Happy That They're Happy: The City in a Forest

This was the first time that I took my parents to an out of town trip. Their smiles were priceless.

(Puerto Princesa International Airport)

What made this trip more exciting was the company of my uncles, aunts and cousins.

(Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm Recreation Hall)

Especially when they are also up for some fun...

(Crocodile Farm)

Even when it's raining!

(Still at the Crocodile Farm)

We also made a quick stop at the Butterfly Garden.

(Butterfly Garden)

It was drizzling so the butterflies were hiding but at least we had a good look at one of them.

(Still at the Butterfly Garden)

Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessings.

(Immaculate Conception Cathedral)

Then a walk in the park opposite the church -- where the Palawan Massacre in 1944 took place.

(Plaza Cuartel)

The trip would not be complete without visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(40-minute or so boat-ride to the Underground River)

Finally landed...

(The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan - Wikipedia)

(Palawan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and entrant into the contest for the New 7 Wonders of the Natural World, the underground river near Sabang is officially known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park - from www.undergroundriver.org)

Before reaching the entrance, Mama wanted to stop because of this...

(photo ops with the monkey lol)

We're almost there!

(The entrance to the 8.2-kilometer underground river)

Here we go!

(We're in!)

Magnificent!

(The cave formations are spectacular and include stalactites, stalagmites and columns as well as other formations and of course bats and swallows abound. -- from undergroundriver.org )

(They only allow the tourists to see the first 2 kilometers of the river.)

(End of the ride)

(And we're out!)

Back to the beach where my cousins played with some crablets...

(Sabang Beach)

And their all time favorite beach game - the sandball fight!

(Sabang Beach)

Off to some island hopping!

(Honda Bay boat ride)

First stop: Pandan Island.

(Pandan Island)

(Pandan Island)

(Patrick the Starfish at Pandan Island!)

(The jellyfish that ruined my Aunt's day)

Next stop: Snake Island.

(Snake Island -- where we also had our lunch)

(Papa's a good swimmer so no need for a life vest. Mama's a errr...a great floater! LoL)

(My cousins with their favorite Aunt)

Our travel package was inclusive of all meals but we opted to dine out for our last night in the city. We ate at a restaurant where we had to take off our shoes/slippers.