1 post tagged “palawan”

I was able to visit Puerto Princesa City, Palawan a few days ago. I had a blast and definitely was the highlight of my summer. I learned that despite knowing how to swim, I still had an itzy-bitsy fear of water. And because of my hazy memory, I have to write it down here before the little details fly away.

                                                                  Day 1- AT FIRST SIGHT

       We had an 8:40 flight and we were at the airport by 6:15. Pretty early, huh? I was seated on 8A, a window seat! Cheers! It was sooo cold at the airport and I was only in sandals and shorts and shirt and I forgot my jacket but in the plane was a lot warmer. The flight was around an hour and fifty minutes but it was okay. I don’t have motion sickness or some sort like that so everything went fine. When we came at the airport which was a domestic one only, there were lots of tourists who came with us. By the way, it was the first airport that I saw tall grasses on the runway’s sides. The inn we stayed had a service which picked us up. It was only a few minutes drive and finally I had the first glimpse of the city. We were at the hotel, or I’d rather call it pension house, by 11. We didn’t waste any time so we booked for that day’s city tour at 1pm. So we were the first when the coaster came. They even actually had to wait for a few minutes because we were still having lunch. We picked up the guests at the other hotels then we painted the town. J The first stop was the Crocodile Farm and as expected, ang daming crocodiles. J There was a nature park in the farm but we didn’t go there because it was so muddy. Then my favorite part was next, photoshoot! With the park’s highlight, crocodiles. But it was just a small one and the guide was saying that of we want a photo with a crocodile with a rubberband-ed mouth, that would be an extra charge and the one with none would be for free. Nice one, kuya! Photo ops were limited for 3 to 5 but I had 13. Blessed me! Their skin actually felt do dry and because they rarely move, it felt like a huge toy. When we got to the coaster, it rained so hard. The next stop was the Iwahig Penal Colony which sells souvenirs made by the inmates themselves. They even sell their uniforms. J After that we went to Mitra’s Ranch which was a resthouse for a political figure in the city and it was shaped like a cockpt from afar but it has a great view of St. Peter’s (?) mountain (which has the Underground River inside) and the awesome Honda Bay. A perfect place for jump shots pero nahiya ako eh. :)) Next was the prime seller of for me was the best hopia, especially the ube one, ever! Bakers’ Hill with big, cartoonlike statues for phototaking. I remember there was also a soooo cute flower pot whatever. Had my photo taken kahit na bawal mag-step sa grass. Sorry, turista eh.:)

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The last place we went to was the Binuatan Weaving. I forgot the real name of this place but it’s where I tried weaving. I did only four strips. We were dropped at the tiangges where we bought the must have pasalubongs. There weren’t much to see here but still, I bought the must have keychains. J The guide said that the pension house we stayed was just near that we could just walk from the tiangge. Turned out that the near he was referring to was almost two to three blocks away. Perfect for our haggard mood add to that the fact the most streets in Palawan were hilly.

                                                         Day 2- TREASURE UNEARTHED

 Anyone who comes to Palawan surely had experienced this day. We went to visit the now world-renowned Underground River. Though it was on the same city, it was still a two hour drive of zigzags and hills from the city proper. Had to be ready before the clock stroke 6:30 but the service came at 7. So we drove and drove more until we stopped at some viewing deck along the way for some great view of the St. Paul’s mountain and the Honda bay. 45 minutes left for travel. By the way, half of the roads were very rocky. Guide even called it a “free massage”. We stopped at a beach and at the side was a little port for the bancas. We had to take a 15 to 20 minute boat ride to where the underground river was. The waiting time took longer than the boat ride itself, it was 45 minutes and we were at number 17. When we reached the island, we had to walk 150 meters to reach the waiting area for the boat that takes you inside the underground river. We were warned not to bring plastics because monkeys snatch those. Ang daming nakuhanan. One monkey even took a bag of Clover chips from a pile of snacks. Lucky us, our batch was the last one to tour the river that morning.

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It was MAJESTIC inside. It really took a lot of imagination to know and name the stone forms. There was a Cathedral where there were stone forms of the Holy Family and also a huge melting candle. The river was about 8.2 kilometers long but we were only able to travel about 1.5 kilometers and it already took 45 minutes or so. After the tour we stayed at the island for another twenty minutes for the photo photo thing. :) The beach was so clear, the waves were perfect and the trees so lush. I might sound so poetic here but really, everything seems to be in perfect harmony with nature. Maybe, it's all because I've lived a city life for a time now. So another boat ride and when we reached the port, it was noon and we had to walk still under the striking heat of the sun for our lunch. It was worth it. The lunch was sumptuous and first time that I tried drinking fresh buko juice, fresh as in direct from the fruit. I was supposed to swim but it was so hot that our group just decided to head back home.Two hours drive again and all of us in the group were obviously dog tired and caught up with a long dose. It started to rain quite hard too making us sleep better. Back at the hotel, we booked for our last destination in Palawan, Honda Bay. =)

                                                           Day 3- PARADISE FOUND

I actually had no idea what would happen today. I've never even heard of Honda Bay before. Nangni only told me that we would definitely be swimming today. Call time was later than the day before, 8am it is. The coaster was already full when we hopped in. But the thing is, this time there were a number of tourists. One even greeted me a warm "Good morning!" I think she's Russian. I don't know. My gut feel just said so. Anyway, Honda bay was only 30 minutes drive from the city proper and a 45 minute ferry ride. Main activities here were island hopping and snorkeling. I was actually expecting something similar to Pangasinan's Hundred Islands but turned out something beyond that. We stopped over at Pandan island to drop off some people (they were guides) then went on to Snake Island. I thought it was an island with a forest generously inhabited with snakes. :) un pala, it's named "snake island" because it is shaped like a snake. When we finally arrived, it felt surreal. The sand was so white and so fine, like stepping on a huge polvoron mix. ;) one more thing, the island was a complete VIRGIN. No restaurants, no stores, and even no restrooms. :) I think they just improvised but it was clean according to some foreigners. I took a quick and excited leap to the beach. Finally, I can swim. :) Someone approached us asking if we want to learn snorkeling because the island has a majectic reef somewhere near. He even said it was for free and they offer it so that tourists would enjoy the trip. We were given a super crash course on snorkeling. How to clean goggles and more importantly, how to breathe underwater. It all took only like three minutes or so. Ang bilis. :)

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Nangni went on to the reef first while I was at the shore starting to think if I would still go on snorkeling or I'd run somewhere. Natakot ako bigla! :)) it must be the freakingly paranoid me again. But I chose to stay (yes, parang I'd learnt that from some film. Ha ha) The usual, "Bahala na" attitude. It was scary at first but when I was already getting used to it thanks to the fish. By the way, you let them come near you if you feed them with bread. ;) It was so nice, all colors and sizes. parang sa tv lang. :)  The fear soon went out. :) Nakita ko si Dory (Finding nemo) :)) Too bad there wasn't even a single picture. sayang! So we turned back to the shore and then Nangni and I together went snorkeling again somewhere with the guide. This time, with no bread. Naubos na eh. Boo! Basta, it was so pretty underneath. After that snorkeling thing, Nangni and I toured the island. while mama shopped for pearl souvenirs. Nakakapagod kaya lumagoy ng malayo. Oh, the guide said that the water was "quite" deep. So touring the island under the sun's heat was not as excruciating as it may seem. It was just so great here. Felt like I'm somewhere unreal. Water so clear, sand so white and sky so perfect. But when it was past 11, we had to get on the ferry again for the next island. It was, I think, 20 minutes until we reached Pandan Island where we had our sumptuous Filipino lunch. Yum yum.

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After a while, we went swimming again. I didn't have my goggles with me so I sort of fed the fish while I was just sort to say, above the water. When I knew that all the lunch was somewhere in my system now, I tried snorkeling again. But just somewhere not deep. ;) When we were about to decide that we had much for the day, a guide again approached us and asked if we wanted to go somewhere a "BIT" deeper. Of course, we would! Again with the pretty underwater scene. It nicer here with more corals and all that. :) We stopped somewhere and stepped on some  huge, hard coral. They call it "Brain Coral". I took off my googles and realized that we were already somewhere in the middle of the ocean. :)) while saying nothing but "ANG GANDAAAA!!!" Then the guide said, "MAGANDA PO TALAGA ANG DAGAT. TEKA LANG PO MA'AM, AALIS LANG AKO SANDALI".:)) Like there was somewhere else to go. The shore was just so far and I can't believe I swam that far. The guide was somewhere. Iniwan kami for a while. Living by the moment, we went on and just fed the fish for a few minutes and finally, the guide was back! :)) makakabalik na kami. :D and when we did, i was happy not only for returning to the land where humans are meant to live but with all that I've seen only a few seconds ago. A totally cool and rocking experience. \m/ So after all that swimming under the sun then the rain and the sun again and get casually dresses, fresh buko juice was next. ;) and our tour guide from the coaster was there asking who wants to try his camera tricks. He was insisting on it but my cam went low bat on this 3rd day so I used nangni's. His tricks were cool. Though, I've tried some before but really nice souvenir photos. I loved that one on the broom and he was saying,

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"GANITO KA UUWI NG MANILA." :) We had a chit chat with the others in our group tour then time to head home. There were more people in the ferry now than we came and Mama met someone from Plaridel too. I noticed that most people were sleeping but I wasn't. Ang saya kaya kahit mainit. Anyway, kanya kanyang trip naman yan. :) So reached the port then the coaster then, it was traffic! ;))))) Palawan traffic.

When dinner came, had it at a known seafood restaurant in the city, KaLui. Saraapp.

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They're known for seafood and before you enter, you should leave you slippers outside and.. you have the choice if you want to sit on the floor, on some very low cushion or in the traditional wooden chairs. And here's the thing, while we were there, it went brownout. :))  how's that? :)) but it was fixed a few minutes after. Great avocado shake, grilled fish, yummy crabs, and sweet o sweet fresh fruit salad. heehee Still, THIS IS MY FAVORITE DAY! We went home to pack stuff for the day that I wished never came.

                                                      Day 4- UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

As said, I wish this day could have never come. Time to go back to Bulacan. Back to the reality. ^__^ I've packed my stuff the night before and I was a bit sure that I had not forgotten anything. Though the idea of having a reason for me to go back to Palawan because I left something would pass for a good excuse. We had a 10am flight so we had to be at the airport early and that was also where we took our breakfast. Their airport is only for domestic flights so it's smaller than NAIA 3. We bought souvenirs again.:)  Our flight was delayed by three minutes according to the screen. There weren't much happenings today aside from we waited for an hour or so before we got picked up in Manila. It was Manila traffic this time.

This trip was just so great. Definitely, I would love to return and see more.