Short but great!
Friday, September 04, 2009
Hello friends! Hope you're doing alright and enjoying our common passion, cross stitch that is. I am currently busy arranging our stuff in the new place and have yet to get my hands on my WIPs. Oh boy, I really missed stitching and blogging!
No stitching update in this post, i just wanted to share with you our recent trip.
Hubby and I managed to go on vacation as planned in the Philippines' Last Frontier, Palawan. It was short but wonderful!!
We landed in Puerto Princesa, capital city of Palawan, after an hour of flight from Manila. We got to Hotel Fleuris, where we're checked in, a few hours before lunch and had arranged for some package tours. Hotel Fleuris is situated in the heart of Puerto Princesa that's why we chose to stay there. We had lunch at Jollibee (because we missed chicken joy and palabok), just walking distance from the hotel.
St. Paul Subterranean National Park
We arranged for a City Tour that afternoon, and had visited Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Bakers Hill, just to name a few.
While sightseeing around the city, I realized how lovely this place is. If I may say, Palawan won my heart. I was impressed how clean the surroundings are. The locals are committed in protecting and conserving the environment, and needless to say, they are warm good-natured people and friendly. The atmosphere is laid back and serene, a perfect getaway from the hassle of city life.
We had the Underground River tour the following day, right after an early breakfast at the hotel. It took just over 2 hours land trip to get to Sabang Wharf where we took 20min boat ride to St. Paul Subterranean National Park. It was pretty long road trip but I found it nice as our eyes feasted on the outstanding scenery along the way. We had a stop-over at the Ulugan Bay for a quick break (toilet break too, of course we needed that, lol!), took some photos of the amazing scenery at the view deck.
We arrived in St. Paul Subterranean National Park, off the boat and walked the wooden trail down to the entrance of the underground river. We then put on our hard hat and life vest, (safety first, of course) hopped on the boat, then off we went inside the cave.
As we got inside the cave, it was pitch black, cold, with the smell and high-pitched clicks and sounds of the bats (but it's not creepy at all). That's when you know that the cave is home for millions of bats. We navigated the stretch of the river with a spotlight and the boat man, also the tour guide, who's knowledgeable and funny as well. Finally we got to see the highlight of this tour, the many rock formations, WOW! We were fascinated by the stalactites and stalagmites which seemed to look like something. One's imagination is limitless here. Some rock features look like mushrooms, pumpkins, burning candle and some religious figures like the Holy Family, face of Jesus, and many more. AMAZING!!!! No wonder it's featured in Discovery Channel and National Geographic due to its heavenly made features preserved by man. And it is currently one of the 28 official finalist candidates of the 3rd phase of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Last tour was the Honda Bay Tour, the following day. We went island hopping, sight-seeing and snorkeling in the most beautiful islands of Honda Bay.
We had a great time (I know you can tell), a worthwhile experience. We hope we could come back in Palawan and spend a week in one of the superb beaches, like El Nido or Amanpulo.
TFL. I hope you enjoy the photos.
Btw, to those who have asked me to send the list of my DMC color conversion for the sampler This is the Day and my floss list for Papillon SAL Castles In The Air, I have already emailed it to you. I hope you got it. Otherwise, please check your email spam folder.
Ciao.
10 angel's blush:
Szia Joei,
I'm glad to read you are OK!
Thanks for the great and beautiful photos too!
Take care of yourself!
Hugs,
Nina
Good to read about you. and glad that you enjoyed your short vacation in between.
wonderful holiday:)
What a beautiful trip !!!
WOW~~~ Sound like a great vacation!!!!!
It's always nice to go away for awhile and get refreshed~~
Joei, welcome back! I'm glad you are enjoying some time without moving boxes, etc.! Your pics of your trip are wonderful!
Have a great day!
I admired your blog, your crossstitch works and your photos! With admiration fills some sights. Congratulations!
I marked you, than reader. Please visit onto my blog, and I ask you if you consider it worthy one mark it than constant reader.
with a greeting
Cherry
Ahhh Joei, I have missed reading your blog so much! You are so inspiring. I am going to try one of your humbug fobs. They are wonderful. Never made one before so hope it turns out okay. Looks like you had a great time. Beautiful pictures
Beautiful photos!!Tnank you!
Looks like you had a lovely time, I miss seeing your stitching though, can't wait until you are back stitching as you always make such lovely things!
Your angel's blush.....