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T R O P I C A L A D V E N T U R E S
From these humble beginnings, Tao
has grown to become one of the biggest
tourism success stories in the Philippines.
Their boat trips are rated as one of the top
experiences in the country by travel bible
Lonely Planet
, and have been covered
in several of the world’s top publications.
The company now has four boats and
trips sell out months in advance.
Its five-day expeditions — an invigorating blend of socially
aware eco-tourism, laid-back lounging and rambunctious
evenings at remote beach camps — have become a favourite
of discerning visitors looking to discover for themselves one
of the few remaining undeveloped tracts of beach paradise
in the region.
Customers come from right across the spectrum. My
fellow explorers include a middle-aged Frenchman,
honeymooners from Australia, three guys from Spain and
an American teacher.
The Tao philosophy embraces escapism. With no
electricity, sporadic phone signals and absolutely no
Wi-Fi, expeditions offer a blissful break from the hassles
and stress of our permanently connected global village.
It’s not all about pure pleasure, however. The fishing
families who inhabit the remote places the expeditions
pitch up are not destitute, but few have had formal
education. Tao supports a number of social welfare
projects, helping communities to build daycare centers
and provide advice on nutrition.
Part of the Palawan trip is
learning about the island’s
culture, and interacting with
local fishing communities
PHOTO
SCOTT SPORLEDER
The expeditions offer a blissful
break from the hassles and stress
of our permanently connected
global village