From the intimidating views of its saw-toothed peaks and steep rock faces, it is clear that advanced mountaineering skills, physical stamina and endurance – and plenty of water – are required to make it to the summit. Because of the challenges it demands, G2 has earned the moniker of being the “K2 of the Philippines.” K2 is a “Savage Summit” that is more exacting to climb than Mount Everest.

In recorded history, G2’s summit has only been reached in 1982 by members of the Philippine Mountaineering Society based in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and members of the University of the Philippines Mountaineers. From a compilation of the photos below, it is clear that G2 requires more effort than usual to reach its peak.

Magdiwang is one of the towns from which mountaineers can jump off to G2. The other jump-off point is from the town of San Fernando. The traverse route starts from San Fernando to Magdiwang; the reverse-traverse route is from Magdiwang to San Fernando.

Camp 1 is two hours away from the jump off point in Magdiwang. A water source can be found one hour before reaching Camp 1.

Mountaineers can set up camp at Camp 2 as night falls. Further up is Camp 3, two hours away from the previous camp and about 20 minutes away from the last water source on the way up. (Mabel Spring can be found before the 90-degree rock face on the way to the summit, but the presence of water is highly unpredictable.)

Bulod Spring, named after a local guide, is one of the few springs where mountaineers can stock up on water which will prove to be scarce on the way up. Many mountaineers have decided not to pursue the summit because of lack of water from here on until the peak.

Mayo’s Peak was named after a pioneer mountaineer in G2 and a member of the Philippine Mountaineering Society. The team reached this peak on the occasion of Mayo Monteza’s birthday.

The Knife Edge Trail is so named because on both sides of the trail are steep ravines.

There is a pass in G2 known as “Kiss the Wall.” It was so named because a mountaineer has to “kiss the wall” as s(he) ascends the steep slope.

The Peak of Deception was so named because mountaineers often mistake this peak as the summit of G2. It is also otherwise known as the “Peak of Decision” because one has to decide whether to pursue the climb or not, particularly if faced with exhaustion and dehydration. From here, it would only take about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the summit.

The 90-degree wall is the last steep climb to the summit of G2. Some mountaineers have called this rock face as the “Hillary Pass” in reference to that famed mountaineer who first summited Mount Everest.

From afar, the summit of G2 is actually obscured by the Peak of Deception. But topographical surveys have shown that this unassuming peak is the highest point in the island of Sibuyan.

“Guiting-guiting” in the local dialect means “jagged.” This ridge best describes why the locals decided to name it like they did.

Photos by Lester Lope and Maevin Poncejan-Recto

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To get to Maria, you can take a “habal-habal” (heavy-duty motorcycle that should only seat two but usually seats four or more depending on the direness of the situation) from Larena for US$5 to and from. Or, you can rent an entire tricycle for a whole day tour around the diminutive island of Siquijor (which only takes two hours on moderate speed) for US$25. Some even pay less if they are only a couple. Travel time from Larena to Maria via a mountain highway is one hour or shorter one way.

For day-trippers, Maria is doable in two, maybe three, hours. But for an unapologetically slow traveler like me, Maria deserves a day by itself. Here’s why.

Larena is the commercial hub of the Siquijor province. Larena is also its transport corridor. Mini-buses that ply the Larena-Lazi route pass by Maria. Fare is US$1.25 until the Salagdoong junction. Then there is the two-kilometer walk to Salagdoong Beach under the canopy of “tugas” trees (remember how scarce public transport is in this province?), unless you hire a “habal-habal” from Larena, in which case the two kilometers will be a breeze.

Maria Bay is spectacular even on a cloudy day. The protrusion on the left of the bay is the Salagdoong Beach.

This church features Santa Rita de Cascia, Patron Saint of the Impossible, abused wives and mourning widows (having previously married herself).

The ornate and gilded “retablo” (literally, “behind the table or altar”) is one of the oldest in the province. Santa Rita is the black and white figure to the right. Images of other bloggers reveal that her face looks eerie, and that she holds an upside-down crucifix in her left hand, and a skull in her right. I wanted to come up close and take a picture, but there was an ongoing “novena” (rosary prayer), which would make crossing over to the altar “blasphemous.” Siquijor legend has it that Santa Rita is a somnambulist (nightwalker) because locals claim her feet would be sullied in the morning.

I would have wanted to walk this two-kilometer stretch all the way to the beach. Locals call this the “katugasan.” That same name is thought to be the original name of Siquijor instead of the Spanish name “Isla del Fuego” (“island of fire”, in reference to the swarms of firefly they saw upon arrival). The hills of Siquijor were once covered in molave trees; if so, this forest is likely primary growth. On the map, this patch of “tugas” trees is marked as Salagdoong Forest. The contrast of the sounds of birdlife and the otherwise deafening silence of midday struck a primeval nerve.

“Salagdoong” refers to these gi-normous birds. No luck finding their scientific name.

Salagdoong Beach is owned and managed by the provincial government.

The swimming pool is just one of the modern amenities on the beach. Guest rooms are also modern and made of concrete.

The slide and the diving platforms are popular with kids and screaming adults.

This is the sandier portion of Salagdoong Beach. The rock overhangs are a favorite playground of children and adults alike. (Overnight) camping by the beach is allowed (US$2.50 per person exclusive of tent).

The waters are unbelievably inviting. A jump from here would land the brave of heart straight into the white sands below. The current, however, can be strong, so caution has to be taken when jumping.

“Ambak” (cliff-jumping) is apparently popular among intrepid kids.

Salagdoong Beach is a jewel even in overcast days. You can get accommodation facing the bay for exhilarating views upon waking up. You can check the price per room at Agoda website here.

Click here for next article (Siquijor series) – Lazi, Siquijor >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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But viewed from space, eruptions – like the May 7, 2013 phreatic eruption of the Philippines’ Mount Mayon – seem detached from everyday human activity and appear to be more of an indication that Earth is still a work in progress. Here are some spectacular views of volcanoes showing signs of internal unrest and giving birth to new islands as viewed from satellites of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Eruptions are not only caused by tectonic plates grinding against each other, they can also be caused by plates pulling away from each other, as in the case of this island-forming eruption in Red Sea that resulted from the Arabian plate and African plate drifting away from each other.

Mount Sarychev in the Kuril Islands northeast of Japan sent a plume of ash on June 12, 2009, big enough to be clearly captured by the roving International Space Station and significant enough to disrupt air traffic between East Asia and North America.

The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin. An underwater volcano spews ejecta which will eventually become an island like El Hierro, the smallest island of the “Canarias.” El Hierro emerged from the ocean some 1.2 million years ago, and the same Surtseyan eruption that gave birth to it is still happening today, as in the case of this October 10, 2011 eruption off its coast, indicated by a change of color of the sea.

A Strombolian eruption is characterized by low-level but continuous ejection of incandescent cinder and lava bombs, with low volume of volcanic ash thrown in the mix. This kind of eruption is named after Mount Stromboli in the island of the same name off the coast of Sicily, Italy. This hyperactive volcano has been spewing glowing ejecta for the last 2,000 years and shows no signs of quitting anytime soon if its January 2011 eruption is any indication.

Strombolian eruptions are often intense and unpredictable. Eruptions of Mount Etna are one such perfect example, the volcano being the most tempestuous in Europe. Its most recent eruption was in April 27, 2013, its 13th this year.

Iceland sits smack dab in the middle of two grinding continental plates: the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. As a result, it is an island country ready to blow up any minute. (Iceland was formed by the same eruptive forces.) On the plus side, a thermal column that sits about 20 kilometers down make for pleasant hot springs that soothe aching muscles. On the not-so-pleasant side, volcanoes that were thought to be dormant could reawaken anytime, as was the case of Mount Eyjafjallajokull in Southern Iceland (last eruption in 1821) which erupted on March 21, 2010 and caused hundreds of people to evacuate.

The Cerro Payun Matru of Southern Andes in Argentina sits about 530 kilometers away from the Nazca plate. The subduction action of this plate against the South American plate (one plate grinding under the other) formed the Andean range and created volcanic hotspots within 1,000 kilometers north to south. One such massive hotspot, Payun Matru, is classified as a shield volcano, formed mainly of fluid lava flows (often oozing from fissures around the crater) which give it a rather flat appearance like that of a warrior’s shield.

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Unlike the well-trodden traveler circuit of neighboring country Thailand, Burma’s trails are yet to be scuffed up by tourists looking for something authentic. Decades of self-imposed isolation (and embargoes sanctioned by international authorities) left Burma’s indigenous culture relatively unsullied by outside influence.

Burma’s isolation is good news to travelers who have become tired of multinational chains and brands following them even in the remotest corners of the globe. It’s time to see a country that has not yet succumbed to the imperialism of McDonald’s or Starbucks. To ease yourself into this new world of wonders, take a look at how other travelers saw Burma before its recent breakthrough.

Yangon, despite the transfer of capital to Nay Pyi Taw, is still the gateway to the rest of Burma. Founded in 1755 by King Alaungpaya, the “Garden City of the East” is the bustling center of commerce where degrees of outside influence can be felt.

Street food in Burma is just as ubiquitous and cheap as they are in neighboring Thailand. Burmese cuisine, in particular, often comes with helpings of condiments to customize taste.

The most visited and photogenic attraction of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a 2,500-year-old temple which contains the relics of Buddha.

Stupas, or conical mounds that contain relics of Buddha, are featured prominently in Burmese Buddhist temples. Golden stupas like these found in Bodhi Tataung usually number in thousands in one temple complex.

Long before Burma fell into the hands of its British colonizers and the junta, it was a country of divided kingdoms, and the kingdom that unified what constitutes modern Burma rose in the Mandalay region which we now know as Bagan. That ancient kingdom of “Pagan” built about 10,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries. The remains, about 3,000 strong, are now enlisted in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a hotspot in Burma’s nascent tourism.

Burma is rich in mineral resources. Flawless – and therefore expensive – rubies are mined in Burma, which is one reason why international jewelers are eyeing to gain entry into this country.

Burma has 2,000 kilometers of coastline that face the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. This means that like Thailand, beaches in Burma are just as sumptuous and sunsets are just as dramatic.

If there is one thing that describes Burma’s beaches best, it is “undertouristed.” The dearth of traveler-sourced images suggests that Burma’s beaches are indeed yet to be explored. So far, this is the best (NASA) view of Mergui Archipelago, a collection of about 800 islands inhabited by the Moken who still live the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

The post Photo Essay: Beaches, Buddha, Bejeweled, Burma appeared first on .

Such is the case of Burma, whose censorship board has only been recently dismantled. Thanks to travelers who made it through Burma’s tough entry policy and brought back images of this exotic country, we are better able to keep the suspense to a minimum when we finally come face to face. Here’s hoping that these glimpses prepare us for this unique encounter.

The Karen people were originally from southern and southeastern Burma and only got displaced when they were driven by the Myanmar junta (Burmese military government) out of their domains. They now mostly live in Thailand-Burma border as stateless citizens. Their necks are not long; brass coils that are fitted in their childhood depress the shoulder bones, giving an illusion of elongated neck.

“Kun-ya” chewing is fashionable in Burmese culture. Made from betel leaves, areca nuts, tobacco and slaked lime paste, “kun-ya” or paan is thought to have narcotic effects. Understandably, Western visitors consider this habit gross, as chewers spit on the streets and practically paint the town red. Among the Burmese, an offering of paan is a gesture of hospitality and goodwill.

The ubiquitous make-up in Burma is “thanaka”, made from the bark of the tree of the same name (Limonia acidissima) believed to control oiliness, tighten pores and cool the skin. This paste has been applied by girls and women, and to a lesser extent men and boys, for over 2,000 years and has become a distinctive mark of the Burmese.

The Burmese diet consists mainly of steamed rice, soup, meat, vegetables and fish which are all served at the same time and with so many condiments on the side. When eating in Burma, eat with the right hand, as the left is associated with hygienic duties and therefore considered unclean.

Agriculture is still the major economic driver of Burma. Selling produce with the barest of fixtures keeps overhead to a minimum.

“Longyi” is a piece of fabric sewn into a cylindrical shape so it can be worn around the waist and fastened in place by folding the fabric over (women fold the fabric on the sides while men on the front). The wearing of “longyi” is still a daily fashion. It is one thing that tourists can participate in without offending local sensibilities (although prepare to be snubbed when buying “longyi” in certain markets).

In Burma, men wear “skirts”. Unlike the national (male) costume of the Philippines (Barong tagalog) which is only worn in formal and special occasions, the Burmese wear theirs on a daily basis. In public, the men often wear “longyi” with sensible underwear, but at home, they favor “free air-conditioning.”

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Below is a compilation of “side trips” you may want to tick off your boxes after you have melted at the sight of Angkor Wat and Borobudur.

Few very societies are truly egalitarian, let alone matrilineal. In Western Sumatra, Indonesia, Minangkabau daughters inherit land and other property from their mothers, and participate in any decision-making, from the affairs of the homes to the affairs of the state. The nucleus of this female-centric society is a bull-horn-roofed clan house where families gather during special occasions and important meetings, and around where daughters are expected to build their own homes.

The elaborately decorated temples and houses in the town of Luang Prabang are a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its elegant fusion of Lao traditional and French colonial architecture. The townscape is remarkably preserved, found in the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Mekong and Khan.

The Pink City of India was founded in early 18th century and already displayed foresight of an urban area with its wide boulevards and grid patterns. Beyond urban design, however, Jaipur is well-known for its pink facade, first painted as such in late 19th century to welcome Edward VII, then Prince of Wales.

The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon (former capital) is not only grand, it is also very old. At 2,500 years old, the pagoda is easily the repository of Burmese heritage, although the pagoda itself is an early Pyu (indigenous inhabitants) architecture. What makes the Shwedagon Pagoda a real jewel though, is not just its unbelievable longevity, but also its blinding diamonds – 4,531 of them – that adorn the “stupas” or mound-like structures that contain sacred relics related to Buddha. Interestingly, this structure has a replica, the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Myanmar.

Temple fatigue easily sets in in Thailand and Cambodia. But very few people suspect that the same thing can happen to visitors in Burma. In Bagan, Myanmar along the banks of the Irrawaddy River, dot some 3,000 pagodas across 30 square miles. Built around 1057 until 1287, the Myanmar junta has been restoring these structures, albeit with little regard to copy the original.

The post Beyond Angkor And Borobudur: A Photo Essay of Architectural Interests in Southeast Asia appeared first on .

The Grand Canyon of Arizona is justifiably (at one point) one of the Seven Wonders of the World (the new list, depending on who makes it, often leaves it out). Easily one of the most recognizable and magnificent rock wonders the world over, this steep-sided canyon reveals about 2 billion years of Earth’s geological past, thanks to the Colorado River that carved it over time to expose the Proterozoic and Paleozoic strata. The canyon’s sheer immensity and combination of geologic colors and patterns overwhelm any first time visitor, and its thick sequence of ancients rocks are a goldmine of information for geologists to study.

Part of the larger Antelope Canyon, also found in Arizona, the Upper Antelope Canyon is every photographer’s dream landscape. A slot canyon that could easily trap travelers as seen in “127 Hours”, the Upper Antelope is famous for its “flowing” landscape that mimics the movement of water, having been formed by millennia of flash floods that could still catch unsuspecting day trippers off-guard.

Another rock wonder that straddles the Arizona-Utah border is the Monument Valley, famous to moviegoers the world over as the definition of American Wild West (because of its frequent use as a setting to various films of the same theme). Monument Valley is identifiable with its towering “buttes” (some reaching 1,000 feet above the valley floor), isolated “hills” that have been carved by wind erosion in the arid plains.

Another Utah “rock superstar” is the Delicate Arch, a freestanding geologic sculpture made of Entrada Sandstone that has been shaped by a combination of weathering and erosion. This compelling rock formation is depicted in Utah license plates and postage stamps.

Travelers may realize that Utah seems to have an inordinate amount of rock superstars given that another geologic wonder is just at its doorstep. The Bryce Canyon National Park, unlike the Grand Canyon, was formed by the dissolving power of frost and rainwater. This park is filled with thousands of towering jagged limestone rocks known as “hoodoos.”

For hard-core geo-adventurers who would want to see how a volcanic plug looks like (the remains of a volcano when all of its flank are removed), they may want to troop to the Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming for a closer view. Declared in 1906 as the United States’ first national monument, the Devil’s Tower is consecrated by the Cheyenne and Lakota Indians as a ground for religious worship.

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Plus, rickshaws make for interesting side notes as far as cultural heritage goes.

Southeast Asia, where transport is as colorful as cuisine, is where most of these contraptions can be found, roaming back streets and snagging (unsuspecting) passengers for a (wild) ride. Whereas the West has only recently latched on to this green trend, Southeast Asia has long been riding this bandwagon, it being a region where people need to get creative to eke out a living.

Below is a collection of each country’s version of rickshaw, modified to suit local safety standards, cultural context and weather conditions. Despite differences in appearance, however, rickshaws generally seat two people (because in the Philippines, when push comes to shove, rickshaws can seat three), are far cheaper than cabs, and their drivers are more than willing to be tour guides to leg-weary tourists.

The Philippines’ “Padyak”

Frivolously known as “padyak” (to push pedal) and more formally known as “traysikad”, the Philippine rickshaw is assembled such that the driver sits on the left side of the passengers. The “padyak” is rather diminutive, easily crushed and intimidated by bigger conveyances. To avoid road fatalities, operation of “padyak” is only limited to back streets and roads of slow-moving traffic, and quite helpful in cases when one is running late, one is carrying luggage, rain is about to pour, or when walking under the heat is unbearable.

Thailand’s “Samlor”

The green, non-motorized version of noisy “tuktuk”, “samlor” refers to both any three-wheeled vehicle (as it literally means “three wheels”) and the person driving it. Allowed to roam the side streets of Bangkok, “samlors” are a more common sight in Thai provinces. Unlike the “padyak”, bicycle taxis in Southern Thailand often have drivers on the right. North of Bangkok, “samlors” drive up front.

Indonesian “Becak”

Jakarta once teemed with this traditional transport, but due to congestion they cause, “becaks” have been banned in the capital’s major thoroughfares (“becaks” still exist, but rarely). Outside of the capital city, like in Yogyakarta, “becaks” are still favored mode of transport, especially for a tourist wanting to cover more ground at a leisurely pace without expending energy reserves and without paying exorbitant amounts to be driven around. Unlike the Philippine “padyak”, a “becak” is driven from behind.

Malaysian “Beca”

In an interesting turn of the wheel, Malaysian “beca” is not driven the way Filipinos or Indonesians would of their rickshaws. The Malaysian version has the driver seated up front, with the passengers directly behind the former’s rear trajectory. “Becas” are more appropriate in the colonial district of Penang and less so in the gridlocked streets of Kualu Lumpur.

Vietnam’s “Cyclo”

A passenger could either feel like a monarch driven around for a tour, or an ambulatory patient slowly pushed around for a leisurely appointment in the Vietnamese version of bicyle taxis. Pronounced “seek-lo”, this Vietnamese contraption seats one passenger with the driver pedaling from behind. More than passengers, however, “cyclos” are notorious for transporting queen-sized bedroom effects to squealing swine, making the Philippine “padyak” with all the overloaded luggage look like a sissy.

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The Fairy Chimneys, Turkey. Cappadocia may not easily come to mind when Turkey is mentioned, but passionate lovers of natural rock art would find this UNESCO World Heritage Site deserving of inclusion to this venerable list. Sculpted from porous calcium carbonate rock by wind and flood water, the Goreme (a town in Cappadocia) Fairy Chimneys are spires that have uncanny resemblance with domed towers or, if you want to get frivolous, upright male anatomy. The rocks have been sanctuaries for humans – entire villages can be found carved in the rocks – since the 4th century.

The Dolomites, Italy. Another of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, the Dolomites in Italy is part of the Italian Alps, a mountain range comprised of 18 peaks and numerous vertical walls, sheer cliffs and slices of deep valleys. The Dolomites is a favorite ski destination and a heavyweight in the field of geologic research because of the diversity of striations and formations that could be found here.

Ayers Rock, Australia. Otherwise known as “Uluru” by Australian aborigines, this ancient monolith is the world’s largest freestanding rock island, and at 3 billion years old (geologists do speculate), easily the “rock of ages.” Known to be changing colors at various times of day, Uluru is fiery red at sunrise and sunset. This massive sandstone rock sits right in the middle of the Australian outback in southern Northern Territory, and considered a sacred site for the Anangu, the traditional keepers of Uluru.

The Yellow Rocky Coast of Gozo, Malta. Malta is not exactly on the wish list of every spring breaker, but its capital city, Valletta, is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. For geology enthusiasts, there is Gozo, a rural island 30 minutes away to the north by ferry. Its rocky coasts feature some of the world’s interesting rock formations that are both pleasing to the eyes and useful to science.

White Desert, Egypt. Chalk rock formations dominate this depression in Farafra, Egypt. Locally called “Sahara el Beyda” (sahara means desert), this desert is otherwise college-kid-friendly with frequent visitors from schools camping out the night. This desert is uniquely delicious because of its creamy – and in certain stretches, immaculate white – appearance that could easily blind a delirious wanderer.

Chocolate Hills, Philippines. Leave it to Filipinos to whip up chocolates out of hills. Named for the color the hills take when grass dries up in summer (during the rainy season, the hills can easily be mistaken for green gelatin), the Chocolate Hills of Bohol in Central Philippines is not exactly world-shattering, but it’s not pedestrian either. The fact that mound after mound after mound of them stretch as far as your eyes can see is enough to make it to a world record or something. Each mound – 1,776 as of last count – looks like a perfectly scooped confection, which is nothing short of ordinary.

Bungle Bungle Range, Australia. The Philippines has Chocolates (Hills) while Australia has its own “beehive.” More than just interesting lumps of eroded sandstone and conglomerates with distinctive striations, the Bungle Bungle Range is suspected to be an ancient meteorite impact crater which makes it, literally, out of this world.

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Whatever the reason, caves are seriously undertouristed (not that speleologists – scientists who study them and would want to leave them in pristine form – complain) and remains one of those realms where you can be by yourself and literally get lost. Here’s a collection of some of the region’s entrance to the underworld, with so many yet to be mapped and photographed (and, heavens forbid, converted to tourist spots).

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

It is but proper to start this list with the world’s largest, and it fortunately is found in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s Hang Son Doong (“mountain river cave”) should not be confused with the man-made tunnels that the guerillas carved during that unfortunate war. Despite its mammoth size however, Hang Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was only recently discovered (1991) and has just been mapped (2009). Speleologists who did the mapping claimed that a skyscraper could easily fit in the gargantuan caverns, and that the end is not yet in the horizon.

Batu Caves, Malaysia

Located 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves are famous not only among Hindu devotees but also among tourists who want to experience a slice of the netherworld without diving to the deep end. Despite the fact that it is a pilgrimage site, the cave complex is actually home to some exciting 160 rock climbing routes which also rightfully makes it a pilgrimage site for mountaineers.

Deer Cave, Malaysia

The Malaysian side of Borneo is not only home to a staggering number of species (as what an ancient forest should contain) but also to superlative caves. The Deer Cave, named after deer who come to the cave to lick salt-bearing rocks, was actually thought to be the longest in the world until it was trumped by Vietnam’s Son Doong Cave.

Tham Pha Thai, Thailand

It’s easy to overlook amazing Underworlds in a land where blinding beaches are a dime a dozen and glitzy temples are a penny apiece. But in northern Thailand where the staples are national parks, caves are a logical diversion to beach boredom and temple fatigue. Pha Thai Cave in Lampang easily fits the bill. Considered as one of Thailand’s most extensive and deepest, this cave is home to a population-explosion species of snakes.

St. Paul Cave, Philippines

Now more popularly known as the Puerto Princesa Underground River, this cave is just one of the many spectacular caves in the Philippines, with navigable subterranean body of flowing water and complete sea-to-summit ecosystem. While this is a must-see for tourists (and no, PPUR is not undertouristed; elbowing your way in for entrance application is more like the scene), the current scene-stealer in spelunking circles is the Calbiga Cave Complex in Northern Samar, Central Philippines (public domain photos are yet to populate the social media). The sheer size of the cave complex is mind-boggling: It is currently considered the third largest cave complex in the world. If mapped in its entirety, it could give Hang Son Doong a run for its money.

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El Nido has already been on the path to mainstream popularity before another Palawan attraction six hours away gained worldwide acclaim after being voted as one of the newest 7 Wonders of Nature. El Nido has seen a dramatic increase in its tourist traffic after the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River to the coveted lineup of natural wonders of the world. When visitors are turned away from the subterranean river because of full booking (visitor entry permits are issued with a daily quota), they head up north and console themselves in the white sand beaches and secret lagoons and teeming underwater world of El Nido.

I have not been to Vietnam yet, but the first time I saw Bacuit Bay, I was taken aback with its likeness to images I’ve seen of Halong Bay (which is also one of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature). Towering karst outcrops carpeted in foliage and veiled in morning mist dot the bay and provide a dramatic introduction – or finale – to Palawan, Philippines’ rising tourist mecca.

I’ve attempted to capture a few of El Nido’s highlights and, like any star-struck first-timer, wished that I could have camped overnight in beaches in between island-hops to really scratch the surface deeper. El Nido is a beauty all its own and deserves to be accorded praise independent of any comparison.

Click here for next article (Palawan series) – How to Get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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Up close, PPUR is achingly magnificent. How it was formed is equally a marvel, a testament to how geological forces can be astoundingly creative, in the same way that they are destructive.

Below is the author’s attempt to capture in stills one of Palawan’s crown jewels.

Click here for next article (Palawan series) – How to Get to Puerto Princesa Underground River >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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