Secrets of Puerto Princesa's Underground River
Some people would question why the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) was chosen as one of the seven new wonders of nature when there are caves that are more beautiful than the PPUR. To them, it's just a river that runs through a cave. To the judges, selection of the seven wonders of nature are based on the following:
- unique beauty - the Puerto Princesa Underground River has unique cave formations from secondary minerals that have unique genetic and aesthetic features, i.e. egg-shaped formations
- diversity and distribution - the PPUR is part of a complex karst system that shelters bats, swallows, snakes, fishes, crustaceans, insects, and other micro organisms and marine life
- ecological significance - the PPUR has distinct ecosystems: the estuarine ecosystem, the underground ecosystem, and the forest ecosystem that it supports
- historical legacy - the forest and estuary that the PPUR supports have been sources of food, shelter and livelihood for the locals. Through the PPUR, it enjoins the Filipino people to conserve their natural heritage.
- geo-location - the PPUR was the sole candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature from the Philippines
Most of all, it was never altered by humans. Altering the cave's environment will change, or even destroy, the ecosystems within. Tourists who complain that it is dark inside and should have some sources of light generated by electricity are clearly missing the point. It can't be adjudged as a natural wonder when there are man-made contraptions attached. The promotion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River is not merely as a tourist attraction but is a way of aiding people in appreciating nature's wonders and raise awareness about its conservation.
To biologists, geologists, speleologists, and archaeologists, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (as it is officially called) is something more. Apart from meeting the criteria, analysis of the karsts found in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River gives insights into the planet's evolution. It also preserved the fossils of a 20-year-old Miocene age sea mammal -- a sea cow to be exact. The presence of the bats and swallows gave rise to the discovery of serrabrancaite within the cave. Serrabrancaite is a mineral formed by guano with the help of water and hardened by the cave's climate. More importantly, the cave has so far yielded 11 kinds of minerals where other caves only have less than three. This has led a mineralogist to label the Puerto Princesa Underground river as a true "mineralogical jewel case."
Getting to the PPUR can be done by taking a banca from Sabang or trekking through the jungle. The latter allows you to witness birds and other animals in the wild. When you're in the jungle, please don't feed the animals. If you do, you'll be interfering with their feeding habits. Remember, you're not in a zoo or theme park. By the time you'll be waiting for your turn to enter the cave, you'll be glad you had some time waiting so you could rest awhile after a long and challenging trek. You can also take the time to drink in the trees.
Nature lovers might also want to take the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour which is situated in the Sabang area or trek to Sabang Waterfalls. You can also get to Salakot Waterfalls down south of the city proper. Culture vultures, on the other hand, can visit the Palawan Museum, Palawan State University Museum, Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, Palawan Heritage Center, and the Ethnographic Museum. History buffs can check out Plaza Cuartel along Taft Street and Palawan Special Battalion WW2 Memorial Museum.
If you have more days to spend in Puerto Princesa, you can expend your energy climbing at Ugong Rock or exploring Daylight Hole which is still part of the St. Paul karst system. Island hoppers can spend their time at any of the islands on Honda Bay, with lunch served fresh by the beach.
To biologists, geologists, speleologists, and archaeologists, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (as it is officially called) is something more. Apart from meeting the criteria, analysis of the karsts found in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River gives insights into the planet's evolution. It also preserved the fossils of a 20-year-old Miocene age sea mammal -- a sea cow to be exact. The presence of the bats and swallows gave rise to the discovery of serrabrancaite within the cave. Serrabrancaite is a mineral formed by guano with the help of water and hardened by the cave's climate. More importantly, the cave has so far yielded 11 kinds of minerals where other caves only have less than three. This has led a mineralogist to label the Puerto Princesa Underground river as a true "mineralogical jewel case."
Getting to the PPUR can be done by taking a banca from Sabang or trekking through the jungle. The latter allows you to witness birds and other animals in the wild. When you're in the jungle, please don't feed the animals. If you do, you'll be interfering with their feeding habits. Remember, you're not in a zoo or theme park. By the time you'll be waiting for your turn to enter the cave, you'll be glad you had some time waiting so you could rest awhile after a long and challenging trek. You can also take the time to drink in the trees.
Nature lovers might also want to take the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour which is situated in the Sabang area or trek to Sabang Waterfalls. You can also get to Salakot Waterfalls down south of the city proper. Culture vultures, on the other hand, can visit the Palawan Museum, Palawan State University Museum, Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, Palawan Heritage Center, and the Ethnographic Museum. History buffs can check out Plaza Cuartel along Taft Street and Palawan Special Battalion WW2 Memorial Museum.
If you have more days to spend in Puerto Princesa, you can expend your energy climbing at Ugong Rock or exploring Daylight Hole which is still part of the St. Paul karst system. Island hoppers can spend their time at any of the islands on Honda Bay, with lunch served fresh by the beach.
A Different Kind of Nightlife
You may be used to partying at bars, nightclubs, pubs, or dance clubs, but in Puerto Princesa, there's a different kind of nightlife. In this kind of nightlife, you can appreciate the glows of fireflies in their habitat. In addition to facts about fireflies, the guide/lecturer-cum-navigator will tell you about the constellations and the bioluminescent planktons found in the river. Consider it an educational tour, not only for your tots, but for yourselves as well. Time spent amidst the wonders of nature is good not only for the health of children, but is also linked to a better worldview of nature. Likewise, it is good for the mental, emotional and psychological development of children. Enjoy this educational tour at the Iwahig Firefly Watching Ecotourism and Wildlife Park.