Blog # 13: Caron (Palawan) - Philippines

                       Blog # 13: Caron (Palawan) - Philippines

Greeted by a high school marching band: They were loud, energetic and good!

This is the type of musical group that would be invited to participate in the Rose Bowl parade

The first part of the day was to tour a "picturesque" fishing village

As we entered the town, we began to question the "picturesque" aspect

            Some sort of central processing facility for the fish
                         Not the most modern outrigger

    The entire boardwalk is filled with fish drying out in the sun

                                      Sorting the day's catch

Check out the large cardboard box and poster: Chesterfield? Name from the past

                                Packaging is the next step

                            Ready to be shipped to other islands

                                    One of the main streets

                        Most homes are open to the elements

                                                                    Local store

Family take off shoes before entering home. However, the house is still open to the elements

                    The local inhabitants are very poor

           A rough, dusty and bumpy road takes us to the next stop

               The island has a thermal area which draws tourists

We didn't realize it's possible to go in and enjoy the different >100 F degrees pool temperatures

                        We didn't bring a bathing suit. Oh well...                                                     The bad road continues

                                   More evidence of the poverty

                    The area was recently hit by a large typhoon

                Many homes could not withstand the harsh storm

The other side of the island has a relatively good road that goes to a "Wet Market." It's not the same type of "Wet Market" as was in Wuhan, China (Covid).

                                        Vendors sold fish...

                                             Sell produce...

                                                    Meat..

                                            Salted eggs...

And other items. This woman is taking fresh coconuts and is grinding the meat away from the husk.

These jeep-type vehicles are used as taxis. It's a cheap way to get around the island

                           The island also exports cashews

                Mother nurses her child as she processes the nuts

Lots of manual, tedious work. These people "may" earn one dollar an hour.

                                     No child labor laws?

    Each cashew nut has several steps to reach the point it can be eaten

  Some nuts are processed and sweetened with sugar. Other nuts are favored or seasoned with other ingredients

This woman is making a basket with hopes that a tourist will buy one