Vote for Palawan's Underground River as One of the New Seven Wonders of the World!

Image Courtesy of amog.com

The nominees for the New 7 Wonders of the World are up and thePalawan Underground River (also known as the St. Paul Subterranean River) has been picked as one of the 28 international nominees - which include renowned bets like the Grand Canyon in Utah, the Amazon in South America, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Yay!

Image Courtesy of lovethesepics.com

Spanning five miles in length, the Palawan Underground River is the world'slongest navigable underground river. Part of it is housed inside the St. Paul Cave, the Philippine's third deepest cave. The cave is the site of a recently discovered 20-million year old sea cow fossil and a crystal forest. It also leads to a dense wooded forest that serves as a habitat for various bird and mammal species. It is probably best known for being one of the most diverse karst systems in the world, holding various distinct stalactite and stalagmite formations (including a figure of the Virgin Mary).

Image Courtesy of filipinaexplorer.blogspot.com

Dear readers, you have up to November 11, 2011 to vote online! Participants are required to pick seven of their favorites. I really do hope that you take the time to check out this UNESCO World Heritage Site online and include it in your list. Better yet, go head out to Palawan and experience its spellbinding awe yourself!

Fellow Pinoys, this is a chance for you to help uplift tourism in our country. If we get chosen, this will encourage more visitors to come to Palawan, and would help give more jobs to those Palawenos who rely on tourism for income. So cast your votes now! Below is the link for the online voting site:

http://www.new7wonders.com/archives/wonder/puerto-princesa-underground-river

http://www.new7wonders.com/

Kapusan Beach of Cuyo, Palawan

The wonderful sun set beach of Cuyo, the Kapusan Beach, the island of exotic foods, beautiful mountains and hospitable people. One of the great destination in summer here in Province of Palawan, Philippines. Cuyo is one of the colonies during the Spaniards Occupation.

Plitvice Lakes National Park of Croatia

Our next selection is largely unknown to tourists from the United States, and perhaps that makes it even more precious. The limestone caves of the Plitvice Lakes National Park make the water of its 16 lakes and a handful of waterfalls shimmer brilliant shades of turquoise, silver and green. And to get a better view the lakes' beauty, you'll find a web of wooden plank walkways scattered throughout. But note that there is no true best or worst season to stop by this site in central Croatia. Snow and ice transforms the area into a winter wonderland; in summer the surrounding trees further enhance the hues of the lake water. If at all possible, though, avoid the onslaught of local tourists in July and August.

Taj Mahal

Molded out of red sandstone and white marble, and sparkling with the glint of semi-precious stones, this mausoleum of northeastern India needs no justification to appear on our list. Frommer's says, "It's not just the perfect symmetry, the ethereal luminescence, the wonderful proportions, or the sheer scale," that makes us revere the Taj Mahal. It's also "the exquisite detailing covering every inch of marble that justifies it as a wonder of the world." Its amorous background also feeds our admiration: It was commissioned by a 17th century Mughal emperor to honor the memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Consider planning a trip for sometime between October and March to behold Taj's majestic domes, chambers and minarets; that way the weather will be somewhat cooler for walking around. If you have time, stay from the early morning until the late night, as "the radiance of the Taj under the moonlight is beyond any explanation," notes TajMahal.org.uk.

The Great Barrier Reef of Australia

Australia's luscious islands, cays and coral reef system of the Great Barrier Reef are awesome in scope and visuals -- in fact, this reef covers more of the world than any other entry on our list (approximately 135,000 square miles; the only living thing visible from outer space). All who encounter even a small portion of this gorgeous giant are dazzled by its aquamarine waters and honeycomb beaches. Even more beauty awaits you below the water surface: a maze of more than 2,900 spectacular coral reefs and countless marine life. Come to this area just off the coast of Queensland between June and October, so you can avoid the worst of Australia's oppressive heat.

Borobudur of Indonesia

The true origins of this impressive Buddhist monument, located in central Java, are somewhat disputed. According to the UNESCO World Heritage website, theBorobudur temple was founded by a Saliendra dynasty king sometime between 750 and 842 A.D. Still, you don't need a definitive history lesson to fully appreciate its grandeur. Just feast your eyes on its intricately sculpted gray-stone relief panels (slats of stone carved with artwork to depict the life of Buddha) and the perfectly symmetrical stupas (mound-shaped structures containing Buddhist relics). They're even more precious due to their resilience: Borobudur is still gorgeous despite nearby bombings and volcanic eruptions. Try to visit in May; that's when the air is supposedly the cleanest in Java. And plan your trek at sunrise or sunset to witness how the light catches the stupas' perforations.

Grand Canyon of USA

We have to root a little for the home team. And here in the United States, the astonishing depths and incredible sunsets of the Grand Canyon make it a shoe-in on this list. Plus you can enjoy the scenery while you work up a sweat, hiking the rigorous Bright Angel Trail or rafting the Colorado River. As President Theodore Roosevelt famously noted, this park is "one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, must see." Many take Teddy up on his word -- so if you want to explore this northern Arizona park, we suggest you avoid the staggering crowds of the summer. Consider visiting between March and May or September and November, when the weather is pleasant and the lodging rates are reasonable.