On Friday after school we got the news that our school would be closed for a week due to swine flu. On Saturday another teacher, Gina, and I booked our tickets to the Philippines and we left on Sunday.
Our flight out of Seoul was delayed about 5 hrs so we did not get to Manila until around 6am on Monday. We stayed in Manila until our next flight at 5pm. We went to the Mall of Asia to waste time. We also saw a 3D IMAX movie called 'Under the Sea.' We then arrived on Palawan island around 6pm. We found a hotel a booked it for 2 nights. They sent us to this great seafood place for dinner. Everything in the Philippines is open. There is a roof but usually no walls. We sat outside and enjoyed our first dinner.
On Tuesday morning we went on a tour to an Underground River. We were picked up at our hotel around 7am and then we drove 2 hrs. Once at the ocean, we took a boat to the island where the river is. We then walked through a jungle area before getting into another boat. The river was in a cave. It goes for miles however to go past the first mile you need a special permit. It is known as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. After the tour we went to a souvenir shop. We ending up meeting this wonderful couple (Virgie and Charlie) that owned the shop. They gave us great suggestions for dinners and things to do. We were talking to them about changing to a hotel with a pool. Virgie said she knew a place and took us there. We walked into this amazing four star hotel knowing that we could not afford it. Then she told us that we could use her corporate account, she is a realtor. We ended up getting the room at less than half price. We then headed to another great seafood place for dinner!
Underground Cave
On Wednesday we went on another tour, this time to Honda Bay. We went island hopping to 3 different islands. The first was Bandan Island. We were there for 2 hour. We enjoyed a great lunch and unbelievable snorkeling. We then headed to Snake and Starfish Islands. The water was pure blue and green. You could see straight to the bottom. We ended up meeting 3 Filipino ladies from Manila who we had dinner with that night. That night we also transferred to our 4 star resort for the rest of our trip!!
On Thursday we spent the morning laying by the pool. In the afternoon we went on a Puerto Princesa city tour. Our first stop was a crocodile sanctuary. We were able to hold a baby crocodile. It was a very cool place. We then headed to the oldest prison in the Philippines. It is an open prison so the prisoners are able to work and live freely on the prison grounds. It was a weird feeling to be walking amongst prisoners. We also saw an old congressman's house, a look out point, the boardwalk, a church and the capital building. After the tour we met with Virgie and Charlie for dinner at a restaurant floating on the ocean. It was very nice to be able to talk with them. They then took us out for iced teas made with Bandan leaves and honey.
On Friday we sat the pool before relaxing and getting messages and facials. For dinner we went back to one of our favorite places, Kanibuchs for more seafood. We then went to the bar at the hotel and listened to the live music, both in Filipino and in English.
Finally on Saturday we had to leave the Philippines and head to Korea.
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