6 – 8 May 2009
N11 08.994 E119 19.267
Miniloc Island Resort - El Nido's idyllic haven amidst limestone cliffs Shifting gears from on-the-ground land subsistence activities to first class tourism, we travelled from eastern Taytay islands to the posh Miniloc Island Resort in the western part of Northern Palawan. We have had to rough it for a full month now, and being warmly welcomed by El Nido Resorts was just what we needed for our deeply tired bones. And yet we worked . . . there’s no rest for the wicked, as they say.
Lightning behind Lagen Island Resort Lightning welcomed us on our first night. Yogi wanted more lightning the next nights but instead, we had tropical downpours. But in between the rain and the wind, when the sun shone through big patches of clouds, we managed to sneak in scenic shots of the beautiful Bacuit Bay morning, noon, and night.
A segment of Bacuit Bay from Pangalusian Island's view deck 
Kayaking the Big Lagoon of Miniloc Island 
Wild sunset at Entalula Island Jeff our super guide made sure he knew what we wanted and went about arranging our day’s activities, everyday for five days.
Massive school of bigeye snapper We dove South Miniloc, and amongst a big patch of cabbage corals were thousands of bright yellow bigeye snappers, Lutjanus lutjanus.
Snowflake-like ceramic module to make into an artificial reef 
Encrusting "planted" corals after three years Then with the generous approval and support of the El Nido Foundation, WWF Philippines and the dynamic Mayor Leonor Corral, we photographed a highly restricted Coral Reef Restoration Project – an artificial reef made of ceramic modules in Tres Marias, a group of islets in Bacuit Bay.
The beginning of howling winds and squalls - Typhoon Emong passing Typhoon Emong decided we were having way too much sunshine for one day and dampened our week with his presence.
Amazing how they manage to keep their heads together