Gemma, Matt, Leo and I left Malaysia for Palawan in early February . We had strong north east winds, sailing up the west coast of Palawan was torturous. We did 15 to 25 miles most days. We took a month to get to the top of Palawan and we only had less than 3 weeks to visit the bays on the east coast. Alas, the east coast was the prettier coast, the bays had crystal clear waters.
We picked up NiZhen in El Nido. El Nido is at the top end of the west coast of Palawan. NiZhen is the daughter of Fu Hua and Gracie. She had just completed a working stint in Palawan and was free to join us for 2 weeks. It was quite an experience for her to be on a sailing vessel. I have enclosed Gemma's views of our holiday. A lovely summary of our holiday.
We picked up NiZhen in El Nido. El Nido is at the top end of the west coast of Palawan. NiZhen is the daughter of Fu Hua and Gracie. She had just completed a working stint in Palawan and was free to join us for 2 weeks. It was quite an experience for her to be on a sailing vessel. I have enclosed Gemma's views of our holiday. A lovely summary of our holiday.
.JPG)
Walking and looking for shells..JPG)
A great leap into the clear waters..JPG)
A view from the top..JPG)
Gemma in the water..JPG)
The colourful corals..JPG)
A Nudibranch..JPG)
Dancing shrimps surrounding a sea urchin. Dinner!!.JPG)
Spot the stone fish.The photos are taken by Gemma and Matt.
Palawan 2010
On a blustery summer day,
We crossed the Balabac straits.
As we zoomed atop the cresting waves,
We willed some dinner to take our bait.
Not one, but two simultaneous strikes.
Then chaos reigned, two tuna, yikes!
In Clarendon Bay, ‘ada buwaya ?’* yes! *crocodile
Perhaps he said, ‘ you should swim a bit less’.
At low tide we walked,
Following sandy trails,
To find new seashells,
to fill our pails.
Tagbita Bay, we had a long stop.
We washed and watered in a mountain stream,
While old Mario stocked up our banana shop.
Beach fired trevalley, damper in tins,
No scrap of food left, just a couple of fins.
At Long point, we heard a flurry of dogs,
Barking and yapping in search of hogs.
Success at last, one lone boar for slaughter.
We left for Fish Bay and it’s ‘crystal clear water’
Day after day, Matt tried to catch squid.
Alas, success eluded him.
He claimed he could catch one, who’s he trying to kid?
They remained safe and sound, still free to swim.
Quezon promised fresh food and ice cream,
But the anchorqge was not exactly a dream.
The outboard sounded as if suffering a terrible plight,
While from the shore, Pewter remained so far out of sight.
Sebang, the home of the underground river,
Where we watched tiny bats hang all a quiver.
May day Bay was thick with giant jellyfish
And a cooling swim was just a mere wish.
At Alligator Island, we met the German Peter,
With his alcohol consumption, I’m surprised he didn’t teeter.
Pail after pail we drew from his well,
By lunchtime that day, my back, it could tell.
Corong Corong Bay and El Nido town,
We search for Ni* as the sun went down.
Children raced and play fought on the beach.
The peaceful air shattered by the occasional screech.
*‘Ni’ is Fu Hua and Gracie’s daughter. She joined us for 2 weeks of sailing.
The boat soon filled with the familiar stench,
Of newly found shells rotting on the bench.
We swam and dove in clear blue sea,
Exploring new reefs and bays with glee.
Two giant marble cones
Matt is delirious,
While Ni plaintively moans,
‘I want to find one!!’
Unfortunately, it all must end,
And down the east coast we start to wend.
We leave behind Palawan’s beautiful shore,
To see what else this year has in store.
By Gemma
On a blustery summer day,
We crossed the Balabac straits.
As we zoomed atop the cresting waves,
We willed some dinner to take our bait.
Not one, but two simultaneous strikes.
Then chaos reigned, two tuna, yikes!
In Clarendon Bay, ‘ada buwaya ?’* yes! *crocodile
Perhaps he said, ‘ you should swim a bit less’.
At low tide we walked,
Following sandy trails,
To find new seashells,
to fill our pails.
Tagbita Bay, we had a long stop.
We washed and watered in a mountain stream,
While old Mario stocked up our banana shop.
Beach fired trevalley, damper in tins,
No scrap of food left, just a couple of fins.
At Long point, we heard a flurry of dogs,
Barking and yapping in search of hogs.
Success at last, one lone boar for slaughter.
We left for Fish Bay and it’s ‘crystal clear water’
Day after day, Matt tried to catch squid.
Alas, success eluded him.
He claimed he could catch one, who’s he trying to kid?
They remained safe and sound, still free to swim.
Quezon promised fresh food and ice cream,
But the anchorqge was not exactly a dream.
The outboard sounded as if suffering a terrible plight,
While from the shore, Pewter remained so far out of sight.
Sebang, the home of the underground river,
Where we watched tiny bats hang all a quiver.
May day Bay was thick with giant jellyfish
And a cooling swim was just a mere wish.
At Alligator Island, we met the German Peter,
With his alcohol consumption, I’m surprised he didn’t teeter.
Pail after pail we drew from his well,
By lunchtime that day, my back, it could tell.
Corong Corong Bay and El Nido town,
We search for Ni* as the sun went down.
Children raced and play fought on the beach.
The peaceful air shattered by the occasional screech.
*‘Ni’ is Fu Hua and Gracie’s daughter. She joined us for 2 weeks of sailing.
The boat soon filled with the familiar stench,
Of newly found shells rotting on the bench.
We swam and dove in clear blue sea,
Exploring new reefs and bays with glee.
Two giant marble cones
Matt is delirious,
While Ni plaintively moans,
‘I want to find one!!’
Unfortunately, it all must end,
And down the east coast we start to wend.
We leave behind Palawan’s beautiful shore,
To see what else this year has in store.
By Gemma