The (Anti-)Solo Traveler Diaries (PPUR+ Edition): Honda Bay Through Frosted Lens

Just a test shot for the camera with waterproof casing installed

First and foremost, this entry is entitled as such because of the quality of photos taken during our fourth day in Palawan. Here's why:

On our way to Honda Bay, we passed by a stall which offers rental of different equipment such as snorkels, life vests, and camera cases. Yes, camera cases that permits its user to shoot underwater. Of course the teachers can't miss the chance to 'preserve in pictures' what they may see underwater. However, rental is pretty expensive, so they chose to rent just one, and have one of the cameras take shots underwater. That chosen camera was ours -- a Sony W510.

We stopped at a dock, where the 'island hopping' boat is waiting for us.

Frosty smile

Another frosty smile

First Stop: Pambato Reef

Group shot after an orientation prior to the snorkel dive

In full snorkel gear. Looks awful, but gotta do this for safety's sake

The place was literally a reef -- no sand bar or whatsoever, just a floating hut that serves as mini-visitors' center-slash-resting place for snorkelers. But never mind what's above the water -- this place is all about what's underneath.

And I must say, the corals are breathtaking.

It's a fish! (wait, what kind of fish?)

This looks splendid!

Wow, corals!

Some more corals

This orange-colored coral looks amazing.

More fishes

This is what Pambato Reef is famous for: the blue corals.

The blue corals are bluer than the deep blue sea

Note: Some of the shots are taken by our guide in the reef, as some of them are too deep for us to reach. Guides like them are trained to dive deeper (but no more than the maximum limit of a person to dive using a snorkel), and so they are also the ones which tourists ask to take pictures of the corals.

Last stop: Pandan Island

This island is one of the main stops in Honda Bay, where people have their picnics. The island is named as such because of the sea grass underneath its waters, which looks exactly like pandan leaves. Aside from that, and some few fishes here and there, there's nothing much in this island.

Lola's most fab beach shot

Striped fishes flocking towards the pandan-like sea grass.

Was that a clown fish? (Nemo, is that you?)

Except perhaps for some starfishes that you may chance upon.

Different kinds of starfish. I can't remember whose hand was taken here.

Starfish underwater

Starfishes' special feature -- their suction-like feet that helps them open mollusks for food.

I say this was our last stop because we were supposed to visit a few more islands at the Bay, but issues came along the way. Too bad, because I heard that the other islands are equally breathtaking.

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So that is where my Palawan adventure ends. It actually ended the day after this Honda Bay adventure, but for the most part it was just our return flight back to Manila.

I hope you guys enjoy two of my travel chronicles. I might go back to the more thought-provoking topics next time, but for those who have been looking forward to my travel stories, I'll post as soon as my next adventure happens. (Clue: it's my first out-of-country trip!)