It was after we, Dong Ho and I, had the unfortunate event of not seeing the Katala’s of Nar ra, Palawan in Borbon Beach. We were walking towards the Panacan Port to the line of tricycles there so we could go back to our lodging. Along the beach we saw this strip of what looked like riprap of rocks from afar and could not figure out what was it. When we got nearer we found out that it was a port. A more lively one than the Panacan Port we saw the day before.
Old Panacan Port
Upon entering the port, there were strips of bamboo elevated where bamboo mats are placed. These are used for drying fishes or what we locally call daing.
Elevated bamboos for drying fishes
Bamboo mats for drying fishes
Then there were a group of men who were standing on the side of the wall and throwing thin nylon cords to the seawater below. They were fishing. When we got close, I got curious on what they use for bait. Apparently they use the soft meat of hermit crabs to lure fishes to the hooks.
Line fishers
Moving forward one can see the degradation of this port. It was old and slowly withering away.
We walked further and on both sides of the port there were pathways that are elevated while in the middles level did not change. But the further we went the less activity was being done.
I talked to the locals, most of them were just there because of the great scenery and fresh air. I took a few pictures and seeing that I had already taken a good amount of photos, the local that I was talking to said to me that we should stay put as a fishing boat was about to arrive while pointing to the sea.
Fishing boat
Arrival of the fishing boat
Containers with fishes being unloaded
then carried by two men on a bamboo stick
And piled for delivery to their respective buyers
Watching the trade from above
Empty containers were brought up to the boat
While others below are still trading
When all the containers with fishes were down a group of empty containers were brought back up. At the same time, people slowly faded away going back to their daily routines.
We continued walking until we reached the line of tricycles near the New Panacan Port. We rode one (15 Pesos/person) for us to be sent to our lodging, AR Pension. After a quick rest, we ate late breakfast, rode a Lexus Shuttle Van back to Puerto Princesa for Dong Ho to catch his flight back to Manila.