02.02.10
Palawan Ho! Part 4
I’ll try to make this a quickie post just to add a few more pics of the turtles we were allowed to release and a little of Isla Arena. Here’s a pic of the baby turtles before we let them loose.
We got to pick them up and set them on the sand so they could run out to the water on their own. We were told they have to feel the sand before going out to sea so that they would remember it and know to come back to lay eggs there when ready. They felt so cute in my hand!
Here’s a shot of some of them heading towards the sea.
It was so bright that it was actually hard to get them in my sights to know I was getting them in the frame.
And finally a shot of one reaching the water.
They were actually running pretty fast toward the water that we had to be careful not to step on them as we followed them to the water.
Okay, so a little of the island itself. . . Here’s a shot of some of their trees.
They had a tree house.
It was actually so comfy up there that I had to do some knitting there, ha! Patti, Ron’s socks have been to the turtle reserve at Isla Arena, Palawan, heheheh.
The hotel staff that came with us also prepared a BBQ lunch for us. Here’s the cook with the water equipment dude.
This is part of our BBQ fare. There was pork, chicken, and I think the fish in front is talapia. The veggies were eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and green papaya. The fruits were pineapple and watermelon.
For anyone interested in spending the night at Isla Arena, they have a couple lovely cottages with outdoor bathrooms (full bathrooms with running water and a walled-in-enclosure, but no ceiling, so you bathe with the sun smiling down at you, heheh.
Those doors slide open to the bedroom, which looks like this.
The bed faces this view.
When you stand on the deck, this is your view.
Well, heh, minus Petunia, but she insisted on getting in on this shot. This little cottage runs $500 U.S. for 24 hours. The cost includes the staff to pick you up from the airport and transport you to the island and back to the airport. You let them know ahead of time what kinds of foods you want and they prepare it for you as there are no shops on the island. My guesstimate is that the island is about a mile or two all the way around. The water is rather calm, so good for snorkeling and kayaking. There are many trees and hammocks to lounge about in. The island is also very clean, so overall, it’s a very relaxing place to get away. No wonder the turtle come here!
It felt like we had just gotten on the island when it was already time to head back, wah. We got there about 10:30AM and the boat left to take us back around 3:30PM. When we reached land, there was a “tiny” bus/van awaiting us to take us back to the hotel. Oh, poor Daddy’s back. . . And I think that’s what finally nailed the coffin on our trip to the Underground River in Sabong because to take that tour would have taken “four” hours from our hotel to Sabong, and Daddy just couldn’t take anymore of that bumpy riding, not to mention that Mommy was already complaining about how there was no way we would get her on the boat that went into the cave to see the underground river. . . At first I thought that if the elders didn’t want to take the long trip to Sabong, then Aaron and I could go ourselves. But you know Mommy. . . and then it rubbed off on Daddy that we shouldn’t go alone because it’s obvious we speak English, and if kidnappers wanted to kidnap us for randsom, they would know that our parents were just there at the resort. . . Okay. . . better safe than sorry. . . but what a shame. Everyone who I’ve spoken to who has seen the underground river raves about how nice it is. So will continue next post with what we eventually decided to do instead!
To be continued.
Marlakins
brian said,
February 2, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Boy oh boy, I can barely wait for the next chapter in your adventure in paradise!
Matthew said,
February 2, 2010 at 10:33 pm
What cute baby turtles!
I wonder what they do after they’re set free and in the ocean . . .
patti said,
February 3, 2010 at 12:31 am
How beautiful! Marla, you’re as good a writer as you are knitter, photographer, and health guru!
Love Petunia in the picture.
I absolutely will have to tell Ron where his socks have been because he will get a total kick out of that. Thanks so much again for doing that. I’m still not done with his jacket, but almost. Love the color on the socks. Definately masculine. 
This is a very pretty place (the water, oh my!). Spendy though, huh? yeeks.
Travel on……..
patti
marinel said,
February 3, 2010 at 1:36 pm
What a great trip — minus all the talk of kidnapping! Heh! If they’re going to feed you fish and pineapples while they hold you in captivity, would it be so bad? Your “holding cell” would be a sunny, beautiful beach…. versus smoggy, congested Los Angeles. Maybe you should start showing off that Rolex you received for Christmas!!!! Hee! Hee! You know…. the NEW, GOLD one with the DIAMOND encrusted bezel? Just kidding!!!! Hee! Hee!
Matthew said,
February 4, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Haha! Your so funny Auntie Marinel!
It might be fun to be kidnapped and fed fish and pineapples, but–
. . . Why else would they do that other than– to fatten you up?
Do you really think those turtles are vegetarian?
Maybe, they feed off of– fattened tourists . . .
>: o
marinel said,
February 5, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Oh. Oh. I didn’t think about THAT angle! LOL!
Administrator said,
February 8, 2010 at 7:39 am
Ha ha! Well, funny that you mention that Matty! You must really be my son as I thought of something similar–being fattened up for the kill! LOL But in all seriousness, Marinel, there’s a book written by the wife of one of the guys who was killed during the 2001 kidnappings. Apparently they kidnapped about 20 tourists and one couple was American. The wife survived to write a book about it (I’m thinking of getting a hold of it to read), but her husband got killed during a shoot out, I think it was. As far as I know they weren’t fed fish and pineapples, but yams. So keep your diamonds and Rolexes at home. Let’s go to Bangkok instead and go shopping! Holy mackerel! I should have brought more money and time with us! LOL You were absolutely right about Thailand. I would like to go back and take a better look around! There was so much that we barely grazed Bangkok.
Okay, that’s all for now. A bit pooped and need to get to bed.
Marla
Administrator said,
February 8, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Hi Patti:
Thanks for you nice comments, I do enjoy taking pictures and sharing them!
Maybe by now you’re finished with Ron’s jacket? That sure sounds like a major undertaking! Must be nice, tho! I’d love to see a pic of it when you’re finished! As far as the socks, I just finished the last of it in Bangkok, but didn’t take a pic of it there as I didn’t really have time while out sightseeing, and plus I didn’t think Ron would appreciate his socks draped over Buddist temples and artifacts! Ha ha! Nor did I have time or the opportunity to drape it over the long boats at the floating market or the elephant that we rode, ha ha ha! But his socks did go to those places in my bag “just in case” I had time to work on them. I ended up finishing it up during the evening in the hotel. Just a couple more days here (we leave on Thursday), so will send them out to you soon.