Last Closure - First Week

The temple was closed for maintenance from January 12 to January 26, 2015 so we took the opportunity during the last temple shutdown of our mission to visit a few places we have not been in the Philippines but there are still so many we will not see.  The first week, along with four other senior couples, we flew to Palawan Island considered one of the most scenic islands in the Philippines and in the world.  It was very beautiful and very clean and way less populated than Cebu.  We stayed in the city of Puerto Princesa at One Manolo Place, a very nice motel, and were within walking distance of several restaurants and a short tricycle ride to downtown.

The first day we were given a guided tour of Puerto Princesa which included the Crocodile Farm, Bakers Hill, a Hill Top Mansion, a War Memorial and of course souvenir shops for the sisters.  The second day we took a boat ride to Dos Palmas Island which is a resort area with only the staff of the resort actually living on the island.  We were able to do some snorkeling and saw fish we have not seen before.  We went kayaking by some mangroves and had fish coming out of the water by our kayaks and skipping across the water to get away from us.  One of the staff took time to demonstrate how to make a hat out of coconut palm leaves and also made animals.  Amazing what they can do with the materials available to them.  The third day was spent just enjoying Puerto Princesa because our tour of the Underground River was cancelled because the ocean was to rough for the small boats we needed to take to get there.  Our last day we got up early and were able to make it to the Underground River, which is one of the main things we wanted to see in Palawan.  The Under Ground River was newly named the 7th natural wonder of the world. It was a wonderful trip to Palawan and we appreciate being able to see the beauties of the Philippines, especially since neither one of us had been out of the United States before.

Inside the Airport at Puerto Princesa as we arrived in Palawan.  Not very many people in this small airport.

Sister Decker and Sister Sorensen receiving a shell necklace as they exited the airport and were met by our hostess who arranged our tours while we were in Palawan.  She is a member of the church and has made the arrangements for many senior missionaries as well as some general authorities.

The conservation center is also called "The Crocodile Farm" because they breed and raise both salt water and fresh water crocodiles here.  The Philippine Fresh Water Crocodile is critically endangered so they are trying preserve them as well as manage the salt water crocodiles.  Funds are raised by selling crocodile products such as leather and meat.

Some young crocodiles being raised at the farm.  There was a warning sign telling us to not put your hands over the cages because these young crocs can jump and will bite.

This was Lolong the largest crocodile every captured in the Philippines at 20.24 feet long.  He was captured in September 2011 and at the time was the largest crocodile in captivity in the world.  Our guide told us that before we go swimming in any rivers we should find out if there are crocodiles.  We didn't go swimming.

This is at the War Memorial in Puerto Princesa. Visiting here reminded us of the cost in lives for freedom.  When the Japanese knew they were going to lose this area they put all of their American prisoners in a tunnel and then poured gasoline down the tunnel and ignited it killing 143 men.  We saw the blackened entrance to the tunnel as we entered the memorial.  There were some survivors as indicated on this plaque.  It struck close to home when we saw that two of the survivors were from Utah.

This statue was created as a symbol to remind us of POWs.  We were all touched by being at this memorial.

This is on the boat as we traveled to the island of Dos Palmas.  This woman and two men were sitting behind us and in visiting we found out they are from Russia.  We met people from different places around the world on our trip and Sister Sorensen took the opportunity to hand out pass along cards every day.

The pier at Dos Palmas. Notice how clear the water is.  Looks like a quiet tropical island paradise, oh yea, it was.

Mangroves where we did some kayaking. Not only did we have fish skimming across the water to get away from us but there were many large white herons that flew out of the trees as we approached.  Didn't dare have my camera in a kayak so no pictures of that.

We were treated to a native lunch just after arriving at Dos Palmas.  You could choose from Grilled Liempo, Palatok, Squid Teriyaki, Cassava Cake, Steamed Rice, Lato, Native Salad, and Trevally in Miso Soup.  We tried most everything and some was really good. This is a picture of Squid Teriyaki.  It was okay, especially for squid, and we can at least say we have both tasted squid, yes you eat the tentacles.

Sister Sorensen in her coconut palm hat.  It took less than thirty minutes for the Filipino to make this.

All of these items were made from coconut palms.  Top is the hat with a grasshopper by it.  Left is love birds inside a heart, then a running ostrich in the center followed by a flying bird with a fish at the bottom.  Amazing what they can do and in such a short amount of time.

We made it to the Underground River our last day on Palawan.  We had to travel 80 kilometers from Puerto Princesa to get here but it was worth the trip and was one of the reason we originally wanted to come to Palawan.

One of the local residents looking for lunch.

This is the entrance to the underground river.  Our guide paddled all ten of us for our tour. 

Inside the cave you can see how much room there is.  St. Pauls Underground River Cave is more than 24 km (15 mi) long and contains an 8.2 km (5.1 mi) long underground section of the Cabayugan River. The river winds through the cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea and is navigable by boat up to 4.3 km (2.7 mi) in from the sea so we only went in part way and then came back out.. The cave includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers, including the 360-meter-long Italian's Chamber with approximate 2.5 million square meters volume. It is one of the largest cave rooms in the world.

There is no lighting inside the cave so it was very dark but one person in front of the boat held a light attached to a car battery.  As we first entered the cave we could hear high pitched noise and were told it was from swallows that live in the cave.  I happened to take a picture and later noticed a swallow in it, notice the top left of the picture.  

This picture is looking straight up at the roof of the cave.  The dark spots are a few of the many bats that were hanging on the rocks.  Our guide cautioned us not to look up with your mouth open. 

Many formations were given names and some with religious themes.  This was a wise man kneeling at Christs birth.

This formation was said to depict the face of Christ.

Exiting the Underground River cave.

No temple missionaries were lost while in the underground river cave.  Starting at the front of the boat are: Johnsons, Sorensens, Deckers, Baileys, and Henthorns.