Palawan Island: the Underground River

One of the must-sees on Palawan Island is the underground river, one of the longest in the world and a heritage site. We signed up for a tour with an agency near our hostel, which picked us up promptly 45 minutes late at 645 AM, then took us on a runaround to the permit office, and then drove us all over the island (or so it seemed) picking up everyone else. I was not to be deterred though.
After taking the bus across the island, we arrived to the launching area. There, we hung out for a bit and had lunch. Then we hopped on this little boat and headed to the mouth of the underground river.

Many boats were there, chilling, while their passengers went into the river.

We had to look really cool to go into the underground river itself. Being aegyo was just a plus!

me and Amanda, posing

The area around the opening of the river was insanely beautiful. The water was so green and clear, and the light filtered through the cliffs and vegetation.

Coming out of the caves was also very beautiful. Does this look like the typical "tropics" photo, or what?
(I didn't get any really good pictures inside the cave: it was dark, and I hadn't brought my good camera because I didn't want to drop it in the water. Do check the link in the first description to see what I saw inside!)

where pure spring water meets the sea

cliffs and boats

There were monkeys everywhere, and also signs warning you that the monkeys, essentially, would eff you up. Sure enough, I watched a monkey work her way slowly into our tour guide's bag, who realized it too late and could only respond by flailing her bag about and shrieking "MONKEY" at the top of her lungs. The monkey hung on until it managed to steal some food, and then calmly hopped off and walked a few meters away, where it sat in the middle of the walkway and gave the stink eye to anyone hoping to pass. That monkey was a boss.

Of course there were adorable stray dogs all over the launch point, including this sweetie.