A splendor of sorts

April 24 - 26, 2008

Lagen Island, El Nido Resorts, Palawan

c/o Caloy

It was a first time to ride with Island Transvoyager, Inc. Their planes are German-made 19-seater Dornier 228-212 aircraft. Low flying, and scary.

Picture circa 2011. Dinna own any digital camera back then. :)

But I did love the scenery.

The world is just awesome.

When we arrived at the El Nido airport,

2008. El Nido Airport

... we were greeted by the local singers. And their pet carabao. Moo. Ay cow pala yun. :D

We then took a jeepney to a port. Its interesting facet, the very high topside covering (Geez what's the ceiling in jeepneys called?). Unusual in the Philippines.

Afterwards, a boat ride which took us to Lagen Island. This took more than 2 hours.

But we didn't mind it back then. The sea was just uh-may-zingg.

Then three days of awesome wonderment. It was a happy summer. The sun was out. I found Nemo. And tranquility. And I was grinning ear-to-ear like this ^____________^.

This is the area where we stayed.

Early morning boating

Pensive. HAHAHA

We enjoyed island hopping. Off to Snake Island. Miniloc Island (another El Nido Resort), Big and Small Lagoons. Underwater cameras back then were unheard of. But I distinctly remember Miss Jules had a container for her DLSR so that she could shoot underwater. Nice, eh?

Where we had our lunch

Hobbie Cat. Did not have the chance to ride this in 2008.
But I did it in 2011. Apulit Island.

I think this here's the Big Lagoon

Where we were billeted for the entire stay

Had my first introductory scuba diving experience. NB: SCUBA = self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Looking for Nemo

I was giddy. Excited. And feeling a little bit like Ariel. Only, I was scouring the underwaters, while all she ever wanted was to dance in the - what do you call it - oh streets! So then, there I was, not an inch underwater. And I forgot all about my briefing! I could not breathe! I was semi-panicky then. Asking the diving instructor, using hand motions I was not even aware what meant, to bring me up.. Then I realized, I tried breathing via my nose, where in fact, I should've been breathing through my mouth! Haha! It was a stint I would more than ever likely to remember. How to breathe underwater. :) I found Nemo. In the safety of the sea anemone. And I found my eyes worked better underwater. Everything was 25% larger. And more pronounced. And more slimy. And my ears were in constant need to equilibrate. It's an entirely whole new world.

That night, we readied for our fellowship night. And I was.. Tentenen-tenen! A sailor girl.

Fellowship Night

Off to Sandbar

So, I was 6-days old in the company. Meeting new faces. Establishing new friends. Here's Alot and Noreen. My best buds then. Still best buds now. Alot, don't you miss your skinny self? Hahaha. I'm kidding, love! :))

The Kids

Breakfast
c/o Caloy

On our last day. We were taking off and Smart Infinity were there to take our island. MY ISLAND! :)) How possessive!

Horsing around

Bye, Folks!

Hotel staff were singing goodbyes to us.

It was over all too soon.

Sniff.

Pictures from the Enthusiasts

LET'S GO BACK. PLEASE. ^_^