HOME AWAY FROM HOME - (Part 3)

By Rene Calalang
Scarborough-Ontario
October 4, 2014



ON THE third day, island hopping was the scheduled activity. Our schedule told us that we would visit Pandan and Comrie Islands, located in Honda Bay.

On this trip, very early in the morning, my wife Lita told me that that she was feeling tired and she would like to rest.

Worried that her condition might get worse, I did not press the issue.

But this put me in an odd situation as I was not sure if I should leave her alone.

Obviously, I had to notify Marc and Penny.

Penny, my wife’s new found friend, upon knowing the situation, volunteered to stay with her (it’s amazing that two individuals could strike a friendship when they live thousands of miles apart and had only met a few times. This is one of the mysteries of life that friendship could happen in a short period of time between two individuals compatible with each other).

So this trip was only for me and my new found friend Marc.

On the way to the pier, our tour guide announced that we would stop to a store whose business is selling and renting snorkeling equipment.

“There are cheaper places, but for hygienic reasons, I recommend this place,” our tour guide, as if worried about hygiene, told us prior to disembarking. “Oh, by the way, this is also the place to buy some lemon bread for those who will be doing fish feeding and fish watching.

I rented one set of snorkeling equipment even if I am not a good swimmer. “I’ll just stay on the shallow end,” I told myself. “Plus, I will be wearing a life vest anyway.

I also bought some lemon bread.

We then continued our travel to the boarding station.

At the boarding station, boats of all sizes were waiting.

Next in line for us to ride was a big boat, big enough to carry up to thirty people and yet there were probably only twelve of us. But this was the system and everybody followed.

Along the way, we saw some quarantined foreign fishing boats (some of whom were close to sinking), confiscated by the Philippine Coast Guards for fishing into our territory.

PANDAN ISLAND is a small but very clean island. Huts, made from local materials, like bamboo and bundled coconut leaves, were everywhere.

We were there early so we had a choice of which hut to select.

We changed into our swimming attire and individually proceeded to the activity of our choice.

I and my friend Marc decided to take turns in fish feeding and fish watching, as these activities were recommended for those who would like to stay on shallow water only.

I was the first one to get into the water with Marc staying on the shore and taking some pictures.

I placed a small piece of bread into the palm of my hand using my index and fore fingers. I tore them into small pieces and threw them into the water in my front. There, they came, perhaps by the dozens at the beginning, but before I knew it, they were there, in front of me by the hundreds. What a beautiful scene watching these other creation of God happy enough just to have some food to eat. I wondered what if the human were like them, no greed and no destructive deeds.

Out of curiosity, I tried to grab some of them, but to no avail, as they were fast and elusive.

Having run out of bread, it was Marc’s turn, with us switching roles.

Soon, our fish feeding and fish watching was over.

We then proceeded to the hut still undecided if I should try snorkeling. Hesitantly and with strong encouragement and support from others, I decided I should, but on the shallow end only. I then waited for my turn to be brought to the snorkeling area.

And there they were, the beauty of underwater and its marine life: corals and fishes. I was told to look for two fishes, one colored blue, and the other orange, as they were the stars of the show.

And just like in real life, where by being different attracted attention, which in this case, brought business to the tourism industry.

Searching for them was a big challenge, but once found, it could be said that snorkeling was a success, which I did, and thus the end of the short adventure.

After lunch, I noticed that our tour guide took out two small garbage bags from her hand carry. She opened them and placed our garbage separating the recyclable items like plastic, bottles and paper from the disposable ones like leftover food and skin of fruits. “I am proud of this people,” I told myself. “If only every Filipino would do the same thing, our country is a paradise.”

Once finished, she tied the end with a small piece of string. She placed them on top of the bamboo table besides her other stuff, probably to make sure she wouldn’t forget them.

On our way home, I noticed that she picked up our garbage as if she was taking them with her. Confirming my suspicion, I asked, “Are you taking our garbage with you?”

“You noticed. We are not allowed to leave any garbage here. Whatever anybody brings, they have to take them back with them.”

“What a great idea. Do the people follow?”

“We have to. We have to keep these islands safe and clean so that tourists will come back. And you know, we survive on tourism.”

“I hope the whole country is like Palawan.”

She smiled. “It used to be.”

“Hopefully, we can repair the damage done and make it like Palawan.”

“We can, if majority of the people, especially the young ones will be made aware of the importance of nature preservation.”

“I think we are heading in that direction.”

“We all hope so, before it’s too late.”

Palawan for me is an Island Paradise, an island reminding me of the Philippines prior to the destruction of her eco system, an island where nature triumphs over men.

BUT WHAT I saw in the main island of Palawan was only a small portion of what she has to offer, as she has many more.

Within the big island itself, there is the Iwahig Penal Colony, that 26,000 hectare prison without walls, one of the world’s open prisons, with a unique approach of reforming criminals.

And in the northern part of the main island, there is El Nido – the place where the El Nido Resorts are located, where amazing limestone cliffs tower over marine sanctuaries, where thick forests are plentiful and were about one hundred species of birds live.

And there is the Coron Islands, home to Seven Lakes, one of which, the Kayangan Lake is known as the cleanest lake in the Philippines, and also around it are a number of other islands, with white beaches and clear blue water, ideal for snorkeling, deep sea fishing and shipwreck diving.

And who would not dream of seeing the Tubbataha Reef, that World Heritage site protected by the United Nations.

These are only a few of those I would like to see when I come back…SOMEDAY.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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See related articles:

HOME AWAY FROM HOME (Part 1)
HOME AWAY FROM HOME-(Part 2)