbing it from them. And of the first man who dared to speak and stand up. "Are you the ones from Manila?" A small man shyly approached as I got off the cramped bus. "Yes, for the fact-finding and medical mission," politely shaking my head and declining his offer to carry my backpack. The other locals who were with him in welcoming our group, carried the rest of the ... read more