Project 7

---------------------------------------------------------- Palawan Samadhi Project--------------------------------------------------

This is an overall view from the north end of the farm, showing one of the fields with a few banana mini-plantations in the foreground, one of the many buildings near the center and rising up to the ridge in the far back just under the blue sky. The picture above shows a zoomed in shot of the ridge that marks the boundary of the 50 hectare addition to the farm. That ridge is one kilometer away and creates a horseshoe or semi-circle area which contains several waterfalls and one of the few remaining jungle sanctuaries with huge trees and diversified wildlife. (No Tigers)

This sustainable yogic environment is being non-developed in a way that does not change what it is into an air-conditioned humanly civilized condo unit. Seeing that nature has sustained us for so many millions of years, we choose to live in harmony with it, studying her ways, eating the fruits provided, breathing the rich air while walking the trails between waterfalls. The lifestyle is natural, with the addition of moderate and clean technology that does not pollute nor harm the natural balance of life. From solar power to composting toilet systems to organic coffee, the additions to nature are all supportive of a yoga lifestyle devoid of the high stresses of modern civilization.

Details. . .

Here is a shot of David's hillside below his house, being built to the left of this picture. Below is a level area where various types of bananas are growing as well as a large variety of other fruits and vegetables: pineapple, coconut, papaya, coffee, avocado, string beans, lady finger, cucumber, watermelon, squash, pumpkin, cashew, guet potato (local) and kasaba (another potato) eggplant, gabi (veg), kangkong (spinach), mung beans, and a few others

This is another shot of another farm area of the proposed Project 7. It was used for pasture land for horses when they were here and is now used for growing various food crops.

Cora has been living on this farm for years and experimenting with plant life. Her results have shown that most everything can grow here from every variety of banana to avocado trees, papaya, guava, mango, lime (calamansi) etc. She has also grown other foods like letuce and even strawberies. All of these are organic.

Some of the terrain and buildings on Harold's farm part of the Palawan Samadhi property.

Here is one of the creeks that meanders across the land.

This creek as it comes on to the level farmland towards the back.

Three of the creeks we explored during our two hour hike became cascading waterfalls going further and further up into the jungle - all contained within the 50 hectare parcel that is attached to the farm.

The cascading effect went up and away for hundreds of meters. Both sides of each creek were lined with huge trees towering up into the sky.

Here is one of the trails through the 50 hectares leading to a buildable area. The trails are old loging trails that were used years ago to haul out some of the hardwood trees once harvested there. The loging was halted years ago but the trials remain as good roads to get around the area. This part of the project is delayed due to difficulty attaining a title for the property. Other properties are legally titled.
	One of the many bamboo stands that grow in the area. The bamboo also makes a great resource as building material which is fast to replenish itself. The local builders are amazingly creative with this material, capable of building an entire house out of it.

Here is one of the trails through the 50 hectares leading to a buildable area. The trails are old loging trails that were used years ago to haul out some of the hardwood trees once harvested there. The loging was halted years ago but the trials remain as good roads to get around the area. This part of the project is delayed due to difficulty attaining a title for the property. Other properties are legally titled.

One of the many bamboo stands that grow in the area. The bamboo also makes a great resource as building material which is fast to replenish itself. The local builders are amazingly creative with this material, capable of building an entire house out of it.

The rock carving effect of the falling water has created many pools that invite you to jump in and cool off.

One of the building sites between the creeks presently being cleared has an area of about 1600 square meters (14,400 square feet). This is large enough for 4 of 5 nice houses with yards and the view from that bench takes in the valley below and the ocean behind it. Pictures coming...

As this is the first area to be cleared we are calling it Area 1; the flat area is surrounded by some gentle slopes which could also be inhabited by homes with million dollar views.

Ashton is shown here standing on the trail going up to Area 1, at this point the trail is going through another beautiful area - to be cleared and named later.

Another view of Area 1 during the first hour of clearing. Of course it takes some effort to tame this wild jungle enough to make it feel comfortable to humans, this is called development and in this case there are natural rules of development which will be guided by sustainability.

This area has cascading waterfalls in the ravines on both sides.

Typically this is regarded as a "native style house" built from local materials and to any style you wish. The locals don't build them to be mosquito proof but that is easily added to the design with available screening. One of the great things about these is the cost effectiveness. This one with three rooms and a nice deck was under a thousand dollars. It is located down beside the creek below David's hill for his caretaker.

Along the descent of one of the waterfalls, water slides have been created in a few places.

You could just dive down into that pool like Tarzan.

Towards the upper end of the falls (only because we ran out of climbing steam), we could see taller falls going up as high as we could see.

Some of the land already purchased in this project includes the beach below, then there are many beaches to visit, swim at or even buy if you wish.

	FDM Beach. Approx. 2 acres of beautiful beach with crystal clear waters, some level building land and rising ground after that. The eastern border is a fresh water creek.
	This Charming piece of beach property is presently owned by Frank, David and Marina (FDM). There is a tentative plan to build a Yoga Sala here for classes; it is a ten minute walk from the village of Port Barton where various resorts and bungalows are available.

The beaches in and around Port Barton are some of the nicest tropical beaches in the world. Fine white silica sand merging down into warm peaceful waters that very gradually get deeper as you walk out along the solt bottom.

Here are a couple of scenes of Port Barton beach. There are properties available right on the beach and in the village.

This view is from the south end looking northeast.

This is where I took the above picture from. Beach itself is fine sand, going gradually down into the water with no rocks. Visibility at the beach is not always as good as at the ends or farther out. Excellent swimming at high or low tide.

One of the lots for sale on the beach, price unknown at the moment.
Some of the locals are pretty serious looking but all friendly.

Next to David's inland property is an 8 hectare parcel with an ocean view similar to this. It has some flat land, hills and a creek.

Price on this was 1 million Pesos or $20,000 US

But, I just talked to the owner and this has been re-evaluated at 2-3 million but negotiable.

In the forground are the solar panels which have proven adequate for running water pump, cement mixer, fridge, lights, stereo, washing machine and computer, leading to a comfortable lifestyle on the hilltop in the jungle. Behind the panels is David's temporary "cubo" (native style hut) with the second floor open to the breeze; there is a nice view of the ocean from up there. To the left is the bathroom with compost toilet, great shower, washing area and washing machine. The building is made from soil it is standing on, red clay molded into bricks.

These are some of the other land parcels on Palawan Island

Beb's Island

This Property is across the bay from Port Barton; very private and about 15 minutes away by boat. It is actually not an island but out on the tip of the peninsula that swings out around the bay from Barton. The beach is a couple of hundred meters long and the property goes back up from the beach at least a hundred meters. There is a proposed road going around to it - maybe there is a trail now.

Price on this parcel is 2 million or $43,478

Beach has some rocks but lots of fine sand with very clear water. You can swim out from the beach to go snorkeling.

Here is a 3 hectare piece on the outskirts of Puerto Princessa with the view looking towards the city several K away.

This one is up there in price at 9 million pesos or $195,652

The property is grassy, partly flat, with some slope and a few trees. Great spot for a yoga center near town.

	There are a variety of beach properties available on the east coast along the road to Port Barton. Prices start from 1 million pesos.
	Another view of the eastern shoreland.

There are a couple of islands available on the West coast just to the south of Port Barton. I have not yet checked them out but one is 40 hectares and selling for 60 million - This is the whole island and has a legal title. The second one is 120 hectares and available for 120 million, 1 million per hectare, but no title. It comes with a special use permit.