A Day of Island Hopping!

We scheduled our 3rd day, actually our last day, in Palawan to island hopping in Honda Bay. We did not make a prior arrangement for the tour, we just hired a tricycle to the get-off point and hoped for some people to accomodate us in their boats. Six to eight people plus the two boatmen can be accomodated in small motor boats. We are fortunate that a family group of five willingly allowed us to join them. 

Honda Bay frames the expanse of Palawan's capital of Puerto Princesa.  The laid-back atmosphere, very clean waters of the bay with many islands scattered within it, make it one of the country's premiere destinations. It is best for snorkelling, swimming, scuba diving and even just plane picnics. I and my friend went there basically to see the place and some photo shoot. 

Above is a shot i took from the plane on our arrival. I am awed by the so many small islets scattered randomly in the bay. No two islands have the same characters, some are even just plane sandbars that might even be invisible during high tides. 

Some islands are thickly covered with mangroves, while the above has very sparsely growing mangroves and yet a nipa hut we locally call 'bahay kubo' is nicely braving all the storms passing these areas. It was installed in the highest portion because this island is partly covered by the sea during high tides and during typhoons. 

 We landed only in two islands, Starfish Island and Pandan Island. The photos here are all in Starfish Island, where we had our lunch. The beach is not of very fine sand but still lovely for snorkelling and swimming. Big areas at the back are covered with mature mangrove growths and the front is just newly planted with mangroves. These are very slow growing trees in sea water, but very useful in protecting the island from strong winds and waves. Moreover, they provide the best sanctuary for marine animals and fishes.

 This is the expanse of sandbar occupying the wider area in the island. Some people are in the islands, approved by the local tourism office to cater to some needs of tourists like cooking their food. They also sell some seafood for tourists to cook by themselves. There are also young coconuts as thirst quenchers, which nothing from any bottle can rival in taste and quality.

Some tourists, locals and foreigners alike come here to swim. 

Even just strolling along the expanse of the island is a wonderful activity.

We are extremely awed with the layers of colors of the waters which continue to the equivalent layers of colors of the mountain ranges. We even count the number of colors we can see. How many can you count?

Not many can resist the call of these very clear waters for swimming. But I and my friend are contented enough with observation and pictures. The few hours we spent there is not enough to do our shoots.

 We were both delightful in searching for the unusual in these mangrove forest. The trees are each supported by complicated root structures that seem to propel them up and hold them fixed at the same spot. They seem to be tiptoeing on the sand or are perennially standing on stilts. Their root system is obviously very different than their terrestrial counterpart.

 Look at those complicated, intensive proliferation of roots and root system. They seem to be twining ang gripping whatever they can hold on. Maybe they help each other by entertwining their roots among themselves, that way they are more resistant to the elements.

  

At the left are propagules of the mangroves. They are structured that way for easy self planting in sand. The rooting tip is heavy to easily anchor itself. I gathered some scattered propagules and intentionally planted them through the crab holes on the sand. Maybe i planted around 20 of them, i wish they can withstand the tides and winds and that at least I was able to contribute some live mangroves in this island. 

Above right its the map of Honda Bay and its relationship with Palawan's capital, Puerto Princesa. After lunch we boarded our boat again for another island. Our experiences there and my photos go to the next post. 

 Our World Tuesday

   Nature Notes

 Outdoor Wednesday