The Best of 2011 for Seasoned Travelers

It is again the time of the year when we look back to our last 365 days to reminisce. The good and the bad times, all its ups and downs, highs and lows, and everything in between. In the end, there is one moment, one event, one place that will draw the biggest smile. Undoubtedly, it was a busy year for me – 26 domestic trips, 2 out of the country, 2 scuba diving certifications, 11 dive trips, 3 running events, 3 epic mountain biking rides, 6 lighthouses, 6 UNESCO World Heritage... Read More

Best Places to Eat in Coron

Just a mere mention of Coron will make you crave for its white sand island beaches, amazing underwater wrecks, rich marine life, picturesque limestone cliffs, enchanting lakes and other beautiful spots that will definitely entice everyone. But Coron not only have these wealth of natural wonders, for years the town has evolved to be one of the favorite places for food lovers. The newly relocated Old House Restaurant. Their chicken and pasta are always big hit. The continuous influx... Read More

Tubbataha Logs Day 4: Last Day in Underwater Paradise

Down to our last day in Tubbataha Reefs, our ship cruised back to the Northern Atoll. The sky was overcast and the water was choppy. The bad weather was as if condoling with us that our Tubbataha dream was about to end. Dive 1 (Malayan Wreck): Back to Malayan Wreck On our first dive of the day, we went back to Malayan Wreck, the very first dive site we visited on Day 1. Armed with our cameras, unlike the first, we descended once more to this beautiful wall. Scholl of Breams We... Read More

Tubbataha Logs Day 3: Close Encounter With A Whale Shark

From the Northern Atoll of Tubbataha Reefs, our boat cruised southwards to the Southern Atoll for our third day of diving. As usual, we woke up before six o’clock in the morning and had light snacks before our first dive. Everybody was enthusiastic, hoping for a great third day of diving in Southern Atoll. A cute juvenile Flagfin Angelfish Dive 1: Delsan Wreck (Wow! Diving with a Whale Shark!) At 0628H, we descended near an old destroyed wreck on a sloping bottom that... Read More

Photo Blog: Postcards Above Tubbataha Reefs

We are already halfway on our Tubbataha Dive Logs series, but before we proceed, let us take a break to have a peek of how the place looks like above sea level with this photo blog. Located in the open water of Sulu Sea, the UNESCO World Heritage Tubbataha Reefs is under the jurisdiction of the town of Cagayancillo, Palawan. It is believed that around 90% of the marine species in Philippine waters are found here. The area is comprised of  two coral atolls, the North and South,... Read More

Tubbataha Logs Day 2: Devil Ray, Sea Turtles, More Sharks and Other Species!

A tiring day on the water and a full stomach put me to an early slumber on our first day in Tubbataha Reefs. I was already down at 2100H and had a good nine hours of sleep on day one. I woke up before 0600H and had a light snacks before the first dive of our second day, still on the North Atoll. Triggerfish are everywhere! Dive 1: Sharks’ Airport (Warning! More Sharks Below!) At 0612H, our boat stopped to a site where we descended to a vast area of soft and hard corals,... Read More

Tubbataha Logs Day 1: Sharks Tale

From an overcast sky of Puerto Princesa, our boat Hans Christian Andersen cruised for 13 hours in the  vast water of Sulu Sea. We woke up on a sunny blue sky above of the Tubbataha Reefs of Cagayancillo, Palawan. A perfect weather and calm seas, just as what we prayed. There were 25 divers aboard, all excited to dive the reefs of Tubbataha. More than half of the divers were Filipinos, while the others were from different parts of the world – Australia, Canada, Slovakia,... Read More

Travel Guide: El Nido

North of the mainland Palawan is a paradise considered by many as one of their dream destinations. With 45 islands and islets that harbor some of the country’s best white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, picturesque cliffs and rich marine life underneath its Earth, El Nido is indeed a piece of paradise. The town is a managed and resourced protected area of Palawan, 238 kilometers from Puerto Princesa. Contrary to common notion that El Nido is an expensive destination, the place... Read More