Entrance to the Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for being the only national park in the country with a thick tropical forest cover within the city. Its unique merits have also earned itself a nomination in the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and the Philippines’ pride and bet.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinct feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave. ~ excerpt from my article, Puerto Princesa and its river flowing under, published in Mabuhay Magazine, April 2009)
Mabuhay Magazine April 2009 cover story by Jojie Alcantara
The Scene Stealer 