PALAWAN
is an exquisite destination in the southwest part of the Philippine
archipelago. It is a long, narrow island pointing to Borneo.
It is known as the "Last Frontier" and is now being promoted
as an ecotourist destination, attracting a steady stream of
visitors. It is, in fact, one of the most visited tourist
spots in the Philippines.
There
are daily flights to Puerto Princesa-Palawan's capital-from
Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo. There are also boat trips and round
trips that take you directly to El Nido and Busuanga.
Here,
you will find diverse and rare species of flora and fauna.
There is the fish-eating Palawan eagle, the scaly anteater,
giant turtles, Palawan peacock pheasant, Palawan bear cat,
mouse deer, and the Tabon bird. But Palawan's beautiful beaches,
islands, reefs, resorts, forests, and underground rivers are
what really lure visitors to it.
Beneath
the waters of Palawan lies a stunning display of underwater
life - an ideal destination for snorkelers and scuba divers.
If you want to go diving, you will find one of the best diving
spots in the world here-the Tubbataha Reef. Some of the spots
in the northern islands are delightfully unspoiled.
In
the capital town of Puerto Princesa, you can stroll along
the waterfront, where picturesque houses are built over the
water. Visit the Palawan Museum, which has a display of archaeological
artifacts and fossil remains; and the Palawan State University,
which has a smaller museum with displays of archaeological
finds, artifacts, butterfly and shell collections. For those
who wish to enjoy Palawan's resplendent natural sights, there
is a 30-minute bus ride to Honda Bay where boatmen will readily
cruise you along the shores of Palawan and further down to
the islands of Cowrie, Pandan, Snake, and Bat Island.
Full or half-day cruises, snorkeling, island explorations,
and accommodations are available in these islands. For those
who are interested in longer treks, there is a 3-day 2-night
safari that will take you camping out in coves during the
evening and exploring the beaches and waterfalls by day. Go
to St. Paul's Underground River-Palawan's best known attraction.
The river exits from a cave into a beautiful pool near the
beach in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park (formerly St.
Paul's National Park).
There
are also beautiful offshore islands and caves in the northern
and southern parts of Palawan. The Tabon and Diwata Caves
in Quezon; El Nido, Pangalusian, Busuanga, and Coron Islands
are also worth visiting.
Every
December 8, the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion is celebrated
in Puerto Princesa in honor of the city's patroness. This
event is highlighted by a parade and a procession of colorfully
adorned floats with images of the Virgin Mary.
The
seduction of Palawan lies in its unique combination of grandeur
and seclusion. And because it lies several kilometers away
from most of the Philippine islands and is sparsely populated,
it offers the traveler privacy to truly enjoy the delights
of this paradise island.
(BACK
TO TOP)
|