Puerto Princesa: Iwahig Firefly tour

When I went to a vacation or a place, as much as possible I want to try and experience everything the destination have to offer. That is why we almost missed our flight back home, but if you think about the plane fare, accommodation and other expenses, you yourself would want to maximize your limited time.

I once read that effective blogging is writing your experience while it is fresh and having a journal to write down the details is helpful. So did I follow it? Let's just say I just read it recently. :)

Dock area - I am real bad at low light

Last August when we visit Puerto Princesa, I did not missed the chance to experience the now famous Iwahig Firefly Tour. The experience was just amazing that I couldn't just remember the details now. So I just did a bullet points of what I can remember :)

• The tour cost us Php800 per pax - Transpo, boat and entrance fee
• It was 45min drive from the city but our driver was just crazy did it with 20mins
• The docking station is a century old Balete tree
• The boat can only hold a max of 3 persons + 1 guide, it is mandatory to wear your life vest
• The ride is more than 3km (back and forth)
• River is made up of brackish water - my favorite learning - a mixture of fresh and salt water
• Be prepared for total darkness while cruising the boat. Imagine Lake Placid? And I also asked if there are crocodiles, tour guide says he wouldn't be there if one has ever been seen.
• It is best to go on a not full moon, because the moonlit interferes with the light of the fireflies
• Fireflies are bioluminescence - their abdomen light when they breath and it is their way to attract a mate. 
• Why do they light? Because of the chemical reaction in their bodies, our tour guide gave me the combination of formula but I couldn't remember a thing he said.
• Fireflies are natural indicators of a healthy environment
• They are sensitive with red light
• Fireflies are choosy when it comes to mangroves, they only like a particular specie of mangroves called Nilad. Tour guide says Manila was once full of Nilad mangroves, that is why it was named Maynilad. - Imagine that?
• Our tour guide, which I also forgot the name, is a volunteer residence from Iwahig. He was really good at giving information and explaining things. His parents are employees in the Iwahig Penal Colony
• Iwahig Penal Colony is the Alcatraz of the Philippines, but the prisoners are free to roam around.
• Planktons can also be seen in the river and they lit too, but we were not able to see it because of the rainy weather.

 Yey! I still remember things but next time I want to practice having a travel journal to be more accurate and specific. You see, traveling is one of the best way to learn!

Definitely not a firefly, saw this injured Dragonfly at the inn