Palawan with a Kid: All You Need to Know About the Dreaded Malaria

The first thing I Googled when I was planning for our trip was just how prevalent malaria is in Palawan. You know how people have always feared of going there because of that deadly disease. When I told my friends we're going to Palawan, all of them warned me about the killer malaria-carrying mosquitos especially since we're tagging along a 4-year-old.

So being an ultra paranoid mom that I was, I searched the internet for answers. I Here are the things I gathered in my research about Palawan and Malaria:

WHAT IS MALARIA?

Malaria is an infectious disease of tropical countries. It is spread by mosquitoes. It is manifested by fever along with chills and rigors. Unless it is diagnosed and treated promptly, it can be fatal. A single mosquito bite may be enough to cause the infection.

In 2010, according to the World Health Organization, there were 216 million episodes of malaria and 655,000 deaths worldwide. Of these deaths around 91% were seen in the African Region, followed by the South-East Asian Region (6%), and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (3%). About 86% of deaths globally were in children.

NEWS-MEDICAL.NET

IS THERE A VACCINE FOR MALARIA?
None.

ARE THERE ANTI-MALARIA MEDICINES WE CAN TAKE?

Yes. You can take anti-malaria pills. However, people react differently to it. The pill could have bad side effects to your liver so parents are strongly discouraged to let their kids take these pills. Also, the prophylaxis will not make you immune to malaria but will only lower the severity of the disease.

WHEN IS THE SAFEST TIME TO GO?

If you're a paranoid parent like me, it is best to go to Palawan during DRY Season (Nov-May) since malaria-carrying mosquitos are usually found during the rainy season. Not only will you be safer, you'll have peace of mind which is a requirement if you don't want to ruin your Palawan experience.

WHAT PLACES IN PALAWAN ARE MALARIA-INFESTED?
Provincial Gov. Joel T. Reyes said that although malaria was endemic in some places in Palawan, urban areas-including resorts and tourist destinations-were safe… Governor Reyes said the habitat of malaria-carrying mosquitoes was usually found in the remote barangays or villages with dense forest areas, swamps and slow-moving rivers and lakes.

Reyster Langit, Rey Langit's son contracted malaria in Rizal, Palawan, approximately 300 kilometers from the city, when they hiked eight hours into the mountains going to the Tau't Bato area.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO MAKE SURE WE WON'T GET BITTEN?
* Apply Mosquito repellent every six hours but especially during night time because that's the time Malaria-carrying mosquitoes usually bite from dusk 'til dawn.
* Stick DEET stickers to your kids' clothes (and yours, too. why not)
* Sleep in an air-conditioned room
* Bring a mosquito net if you're really that concerned
* Go to Palawan during the dry season (Nov- May)
* Don't go camping in the mountains with your kids. That's where the mosquitoes usually live.

CONCLUSION:
1. If you want a worry-free travel in Puerto Princesa, travel during the dry season (Nov- May).
2. Don't go to remote barangays especially those with dense forest areas, swamps, and slow-moving water.
3. Apply anti-mosquito lotions and follow the other safety tips above.
4. Don't take medicines. The probability of you and your kids getting side effects is much higher compared to you getting bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Palawan with a Kid: Puerto Princesa Underground River

Row,row,row your boat gently down the river, slowly, slowly, slowly please or it will capsize. Boy do I make lame versions of Nursery Rhymes.

But that's pretty much how it was like for an edgy mom to be exploring the Underground River with a hyper 4-year-old tot. That's because one slight movement in the boat and you'll be rocking it. From the dock to the cave, I was an annoying mom, well...more annoying than usual: " Sput, sit down! Please!", "Sput, don't lean!", "Sput, don't keep moving!" while Hugo was just being his usual self, taking pictures and stuff. Geez, what a cool mom, eh? Sure, we had life jackets and hard hats but it's just that I don't want to get wet especially because the water is brown and I did not bring extra clothes. 

When we were finally inside the cave, I was amazed by its grandness (and maybe paranoid with other things like the darkness and bat poo) that I forgot about my fear of the boat capsizing. There was a section in the cave that looks like it's straight out from a National Geographic magazine. I'm not exaggerating. I had to blink a few times because it looked like a 3D rock with the milky way as the backdrop. It took my breath away even though I'm not really into rocks. 

Sput didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, though. I expected she's get a Dora kind of high. She was more concerned of finding spiders inside the cave instead of finding rock formations. What she found entertaining were the silly monkeys we met on our way back to the beach. She also enjoyed playing with new-found-friends at Sabang Beach. So my tip is, don't be like me. Don't be too paranoid while you're exploring the Palawan Underground River because, trust me, the boat won't capsize. If you're thinking of leaving the kids at home and just enjoy Palawan with the hubs, you will regret it because Puerto Prinsesa is one of the kid-friendliest cities in the Philippines. Sure, the Underground River experience might make you nervous but that's just one of the many things to do in Palawan. And if you learn to control your paranoia, then trip would score ten out of ten.

Puerto Princesa Underground River Summary and Tips:

HOW TO GET THERE:

BUDGET:

TIPS:

* Don't go near monkeys. They will bite you.

* Apply Mosquito Repellent every two hours. Let your kids wear those repellent stickers. Palawan is a paradise but it is known for Malaria. Make sure you're protected. 

*Go DIY so you can have your own schedule and pick the resto you want. Details below.

* Let your kids play with the beach kids. That's the kind of experience that will make them grow and it's free.

* Bring a shawl. The sun could get really intense by noontime so make sure your skin is protected. There are batik sarongs sold at P150 in Sabang bu t if you'd rather use that money on something else- like a fresh buko shake- then you know what to do.

*Set one whole day for this. Don't try to squeeze in so many activities in your trip or else you would not enjoy Palawan as much. We left for the Underground River bright and early and we got home to our hostel just before sunset. 

Anawangin with a Kid: Hike to Capones Lighthouse

So after our 4-hour commute and our 4-hour sleep in the hostel, we were so ready to explore the islands. Our tour guides fetched us at the hostel and we rode a tricycle going to the Pundaquit boat station. We rented a big boat  which costs P2,000 inclusive of tour guides and island hopping to Camara and Capones. They offered a smaller boat which only cost P900 but with a 4-year-old girl in tow, I'd rather pay an extra 1K than worry like crazy.

The first island we visited was Camara. There's nothing there worth exploring - just another limestone-y island with trees and sand and pebbles. If you've been to a lot of beaches and islands before, skip this. The boatmen said people only go there to take pictures. Nice. We decided to head to Capones right away.

After fifteen minutes or so, we were face to face with Capones. It's just like Camara except that it's bigger and you can see some people on the shoreline. And unlike Camara, this island has something exciting to offer: the Faro Punta de Capones aka Capones Lighthouse.

The first things we did when we got off our boat was climb this magnificent rock. These huge rocks simply command attention. It's an easy climb even for kids. It only took Sput 30 seconds or less to get to this spot. I assisted her every step of the way, of course, because aside from the obvious reason (safety), the rock has a sandpaper-like texture.

After cam whoring with the rocks for a good 5 minutes, we decided it's time we start our hike to the Capones Lighthouse before the sun gets too intense and turn us into sun-dried raisins. When the tide is high, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the lighthouse but when the tide is low, it takes 45 min to one hour.  The tide was low when we got there so we had to take a longer, more complicated route. I suggest you consider the tides if you plan to hike to the Capones Lighthouse with your kids. It's too much for toddlers. Sput was throwing tantrums on our way back.

First, we climbed a small hill. So easy to climb. Sput was still so giddy and noisy at that time. We instantly saw this unfinished barracks for the Philippine Navy. There was a family having brunch inside and we said hi. They said hi.

We turned left and saw what seemed like an endless path filled with rocks of different shapes and sizes. I took off my slippers, and started walking with Sput. Oh.So.Carefully. 

When I began to get the hang of it, we walked a bit faster...and faster and faster. When I got tired, Hugo took charge. When Sput got tired, we carried her. IT.WAS.NOT.EASY. Maybe because it was our first time or maybe because it really wasn't easy. I can't tell yet. I'll find out once we have another hike.

Good thing I brought this long piece of cloth (I don't know what it's called). It makes piggy-back much easier.

Rest time after 20 minutes of hiking.

Here's the rocky way up to the Capones Light House. We decided to let her climb on her own for 5 minutes since it looks pretty safe. Hopefully, this will teach her independence and quick thinking.

Finally reached the lighthouse. I think Sput was checking her fingernails in this picture. So maarte!

Rusty Spiral staircase of the Capones lighthouse. Do not let your kids touch them. Bring alcohol. 

Father and daughter checking the view from the top

View from the top of Capones Lighthouse

Nicer view from the top of Capones Lighthouse

Sput was asleep on our way back. Poor baby :-(

After the one hour hike, we discovered cuts on her left leg. Just a minor one. 

Knocked down

Tired kid and tired parents. But we were all beaming with happiness when we got on our boat. I recommend this to any parent who wants to introduce their kids to the outdoors. It's a pretty easy hike for beginners.
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SUMMARY OF CAPONES HIKE:
Fun Meter- 4/5
Difficulty Meter - 2/5
What to bring: Water, sunblock, sling cloth to carry the kid, alcohol,biscuits
Challenges: huge rocks, rusty lighthouse
Worth visiting? Definitely!