Royal Oberoi Resort Hotel Puerto Princesa

... of the rural regions around Puerto but the farther I got the worst the roads got. I made is as far as Honda Bay to the north (very worthwhile trip!) and a little beyond. On anorther journey to the south, I made it about halfway to Aborlan before the roads became too difficult to navigate. 6"-deep mud is no fun on a motorbike.

In all, I wish I had more time to explore Palawan. On my next trip I plan to spend more time here, especially around Busuanga and Coron.

Fri. 23rd October

Today we went to Dad's work place. Dad’s workmate picked us up and we drove there. I met Colleen and Jenny. I and Michelle played on the laptop. Colleen was late and she brought her daughter Nicola.

We waited the whole morning and then we went out for lunch with Coleen, Jenny and one of Dad’s other workmates. I and Michelle shared grilled chicken with rice. Colleen had to go back to work so we and the ...

... lives at the same place as us. We would have a leader on our way through the dark village back to Bambua. Umm....that's not quite how it went though. Red came with us too. We thought a police escort would be nice too. Well, it seems they are only police when on duty. After that, they are just guys. Filipino guys, to be exact. So we needed to heed Rosalee's previous warning.

Dab Dab is along the beach. A little walk along the pier and through an old cemetary and you ...

I got up before 06:00 to go back to Puerto Princesa. I wanted to get to the bus station early to get a good seat on the 07:00 bus. I shouldn't have worried. The bus was more than half empty. When we left there were 9 foreigners and only 3 locals on board. It wasn't nearly as busy as on the way here and it never would during the trip. We seemed to be going a lot faster this time and the rest stops ...

... rencontre un varan moniteur. Impressionnant cette bestiole. Un lezard d'un metre de long et une grande langue bleu. Il nous a grimace souvent mais il s'interesse surtout au moustique, petite bestiole et fruit. Un bateau avec 6 autres curieux pour se rendre a la cave. Un pagayeur qui nous a montrer tout une corbeille de legume. Il voyait dans les formations de stalagtite toute sorte de chose en plus de ses legumes: La ...

... a wonderful educational tour of the property from Keith who runs the project with his Filipina wife. It was so fun to see such a successful organic garden and sustainable project that is actively working to help combat many of the problems existing here! Yesterday we headed to a beautiful, unknown to tourist, waterfall on the other side of the island. It was a beautiful coast line drive to the fall and well worth the heat of the hike once we arrived. It felt so nice ...

Not much to say yet....great time!!! Silva is now known as Van Helsing....some Philappina's thought he looked like Van Helsing.....oh my god were still laughing!!!! We spent some time in Peurto Princessa....not long about two hours then off to El Nida....supposed to be as beautiful or more beautiful than Koh Phi Phi and Krabi in Thailand. We'll see, talk soon.

... around midday you may need to stay in PP if you want local transport. Could be worth spending the $ and going straight to Port Barton or Sabang. We left by large banca that we hired from the guest house. It was 8000 peso and comfortably seated 8 - although the front seats got rather drenched. Kate managed to sleep for most of the trip (we did set off at 5am!). Websites: General Palawan Information Greenviews Resort, Port Barton

... I was glad to see that they threw 3 more in the back of the jeepney for ballast. These sacks weren't the only cargo, with even heavier crates of the catch of the day being manoeuvred up there, some requiring all the heft of 6 men. We left 40 minutes, late, but I think that is pretty much standard in the Philippines. I was glad of the rain from the previous two days as it made the roads less dusty and I could enjoy the sweet smell and view of the jungle and not be choked or ...

... and meeting some of the cool people running the joint, i tried to have a quik nap in a hammock, which i wish coulda lasted all afternoon, but i had half-heartedly agreed with the trike driver to return in an hour and a half to take me on a bit of a city/island tour...i was hoping that he would be running on island time so that i could catch some more sleep, but unbelievably he was right on time... it would turn out to be an excellent way to spend my first ...