On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
I really admire the sense of adventure I see in so many of these posts. “A friend encouraged me to visit the Philippines.” The response was apparently: “okay, let’s go!” This is part one of a two-part series.
Oh, and beware of adorable puppy below. ~WaterGirl
way2blue
A friend who grew up in Philippines encouraged my husband & me to visit; another friend who grew up in Guam, with family in the Philippines, said ‘Province of Palawan’. So we headed there in February 2016. I must say inter-island air travel is erratic. Our flight to the town of Coron on Busuanga Island (not to be confused with the nearby island of Coron) was delayed for hours, and we’d pre-arranged to be picked up by boat at the Coron port at a specific time…
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 6](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/1-14FEB16-Chindonan1-768x576.jpeg)
The first resort we visited, on Chindonan Island, was run by two Danes. The only resort on the island. It had only recently been rebuilt after 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda.
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 5](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2-15FEB16-Pass1-768x576.jpeg)
We took day trips to nearby islands during our stay. One to the tiny island of Pass, where an adorable puppy befriended my husband and didn’t want to be left behind. (We met more Danes here.)
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 4](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/4-19FEB16-Chindonan5-768x576.jpeg)
Typical scene in this part of the Philippines.
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 3](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/5-20FEB16-Coron2-768x576.jpeg)
Our second resort was above the town of Coron on Busuanga Island. We spent too much time trying to get our flights to Palawan Island rebooked, as one leg had been rescheduled to arrive in Manila after the connecting leg had already left… (We finally booked seats on a scheduled charter direct to Puerto Princesa.) Meanwhile we visited the iconic Coron Island.
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 2](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6-20FEB16-Coron4-768x574.png)
Our boat wandered between amazing rock islets.
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2] 1](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/7-25FEB16-Sangat1-768x1024.png)
Our third resort was on Sangat Island, again the only resort on the island. The ‘house reef’ was spectacular. So many fish, I didn’t feel the need to ‘see’ everything, rather had fun sweeping my arms through schools of thousands of brightly colored fish to watch the ‘flock’ morph around my arms. A solitary, medium-sized fish striped like a zebra with bright yellow lips & fins was my favorite. Very cool. Followed those around a lot. I’d wanted to see seahorses, but alas, they’re elusive.
We often joined the scheduled morning dive as the target was shallow enough for snorkelers. The deeper afternoon targets were Japanese warships sunk in a famous aerial attack by U.S. Navy bomber & fighter aircraft in September 1944.
![On The Road - way2blue - Palawan Province, Philippines [1 of 2]](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/8-27FEB16-Sangat3-768x576.jpeg)
The islet in the foreground hosts a terrace & bar perfect for watching the sunset. (To be continued… )
Mary G
Wow, those are spectacular places, plus adorable puppy. Thanks for sharing.
raven
Here’s more on the battle mentioned.
I often wonder what it was like for my old man to see those islands as a young sailor.
Laura Too
Wow, I’d never want to leave. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing these.
arrieve
Oh I would love to see those rocky islands someday. My camera finger is itching just looking at those pictures.
Cermet
You could observe, from a distance, the stupid and so-called “deep state” operative “Q-anon” while in the Phillipines; he’s an amaerican operating as a pig farmer there. However, he’s a pediphile so don’t approch!
Doug
I go to the Philippines every year. With over 2000 islands there is much to explore and enjoy. It is one of the few places left that is natural and not spoiled by commercialism. It is so relaxing to slow down to their speed and just enjoy the day !!
Emma
@raven: thanks for the link.
I hope there will be pictures of food in the next part, always my favorite part of travel :D
MisterForkbeard
It’s an amazing country – I have about 20 people that work for me there, and I used to try and go every year. We usually put together a small trip for the weekend to islands and resorts like these. I haven’t ever been anywhere more beautiful.
Amazing place with amazing people. Also very odd in a lot of ways for a young american, and the difference between cities and the provinces in terms of living conditions and poverty is profound. Really striking for someone from California.
JustRuss
Great pics. Want to go.
way2blue
@Emma: Oh. I sometimes photograph food markets, but not actual meals. My husband likes to take photos of his beers in exotic places though…
way2blue
@MisterForkbeard: Agreed. We saw that stark dichotomy on the larger island of Palawan, especially the day we rented a motorcycle to do a bit of touring.