Located in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, close to the tranquil lake Schliersee, AlpenClub...
Philippines
The Philippines’ last frontier - Palawan is paradise and it is not without reason, the spectacular sea, marine sanctuary, beach islands and landscapes give the impression of seeing heaven’s beauty on earth.
Palawan is 1,768 islands of pristine white beaches, dramatic rock formations, secret coves and underground mysteries. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, outstanding dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves and shimmering beaches. It bursts with exotic flora and fauna and is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colourful marine life.
The island boasts an unspoiled ecosystem. To the east lie Tubbataha Reefs, a Unesco World Heritage site; to the north is Apo Reef, said to be home to the world’s largest concentration of coral species, and on the main island of Palawan you will find thousands of hectares of untouched forests where endemic species such as Palawan bearcat, peacock-pheasant and Calamian deer roam.
A must see is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also known as Sabang’s St. Paul Subterranean National Park, nominated as one of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”. It is indeed a wonder to behold; carved by nature for millions of years; the length of cave and river network is unknown up to this day. The cavern stretches away in an almost perfect rectangle with walls and ceiling decorated with natural carvings in many colors. Stalactites and stalagmites seem like they have been intentionally crafted to awe the visitors. Further inside, one reaches a grand chamber, decorated with multi faceted colored stones. One has to be there to see its grandeur.
The Tubbataha Reef, a marine sanctuary off the Sulu Sea is composed of two atolls, the North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water, and is separated by a deep, eight-kilometer-wide channel. It is where thousands of marine species — including endangered ones like manta rays, lionfish, tortoise, clownfish and sharks - are found.
Palawan is also home to several historical, cultural and natural tourism sites. Water buffs will take great pleasure from its white sand, clear water, shallow reefs and gradually sloping beaches for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and island hopping.
