The Wonders of Palawan

"The Wonders of Palawan"," Never failing to attract droves of tourists, Palawan is probably the last unspoiled nature frontier in the country.
 Tourists can find in Palawan a sure refuge from the urban areas' rat-maze-madness, as it is effortless to join psyche and souls one with the island's cornucopia of nature.
 Palawan, with a group of around 1,100 islands under its wing, forms part of the Philippine archipelago, dividing the Sulu Sea from the turbulent South China Sea.

 Puerto Princesa, its capital city, is a bustling seaport cradled by a beautiful Honda Bay, and flanked by the well-known mountain called Cleopatra's Needle.
 The rest of the year sees amihan (northeastern monsoons) and habagat (southwestern monsoons) winds blow into Palawan, making touring and sightseeing by sea travel less ideal, but still possible.


Ethnic groups include native Palawenos, who make up around 80% of the total population, and the remaining populace includes several pre-Malayan groups, such as the Tao't Bato, Palaw'an, and the Tagbanua.


El Nido Natural Reserve.
 It is here that one can find the endangered sea cow, or "dugong" in local dialect, as well as schools of marine life like manta rays and tropical fish taking advantage of the natural sanctuary.
 Both islands host a generous number of diving spots to conquer and explore.
 Beneath the towering limestone cracks and marble giants lies the world famous, 8-kilometer subterranean river which starts its course from the Sulu Sea and eventually empties out into the South China Sea.
 Nearby, the calls of monkeys, exotic species of birds, and lizards beckon the tourist to take a stroll through the densely-forested Monkey Trail.
 It's as if a chunk of Africa has been transported to an unlikely host of islands.
 The foreign wildlife peacefully coexists with the local animals like mouse deer, leopard cats, and monitor lizards.
 Migratory birds also make their stopovers at the island to rest and refuel.
 These caves host amazing archaeological treasures.
 The remains come along with equally old artifacts and livelihood implements.


Several of the caves are open to the public and the whole area is a museum preserve.


Tubbataha Reefs.
 The reef system is the country's largest marine reserve -- around 33,000 hectares of it -- situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea.
 It is a diving destination of international prestige, as recreational divers and serious marine biologists all over the world go here to study its breathtaking beauty.
 Having previewed its natural wonders, we can now say for certain that Palawan is indeed a jewel among the Philippine islands.