Palawan consistently appears on "world's best islands" lists, and after spending time here, I understood why. This slender island, fringed with the longest underground river on the planet, surrounded by limestone karst formations that belong in Chinese ink paintings, is simply extraordinary.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River astounded me – paddling into a cave system where stalactites and stalagmites formed cathedral-like chambers, with bats and swiftlets nesting overhead. Nature carved these galleries over millions of years, and floating through them felt like entering another world entirely.

El Nido, at the northern tip, exceeded every expectation. Scooter-ing along cliff-lined roads to remote beaches, I discovered hidden lagoons accessible only by swimming through narrow openings in the rock. The water clarity was absurd – seeing the bottom at 30 feet depth made me question whether I was floating on water or air.

Local fishermen shared their boats and their stories, pointing out eagles, bringing me coconuts straight from the tree. Palawan remains unspoiled, and I hoped it stays that way. Some treasures are worth preserving.

– Carmel