A trip means that much more when you can experience it with family. Seeing the wonderment and glee from their eyes brings another level of interaction with the destination. They shape my perceptions and senses, giving it meaning. I thank them for that.
Reese, my star angel
Gavin, my co-pilot, my laughter
Joreen, my partner in crime
Audrey, love of my life, best friend
Roxanne, God Daughter, amazing woman shaping future horizons
My band of merry cohorts!
I got some free time to take some shots of the Island Features for a couple hours while the fam bam swam and snoozed by the pool.
HDR shot semi low tide.
I was obsessed with this Mangrove Tree. I took like almost 50 shots using varying techniques. (HDR, Long Exposure)
Low tide shot of the observatory Deck
Wider angle shot of my fav mangrove tree
Ceremonial Pier
Marsh Flats during low tide
My co-worker Amelia gave me a lil poop emoji to take with me on my trip and to use as a prop in my travel pics. Well Amelia you asked and so you shall receive.
Well we are checked in, did the orientation. We know where the food and drink are located. Got our key cards and stowed all our stuff safely in the bungalow. BEACH! Got the kids all ready with sun block and swim wear… game time.
We pretty much had the resort to ourselves because we chose to arrive in the middle of the week so it had a very exclusive feel to our patch of ocean real-estate.
The water was so calm and clear. Water temp was a lil warmer then I am used to being from California. Malibu beach water is pretty chilly into June and July. The warm weather humidity made it seem cooler and refreshing. The sand was soft and not coarse and was never burning to the touch like Cali beaches.
45 minutes into the boat trip things were looking up in the weather department. Rays of sunlight were poking through the clouds and the water was lightening up to a rich turquoise color.
Its like we were in an eye of a storm. All around the surrounding area it was raining but on the island it was perfect weather. No rain, no wind and the water was pristine and calm.
I took a look around, I exhaled a relaxed breath and then took in the serene beauty that surrounded us. The sounds of the soft lapping waves, the smell of fresh ocean goodness. My kids were screaming “BEACH”. They wanted to jump right into the water from the wharf. I might have let them if it weren’t for the couple of warning signs of Jellyfish and Sting rays which I was assured by the staff would not be a problem this time of year.
To suddenly be in a postcard is jarring enough, but then to realize you have a week to enjoy it plays with your mind a bit.
Home away from Manila, away from California.
One thing to keep in mind is that the whole island runs on a gas electric generator, which means that for two hours of the day their is no electric to rest the generators. 10AM and 4PM. In July when it is high humidity and high heat, those two hours become noticeable inside the bungalows. I would suggest being in the water at those designated times.
The weather was really gloomy and drab. in fact heavy rain was forecasted for the entire week of our stay at the Resort Island of Dos Palmas. Audrey had kind of a frown on her face when she looked up at the skies. The kids seemed oblivious to it. They could smell the ocean from the distance. I was cautiously optimistic knowing how the weather could change at an instant.
Arriving at the docks it didn’t seem any better. The water was dark and foreboding and the skies were cloudy and grey.
Still everyone was still chipper and was excited to see the island.
As we boarded we could see the rain from the distance. We also felt the uptick in the wind. Audrey almost lost her hat to the ocean.
First mate Gavin was up to the task while the rest of us were dozing on and off at the sways of the ocean.
The night before the Medina family conked out at 6pm into a coma. That meant yours truly would be the one to pack up the gear for the Palawan trip all by his lonesome. Its cool I really don’t sleep as it is so packing for the trip worked out anyhow. I feel I pack way more efficiently then Audrey. I figured I’d put all my wife’s and kids gear into the really big luggage and I’d manage myself with the smaller one. I would also have to pack the tech back pack as well as my “Everyday Messenger Bag” by Peak Design for all my Photo gear.
So on this flight it would be Audrey, Gavin, Reese, Ate Roxannne and Ate Joreen and myself. The two sisters pre-packed their gear before turning in. Don would take us to the Airport early in the morning, 5am for our 7:30 flight with Philippine airlines.
The flight was a quick 1 hour jaunt to Puerto Princessa Airport. A tiny one at that so loading and unloading on the Tarmac was the norm. It was still early in the morning but it was steaming up pretty quickly. Couldn’t get to the island quick enough. Our hotel had transport awaiting us to take us to the docks where we would embark on an approximately an hour boat ride to the island.
A lil reassurance was needed during a brief turbulence spell near the landing portion of our trip.
Well despite the residual jet lag still kicking our asses, we were able to build up a sizable appetite after the 2nd day activities. Relying on my God Daughters expert food knowledge and being near the MOA shopping complex she suggested Sarsa, cuisine inspired from Ilongo favorites with modern culinary takes. We were not disappointed! Filipino food taken to a heightened level of taste and presentation!
Crispy Crablers
Chicken Isaw (Grilled Chicken Intestines) I know… weird, but completely yummy, I swear!
Kansi Bulalo Soup
Belly full, inevitably the food coma super charged with jet lag! Reese certainly conveyed our sentiments.
Uncle Don, helping out with knocked out Kitty.
A lovely sunset sky brings our evening to a close in anticipation for our trip to Palawan tomorrow.
Navarro’s took us to an interesting destination that was part museum and part pop culture repository. The Yexel Toy Museum located in Ocean Park. We had a lot of fun posing with the different props from popular movies and TV shows.
No doubt my son was a fan of King Joffreys
The family that slays together, stays together!
Ate Jors in all her regal glory!!
Excuse my pathetic Photoshop skills lol!
We have a couple of days to kill before flying to Palawan, luckily it will be with Don’s family. A very accommodating bunch who coincidentally the Medina’s love.
Reese still adjusting to the time change took some time to get acquainted with Chuck and Robin. She loves all dogs and certainly these two cute pugs!
After going through the motions of waking up and trying to convince our bodies that is truly the right time to get up, you would be right to guess somewhere, sometime, somehow Starbucks would be in the workflow to help ease our time displacement. A familiar place goes a long way in normalizing a new routine abroad.
Gavin was thrilled to find out his favorite snacky place, Potato Corner, exists in Manila. This company actually originated in Manila and has since expanded internationally. I guess we have come full circle, travelling thousands of miles to get him his artificially flavored potato snacks. (sigh)
Momma Ney Navarro, the Matriarch of the Navarro Family. She raised 3 amazing daughters who were nurtured to fully realize their full human potentials. My amazing wife, Audrey, who by her own right is a the gold standard of what a mother ought to be!
My lame attempt at a selfie… literally the first time I tried doing it. In my defense I was using my mirror-less Canon M3 with my big ass 18-35mm Sigma lens.
Travels Here and There 