I have so many photos that I want to post but it's just so hard for me to choose which occasion should go first. Actually I specifically wanted to post this one last June 28, exactly a year after I had this trip in El Nido, Palwan (Philippines) but i lost track of time. The trip was both business and pleasure. How come? Just check out the islands we visited and you'll get what I mean with the pleasure part. As for business, it was a resort renovation project that I had to check so I can design accordingly. Having ocular inspection is very important in any project most especially renovation works.
...shots from grotto island? hehe forgot the name...
...neighboring rock formations...
...helicopter island...
see that helicopter shaped beauty resting on the waters?
...sea kayaking @ helicopter's island...
...snake island...
an island with a long snake like winding stretch of sand where tides meet
...little boracay...
this beach has a long stretch of fine sand shore with crystal clear blue waters to the open ocean
...some island resort, competition!...
Do you get it now why it's pleasure at the same time? We were able to enjoy some days doing island hopping and it was all free (for me) for 9 days. I passed on one island hopping when I was doing my measurements there on site. No personal stamps this time coz not all photos are mine, we all shared photos since everybody loves to snap away. I didn't even bother taking much. More fun personal photos for this trip for the next posts. =)
What do you think of this place so far?
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I'm First Commenter? Yay!!!
Just my luck, how come I suddenly have a first commenter spree on a few blogs after my return from China? Hmmm, strange.
Wow! Didn't know Philippines have such nice looking beaches and islands!
The photos just make me want to go off on a holiday! So relaxing and soothing - the rock formations and the blue/green sea! Reminds me of my KK trip : )
I've never visited Philippines before. Maybe I should go there! And most Philippines speak English right? That's such a relief compared to my communication problem in China where everyone speaks Mandarin and my Mandarin sucks! LOL!
Yes, yes come to think of it, maybe I'll make Philippines my next holiday destination! Any places you highly recommend?
Sorry for spamming your blog. Can't help it! After 10 days of no spamming and no blogging in China, this is payback time. Haha!
Wow I love the clear blue skies and the clean blue waters! Looks so relaxing and calmingly making me want to go there!
LOL @ foongpc... well, that shows how much you miss us! 10 days away from us and now you are on the clicking clicking typing typing spreee! haha.
Wow! Really lovely beaches.
I love the second shot best. :)
Wow Foong! Really making up for lost time is it? LOL
that's such a nice place, the turquoise water and the golden sandy beach is really inviting!
Gosh, I need more holiday!!
Hi Ayie! Wakey wakey sweetie!
Oh my, the pictures are absolutely breathtaking Ayie, I love them all! But I think my fave are the first two - divine! :)
Okay back to cooking, am dropping while cooking it seems LOL! :)
El Nido? I thought you wanna say something about El Nino Ayie! :p But to be honest this place is really breathtaking!
the second photo is really beautiful. That's even a boat which made this photo extra captivating! I have been to a few islands and this island looks gorgeous too. :D
I remember you told me b4 that Phillipines has alot of nice and exotic islands. :) NICE!!!!
Foong,
clap clap! though it's easy to be first commenter here...they don't buy much for the position...not a tough competition like yours! *lol* congratulations still and for all other Fcs in other blogs.
You made me and hubs wow over your comments lastnight when we saw it before sleeping. Indeed Philippines has such many good islands. I travelled to a few but not all...Phils alone is composed of 7,107 islands. So island hopping is hghly recommendable as major summer activity there. Of course ideally summer but not bad too during other seasons. It sucks when it rains coz it's harder to travel to those remote islands but when it rains, the water temp of the sea is relatively warm and a nice swim is truly enjoyable. By the way Betchai has some posts (old and new) about Philippine beaches too.
Don't worry about your spamming, it's a nice way of spamming anyway =) we appreciate it and that makes me feel you really like this post. Here are top tourist destinations there. Palawan, Boracay (i love this island), Cebu, Bohol (this has the famous chocolate hills), siargao (surfing), ilocos (heritage village and nice beaches too), baguio, tagaytay, laguna (hotsprings), Pangasinan. Actually a lot of places there to explore. You can check my "mi Familia" posts and those are more on our swimming escapades. You can also email me if you want more info, feel free.
Don't worry about communicating in the Phils, we speak almost all kinds of languages here. Don't be surprised if some people are multi-lingual. Standard for tourists is english. I think you can also pick up some Filipino/Tagalog words coz it's not too far from malay...some words. Also you won't have to spend so much going there too. I hope I can post the other island tours i had. Some photos are not digital and at home but I'll see what I can retrieve so in time you can see more of the Phils. Thanks foong for such interest on this post! Goodnight to you there!
Ladyviral,
Foong is an avid blogger so it's very hard to take him away from his pc. *lol*
I enjoyed so much there and there will be more cool photos of the trip soon so stay tuned. =)
Lina,
Btw congratulations for winning the spamming contest in foong's blog! ahahaha I mean for winning the top commenter! He certainly miss the blogworld so we can expect so much visits from him this time. =)
You like the 2nd shot? yey! that's my shot!!!! I really love the beaches there but hate the almost permanent tan it gives me everytime I play under the sun =P
JH,
More holiday for you? I thought you're always out and about there where you live seeing all those photos you have =) Or you mean beach holiday? The sparkling water and nice fine sand, so captivating =)
Mariuca,
Too early to wake up sweetie, only 4am here =) it should be 9pm there and 6am here =P
So what did you cook for dinner? Perhaps you should post it in your blog =)
The first 2 shots? hehehe thank you dear, those are mine! (i think the 1st 4 and little boracay are all my shots) So still won't consider a nice beach escapade in the Phils?
Tekkaus,
It's really El Nido! hahaha! I'll have more wiki about the place next time. About the famous El nido soup in the Phils. =) I was just sneaking to do a post last night after dinner since I've been itching to post that since june! Ha! finally!
Wow, never thought the second shot will be a hit. I'm so glad I didn't miss that shot! Thanks! Wait for more fun photos =)
Mummy sexy,
Like it so far? I can imagine you and gwen playing by the shore making sand castle or chasing the waves =)
Hello sweet friend!
This place is breathtaking!Thanks for sharing so beautiful series of pictures!
God bless you
Léia
Leia,
Hi dear! Still on vacation? I love this place, a very remote island where you can truly unwind and relax. Away from busy city and all. Take care!
hey Ayie, so wonderful! love your photos, oh, makes me wish am back home :)
thanks for sharing your beautiful photos Ayie, and sharing the beauty of our country as well!
wow! Philippine beaches rock! i will come back for more pics. ;)
this is such a nice place to relax for the weekend or holiday!
surrounded by rocks n islands,
it make me feels like it is a hidden paradise or sort. :D
OMG! those are fabulous captures Ayie. it sure looks like an amazing place to visit. and the first two pics are absolutely stunning with lovely rock formations.
i'll plan my next getaway soon. enjoy your Wednesday Ayie.
applause! :D
those sceneries could practically take anyone's breath away - whooooooooots
hellooooooooo :)
Betchai,
Me too,how I wish I can come back soon even just for a short visit =( When did you last fly back there?
You are more than welcome and thanks for appreciating the photos so much! Perhaps the Phils tourism should regard as a tourism agent +P hehehe
Cher,
Thanks for dropping by, yes there will be more photos of this trip =) Glad you like it!
Levian,
It's a remote island and a has very small town too. We can almost walk all over town, definitely relaxing. The main attraction is to go island hopping and so much beautiful islands to visit! Too bad we were not able to go through the underground river.
Ramblings,
You also like the first 2 photos? *giggles*
The rock formation though is very hard and some parts are sharp so better be really careful.
Another vacation for you? Hmmm, I wonder where will your family go this time?
Ramblings,
happy wednesday! I'm skipping WW this week, but will try to catch up next week. =)
Enjoy the rest of the week =)
Senghoo,
Welcome to jif pj! Thanks for the visit! I'll be up for more of this trip =) The place can truly be called paradise!
Thanks for the information! I think I have heard of Boracay - must be very famous! Will email you if I need more info!
Ladyviral & Lina, yes I'm going on a spamming spree. Hahaha!
gorgeous photos!!!
I love the one with the blue boat....such stunning colours Ayie :)
island hopping sounds so inviting! do you use speedboats to hop from one to another? :)
btw, what is an underground river?
Foong,
Anytime =) Boracay is one hot tourist beach destination there and you'll enjoy the buffets (fresh seafoods like crabs and lobsters) by the beach/shore every night! Now you're making me miss the old days =) That's where we went after wedding =)
Kim,
Such lovely compliments Kim, thanks! That's also one of my favorite shots =)
Levian,
Phils has an underground river attraction in palawan, check it out here http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/puertoprincesa.html
we use regular boats (wood, nothing fancy)fishing boats mostly. the size depends on how much passengers are loaded =)
that kinda reminds me of my trip to sabah, our neighbouring state.
we have to travel from island to island too, for a slightly different view.
was the distance between the islands far? does the fishing boats rock?
it sounds so exciting! :D
sabah is a direct neighbor of philippine islands =)
the fishing boat is ok as long as it has the "katig" or the support on the sides. It's gonna be freaky if in open ocean and it's just plain old boat
WoW...simply beautifully captured shots....fabulous!
flyingstars,
Thanks for dropping by and for your kind compliments =)