Heavens, it’s March already, where did the time go? Well, the past 3 days have been spent sailing in the Java, Celebes and Sulu Seas, heading towards this seldom visited port which nestles on the coast of the island of Palawan. We were last here in 2013 and, f my memory serves me well, it hasn’t changed much. The route from Benoa to this island is one which is also used by other ships, largely Bulk Carriers, hauling iron ore and coal to fill the veracious appetite of China for raw materials. Been there, done that……We pass through several ‘choke points’, where shipping converges to pass through narrow straits and shallows.
As we sail these waters it is disappointing to see how much flotsam there is in the water. We, as a company and corporation are so careful about the environmental ‘footprint’ we leave; our Management system is invested in all things ecological and yet, here we are, sailing through miles and miles of junk, deposited by those who either don’t possess the resources, just don’t think, or just don’t give a damn. So frustrating……..
Onto other matters and Puerto Princesa, (it is spelt this way, it’s not me and my spelling). As with many of these islands, it has recovered from invasion and battle during WW 2, however this has a particularly sad history, the particularly brutal murder of 139 U.S. prisoners of war by the Japanese. It is memorialised at the site of their prison, although the wooden buildings have long gone, the brick walls around encampment is still there.
Karen and I by now had found the heat oppressive and conceded surrender to the continual harangue of tuk-tuk drivers and chose a beaten-up one, (in fact they were all looking pretty banged-up). These tuk-tuks are not the same as Indian ones, Filipino’s are built around a motor cycle, as a result one sits close to the driver.
I took an unusually large number of photos today, so here are a selection.
So, we’re off soon for Manila, arriving there on the 5th, the pilot at 0500……More coffee called for!
Thanks so much for the great pictures. And commentary
I missed the 2013 W.C.
Keep tge photos coming. Your comments are so insightful
I hope to see a photo of the family welcome or visits with the crew in Manila. Sich a nice part of the HAL experience.
Will also be interested to read if you spot sone of the Chinese platform islands later in your voyage
Wishing you a safe journey onward!
Charlotte
A favorite place on the 2013 World Cruise.
Great blog, and we are enjoying sailing with you.