One item on my bucketlist is to see the Underground River which is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Since boyfie's sister, Michelle, graduated and I passed the Real Estate Broker Exam last May, we decided to go to Puerto Princesa to unwind and celebrate. :)
We availed of the 3D-2N tour package of Shadow Travels and Tours which is inclusive of roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, and accommodation for Php 8, 614.00 each. This is our first shot at a travel agency. I was so engrossed in studying for the exams that I couldn't find time to plan our budget and itinerary as I always do for our trips. I also wanted to spare myself the hassle. Hihi.
DAY 1 (CITY TOUR)
We were scheduled to arrive at Puerto Princesa International Airport at 11:10 AM but we're an hour early. This is a first! :) Kudos to Air Asia. It could be the other way around if it's Cebu Pac. Hehe.
Excited peeps
We were transferred from the airport to our accommodation, Corazon Tourist Inn, in no less than 10 minutes. Since check-in time is at 2pm, we left our stuff at the concierge and ate lunch nearby. You'll never run out of choices since there are a lot of fast food chains and restaurants within the vicinity.
 |
| Facade of Corazon Tourist Inn |
Our room (Barkada Room)
Our half-day city tour started at around 1:00 PM. The tour guide recounted Palawan's history while we're headed to our first destination. We learned that Palawan is called "The City of the Living God" because it's shielded from natural calamities for it's strategic location.
1. Baywalk
We just had a running tour since it's scorching hot outside. The best time to visit is early morning or just before sunset. You can rent bikes here, watch the sunset, and eat to your heart's content. There are many food stalls selling barbeques, snacks, meals, etc. at very affordable prices.
We just had a running tour since it's scorching hot outside. The best time to visit is early morning or just before sunset. You can rent bikes here, watch the sunset, and eat to your heart's content. There are many food stalls selling barbeques, snacks, meals, etc. at very affordable prices.
Puerto Princesa City's Baywalk
2. Plaza Cuartel
Plaza Cuartel epitomizes the grim past of Puerto Princesa during World War 2. It used to be a garrison where 154 American prisoners of war were burned alive by the Japanese invaders on December 14, 1944. There were 11 prisoners who were able to survive the mass execution by swimming their way out to the sea into Iwahig.
Plaza Cuartel epitomizes the grim past of Puerto Princesa during World War 2. It used to be a garrison where 154 American prisoners of war were burned alive by the Japanese invaders on December 14, 1944. There were 11 prisoners who were able to survive the mass execution by swimming their way out to the sea into Iwahig.
Plaza Cuartel: the living breathing scar of Palawan's dark history
3. Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral
Just across Plaza Cuartel is the grandest Catholic Church in the city, the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, which is a popular spot for tourists. It used to be a small church but was reconstructed as a cathedral in 1961. It was built as a tribute to Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion which is Palawan's patroness.
Just across Plaza Cuartel is the grandest Catholic Church in the city, the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, which is a popular spot for tourists. It used to be a small church but was reconstructed as a cathedral in 1961. It was built as a tribute to Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion which is Palawan's patroness.
The Cathedral's facade
4. Binuatan Creations
We headed straight to the showroom where all the action is. The workers were really accommodating and they even taught us how to weave.
Binuatan Creations is a famous handicraft shop in Palawan that manufactures handloom woven products utilizing locally sourced materials like buntal, coconut, buri, cogon grass, pandan, pineapple, and bark of cashew trees.
We headed straight to the showroom where all the action is. The workers were really accommodating and they even taught us how to weave.
There's a shop nearby where they showcase their finished products which are definitely world-class and are being exported all over the world. You can find placemats, bags, slippers, keychains, hats, baskets, wallets, and many more.
Inside the showroom
5. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm)
Next stop is the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), popularly known as the Crocodile Farm, which serves as the home for Palawan's endangered species.
PWRCC is the sanctuary of the Philippine Crocodile that is endemic to the country.
There are many visitors at Crocodile Farm especially on weekends so tours are done in batches.
We registered at the reception area then proceeded at the Welcome Hall where the tour guide gave us a briefing.
Then we went to the Hatchling House which is the breeding pen for the baby crocs.
Next stop is the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), popularly known as the Crocodile Farm, which serves as the home for Palawan's endangered species.
PWRCC is the sanctuary of the Philippine Crocodile that is endemic to the country.
Grounds of the Crocodile Farm
We registered at the reception area then proceeded at the Welcome Hall where the tour guide gave us a briefing.
Skin and skeleton of Rio, 17-foot-long saltwater crocodile captured in Palawan during the 1990's
Then we went to the Hatchling House which is the breeding pen for the baby crocs.
We were able to see baby crocodiles up close.
Next to the Hatchling house is a concrete cage for the older crocodiles. Above the crocodile den is a steel sky bridge where guests may walk over the dens to the other end. This is where the guided tour ends.
We were so scared to lift the GoPro with that big crococidle under us. Haha.
The Crocodile Farm also has a Nature Park. Aside from crocs, you will see a Palawan Pheasant Peacock, Hornbill, Bearcat, Mayna and many other endangered animals.
Playing it cool but dying inside. Haha.
6. Mitra’s Ranch
We also visited Rancho Sta. Monica which is popularly known as Mitras Ranch. The ranch is owned by the late Senator Ramon Mitra. Aside from reveling at the panoramic view of Palawan, you can try the zipline, go horseback riding, play in the trampoline, or just sit back and relax. ;)
7. Baker’s Hill
Beside Mitra's Ranch is the instagram-perfect spot, Baker's Hill. Yes, it's a bakery on top of a hill. ;) If you want to buy food as pasalubong, this is the place to be. Loved their cashew nuts and hopia! :)
Beside Mitra's Ranch is the instagram-perfect spot, Baker's Hill. Yes, it's a bakery on top of a hill. ;) If you want to buy food as pasalubong, this is the place to be. Loved their cashew nuts and hopia! :)
Baker's Hill is known for it's delectable baked goodies.
Entrance to the Disneyland of Palawan
There are life-size statues all over Baker's Hill.
We went back to Corazon after our tour to rest (and post pictures. Hehe).
We ate dinner at Belly Buster which is really an eye-candy.
Day 2 (Puerto Princesa Underground River)
Our second day is dedicated to the Underground River Tour.
Ready to see the longest navigable underground river in the world.
Dining Area at Corazon Tourist Inn
Ready for Day 2! :)
We left the hotel at 7:00 AM and arrived at Sabang Port at around 10:00 AM.
We had to queue up due to the number of tourists. It's summer. It's a weekend. Kinda expected the surge of people, already. :)
You have to get a Visitor Entry Permit in advance at the Puerto Princesa Underground River Office at the City Coliseum and register at the Sabang Port Tourist Information Center before you can visit the famed river. Our tour guide already took care of everything so we were just taking selfies and all. Haha.
While waiting for our pumpboat
From the port, we rode a pumpboat to the beach near the entrance of the Underground River. The boat ride took 20 minutes. Tourists are not allowed to swim in the beach unless they're staying at Sheridan Beach Resort.
We rode this baby. ;)
Karst Rock formations at the beach near Puerto Princesa Underground River
After docking, we walked through a jungle trail to reach the river. Monkeys roam freely here so we were advised not to open our bags or bring out plastics because they think you have food stored inside. Sadly, this behavior is caused by humans. They would constantly feed the monkeys which altered their normal feeding patterns.
We were given life vests and helmets and rode a paddle boat for the tour inside the river. One boat can accommodate 11 people including the tour guide. A strong scent welcomed us which according to the tour guide came from the guano of the bats living inside the cave.
We saw various figures formed naturally by the rocks. There were vegetables, fruits, and religious icons. The tourist guides are hilarious, too. The tour which lasted for 45 minutes left me in awe of nature's spectacle.
We were given life vests and helmets. Better safe than sorry. ;)
We ate buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant, Del Cusina. The food was so-so, though.
Del Cusina serves Filipino food.
These talented people will serenade you as you eat. I was surprised to
find out that they were all disabled.
We went back to Corazon Inn after our late lunch.
We dropped by Karst Mountain Elephant Cave which was used as a location of Amazing Race Asia for Leg 11 of the race.
We just bought pasalubong, ate dinner, and chilled during the night.
We went to this cozy cafe called Itoy's Coffee Haus.
Bought these magnets for P20.00 each.
Day 3 (Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour)
Our last day is for the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour. We left the Inn at 7:00 AM and drove to Sta. Lourdes Wharf.
We dropped by a diving gear shop to rent snorkeling sets (Php 155.00) and aqua shoes (Php 150.00). Michelle has her own goggles so only Mac and I rented. We wouldn't have rented the aqua shoes if the store owner didn't scare us with his story of a tourist who stepped on a stonefish and had his feet swollen like a balloon. Make sure your googles fit perfectly lest the water leak into the eye cups.
The first island we visited was Starfish Island. Yeah, you got it. There is a plethora of starfishes here. :) It was my first time to snorkel and it was quite an experience. We also fed the fishes.
Michelle with the echinoderms
We had a hard time with our gears at first but we got used to it after a few dives.
First shot at fish feeding. :)
We got to see the fishies up close and personal.
Any shot you take here is picture-perfect. :)
The next island we hopped to was Luli Island. Luli is a short term for Lulubog, Lilitaw which is what the island does: the island disappears at high tide and reappears at low tide.
We just swam and did some diving. I backed out the first time I walked that small plank. No judgment. It was my first time! Haha. The two were quite adamant to make me jump. A hundred cheers and assurances (Michelle's a swimming instructor) after, I finally took that dreadful jump. It was not that deep of a jump but it's liberating, anyway.
We just swam and did some diving. I backed out the first time I walked that small plank. No judgment. It was my first time! Haha. The two were quite adamant to make me jump. A hundred cheers and assurances (Michelle's a swimming instructor) after, I finally took that dreadful jump. It was not that deep of a jump but it's liberating, anyway.
Sunglasses, caps, and rash guards. We are so ready to have fun under the sun. ;)
Michelle's the most ecstatic for Day 3.
That was me backing out. Haha.
Saving the best for last, we visited Cowrie Island which was so named due to the many cowrie shells which can be found here. We also ate buffet lunch which was the best meal I had in our 3-day vacation. I don’t know if we're just famished or the food was really yummy! :p
Talk about paradise.
Pigging out on seafood
The island also has a massage area but we weren't able to try it 'cos we just ate lunch and our tummies were to explode.
Oh, the look on our faces when we saw the boat which would take us back to the wharf. I wished we could stay longer but all good things must come to an end. We'll come back Palawan, we will. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Would love to hear from you. :)