Palawan: An Intimate Affair with the Philippines Last Frontier
The province of Palawan is a rich nature sanctuary with mantels of rainforest, dive site enclaves, majestic mountains, awe-inspiring caves and pristine beaches. It boasts a bio-diverse marine environment within its miles of sub-surface corals and rainbow reef walls. It is also home to a unique fare of flora and fauna including the mousedeer and the scaly anteater animals not found anywhere else in the world.
The province is approximately 586 kilometers southwest of Manila. It lies between Mindoro Island and Borneo and is bordered by China Sea on the west, and Sulu Sea on the east. The total land area spans 1,489,655 hectares across the peripheral islands of Culion, Busuanga, Cuyo, Linacapan, Cagayanes, Dumaran, and Balabac. Its main island measures 425 kilometers long, and 40 kilometers wide.
Puerto Princesa, the capital city, is the chief seaport and the center of trade and commerce. Puerto Princesa offers the adventure-seeker and nature lover an unforgettable experience. My first stop in the city was a trip to Honda Bay. The local tourism board rents out motorized boats for about P1,000. (If you go through travel agencies, it could cost you as much as P900 per person, so make sure you go directly to Honda Bay and wing it from there). Your P1,000 would take you as far as 3 islands. I chose Snake Island, Pandan Island and Starfish Island.
Starfish Island is a private island with an entrance fee of P40 per person. The good thing about having tourism board-certified guide is their innate knowledge of the islands and their inherent respect of nature. According to our guide, this island had problems with tourists who were not informed that they should not take the live starfish home. We were allowed to have our pictures taken with the live starfish, but back to the waters they go after.
Pandan Island is also a private island with a P25 entrance fee. It is named so for the abundance of Pandan trees in the area. It is one of the most peaceful places you could go to in Palawan, Paradise Philippines. The turquoise waters are warm and calm and the stretches of sand are pristine white and power-fine. If you re a tourist wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this island is definitely a nice respite.
Snake Island is a pretty popular stop for island hoppers. It is named for its snake-like shape. The island has a small sand bar then a sudden dip into what seems like the abyss, so those who are not good swimmers are well-warned. It offers a great snorkeling spot with a flurry of corals, schools of jack fish, soldier fish and colorful tropical fish always in abundance. It s best to bring a loaf of bread when visiting this island. It s truly a priceless experience to have fish feeding right off your hands.
Finally, for an additional P100 for gas, you can take a trip to the United Nations World Heritage site of Tubbataha Reef. This is not generally offered to the public nor to the faint hearted. Only true enthusiasts are encouraged to see it. It takes heart to jump in the middle of Sulu Sea. Here, you will see a literal forest of corals as well as the most amazing marine life.
Puerto Princesa in Paradise Philippines is also famed for another Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The tour costs about P1,200 per person. Have it arranged with your hotel or with a travel agency because it takes a bumpy 2-hour drive on rough roads and a 30-minute motorized boat ride to get to the park. The view on the way to the Underground River is breathtaking. Limestone cliffs and white sand beaches are in abundance. Preservation is practiced in the area so there might be a wait to get into the actual cave, only 7 boats are allowed at a time. While waiting your turn by the dock, gear up in the standard life vest and hard hat. Also take note of the rules: No smoking inside the cave; no swimming; no loud noises and; absolutely no disturbing of the cave dwellers. It s pitch black inside the caves and you ll hear all sorts of sounds. You get in by paddle boat, where the guide sits at the very back and whoever sits upfront holds the light. It s a 45-minute tour with views of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites and hundreds of bats. The deepest part runs about 27 feet deep and the underground tributary stretches about 200 meters before flowing out into the sea.
For more information about Palawan and other Philippine cities, please visit http://www.paradisephilippinesguide.com
The province is approximately 586 kilometers southwest of Manila. It lies between Mindoro Island and Borneo and is bordered by China Sea on the west, and Sulu Sea on the east. The total land area spans 1,489,655 hectares across the peripheral islands of Culion, Busuanga, Cuyo, Linacapan, Cagayanes, Dumaran, and Balabac. Its main island measures 425 kilometers long, and 40 kilometers wide.
Puerto Princesa, the capital city, is the chief seaport and the center of trade and commerce. Puerto Princesa offers the adventure-seeker and nature lover an unforgettable experience. My first stop in the city was a trip to Honda Bay. The local tourism board rents out motorized boats for about P1,000. (If you go through travel agencies, it could cost you as much as P900 per person, so make sure you go directly to Honda Bay and wing it from there). Your P1,000 would take you as far as 3 islands. I chose Snake Island, Pandan Island and Starfish Island.
Starfish Island is a private island with an entrance fee of P40 per person. The good thing about having tourism board-certified guide is their innate knowledge of the islands and their inherent respect of nature. According to our guide, this island had problems with tourists who were not informed that they should not take the live starfish home. We were allowed to have our pictures taken with the live starfish, but back to the waters they go after.
Pandan Island is also a private island with a P25 entrance fee. It is named so for the abundance of Pandan trees in the area. It is one of the most peaceful places you could go to in Palawan, Paradise Philippines. The turquoise waters are warm and calm and the stretches of sand are pristine white and power-fine. If you re a tourist wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this island is definitely a nice respite.
Snake Island is a pretty popular stop for island hoppers. It is named for its snake-like shape. The island has a small sand bar then a sudden dip into what seems like the abyss, so those who are not good swimmers are well-warned. It offers a great snorkeling spot with a flurry of corals, schools of jack fish, soldier fish and colorful tropical fish always in abundance. It s best to bring a loaf of bread when visiting this island. It s truly a priceless experience to have fish feeding right off your hands.
Finally, for an additional P100 for gas, you can take a trip to the United Nations World Heritage site of Tubbataha Reef. This is not generally offered to the public nor to the faint hearted. Only true enthusiasts are encouraged to see it. It takes heart to jump in the middle of Sulu Sea. Here, you will see a literal forest of corals as well as the most amazing marine life.
Puerto Princesa in Paradise Philippines is also famed for another Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The tour costs about P1,200 per person. Have it arranged with your hotel or with a travel agency because it takes a bumpy 2-hour drive on rough roads and a 30-minute motorized boat ride to get to the park. The view on the way to the Underground River is breathtaking. Limestone cliffs and white sand beaches are in abundance. Preservation is practiced in the area so there might be a wait to get into the actual cave, only 7 boats are allowed at a time. While waiting your turn by the dock, gear up in the standard life vest and hard hat. Also take note of the rules: No smoking inside the cave; no swimming; no loud noises and; absolutely no disturbing of the cave dwellers. It s pitch black inside the caves and you ll hear all sorts of sounds. You get in by paddle boat, where the guide sits at the very back and whoever sits upfront holds the light. It s a 45-minute tour with views of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites and hundreds of bats. The deepest part runs about 27 feet deep and the underground tributary stretches about 200 meters before flowing out into the sea.
For more information about Palawan and other Philippine cities, please visit http://www.paradisephilippinesguide.com
Autor: Jade-Ceres Dolor
About The Author: Jade-Ceres Dolor started her career as the L.A. correspondent for the San Francisco-based Asian American newspaper Philippine News. She joined the world of web copywriting in 2004 where she has worked on PR and email marketing campaigns. She has also helped brand over 120 hotels worldwide. She is currently the Search Engine Marketing Manager for a European company that caters to merchant account and pharmaceuticals industries. She is also the webmaster for http://www.paradisephilippinesguide.com
Added: November 11, 2007
Source: http://articlebin.com/view-Palawan__An_Intimate_Affair_with_~.html
About The Author: Jade-Ceres Dolor started her career as the L.A. correspondent for the San Francisco-based Asian American newspaper Philippine News. She joined the world of web copywriting in 2004 where she has worked on PR and email marketing campaigns. She has also helped brand over 120 hotels worldwide. She is currently the Search Engine Marketing Manager for a European company that caters to merchant account and pharmaceuticals industries. She is also the webmaster for http://www.paradisephilippinesguide.com
Added: November 11, 2007
Source: http://articlebin.com/view-Palawan__An_Intimate_Affair_with_~.html
