Palawan Part 3 - Crocodile Farm

Crocodile Farm was one of the stopovers during the half day city tour.

The place can do some improvements, it's a bit rundown.  The crocodiles were mostly still, with just a few slow movements here and there.  Highlight was the photo op with a baby crocodile, with its mouth taped shut of course!

At the entrance

Waiting for the tour to begin

The skin of the farm's biggest crocodile

Its skeleton displayed below the croc skin.

My niece Sophia posing beside the croc.

Sleeping crocodiles below us.

Walking around the farm grounds.

Scary!

Summer Fun in Palawan Part 2

Island Hopping at Luli Island, Starfish Island and Pandan Island.  

There was supposed to be a final island stop at Pambato Reef which has a better snorkelling area but the kiddos won't be able to participate so we skipped it and stayed longer at Pandan Island.

Feeling beauty queens at Luli Island!

The toddlers at enjoying sitting on a kayak.

Snorkeling time at Starfish Island.

Enjoying the 4s - sea, sun, sand and Sarah!

Babysitter mode while my mother and sisters snorkelled.

Starfish at where else? Starfish Island!

Stayed the most at Pandan Island.

Water fun with my family.

Fresh seafood for lunch!  
Clockwise from top left: seaweed salad, fried fish, fish in tamarind soup and grilled fish.  Not in pictures were the San Mig Light beers and fresh buko juice :)

Before and after shots - Sarah darkened easily hahaha

Clockwise from top left: Rafael, Jing/Sofi/Mama, Michelle, Michelle/Mama

We truly enjoyed the beautiful beaches of Palawan, we'll be back!

Summer fun in Palawan Part 1

May 1-4, 2013
Puerto Princesa, Palawan

We decided to visit Palawan for this year's family reunion.  And what fun, fun, fun we had!

Touchdown at Puerto Princesa local airport

Abegail, Jing and Rap have been at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (simple called Underground River) before it was declared one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

It was c.r.a.z.y to secure permits for the Underground River Tour during the peak season.  We had to queue up at the local office at 4am, yes you read that right, 4am!  We have to drag everyone up at 3:30am; this with 2 cranky toddlers and our forever baby Rap, who was moody as well.   We were considered walk ins as most of the 900 permits issued daily are booked weeks (even months) in advance.  Of the 50+ walk ins that morning, only the first 11 got the highly coveted tour permits.  Our group of 5 adults and 2 toddlers was queue number 3.

By the time the van started moving, it was well past 9am.  It was a 2 hour journey from the city center to Sabang town with some parts quite bumpy as the roads are still being built.  A buffet lunch at one of the Sabang beach resorts followed suit then a 20 minute boat ride to the docking station and finally a 5 minute walk to reach the cave entrance.

The rock formations inside the cave was AWESOME!  No wonder it made it to the list of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. 

We also enjoyed the funny anecdotes and jokes of our boatman/guide.  The early wake up call and the long journey made it all worthwhile to see the inside of the Underground River.

A quick photo op in front of Karst Mountain's Elephant cave

After lunch, the toddlers ran to play on a docked boat.

Tito Rap with his two makulit nieces!

At the docking beach after a 20 minute boat ride.

My mother dear, Merly

Happy shot

Still at the docking station

Had to wade through knee-high water in front of all the waiting tourists to get this shot :)

Cave opening

Excited tourists going in the cave

Life vest check!  Sarah was too uncomfortable with her vest, we had to take it out before the boat ride began.  This is one of only 2 available life vests for small children.

Photo op at the boat.  Notice the kiddos were not wearing their life vests.

Approaching the cave entrance.

A horse - the best cave shot we took hahaha

 

Sleeping bats

A 'banana heart'

The end of the tour

Last shot before we left.

Goodbye and thank you Esther!

Esther came to work for us since Sarah was 4 months old and have stayed for 2 years.

We treated her like family as Ravi and I believed she will treat us the same way.  True enough
it showed on how she cared for our family, especially towards Sarah.  

Esther was more like a younger sister to me rather than an employee.  We knew each other well enough to know when we need to be serious and when it's all about fun.  She was not scared to ask if she needed anything or to remind us of things we've forgotten.

Her service may have ended but not the friendship.  We'll see her in Manila when we come for visits and keep in touch via FB.

Thank you Ate Esther for everything!

Esther's Sentosa cable car ride

Esther's blurry shot at the Kek Loh Si Temple

Esther at one of Georgetown's wall art