Deeper into Palawan's Mangrove Forest

By
Palawan Mangroves
The Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour is a community based sustainable ecotourism project. The 45 minute tour into the Sabang River and its centuries old mangroves allows visitor to observe and appreciate what old growth mangrove forest free of human entervention looks like. Visitors are also given a chance to contribute to conservation by planting mangrove saplings in designated planting area.

After taking our lunch and rested at Sabang Beach, our tour guide Mae-Anne asked if we wanted to join the newlyweds for the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour. We agreed of course, after all, our Underground River Tour was scheduled at around 3-3:30pm. We left the other group who chose to stay and relax at the beach while we hopped on the van that took us to where the mangroves are. During the very short drive, we saw tourists mostly foreign backpackers, walking their way to the much secluded part of Sabang Beach where the mangrove tour is also located. It was like 12 noon and they're really loving the Palawan sun!


Upon arrival, we registered and paid the Php150 fee. The area wasn't as crowded compared to other tourist spots, seems like only a few takes this tour as many chooses the more adventure spot, Ugong Rock Caving and Spelunking. And because it was scorching hot that noon, we were given umbrellas and put on standard life vests.

There were 7 of us in the boat including our guide and boatman Mang Nestor. As we paddled along Sabang river amidst hundred year old trees, our guide who introduced herself as Lady Mangrove started off by welcoming us in Palawan. She was also proud to report that Underground River made it to the New 7 Wonders of Nature, then shortly educating us about the many species of mangrove trees or bakawan. Male and female bakawan can be differentiated through their leaves. Tamilok, a famous and "feared" worm-like local delicacy in Palawan which tastes like oyster can be found inside dead mangroves.

Bakawan

Some 20 minutes after and deeper into the mangrove forest, we found ourselves taking refuge under shades of natural canopies, far from the sun’s mighty reach. We learned that these hundred year old mangrove trees can only be seen in Palawan. We're like in the middle of nowhere where one gets that strong commune with nature, with sounds from crickets and a couple of nocturnal snakes hanging above trees, it somehow feels like I'm in an Amazon rainforest.

Mangrove Forest
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Lady Mangrove
Life is but a dream indeed. Cruising along the Sabang River, it was crystal clear to me that every Filipinos should dream to see Palawan for it has so much to offer in terms of nature appreciation. Right after Lady Mangrove sung her composed piece (in the tune of Paru-parong bukid), I can’t help but gain new found respect for the locals of Sabang. We also made sure to plant mangrove saplings to help in the conservation process.

Click here to view more photos

Watch our Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour video below


For a cheap Php150, this Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour is a totally worthwhile experience. If not for these humble mangroves important role in coastal ecosystem, Palawan's world acclaimed beaches wouldn't be what it is now, a world-class beauty. Palawan contains 43% of the total mangrove forests of the Philippines and Puerto Princesa is a city in the country where the total area of mangrove forests do not decline, but are increasing. The minute I got off that boat, I made a mental note to endorse this tour in my own little way.


Palawan series:

Popular posts from this blog

Baguio: 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary

By
Here's a sample itinerary of what we did. We actually stayed there for 3 days but I'll just share the places we've seen on the first 2 days since the 3rd day was spent watching the Panagbenga Float Parade. Prior to the trip, I made some internet research before deciding on what places to go to. Feel free to follow our itinerary on your next Baguio trip. The first day was spent touring my friend the basic tourist spots of Baguio. Places me and my cousin has actually visited a number of times except for the Good Taste Restaurant. Day 1 07:00 am:      Check-in into your hotel/lodging house (we went to Benguet State University to follow up on the status of our reservation. BSU is located near Strawberry Farm, a 30 minute and P77 taxi drive from Victory Bus Liner Baguio Terminal) 08:00 am:      Breakfast at McDonald's beside BSU 09:00 am:       Burnham Park | Session Road | Baguio Cathedral                      Downtown area 12:00 pm:     Lunch at
Click here to continue reading

Pagsanjan Falls: The Php150 Challenge

By
Image
I have lived in Laguna for 19 years but it was only this June 2012 was I able to visit the famous Laguna tourist spot, the Pagsanjan Falls. As much as I enjoyed seeing the falls, the journey, however, was much more memorable than the actual falls itself as we had to endure a 45 minute trek, rappel on a 90 degrees enclosed vertical metal ladder and walk past steep staircases - yeah, this is what you get when availing the cheapest Pagsanjan package . The group was extremely excited when I told them that I included Pagsanjan Falls in the itinerary - a plan that I was forced had to put together within 2 hours. From Villa Sylvia Resort , we hopped from one jeep to another until we reached Pagsanjan Aresi Complex. Asking for directions initially from the locals was a breeze but finding our way to Pueblo El Salvador (the jump off point) proved to be a challenge since all the locals we asked knew only of the usual Php1,250 route, doesn't know where Pueblo El Salvador is or what it
Click here to continue reading

Laguna: 2 Days Itinerary and Budget Expenses

By
Image
Our weekend was full of unforgettable first time experiences. What's great about this trip was that we were able to do many things in just 2 days and swim in different bodies of water - falls, batis  and lake. See, Laguna is more than just hot springs, slides and theme parks. what our Php2000 budget allowed us to do ^_^ Laguna Weekend Series: Travel Video: Laguna Weekend Getaway Laguna: The 2-Hour Plan Challenge Pagsanjan Falls: The Php150 Challenge Villa Sylvia Resort, Nagcarlan Lake Pandin: Not Your Ordinary Outdoor Pool Places we visited: Pagsanjan Falls (via Cavinti Trek), Villa Sylvia Resort in Nagcarlan and Lake Pandin of San Pablo. Here's a rough draft of our itinerary:
Click here to continue reading

2Go: The New Way to Travel to Boracay

By
Image
Last year should have been my first Boracay trip and my first ever Visayas destination. But then it coincided with the  Malaysia trip so I had no choice but to cancel Boracay. We all know that flying from Manila to Caticlan has proven to be quite expensive and Piso Fare promos can be daunting to book especially if we are a big family plus the scheduling date is also tricky. But when I learned about 2Go (yes, the famous courier service) sailing from Batangas to Caticlan at a very affordable price, I pitched the idea to my parents.  2Go Ship docked at Caticlan Port It took quite some convincing before they finally said yes to the idea that we travel by sea to reach Boracay. They probably pictured a crazy, crowded and noisy pier scenario. Well, I can't blame them since those were also my first ship experiences when I traveled from Manila to General Santos many years back. Most importantly, we'll also be traveling with my sister with special needs and her comfort shoul
Click here to continue reading

Boracay: Itinerary, Expenses and Tips

By
Image
Boracay may seem to be an expensive destination. But here's one thing I realized, like many of Philippines finest tourist spots, it can be done on a budget, especially if all you want is to simply enjoy the waters. Afterall, Boracay is really about the powdery sand and the crystal clear waters. 5 members of the family was able to enjoy Boracay in less than Php30,000 (all in!) Feel free to copy our itinerary ^_^
Click here to continue reading