Basic HTML Version
102
{ }
T R O P I C A L A D V E N T U R E S
Choppy waters are not unheard of during expeditions
— Zaza shares stories of guests emerging drenched in
sea water after a day onboard — but the weather could
not have been more idyllic on my trip. The brilliant blue
ocean varies between millpond flat and gently rippled as
Aurora
plots a meandering course through the islands. I
make a valiant effort to focus on my book, but it is hard to
concentrate with so much beauty on hand.
We scud past innumerable beach-fringed islands, where
I half-expect some modern-day Robinson Crusoe to come
out and give us a wave. The visual high point comes near
the end of the top when we approach Tao’s base on Cadlao
Island in the Bacuit archipelago near El Nido.
The shadowy lower area of the bay is a bruised shade of
dark green; while further up, where the sun is going through
its death throes for the day, eagles soar around sheer
limestone cliffs and the foliage glows golden in the soft late-
afternoon light. It’s a breathtaking sight.
Evenings are equally amenable. Giant meals of fresh
barbecued fish and side dishes supply the ballast, while
rum and beer provide the lubricant for several memorable
conversations. The basic sleeping arrangements, meanwhile
— mostly just single mattresses and a mosquito net — may
not be the last word in luxury, but the soothing sound of
lapping waves and chirruping creatures in the tropical night
are as effective a relaxant as any duck-feather-filled duvet.
One of our most memorable nights is spent marking
a group member’s birthday in possibly the world’s most
remote karaoke bar. The Filipino crew, perhaps conscious of
their country’s reputation for high standards of mic-toting,
keep it tight and belt out a string of solid scores.
As soon as the Westerners take center-stage, however,
standards slip and the still tropical night is desecrated by
mutilated versions of well-known favorites. No matter. The
bar collapses into fits of rum-fuelled laughter, another song
is cued, and we continue to strike the only bum notes on
our harmonious voyage through Neverland.
Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Busuanga.
www.cebupacificair.com
Dinners by the beach are a
social affair
—
and you might
be expected to sing a karaoke
tune or two
PHOTO
SCOTT SPORLEDER
Tap into your inner Indiana
Jones or Robinson Crusoe and
get ready to explore a tropical
paradise.
WHERE
Palawan is in the
westernmost region of the
Philippines, stretching from
the island of Mindoro in the
north-east to Borneo in the
south-west.
WHAT
A four- or five-
day expedition with
Tao Philippines
(www.
taophilippines.com)
between
Coron and El Nido (or
vice versa) costs S$556
(PHP18,873) per person. The
price includes all meals and
accommodation, as well as
use of snorkeling equipment.
HEADS UP!
Palawan has two
seasons — wet and dry. Both
run for six months and the
most favourable time to visit is
in the dry season, which runs
from December to June.
FIND YOUR
WAY THERE