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!
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| 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.
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| A quick photo op in front of Karst Mountain's Elephant cave |
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| After lunch, the toddlers ran to play on a docked boat. |
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| Tito Rap with his two makulit nieces! |
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| At the docking beach after a 20 minute boat ride. |
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| My mother dear, Merly |
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| Happy shot |
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| Still at the docking station |
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| Had to wade through knee-high water in front of all the waiting tourists to get this shot :) |
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| Cave opening |
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| Excited tourists going in the cave |
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| 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. |
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| Photo op at the boat. Notice the kiddos were not wearing their life vests. |
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| Approaching the cave entrance. |
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| A horse - the best cave shot we took hahaha | |
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| Sleeping bats |
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| A 'banana heart' |
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| The end of the tour |
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| Last shot before we left. |
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