AN IDYLLIC PLACE TO UNWIND

I heard people say, before you travel out of the country, make an effort to visit the good places and the tourist spots the Philippines can boast of. I thought it was just a call for Filipinos to be patriotic and to nurture nationalism in everyone’s spirit. But after our Palawan trip, the Philippine islands can be compared or even surpassing the beauty and allure of Bali, Indonesia or Phuket, Thailand, or the famous beach resorts in Malaysia.

I’ve been to several far flung places in the Philippines, the ones that are miles away from the hustle and bustle of a city life, but I guess, nothing beats Palawan for me. Yes, it is a paradise in the truest sense of the word, and yet I was only able to conquer a portion of what the place can offer more, the reason – time constraint. Whoever said that Palawan is more popularly known to foreigners as an island than the Philippines as a country is very true. They didn’t know that Palawan is part and is in the Philippines. They weren’t aware that such an idyllic haven can be found in the Philippines, a country they identified only as a nation reeking with poverty, mountains of garbage, filth and stench.

What makes Palawan paradisiacal - the islands are unspoilt, the beaches are crystal clear, you can see with your naked eye the marine creatures living a life of non-disturbance. The coral reefs are abundant. The first time, I’ve seen fishes literally flying out of the sea as if playing and racing with the other fellow fish. The beach sand are white and very fine that they almost tickle your tired feet when you walk through them. The islands also housed thick mountains and you can see them at the background. A great opportunity for trekkers or hikers who want to explore the enchanting life in the woods. The trip in the famous caves are enthralling and awesome. In all honesty, Palawan is fortunately an experience very close to nature. No wonder, local and foreign tourists flock to this place despite its limited accessibility. Because the experience in Palawan is a once in a lifetime moment for me, and I was hypnotized by the breathtaking view unfolding right before my very eyes, I vowed to be a steward in preserving the pristine beauty of nature because these are priceless gifts from high above.

Try to get the high, and you’ll see what I mean.