The last few days of my vacation, I spent them at Palawan. This is a collection of the journal entries I've written throughout our trip to Dos Palmas Arriceffe, Palawan. To follow would be some memorable pictures that I want to share with you all.
Adventure Day 1:
Oh happy day. Waking up at 4:30 am didn't feel so bad after all, especially when you're expecting something. What's more, it's Mommy's birthday! Perfect timing huh? Well we're supposed to board the plane at 7:30 and it's almost time. Meanwhile, I'll just stick with the radio while waiting. ~7:04 am domestic airport boarding area
I've always been afraid of heights, and this time there's no exception. I've slept for the past 2o mins completely forgetting that I'm actually floating amongst the clouds. Well, I woke up just in time for the traditional Cebu Pacific flight game. Too bad I didn't get any prices. Well, I guess it's better luck next flight. ~9:07 am Cebu Pacific plane soaring in the sky
Now I know why I love the sea so much. When you're out there facing the sea in its full grandeur, it feels so amazing, so free, so powerful yet so comforting and so calm. As Captain Jack Sparrow said: "Bring me that horizon!" I wonder to myself when I will find my horizon. I sure hope I find it at sea, where I feel I truly belong. ~11:24 am aboard the Calypso 8 speedboat moving towards Dos Palmas Arriceffe
Well here we are at last. I think Palawan's native instruments are pretty cool. Well fed now and ready to start rolling, but Mom insists that we all take some rest first. The rooms look pretty ancient but inside it's wonderful, with full air-conditioning! Guess this vacation isn't as HOT as it seems! ~2:45 pm Room 4B of Garden Cottage trying to take a nap
Kayaking after a long nap sure is refreshing! Though my arms got sore easily and my hands find the oars new, it was really an adventure to pass through mangroves and under low bridges. Then, we had a sumptious dinner with, guess what, RAW tuna! Marc and I left an unfinished game of sungka as we headed back to our rooms expecting a good night's sleep. ~10:25 pm after dinner on the bed
Adventure Day 2:
After feeding some tropical fishes and feeding our own stomachs with yet another breakfast BUFFET, our troop headed to the divers' shop for a briefing on scuba diving from Kuya Vic. I'm pretty nervous. I just hope I won't back out. Anyway, I'm all geared up with a mask, a snorkle and a lifevest just in case. Now all I need is a pair of aqualungs. Maybe I can find some gillyweed somewhere. Kidding. ~10:11 am at the pier waiting for the speedboat
Mission impossible didn't seem so impossible after all. I succeeded in scuba diving 15 feet below the water surface for 20 whole minutes! But of course, with the help of diving master Kuya Manny. Then, I went snorkeling with Marc for the next two hours. It's simply amazing to see those discovery channel shows on underwater life firsthand. Things I've learned today: Clownfish are oily and waxy. Some corals are soft, and some flaky. Some jellyfish sting and send electric currents to your body, but they don't leave marks at all, just great memories that last a lifetime. ~12:34 pm after a bath before YET ANOTHER lunch buffet
Lato are queer and eerie seaweed-like foods the first time you encounter them, but can turn out as amazing delicacies the second time you have them for lunch. After another game of sungka, it's fish feeding again! Without further ado, we proceeded at once to kayaking and snorkeling with Marc and Matthew. Marc and I teamed up and won at a kayaking race against Papa. Then we traveled deeper into the mangrove forests; it felt just like we were in the Amazon. It was totally amazing. ~4:32 pm snack time over Mom's birthday cake while playing sungka *again?!* *opkorsh!*
Some swimming races at the resort pool and a dip in the jacuzzi, take a shower afterwards then that complete's a perfect day! Of course, let's not forget the seafood dinner buffet! We walked towards the pier where Mom and Papa chatted with the tour officer Johan for a really long time. Tonight's our last night yet I don't think I'm contended. I want more! I wanna go scuba diving again. Sob. Too bad. ~10:28 pm at the pier watching tropical fish leaping in the water under a wonderful star-spangled night sky
Adventure Day 3:
I can't believe my water adventure is now over. Time goes by so fast when you're having fun.If ever I'm given the chance to stay in any island in the Philippines for the rest of my life, I choose Dos Palmas Arriceffe! Good bye to the powers of the sea! Someday, I will be back. ~ 7:45 am aboard the DP Stella Maris speedboat moving from Dos Palmas to Puerto Princesa
