Fresh Catch
The rich mangrove in Sitio San Carlos, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan is a good place to enjoy nature. Row a boat along Bancungan River where nine species of mangroves are preserved. Go fishing for samaral (rabbit fish), lapu-lapu (grouper), dalagang bukid (yellow tail fusilier) and rompe (coral fish), and enjoy the fresh catch on your balsa (raft). You can also buy from local fishermen if you can’t catch one.
Dolphin Sighting
If you think Honda Bay is solely for whale shark sightings, you’re wrong. You’re bound to see dolphins and fruit bats on a lucky day so have a camera ready. Dolphins appear early in the morning when there are less boats and the water is calm. Fruit bats dot the sky at twilight. Dolphins are playful and swim near the banca (outrigger boat). Sometimes they jump from the water to show off.
Snake Island
There are still no resorts on Snake Island and the locals are keen on preserving the corals and schools of fish. You can feed the fish, marvel at the different corals and drink brewed coffee afterwards. Walk around the island, but don’t go deeper into the mangrove as it can be scorching during the day. Try not to step on the corals. Aside from damaging them, territorial fish like the brown surgeonfish defends the reefs.
Sailing and Snorkeling
In the Puntod Ilis Marine Sanctuary, locals give a one-on-one sailing trip.You can put on your snorkeling gear to look at marine life more closely. A list of fish and coral species is provided. You’ll know what that little white fish is called when you swim with it. The marine life is rich and beautiful that you may be tempted to take home a seashell. Don’t! Most are endangered and are being preserved in the sanctuary.
Walk in the Woods
Sometimes it’s better to have a quiet, back-to-nature exploration. The Nature Park offers that. Members of the Palawan Preservation Corps can give you a tour of the park where you can see a butterfly sanctuary and old trees. A tour in Nature Park also requires you to plant a sapling in the Nursery House. You can name it and come back to visit your tree when you return to Puerto Princesa.
Mild Climbing
Ugong Rock is not yet a prime spelunking destination, but this 75-meter (246 feet) formation is worth a detour. Made of prehistoric snails, this karst formation redefines spelunking. Instead of going down, climbers go up with ropes and wooden ladders which make the climb faster but not necessarily easier. There are small openings and slippery steps to deal with. There’s a view deck on top where you can sign your name on a board.
Must-Visit Site
One of the longest underground rivers in the world, Palawan’s Underground River is enchanting because of the large, cathedral-like caverns and domes. Tourists can either take the paddle boat or walk inside. Spelunking lasts for an hour and a half, but the labyrinthine views of the cave are better seen on foot than from the boat. Monkeys in the area would take your personal belongings once they hear the rustling sound of plastic.
Pasyar Development Center offers a package tour to these places, inclusive of food. For more information, call tel. nos. +63 926 437 5224 and +63 48 433 5525 or email pasyar_palawan@yahoo.com
--This article was first published in the May 2008 issue of Mabuhay Magazine and was titled as "Where Dolphins Show-Off" Photo taken with a Fuji Finepix digital camera. Rights of these photos belong exclusively to Leilani Chavez.
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