Iwahig

Forgot to mention we also went to Iwahig when we were in Palawan. This place is very interesting as it's a fairly self-maintained prison. If you didn't see the guard and sign outside, you'd just think it was an average run of the mill farm. The min security prisoners have uniforms but no chains. They farm, do chores and other kinds of activities. We went to the gift shop where the prisoners had made pretty much most of the items that were for sale. They worked on commission, so the sellers were reallty attentive. Our group bought a ton of stuff to help em out. Hehehe souvenirs for everyone!



Sorry this is the only picture I have. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the prisoners and I felt weird being a tourist there. But, here is a link for some other pictures and a little bit more info about Iwahig.
Iwahig Prison Colony

Palawan Day 3: Underground River

On our last day in Palawan, we went to see the Underground River.  Apparently it's recognized as one of the wonders of the world and I believe it .  It's the longest underground river, but we only went about a third of the way because the rest would require some scuba gear.  There were live bats, birds, insects and it wasn't the best smell in the world, but it was well worth it.  I wish i could have taken a picture but I'm sure i would have been attacked by bats if i did.

There were lots of great mountains views on the way there.  Here's a view from one of the stopovers.  The little blip of an island is mine.  I claim it, and when it goes on sale I'm buying that sucker.  I think it's only about 20 feet wide if that but it'd be great wouldn't it?




Here's me on the half hour long ride to the underground river. It was on the other side of the mountain so we boated it.  Apparently there was also a walking trail but with all the half-centurians i didn't think that was an option.


Monitor lizard.  There were a ton of these at the picnic site.  Kinda scary looking.  This one was about 5-6 feet from head to tail


Me at the beach


trail to the river


Mouth of the cavern


And the opening to hell (just kidding)


and back to the living world. notice our hot vests and hats.  literally, i was sweltering and it had the delectable odor of people's sweat and guano.




Cheers


Lots of monkeys too.  The kind that would steal your food from right under your nose.

Dos Palmas

This is from our trip to the resort, Dos Palmas.  For some reason i didn't take that many pictures here so this is what I have.  I'll get mom's pics uploaded when she sends them to me.  Anyways, this was just a day trip since staying there was way expensive.  We took a bus, then a boat ride, and then stayed at the resort for the day.  It was good times.  I went snorkeling and kayaking with Tita Elsa and then mom & tita nonet decided they wanted to go on the banana boat so we went with them.  They got so scared but it was funny. 

Tita Nonet and mom eating our favorite mango with bagoong




dock where our boat was





for some reason I have a knowing, daring smile.  Not that i know what I know... but anyways


safety first


some vistas during the ride.  These are all a bunch of little islands




and dos palmas. those little huts there are actually places where you can rent and stay.  rooms right on the water. wow








We took a golf cart ride of the whole island. it was pretty neat


but no turtles to be seen



some of the bungalows that we couldn't afford to stay at






lights at the dining room


mmm seaweed


and more gomamela

Palawan Day I : May 19, 2006

Here are pictures from our first day in Palawan.  We (Mom, me, Tita

Elsa, Tito Eddie, Tita Lowell & her husband Geoff, & Auntie

Nonet) arrived at Puerto Princesa by plane sometime in the afternoon

and still had a little time to go sightseeing for a little bit. 



Here are some pictures of the scenery. I love the rice fields with the sea in the background






and some neat tricycles




Tito Eddie's sun hat




restaurant under our hotel




hotel mynas.  Here are some things they'd say: pangit pangit, wow, guapo ako, hehehehe, meow, morning


and tito kokoy's myna


me in front of the hotel we didn't stay at


group photo at tito kokoy's house


gomamela




And pictures from the gator farm.  It rained so we didn't really get to see much


Here are some Philippine turtles.  They're endangered but oh so cute.


This one's relaxing in the pool




so many cuties!


scary walking one.  he walked 3 feet then plopped down.  They'd just eaten so they were all being lazy and fat


3 foot one that tita nonet held for a picture


Mynas at the park.  These had been rescued from neglectful pet owners.  Mynas are listed as an endangered species.  Although tito eddie wanted one for a pet, it's prohibited to take them off the island


pile of babies


and everyone was tired and fell asleep



pretty flower


bananaQ. my fave!



Baker's Hill, one of the neat little restaurants they have


Homer and Marge.  apparently there was ostrich on the menu too but we didn't get it.  We got halo-halo instead


hidey kitty




amusing statues all over the place


my pirate boyfriend