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Monday, 29 October 2012

PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES - Part 2 : Honda Bay & Puerto Princesa

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Honda Bay is located on the Eastern shore of Palawan and is known for it's beautiful beaches on the several islets scattered across the bay. Honda Bay is the place to go for island hopping activity combined with snorkeling, swimming while enjoying the beach and beautiful sea landscapes. It is just a 30 minutes ride from Puerto Princesa City and people often come here to relax and unwind when visiting Palawan Island.


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Welcome to Honda Bay.
Well, after paying for my boat ride, I board the Bangka from the Sta. Lourdes Wharf.


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We have the whole Bangka for ourselves. Let's go Island Hopping.

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Must put on lots and lots of sunblock location. Don't want to get a sunburn later.


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Our first island or should I say islet? Let me see....what island is this?


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Ohh...Starfish Island.

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I did not edit this picture and add a frame. It is actually a real "photo frame" constructed on the island for tourist like me to take pictures. Nice shot right?


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It is really hot!


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Where are the Starfish? I'm sure the island got it's name because there are lots of starfish.


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Found it! Lots of it by the seashore.

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Ok, let's grab one.


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The starfish feels plasticy. I thought the starfish are either dead or a fake conveniently placed by the seaside just to attract people.

Until of course the starfish began to move. I think I twisted one of it's legs. Haha!


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Oh...poor 'Patrick', I think he is gasping for air.

In the water, the starfish is hard and just stayed still in the water. While taking pictures with the starfish, it began to move and feel rubbery.


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I'll just leave the starfish alone. Let's hop to another island.



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Next stop. Pandan Island.

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The vicinity map of Pandan Island.

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White powdery beach with clean clear sea water. Two thumbs up!


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My beau striking a pose.


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I am tired. Can we make a move?


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One last picture before we hopped to another island.


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Cowrie Island.
Well, nothing special about this island. Just went around snapping some pictures.


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Well at least I found an interesting sea shell which found its new spot in my living room.


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One last picture before heading back to the mainland.


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Needless to say, Pandan Island is the best of the islet that I have visited in Honda Bay.




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Next up, Puerto Princesa City.

Well, to me the city is just a big town. Nothing fancy. The tallest building there is no more than 5 stories high.


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Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Took out my camera and started 'clicking' away. Indeed a beautiful church in the city.

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Just nearby the church is the Plaza Cuartel. An old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned 143 American prisoners of war alive during the World War II.

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A grim reminder of the brutality of war.

Well it seems people are quick to forget. Seeing mass protest against other countries and people trying to instigate war really saddens me.

During World War 2, over 60 million people were killed. More than 40 million casualties were ordinary citizens like you and me and don't think that most were killed because of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bomb killed less than 250 thousand people.

Let's pray for peace and rational decision by the leaders of the world. WW2 was anyhow started by only 3 person (leaders of the Axis Powers).


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The air raid shelter where the American soldiers were massacred.


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The garrison is now restored as a memorial park.


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Snapped a few pictures before reaching Puerto Princesa Baywalk.

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Mostly locals hang around the baywalk. Anyway, the sea and surrounding is cleaner compared to Manila Bay.


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Kalui restaurant. Nice food and ambiance. Highly recommended by the locals. A place not to be missed.

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Taking a few pictures outside the restaurant while waiting to be seated.


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Went back to the hotel and had a drink before calling it a day.

Stay tune for my posting on some of the travel recommendations for Palawan Island.



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