PALAWAN: A world in Asia

It is known as the "Last Frontier" of the Philippines. Lush green and virgin forests, white sand beaches, amazing land formations, crystal clear waters, and preserved wildlife. A place of never ending surprises that would make long to come back, this is Palawan.


It was September of 2009 when I went to this marvelous island in the western most part of the Philippine archipelago. It took an hour flight from Cebu City to Puerto Princesa City which is the capital of Palawan. Unlike with the big cities in the Philippines, Puerto Princesa City has a touch of laid-back but modern kind of living. Coffee shops, restaurants, fast-food chains, hotels and a newly built airport are some landmarks that would say that the city progressive.

DAY 1

First day was so amazing that really made say WOW!!! We stayed at the Skylight Hotel which is just situated in Rizal Avenue, a main road of the city. A sumptuous eat-all-you-can lunch at the Legend Palawan which makes you say how Palaweñons are great in cooking. Next stop was the island hopping trip at Honda Bay that made me so amazed with corals and the fishes around me.

DAY 2

Day 2 was an opportunity for me to see the hidden wonder of this island, and that is to see the longest underground river in the world, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Located in the northwestern part of the island, a van ride will take you to the small town of Sabang for almost 3 hours. From Sabang wharf, you will ride a pump-boat along the South China Sea. This Subterranean River is actually under a hollow mountain ranges of Saint Paul.



 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park



The total stretch of this Underground River is around 8.++ kms., it can be navigated by man up to 4.5kms., for tourists is only 1.5kms. I refrained recording inside due to water droplets and an ultimate darkness. There are lots of stalagmite and stalactite formation inside but one amazes me, the dome that reaches 65 meters above sea level.



Mitra Mansion

 The city offers a wide array of places that boosts its tourism, like the Mitra's Mansion which is located in the to of a mountain that has an eagle's eye view of the city; right along the road downtown is bakeshop that bakes 'ube' and 'mongo' hopia and sells Palawan's specialty which is Cashew nuts, Viet Ville which is a small village of Vietnamese refugees during the Vietnam War; in this village, they serve mouthwatering Vietnam dish that are also affordable, the Provincial Capitol of Palawan which is few kilometers from the airport and the Puerto Princesa Baywalk that make the night extra special.



Puerto Princesa Baywalk



This has been a fascinating, awesome and a memorable travel of the year that made me wanting in traveling other places in the island like Coron and El Nido, Palawan.

Just this 2011, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been selected as to be one of the "7 Wonders of Nature" provisional winners. Though the winners are still in a random order, early next year we will know to what this nature's bounty will be placed during the Inuaguration Ceremonies.

I am very proud that Philippines has made again a spot for the world to see. This will make our tourism more productive and economy progressive.

If you want to know more about the tour packages, please click here.

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