(PHOTO shot by a friend during our "fear factor" adventure!)
Palawan, Philippines
September 2008
Puerto Princesa City is the main city on the island of Palawan. Though underdeveloped like almost all cities far from Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa is moving forward with good leaders and a good plan. The “no trash, 500-1,000php penalty” law alone is amazing. I don’t think any other major city in the Philippines could claim to have AND implement such a law. In Puerto Princesa City, I saw almost no litter; even cigarette butts! Developing infrastructure (roads for example) focusing on tourism seems to be the right path to follow. I recently read some news on some road developments to make it easier to get to the Underground River; a very good thing for the tourism industry.
Bamboo & Rattan Weaving
Bamboo & Rattan Weaving
Aside from the Underground River and the Crocodile Farm, the tour also brought us to a weaving factory where we saw first hand how they weave bamboo, rattan and palm leaves. We also got to go to the Ancestral Home of Mitra (a known politician in the Philippines) where the garden and open areas where open to the public.
Mitra Ancestral Home Garden
Seafood is plenty available in the island and we ate a variety of fish, shrimp, crab and squid during the meals included in the tour. So much seafood was served that the small dish of pork served during our last dinner was quickly and completely gobbled up! We also took some time to go to a grill/bar and have a taste of the Palawan delicacy; the Tamilok (wood worms) served uncooked in vinegar (see photo above)! After a round of tasting, the group consensus was that the taste was okay and the Tamilok was quite edible… but still, no one tried a second serving, hehe :p
Seafood at Badjao Grill
Puerto Princesa City has much potential to become a main tourism area of the Philippines. It could be a jumping point to various world-class beaches like Coron and El Nido in Palawan as well. With the help of the national government in security and infrastructure, together with the good leaders, supportive populace and excellent plans for tourism; Puerto Princesa could be a world-class tourism city, a good start to a strong Philippines.
boat ride to and from the underground river area
for other blog entries of Palawan click links below:
Underground River
Pandan Island/Snake Island
Crocodile farm/Baker's Hill
Mischievous Monkeys
Puerto Princesa City/Seafood/Worms/Bamboo Weaving/Mitra Ancestral Home
for other photos of Palawan click here
for other photos of travel click here
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