The plate in front of me looks more like a
miniature Miró sculpture than dinner: fiery
coral, fist-size prawns balanced in geometric
opposition atop alternating layers of olive
green taro leaves and molten-yellow turmeric
rice. The Manila nouveau cuisine hot spot
Bistro Filipino, where I am eating dinner, is
only one day and a few hundred kilometres
away from the simple stewed pork I had in
Buhi, but the contrast couldn't be starker.
Unlike the majority of the country, where
Filipino food is largely a domestic enterprise,
the capital city, a crush of 19 million people
surging inexorably outward across the marshy
lowlands, nurtures a healthy indigenous
restaurant scene. Young chefs trained in
Myrna Contreras
AMA Travel Specialist / PHILIPPINES
One of the Philippines' biggest draws is the
Underground River at Puerto Princesa
Subterranean National Park – recently
named one of the New 7 Wonders of
Nature. To get there, you take a 90-minute
flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, and
then a two-hour bus ride to Sabang Beach.
Once at the beach, jump into a banca boat
(a local outrigger) to get to the Underground
River. You'll need a permit to enter the river
– the best way to get one is through a local
tour operator or travel agent, or your hotel,
as part of a tour package. I stayed at
The Legend Palawan hotel, which has a
travel agency that set up our tour and
permit. While you're in the area, be sure
to check out the city of Puerto Princesa,
with stops at the Crocodile Farm,
Baker's Hill for the views and hopia
pastries, Mitra Ranch for zip lining and
Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
If you enjoy snorkelling, don't miss Honda
Bay or Pandan Island.
Need help planning or booking a trip to the
Philippines? Contact Myrna at 1-888-9898423 or WWTravelSpecialist@ama.ab.ca.
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february 2013
13-01-16 12:00 PM
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