On Mar 16, 2024 we anchored in the harbor of Puerto Princesa, Philippines. Puerto Princesa is the capital of the island province of Palawan. The city has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, and it certainly was both compared to the cities and towns that we saw in Indonesia.

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia consisting of more than 7,600 islands, about 2,000 of which are inhabited. To the East is the South China Sea and Vietnam; to the South is Indonesia; and, to the North is China. The population of the Philippines is approximately 110 million people.

In Puerto Princesa we were on an excursion that took us to the unique Subterranean River National Park, recently named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At the Park we gathered at the beach, and took some catamaran-type boats to the entrance of the River.

We entered the river, wearing our battle helmets, and traveled 1.5 km. up the river to see mineral rock formations that have been developing over millions of years. , and then reversed course to see more stalactites on the way out. It was really a site to see.

When we returned to the ship, we were greeted by local residents who entertained us from the pier. The evening ended with another beautiful sunset.