Monday, September 30, 2013

Island Hopping Continues...


 Part II of Island Hopping in Honda Bay, Part I here.

I narrated on the previous post our escapades in the first island we landed on at Honda Bay, Palawan. After lunch we left that Starfish Island for our 2nd, that is Isla Pandan. Our 15 min boat ride was confronted with bigger water swells where our boat had a few roller coaster ride. Most of us got wet, I was sitting in front so I got the bulk of the water splashing on us. I confess i did some prayers, I called God to stop the waves. I told you i am scared of deep waters, but phobia never stop me from boat rides! Among us I got the biggest scare from those swells. We are so relieved in reaching the island.

 Pandan, Pandanus sp,  is a genus of palms that mostly thrive in saline soils. The welcome sign clearly informs tourists of its nature. The pandan palm luxuriously grows there and the island sign purposely placed near it. Look at the characteristics of the roots, they clearly resemble the mangrove root structure, posted in the previous post. Of course, coconuts are common plants in these islands.

In contrast with the previous Starfish Island, Pandan Island boasts of very soft smooth white sands, very ideal for family swimming. Small children can linger in the shallow waters very comfortably.

Kiosks like the above are prominently built near the beach for small groups. Larger ones are constructed farther from the shoreline, and more long tables are available for big groups. A life guard is also present near the swimming areas. 

I am fascinated with the fruits of this tree near the shore. They resemble the talisay (Terminalia catapa) nuts, but they are totally different. I still haven't learned of this tree species. 

 Rains and stronger winds accompanied us to this island. It suddenly got gloomy and rained intermittently. It is amusing how people converged in covered structures when it rains. I guess strong winds get you so cold when you're wet.  I even donned my rain jacket.  The bluish range at the background is the mainland where our base hotel is. That expanse of water scares me when there is wind, rain and swells. The above small boats accomodate up to eight people, while those below are considered bigger boats accomodating around 30 passengers.

 Which do you prefer to board through these waters, small or bigger boats?

 We saw some fishermen selling their catch like the rock lobsters above. Definitely, they are a lot cheaper here than when already in the city markets. There are enterprising folks who offer services to cook rice and broiled fish and crabs for interested visitors. It is a plus for the tourists because they can eat the very freshly cooked fresh catch, sometimes can be eaten on their shell. This island offers a marvelous feast, how i wish i can come back only to savor those marine catch.

 Above are spider shells and marine mussels. These are only eaten here in the island and not allowed to be brought to the mainland of Puerto Princesa. Maybe that goes with the dwindling availability of the spider shells, maybe approaching being endangered.

 That is the look of Pandan Island on our boat back for the city.  It is fully encircled with smooth, fine, white sands. No two islands have the same structure of beach and vegetation. For me, this is very prominent as well as that single tall tree at the island's center.


37 comments:

  1. Very nice island to visit. Maybe not the best day for you to visit. Wouldn't have been for me either with the weather, but well worth seeing.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Yes Cher, it is actually better to island hop during the dry season because typhoons and low pressure areas are more frequent in the rainy months.

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  2. Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz, yours are more exciting for me!

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  3. I visited Pandan Island in the summer of 1991. (I feel old all of a sudden) It was uninhabited. I don't recall seeing boats other than ours, huts or grilled seafood. I do remember the white sand, the breeze and the cool waters. I should go back to Palawan with my wife. I've already taken my kids. Andrea, how do we fit in all these places we want to go to? LOL!

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    1. Hi Bom, it was around that time when i also first went to Puerto Princesa, but i didn't go with my companions to the islands for the phobia i so much care for, haha! Just like my first visit to Boracay, there was nothing in there but a few huts, the biggest vacation hut was my friend's who belongs to the family originally owning it. We even traversed the width on foot while visiting his planted coconuts. We enjoyed it so much. When i visited again in 2005, i was so disappointed. My friend's hut is now also a concrete hostel Residencia Tyrol at station 3. At least i was there before these things happened.

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  4. i could totally get on board with having locals cook your meals for you that includes the fresh catch of the day.

    i've just been told by a non pinoy co-worker that i should get my butt to palawan, because i don't know what i'm missing.

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    1. Hi Maria, i guess most of us reached places very far from us first, then guilt urged us to explore those very near our own places. I am from the place where Anilao is, yet i was able to visit our islands only because friends urged me to take them there. I am also a tourist in my own town. I haven't even reach a big island facing us, only 20 min by boat.

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  5. I'm glad you braved the boat ride as your photos look so inviting!

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    1. Actually i was not able to take more photos like in the first island because it was always raining and i didn't bring a camera raincoat! Thanks for passing by.

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  6. Oh, I love your captures and they do indeed look SO inviting!! The boat rides can be fun, can't they!! Thanks for sharing with us, Andrea! Have a great week!

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    1. Boat rides are usually fun for people not afraid of the waters. For me this is just trying hard to conquer my fears! haha. But i love what i saw when already there!

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  7. This looks like a beautiful little island, although the cruise to it didn't sound like fun at all. I hope the cruise back to your hotel was a little smoother.

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    1. Thanks George. The bad swells were just the distance in between the islands, from 1st to 2nd island. That made us go back to our base in the city sooner without landing in one more island.

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  8. So glad you braved the waves to show us this lovely place.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Ladyfi! I have not choice for the waves as they arrived when we are already at sea!

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  9. Great photos and the island looks beautiful. I hope those boats all had good skippers and not just ones that wanted to get home quickly!

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    1. Hi Mick, the boats have permits from the Tourism Office, i guess they are given guidelines.

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  10. So blue and beautiful...that is scary when the waves wash over you...I've had that happen. I'm glad you didn't turn back; that's a truly beautiful island.

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    1. Hi Sallie, the bad swells arrive on our way to the 2nd island, so we have no choice. At least it was normal again on our way back to the city.

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  11. Wow, a beautiful island! am glad you braved the weather:)

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    1. Thanks Jesh, maybe for others it was just normal, maybe i was just too scared!

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  12. what a beautiful island... thanks for sharing your adventures with us!

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    1. And thanks as well Laura, for passing by here!

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  13. Wonderful array of island life!!

    I'm curious as to the tree you know not the name? The leaves look similar to a fig tree?!!!

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    1. Hi Anni, I know the distinguishing features of figs and Ficus species, this is not like them. Thanks for visiting.

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  14. You were brave to ride out the rough water, and got some terrific shots!

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  15. What a neat life you have... really is paradise isn't it?! Larry

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    1. Yes Larry, but it seldom happens, we don't have much budget to spend, haha!

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  16. Wonderful photography of a beautiful place for WW ~ carol ^_^ ~ Love the huts.

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    1. Thanks Carol, they are surely fascinating, i love them too!

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  17. I'd like to sample two of those lobsters please and cooked on the beach, what more can you want...would love to visit Palawan some day!

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    1. Yes Noel, you must try. It might provide a good comparison to the islands you've been living in for life. I've been to Hawaii, but i can't venture to go to the islands there by boat, as the waves are really scary!

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  18. I am sorry the weather was bad for a bit, but what a beautiful area Andrea. I have only been on smaller boats and get kind of sea sick so I don't like them much. But it would be worth it to visit that beautiful place...Michelle

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  19. The large waves seem to have been worth it. I get sea sick so no big waves for me.

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  20. oh...I I wish I was there... :)

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