Chapter Nineteen: Palawan, The Philippines

Philippines: Palawan

Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Puerto Princesa, I started at 08.00 am, arrived at 08.00 am the following day. Still one of the fastest way to travel, no direct connection between Phnom Penh and Manila. I was not looking at the distance between places, but more at the time between flights. Via Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh took me longer to get to Manila.

Such a trip would have freaked me out in the beginning due to all the uncertainties and unknowns, now it is business as usual. That's the good about traveling without a predetermined plan, figure it out yourself...problems, fix it...change in plans, improvise and deal with it. Sometimes the conditions are not easy, especially when you need to wait/sleep 4 hours during the night at an airport, in this case Manila. I cursed many times why I brought my sleeping bag with me, but at that point I blessed myself with such a unknowing knowledge that it might be handy at some point. I never used it, only twice as a pillow, also that night. If there was a 'sleeping bag God' I would have turned myself to that religion. The hardness of the iron chairs, the coldness of the concrete, the softness of the sleeping bag. I had this sleeping bag during my trip in Peru and Bolivia more than 16 years ago and I now know for sure that I will never get rid of this one. Hallelujah to all the sleeping bags..

Arrival in Puerto Princesa, it was more primitive than I expected. Funny how that is, I thought Vietnam was poor, but in my opinion it wasn't. I thought the Philippines was more developed, but my first impression that it isn't. I postponed my trip 2 times due to typhoons, it is a returning ritual for the island rich Philippines. So I was surprised to see that most of the buildings were made from very thin wood, one big storm and..Ah well, all in all it will be more back to basic. Starting point Puerto Princesa, destinations, port Barton, San Vicente, El Nido, coron islands..places where electricity only works a couple of hours a day, but it are also the bases for Laguna hopping... 

In El Nido there are only 2 ATM's, so you need to bring cash with you. Unfortunately I reached the limit of my credit card and that will be reset a couple of days later than I hoped. I need to stay 4 days longer in Puerto Princesa, my luck is starting to run out. As organized as I am, I hardly lost anything during my travels, just 2 debit cards, 5 pair of flip flops (don't ask), my glasses, 3 sunglasses, iPad (twice, but got it back), broke my iPhone, couple of towels, my bag, couple of contacts (lenses) adapters and probably more stuff which I don't realize that I lost it. Luckily I still have my passport and my last credit card, but I'm playing with fire.
While I'm stuck in Puerto Princesa (pp) I rent a scooter and starting to explore the island. PP is not that exciting, but the other side of Palawan is home to a fantastic beach, Nagtabon Beach, with the brightest water I've seen so far. You hardly see, you only feel it. Traveling through Palawan is adventurous and gorgeous at the same time!
I stay in a guesthouse and I'm nicknamed 'whiteboy'. The family who run the place is great. All the Filipinos are religious and they can't believe that I don't have a wife, especially big mama. 

"Where's your wife whiteboy?" 
'Don't have one, big mama'
"Why does a single strong handsome man has no wife whiteboy?, what's wrong with the ladies in the Netherlands whiteboy?" 
"Ask them, big mama"
"We have to do something about that"

Reason for them, especially big mama, to introduce me to several ladies who attend a religious conference in PP. 

"Hey yo, whiteboy, get over here", big mama yelled across the courtyard
"What's the matter", I replied.
 "I want you meet someone", big mamma said. "This is Theresa, also single and a good fit for you". 
"What?! She's 18, I'm 37 big mamma, you can't be serious". 
"I told you to shut up whiteboy, she's 29. You must know when you should open your mouth". 
"You're kidding..29?!?"
 "What did I just told you whiteboy" 
"Oke oke..."

And so I ran into a couple awkward situations. Some Filipinos are extremely beautiful, others are influenced by the American culture and look like that. Fact is, all the Filipinos are crazy about fast food and it's easier to get a pizza, donut or hamburger than healthy food (never saw a McDonald's so crowded at 10.00 am). Many Filipinos starting to look like...well everything you don't expect from Asian people. 

Finally, my CC is up and running again, time to move on.