A true wonder of nature

The first time that I had ever been to the Puerto Princesa Underground River was during the Holy Week break of 2010. I was fortunate to be a guest of Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn who assigned to me a tourism officer to show me the places that I wished to see. I skipped the island hopping and opted to see the famous Underground River. What a wonder it was!

Getting there was not difficult at all.  An hour and a half ride to Sabang by private van gave me a chance to see the countryside of Puerto Princesa. The road is much improved (well-paved and cemented) and the solar powered lamp posts lined the roadside for the most part of the trip. We made a stop for lunch at Nagtabon Beach before proceeding to the small pier in Sabang to ride an outrigger boat (banka) to take us to the Underground River National Park. (For more information on how much and how to get to the PPUR, check out this site: http://travel-philippines.com/locations/palawan/3-sabang.htm) The beautiful beaches, the clear blue water of the sea, the lush green mountains and hillsides of the islands we passed and the lovely sea breeze all made our trip to the PPUR quite a pleasant and enjoyable one. But the cherry on top was the Underground River itself! I was truly awed by its natural beauty and the fact that it is pretty much in its pristine state: a true wonder of nature that is home to still to be fully explored species of flora and fauna.

(Daluyon beach resort in Sabang, photo courtesy of http://www.travelogphilippines.com/)

(Mangrove forest irver ride, photo courtesy of http://travel-philippines.com)

(At the entrance of the Underground River cave. The wearing of vests is a must and permits are needed before entrance to the cave is allowed. Photo courtesy of www.travelogphilippines.com)

According to the Official Nomination page of the PPUR: "The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines. It features a spectacular limestone or karst landscape that contains an 8.2 km long underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower half portion of the river is brackish and subject to tidal influence. The area also represents significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. It contains a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia."

I never imagined that this jewel of nature is right here in our own country and I felt really proud and at the same time humbled at the thought that we Filipinos have been entrusted by God with one of His marvelous creations. I left Palawan with the realization that the Philippines is truly a blessed country and grateful to Mayor Hagedorn for making my visit there a truly enjoyable one.

Congratulations to the Palawenos and to us all for voting for PPUR. It is indeed deserving to be one of the 7 wonders of nature in the world!