Back to the flight, we got a really good deal on our flight as we received a adrenaline pumping scary ride at 30 000 feet in the air for no extra charge. It was great! Missie even almost wet her shorts ha! Once we arrived (safely) to P- Cubed (Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines HA!) we found a place to stay for the night and planned out how we were getting to the Subterranean Underground River (which is nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World). It is a river that is in a limestone karst (basically a huge limestone mountain) which is the longest navigational underground river at 8.2km in the world. We came to a conclusion that we would take a jeepney (local mode of transport in the Philippines) at 6 in the morning to get to the mighty underground river.
We arrived at painfully early 5:30am to secure a spot on the ever so over-popular jeepney. When we arrived, there were only a few people waiting and we thought "Thank you" only a few people, which means we should have a spot. Well, nothing is forsure when you travel, as it turned out there wasn't enough people/luggage to make an Guinness book record of over filling a vehicle, so we had to wait until 7 oclock for more passengers. By about 6 30am we were starting to get rather hungry and went to get some fruit from a stand, when we were gone, only 3.5 minutes, they figured it was an ideal time to fill the darn thing and we nearly had to sit on the roof! But, we fought for a spot big enough to fit a small child and we were on our way traveling in style! (It was fun!)
Our Jeepney!
We arrived in Sabang (where the river is located) about 3 hours later and then signed up for a tour of the river. First we had to take a boat to reach the entrance of the river. The scenery was once again mind blowing! When we were approaching the river out of no where casually strolled a monitor lizard! It was so crazy, but what was even more crazy was the local who simply casually stepped over the lizard! Missie and I were not so casual! "quick get the camera!, look at this thing" those were our reactions.
Monitor Lizard, he was huge!
Kids can do it all in the Philippines
Anyhow, the river was seriously impressive. It is an actual river that winds its way through a limestone karst. Some areas have huge hundreds of feet high ceilings ( I even got to sit in the front and hold the flash light so we can see.....some points it actually got stressful as i had a boat requesting different areas lit up all at the same time) other areas had low ceilings with huge pieces of limestone that sparkled like crazy. The Filipinos have even label certain rock formations that resemble any thing from Biblical sightings to a vegetable garden. It was quite funny as our guide would try and convince us that a rock was Jesus or a black cat. Some things I could see, others......well lets just say that you need a REAL good imagination or a few too many Tanduay shots. The whole trip took about 1 hour as we navigated through the river, the whole time dodging copeus amounts of bats and even bat crap. At one point we were in the so called "Cathedral" and our guide told us to look up at the ceiling and he recommended that we close our mouths, he said that because we might get, if we were lucky "holy water" dropping down on us or if not so lucky "Holy shit" right in the mouth, "bats like to poop in this cathedral!" he said. haha
Entrance to the Underground river (see all the bats coming out of the cave)
Hulk Hogan.......no idea why! But there he was.
The river was very impressive and we enjoyed our time very much. The following morning we took a Bangka boat (Filipino style boat) to the small laid back town called El Nido located in the beautiful Bacuit Archipelago. Our boat ride there was unreal, just beautiful scenery everywhere, our curious eyes wandered in every direction.
Can barely tell where the sky and water end/begin.
Our boat to Coron
We arrived in the afternoon and walked around as a sweaty mess looking for some accommodations. We found some and then went for some BBQ chicken before planning how we were going to explore to amazing Bacuit Archipelago. The Bacuit Archipelago comprises of mysterious limestone islands with step cliffs, paradise beaches and blue lagoons ready for any adventurous person to explore.
El Nido Town
The next two days we spend boating, snorkeling and admiring mother natures gift to El Nido.
Here are some pictures from our days exploring the Bacuit Archipelago:
Touching Jelly Fish!
Our amazing BBQ fish lunch on a deserted island
Catholic Church on a island.
Beach Bum!
After a very short stay in El Nido, which is very sad, we had to move on up north to the town of Coron. A shipwreck divers paradise! But first I have to tell how we got there. So the Palawan is still very untouched and transport is very hard and expensive. That being said, we settled on that we would take the freight boat to Coron. It leaves only once a week on its way to Manila and conveniently stops in Coron and was leaving the day we were planning to leave! Perfect, at half the price of any other way and beds (as it departs at midnight and arrives at 8am) it was magnificent! So we thought.......as it turned out the boat was to be slightly late (is what they told us) a quick 4 hours later the boat turned up and so did seriously 2 hundred extra people!
As we walked onto the boat we had to walk through the first level which was filled with stinky cattle, pigs and roasters. When we started going to the second level, which was the passenger level, we were surprized to see 3/4 of the population of the Philippines battling for a spot! This boat was severely over its respectable 100 persons capacity, but at around no lie 270 people, she was FULL. Beds were not a thought, a nice place somewhere clean on the floor was not a thought, anywhere that we may fit one of us was the thought! Survival! ahaaha. It was great to look back and laugh at it now....but certainly not at the time... the ride was awefull. So hot, sweaty, ridiculously over crowed, long (11 hours), smelly, crazy ride. But in the end it was worth it! My favorite part was when I woke up at some point in a messy sweaty mess to a lovely pair of dirty feet dangling in my face. Missie had woken at the same time and in a sleepy mess she swatted them out of the way! We both laugh so hard it was really funny. But we survived and had a good laugh......it was a great experience....seriously!
Sleeping everywhere!
Our 5 star bed for the night!
The cows had more room than the humans!
We arrive in Coron and sorted out our fantastic two days (very sad again at limited amount of time). The following day we dove in the Okikawa Maru, which is a 170m Japanese tanker that was sunk in 1944. It actually took a whole week to sink after it was hit and lit on fire. The wreck was amazing. We penetrated into the boiler room, control room and several others. There were loads of fish and marine life living throughout the ship. Amazing. The second wreck was called Akitsushima which is a Japanese seaplane tender at 150m long. This boat was heavily bombed at the stern and sank immediately. As it sank down the bottom, it settled on its side almost it two pieces. But, the crane that was used to lift the planes on and off was still intact, which was very cool to see. We even got to see the crane's mechanics and engine room. Also a very cool wreck that we enjoyed so much. Coron town itself was a very interesting and laid back vibe to it. Another great town.
Simple Coron
Kids at the Harbor
loved these bake shops so much.
Filipinos love their basketball.
Looking down at Coron
After Coron we caught a seaplane (very small propeller plane) back to Manila. We arrived one day early before our flight so that we could go check out one of the smallest and deadliest volcanoes in the world, Taal Volcano. So we were back on the public transport making our way to a small town Talisay, which is situated right next to Lake Taal, home to Taal Volcano. Taal is located in a caldera formed by a previous eruption, and now lies in a lake. At the top of Taal, inside its crator is a surphourous lake that is a wonderful sight to view after a good trek. The hike up the Volcano was farly easy, just it was so hot, and we were very much spoiled with the view once we arrived a the top. Along the way to the top we would come across areas of rock which were super hot and had surplour gas leeking out of cracks in the rock. All and all Take lake and volcano was very cool and interesting.
As the day drew closer to sunset we headed back to Manila ( 2 hours away and 4 different modes of transport) to meet up with Andy and Chris (some friends who are dive instructors in Indonesia) for some drinks and a night out in manic Manila. The night was great as we all had to much to fun, food and drinks! The following day we recovered and relaxed until it was time for our 6pm flight to Borneo.
A man offering a hammock half way up to the top of Taal Volcano.
Taal's lake in its crator.
Made it.
and it was worth it.
Andy, Chris and us.
This is the filipino equavelant to Mcdonalds and let me tell you they LOVE it. You can find a Jollibee anywhere in the Philippines.
Well, its sad to think that the Philippines are a memory now. Time is just flying way to fast, can't believe its almost been 6 months already. Geeezzz Louiezzz. We need to find out how to make time! haha
Anyhow hope all is well and take care.
Shaun
2 comments:
Amazing trip of the Philippines, I feel like I was there too, but still so jealous that you have seen a lot more of my country than I have ever had. Very brave too for you both to go to those places. But I guess it is worth a lot to you both to experience the culture, food, people and see all those beautiful places and beaches. Thanks for all these post. Look forward to seeing Borneo.
Take care !!!
Julie
NEAT! My shirt that shaun has been borrowing for the last year and a half is getting around lol.
shaun nice bod
sincerely,
Justin
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