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.
