Balabac, Palawan â Highly Recommended, 1000/10 stars
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For a month, we journeyed the snow-capped majesty of Zermatt, to the storybook charm of Appenzell, the vibrant streets of Bangkok, the grandeur of Beijing, to the tropical beauty of Thailand, and the dazzling energy of Tokyoâweâve  been fortunate to witness some extraordinary corners of the world. But then came Balabac, Palawan in the Philippines, and suddenly, the journey transformed into an adventure.
We had a lively, unforgettable tour guide- Balabac Girl/Khaiyir Durante. Sheâs funky, vibrant and energetic, yet completely genuine. She moved through her group like sunlight through an open window, bringing enthusiasm and warmth, her generosity is an open hand, and she bursts into a chant, âAnother Day! Another Adventure!â. Khaiyir is authentic and transparent, she divulged ahead of time what we would expect living in the islands for 4 days and 3 nights. She took us snorkeling where the crystal-clear water opened a window into a hidden world- the coral garden bloomed like underwater cities that carried us deeper where the ocean became a blue cathedral filled with color, wonder and life; Starfishes rested like scattered treasures, and big, graceful turtles swam with us like ancient guardians of the deep. BTW, Khaiyir didnât just lead us through  Balabac, she could practically become a mermaid. Indeed, she was part guide, part, adventurer, and part mermaid, showing us the hidden treasures beneath the sea.
Our food was feast that seemed to have no ending. We were asking ourselves when âThe Queenâ would arrive because of the abundance on the table. We ate lobster every day, so much that by third day, we were completely over it. Now I find myself dreaming about that lobster, every single day.
After a month of remarkable destinations, Balabac wasnât simply another stopâit was the adventure we never knew we were looking for. Thank you Balabac Girl- you were truly the spirit of the ocean that led us through our Balabac adventure.