Palawan Preparation: El Nido and Puerto Princesa Adventure

So 5 days to go before our Palawan trip. Ohhh, I've been waiting for you for years now, and it always exciting to know that I'll finally be stepping on the best beaches of the Philippines. This is just nature at its best right here. 

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I wonder if being in the beach for 5 days could dampen my enthusiasm. I'm afraid I'll get bored in the last days of our trip.

Wait, is that even possible when you are in paradise?  

That should probably be the worst or more like unlikely thing that could happen.  But I brushed that possibility by just trying to enjoy the beach in the most varied ways possible.  Take for example, snorkeling, island hopping, taking underwater pictures, doing an early morning jog along the long stretch of powdery white beach, kayaking, and what else? hmmm, I've practically done many things with the beach, played with the one nearby my place.  It's just a smaller version of the one that we'll be visiting, but there is always a moment of serenity in that nook that I have in Isla Reta.  And it never fails to bring me to heaven.  Everything just stops and I just feel myself floating in my own dreamland.  I sure pray that I can create many moments in Palawan.  Most times, when I do pray for it, I get more than I expect and wish for and a bit more.  And I pray that this time would be the same as with any other trips I had.  I know that nature would just awe us again this time around.  Making moments as we try to experience it firsthand.  But much more than the wonderful places, it's always the moments I have with my loved ones are the ones which stays with me forever.

And so I can't wait to see our reaction and how we take in nature's wonders.  Hmmm, I could only scratch on that emotion for now.  I'm pretty sure we'll be amazed as we get inside the Underground River and the darkness swallowing us as we go deeper inside the cave.

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Or I could only imagine how my sister would irk as she get her first swallow of tamilok, which is a mangrove worm, turned into a special local delicacy.  

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And for some locals or tourists who prefers the extreme and all-things-quirky?  They would go down the mangroves or beachside in search of a dead mangrove root, grab the worms out of it, wash it in a bowl of water a few times, then dip it in kalamansi or lemon juice, sprinkle it with a bit of salt and swallow it raw.

Just like how it should be enjoyed. :)

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I can't wait to do our first kayak with my sibling.  I could only imagine us kayaking alongside the jagged wall of Cadlao Island, and just be in awe as to how small we are and be humbled by all that.

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I've got my itinerary already lined up and itemized, activities highlighted, expenses calculated.  It's after doing all these did I discovery that I'm quite OC with trip planning.  Down to the last detail baby.

Now everything is almost all set and ready.  I'll just probably wait and enjoy the ride when it happens. :)