What to Do When in Puerto Princesa Palawan

When Multiply went kaput, my previous travel diaries went along with it, taking with it so many pictures and words I can no long repeat! Sigh.   I also had one at Slider but yeah that closed too and it took away my travel slides huhuhu. Reviving and relieving the moment and some of the pics I was able to recover, let me tell you what I did in Puerto Princesa, Palawan…

Puerto Princesa, Palawan is on my mind lately, specially with the Summer just around the corner.  How I wish that instead of staring at the blank walls of the hospital or the citiscape view from the hospital window, I am looking at the beauty of mother nature, with the sand on my toes, feeling the soft breeze brush against my cheeks, and the sun’s rays kissing every part of my body to roast.

In November 2007, I explored Puerto Princesa, Palawan in all it’s glory and not so tourist populated beaches and coast like now especially because it was declared as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.

I am not sure if the airport looks like this now but in 2007 this is how the Puerto Princesa City Palawan looks like, and visitors arriving were greeted by a marching band! I

The Main Attraction of course is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River a.k.a. Underground River

 

 

This is where the boats dock to lead you to the Underground River!I was seated in front of the boat because I am tiny haha and I was the one assigned to hold the lights so we can see what’s inside the underground river / cave.   Armed with my point and shoot digital camera (I think I had a Kodak, the first digicam that came out during those tiime) I was able to take these beautiful shots I am proud of them! 

The Stalagmites and Stalactites and Karst formation inside the cave is just wonderfully breathtaking! 

Sandbars of Snake Island, El Nido, Palawan

 Overlooking through the mangroves, Dos Palmas after the siege of Gracia Burnham.

Snorkleing at Pandan Island

 

Mountains: Mt. Cleopatra’s Needle and Mt. St. Peter Catherdral

Named so because they resemble whichever they were named after! You don’t need to look that long it’s very visible.

Brooke’s Point

 

Tres Maria’s Island

Live Sea Creatures
Our tour guide dived for a few just to show us his pet a giant clam!   I don’t know if they are still alive or there are new batch of sea critters in there now. But the most outstanding sea critter I saw was a Stone Fish said to be very dangerous.

I have a funny story about this blue starfish and the king starfish , I thought they are dead so I picked the kingstarfish so I can take a photo with it.  But then suddenly, its points folded and I got so shocked I dropped it on the ground and whoa, I have never seen a starfish moved that fast!This clam is super duper heavy!
I saw this by the shoreline and asked our tour guide what fish it is.  What a scary surprise! It is as deadly as hell!  A prick on your toes or if the fist touches your skin will kill you in 24 hours!

Lovely lovely white sand beaches Honda Bay

When I went there tourist were scarce they run generators on the island up until 7 pm and then it is total darkness except for lamps provided.

 Look at the play of colors of the sand and the sea.  Just wonderful.I haven’t been back to Puerto Princesa since then but these photos I have make me relieve the moment again and again just like I was there.  I am looking forward to the time I can go back again and see the changes in the island.  I hope not so bad because of the influx of tourist.How about you, have you been to this part of Palawan before?  What sights did you see and enjoy most in Puerto Princesa?  I would like to hear about it!Stay gorgeous everyone!