Palawan Islands

Hosted by Christine and Beverly
In light of my late father's birthday on May 2nd, I thought I'd take you to one of his favorite hangouts in the Philippines. He got paid to enjoy waterside places because his work was helping the government find clean sources of water and configure the community water to have a cleaner source and outlet!

I welcome all of you to the Palawan Islands! It is a series of islands off a slim peninsula on the Southwest side of the Philippines. Enjoy!

You know that exotic flora and fauna exists in tropical places, but check this one out...


SAKURA
From The Main Ingredient dot com:

It is the Japanese name for cherry trees and their blossoms. The trees are in full bloom from early to mid spring. These flowers are grown in Palawan, Philippines, in Canada, Great Britain, Germany and the US.


Calamian region or Northern Palawan
This string of islands is one of my late father's favorite places to visit when he used to work for LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration), where he toured most of the Philippines to help regions and districts with their water issues. He used to regale me with stories of fishing, boating and the islands he explored. He used to say that most natives in the areas he helped would be so grateful, they would put together a feast or a big pile of sendoff gifts!

One time, on my 10th birthday, I awoke to a strong smell of the sea and there was my dad smiling at me very early in the morning next to a sack, a sack full of edible shellfish that people near Palawan gave him as a thank you gift! Another time, after visiting another "water district", he came home with a guava bigger than his head! We planted the seeds and had three small trees that yielded many huge guavas! It took three or more people to eat one!


From Blog dot Agriculture PH.
These are tiny compared to the ones I've eaten. Try imagining twice the size!

I wish to visit the same places someday...

I can understand why he loves Palawan the best, check out what Travel PH dot com has to say:

One of the last frontiers of the Philippines. Palawan is known for the beauty of its fowls and fauna. The perfect combination of sea and mountains, it offers sights that is breath taking for city dwellers and nature lovers.

The island is accessible by airbus aircrafts via the city's capital Puerto Princessa from Manila or Cebu. For the exciting romantic getaways, it is only accessible by chartered flights.
The province boast of some of the best dive spots in the world as most islands are declared environmental sanctuary.

Nothing excites travelers more than breathtaking views, warm and friendly people, and local arts, crafts, and knicknacks to take home as souvenirs. If only for these three things, the Philippines has everything travelers look for. We need only show them what we've got. It's showing the splendor of the islands from the point of view of the people who live there. It focuses not only on the country's physical beauty but also on the interplay of culture and nature, which is what makes each and every place unique.


The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park.

The entrance to the Subterranean River is located a short hike from little town of Sabang. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river.

A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world’s longest.The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.

National Geographic dot com
The resort's 18 cottages rest on stilts right next to El Nido's marine sanctuary, where towering limestone cliffs jut from the shimmering surface and unspoiled coral reefs lie just below it. In a single day, guests can scuba dive, kayak, rock climb, and trek—returning just in time to witness a Gauguin-inspired sunset from their cottage's private balcony. Rather take it easy? Just spend your day relaxing on the beach. You certainly won't miss the sunset that way.

A very big thank you to both our hosts and to all of you who "peeked in".

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is ready to travel) Set a table for two in the most serene part of your garden and surprise your husband or wife with a light dinner for two with overhead string lights and some fragrant fresh flowers like lily, rose or freesia. Combine it with items from either your honeymoon, wish list or recent vacation and enjoy each other's company while reliving your great moments away, together...