El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, 2024
El Nido opened from the air: a hidden lagoon framed by karst spires, anchored bangkas over a reef-to-deep-water gradient, a palm-lined beach under heavy clouds, scattered islets across a turquoise bay, a golden sand-and-wave abstract, and an inland wetland reflection. A volcanic peak breaking through a sea of clouds on the flight into Palawan, and a string of archipelago aerials, led into a first evening at an island bar: fire-flair bartenders, smoke, and warm terrace light.
The island-hopping days were the heart of the trip: dramatic karst pinnacles towering over boats and snorkelers, a tandem kayak against jagged limestone cliffs, a lone swimmer dwarfed by a sheer rock wall, turquoise lagoons between sheer cliffs, and close abstract details of rock meeting water. Kayakers were framed between cliffs with mountains glimpsed through the gap, and a boat's-bow view headed straight for the islands. A family portrait, a coconut vendor's stall and a golden-lit candid rounded out the days on the water.
Evenings brought a long, glowing run of golden-hour harbour shots: silhouetted bangka fleets, a vivid dusk view of the town's colourful waterfront against limestone cliffs, mountain silhouettes against gradient skies, boat masts and rigging against orange light, and a paddleboarder crossing in front of a loaded tour boat at sunset.
Nacpan Beach brought a change of pace: clean turquoise water framed by rock islets, twin islets and boats under a heavy cloudscape, a wide beach scene with palms and umbrellas, driftwood leading towards the surf, the "I Love Nacpan" sign, and a candid of a sunbather with her dog underneath the lounger.
The trip closed with El Nido at sunset and after dark: a tricycle and street scene, a candlelit sunset dinner, a warm portrait backlit at sunset, a family group at dinner, a smiling market candid, buskers on a night street, a festive "Food Truck" jeepney glowing under string lights, and a close-up of a jeepney's colourful grille. A final Tour C excursion added a set of split-level shots (half above, half below the waterline) of fish schools beneath cave-like overhangs, jagged karst pinnacles, and snorkelers for scale in a hidden lagoon.
