Travel Photography — Banka (pump-boats) Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is the westernmost Region of the Philippines, this island province's largest island is the long (450km) and thin (50km at its widest) island with the same name. Home to some of the world's finest beaches, natural beauty, and marine and land biodiversity; my family and I went looking for relaxation and a bit of culture.
I hadn't been to the Philippines since a 1991 month-long overland trip from Manilla to the tiny, but beautiful, Island of Camiguin -- a mere 10km from Mindanao. Philippines didn't disappoint then, nor does it now. Although my Nikon FM2 was stolen from under my cot that I was sharing with a Lufthansa stewardess on a crowded ship (yes, I've always wanted to write that), I still came out with many rolls of film. My favorite photos from that trip were of the ubiquitous bangka outrigger boats that could be seen plying the seas everywhere.
This was a family trip, but I still gave myself a bit of a focus; the traditional bangka, also called pump boats.
Sunset at beach in Coron, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
A banka (pump-boat) floats in El Nido sunset, Palawan, Philippines
Fisherman sits on a banka (pump-boat) in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Banka (pump-boat) ‘Orange Pearl’ floats in clear water off Coron in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Starfish and banka (pump-boat) near El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines
Fishermen on banka (pump-boat) in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Palm trees, beach, bankas (pump-boats) and Turtle Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Setting sun casts Coconut shadow across tropicla beach in Palawan
Tropical palms trees shade resort beach huts and Swimming Pool
Beached banka (pump-boat) catches tropical afternoon light, Palawan, Philippines
Beach hut and palm trees on Tropical ocean resort, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Coconut Palm Grove, Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines
Banka (pump-boat) on beach with tropical sunset backdrop, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Romantic table for two on wharf overlooking cape at sunset, Palawan, Philippines
Banka (pump-boat);and tropical sunset, Palawan, Philippines
Banka (pump-boat), Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines
Pontoon Boat at night, Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines
Banka (pump-boat), Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines
Cape in tropical sunset glow. Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines
amazing shot..
Incredible shots! The second last is my favourite!
Thank you!
Rich Matheson,
I am writing a novel for National Novel Writing Month and my novel is set in the Philippines. I am wondering if you would allow me to use the photograph entitled:
“Pontoon Boat at night, Coron, Palawan Island, Philippines”
for an independent printing for my family and friends. I write a lot about my character laying out on a boat for sunset and watching the stars peep through the colorful clouds. Your shot of the pump boat and the starry sunset is the ideal image for my novel. I would greatly appreciate the gesture, but I also understand if you cannot oblige. I have never visited the Philippines but your imagery is breathtaking and exceeds the capacity of my imagination. Thank you for sharing.
Sincerely,
Austin Shemenski
Hi Austin,
Thank you for the kind words!
Please use the photo for an independent printing for your family and friends, and thank you for asking.
Kind Regards,
Rich
[…] Sweet photography, eh? There’s more on Mr. Matheson’s site. […]
Hello Rich! Planning to go to Coron this Thursday. If you don’t mind. Where was that romantic dinner located? Your reply would be of great help in my plans to throw a surprise romantic birthday party for my husband.
Thank you.
Many thanks,
Melissa
Hi Melissa, This is the place: http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Dolarog_Beach_Resort.htm
good shots and particularly the fisherman ,and we miss the romantic table place..keep it secret!
that was a pleasure meeting you,we will meet us for sure in another place of the world!
a bientôt
Djamal
Thanks, Djamal. Great to meet you as well!
Wow, stunning images of bankas and Palawan. The bankas in Boracay are not as ornate but still fun. Hope to get to Palawan next time.
Thanks, make a bee line for El Nido and Coron if you go!