It was a fine weather of April's first week and perfect time to start summer season so what do we have in our mind? of course to travel and enjoy some time to explore Philippine's beautiful island of Palawan.
First thing to secure is the flight. Since that will be scheduled summertime we have waited for promo flights going to Puerto Princesa few months ahead. It will be hard for travelers to avail a flight when summer season is up. Fares would be expensive and small chances of getting the exact time you desire for leaving. After securing a flight, next thing to do is to look for a place to stay. You don't have to pay too much expensive when travelling, you only need to search for Inn, Pension house or even transient house for larger groups and it should be booked 2 months ahead for the reason that many people wished to be there during summertime and conventions, seminars and even training are held during the same season. You don't really have to worry about your tour, most of the accommodation offers tour packages for Underground river, Island hopping, City tour and any tourist destination for Palawan. You only have to reserved a month ahead.
DAY 1 April 3, 2014
We are all excited to arrive at Palawan but unfortunately our flight has been rescheduled. From 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 2pm and another delay from 2 pm to 3pm. Our excitement replaced by disappointment and there's nothing we could do but wait. When the time has finally come we all arrived at Puerto Princesa airport tired and hungry at 5:30pm.
Thank God for free shuttle provided by our accommodation from airport to Capati Transient house. Because of delayed flight we couldn't afford to go to our supposed first destination the "Estrella falls" and so we have to deal with the situation. We just go to the Mall and look for something to eat. And that's how our day 1 ended.
DAY 2 April 4, 2014
It was a fine morning and so we are all excited for our first destination. None other than the Philippines' pride "Puerto Princesa Undergroung river" since it was pre-arranged all we have to do is wait for our tour guide.
At exactly 8:00am we are heading to Ugong Rock. It's a caving/spelunking experience offers to all tourist/travelers going to underground river. If your permit scheduled in the morning then you'll get to experience the Ugong rock in the afternoon and vice versa.
Our Permit to enter the underground river is approximately 2pm we have to go first to Ugong rock. Locals from their barangay are the ones who guide and explains everything to all who enters the cave. And as taken from its characteristic when you try to knock, the rock/cave produces sounds so-called "Ugong" and so it was named Ugong rock. It was a pure walking trip until you reach the summit of the rock. When you reach the top there are 2 options on how to get down; first is the zipline (superman or sitting position) or you have to deal with the heights to be able to get down. Both gives a different experience, an adrenaline rush and feeling of accomplishment.
After that almost 3 hour activity we had our lunch in a buffet style in front of Sabang beach. Then, its now the right time to ride a motor boat going to underground river. It is a 20 to 30 minutes of dancing with the waves and as we approached the entrance of the cave we have to go for a short walk to reach the paddle boat that will take us inside the cave. Next thing that happen is indescribable. We're really amazed by natural beauty of nature showed to us. It is a 45 minutes of happiness since, only 1.5km is allowed for the tourist to explore. Going back is now more difficult since it is late afternoon the waves got bigger as we travel back to Sabang bay but it is always worthy of experiences.
DAY 3 April 5, 2014
We do not make any schedule for this day since we're about to attend Youth For Christ International Conference
DAY 4 April 6, 2014
For this day is the last day of Youth International Conference, our Itinerary would be City tour only.
For this activity no need to avail tour packages because its destination is accessible and you can only stay an hour or less so half day allotment is enough. You can hire/rent a tricycle or multi-cab or even van.
First stop is the crocodile farm. if you are an exotic animal enthusiast you'll enjoy the place. from the crocodile museum to face to face encounter with the crocodiles (from baby to older crocodiles). There's also a mini forest which also features few animals.
Next stop is the famous Mitra ranch. This place is really perfect for picture taking. aside from its wide ranch tourist can also try horseback riding and zipline. I can't describe how we enjoy the place but that was like living the childhood stories of playing like a ranch owner hehehe :>. After that few steps away is the bakers hill. As derived from its name there's a bakery on the entrance where you can buy some pasalubong. Hopiang Ube is the best. You can try to explore the hill with restaurant or just sight seeing.
next stop are part of the common itinerary. the Cathedral, Baywalk and Pasalubong centers. You can also add Iwahig firefly watching but this one is expensive. and that's how our day ended.
DAY 4 April 6, 2014
It's our Island Hopping day! At exactly 7am we're ready and already heading to the wharf. We had the same tour guide with our first activity in the underground river. Upon traveling, kuya RR oriented us the Do's and Don'ts in the Island, He also brought us to where we can rent equipment for snorkeling and swimming. It is really important to have swimming shoes for protection from shells, corals etc. and goggles as well if you want. We are only allowed to go to two islands for the tour since snake island was closed for the tourist. We are only visiting to Pandan and Cowrie Island. Both Island were wonderful and good for picture taking and swimming, you only have to be careful with the jellyfish. We have encounter 2 jellyfish in Pandan Island and 3 in Cowrie. some parts of Cowrie were not allowed for tourist since there are plenty of jellyfish in those area. I just can't explain the happiness we had from that day. A day with nothing to do but spend all the hours to get tanned.
DAY 5 April 7, 2014
Our last at Puerto Princesa. Though our flight schedule 12:55pm we still manage to go to the beach near our place. Pristine Beach Resort; It is not the typical beach that tourist longed for. just a simple and quiet place with fine white sand. They had the so-called sinking cottages because as time passes by the tide is getting high and their cottages is sinking with waters. Good thing about this is that We almost own the beach since there were few people in the area. As for entrance fee there is 20 pesos payment per head and 200pesos for cottage rentals. They also had restaurant if you only like.
And finally we have to say good bye to Palawan. The whole travel was really worth it and definitely we wanted to go back.
It is never a doubt why Palawan says to be amazing. We've only been to Puerto Princesa and not yet explored El Nido, Coron and other Parts of Palawan but we were captured by its beauty not just by nature, but also for being clean even in market and the hospitality of the locals. We will nevertheless go back and explore other beauty that it can offer us. I just can't write here the right word to describe how this place amazed us but I think Photos can speak for me.And I hope for all those who can read this will also try to explore Puerto Princesa and will have happiness as we have.
It was a fine morning and so we are all excited for our first destination. None other than the Philippines' pride "Puerto Princesa Undergroung river" since it was pre-arranged all we have to do is wait for our tour guide.
At exactly 8:00am we are heading to Ugong Rock. It's a caving/spelunking experience offers to all tourist/travelers going to underground river. If your permit scheduled in the morning then you'll get to experience the Ugong rock in the afternoon and vice versa.
Our Permit to enter the underground river is approximately 2pm we have to go first to Ugong rock. Locals from their barangay are the ones who guide and explains everything to all who enters the cave. And as taken from its characteristic when you try to knock, the rock/cave produces sounds so-called "Ugong" and so it was named Ugong rock. It was a pure walking trip until you reach the summit of the rock. When you reach the top there are 2 options on how to get down; first is the zipline (superman or sitting position) or you have to deal with the heights to be able to get down. Both gives a different experience, an adrenaline rush and feeling of accomplishment.
After that almost 3 hour activity we had our lunch in a buffet style in front of Sabang beach. Then, its now the right time to ride a motor boat going to underground river. It is a 20 to 30 minutes of dancing with the waves and as we approached the entrance of the cave we have to go for a short walk to reach the paddle boat that will take us inside the cave. Next thing that happen is indescribable. We're really amazed by natural beauty of nature showed to us. It is a 45 minutes of happiness since, only 1.5km is allowed for the tourist to explore. Going back is now more difficult since it is late afternoon the waves got bigger as we travel back to Sabang bay but it is always worthy of experiences.
DAY 3 April 5, 2014
We do not make any schedule for this day since we're about to attend Youth For Christ International Conference
DAY 4 April 6, 2014
For this day is the last day of Youth International Conference, our Itinerary would be City tour only.
For this activity no need to avail tour packages because its destination is accessible and you can only stay an hour or less so half day allotment is enough. You can hire/rent a tricycle or multi-cab or even van.
First stop is the crocodile farm. if you are an exotic animal enthusiast you'll enjoy the place. from the crocodile museum to face to face encounter with the crocodiles (from baby to older crocodiles). There's also a mini forest which also features few animals.
Next stop is the famous Mitra ranch. This place is really perfect for picture taking. aside from its wide ranch tourist can also try horseback riding and zipline. I can't describe how we enjoy the place but that was like living the childhood stories of playing like a ranch owner hehehe :>. After that few steps away is the bakers hill. As derived from its name there's a bakery on the entrance where you can buy some pasalubong. Hopiang Ube is the best. You can try to explore the hill with restaurant or just sight seeing.
next stop are part of the common itinerary. the Cathedral, Baywalk and Pasalubong centers. You can also add Iwahig firefly watching but this one is expensive. and that's how our day ended.
DAY 4 April 6, 2014
It's our Island Hopping day! At exactly 7am we're ready and already heading to the wharf. We had the same tour guide with our first activity in the underground river. Upon traveling, kuya RR oriented us the Do's and Don'ts in the Island, He also brought us to where we can rent equipment for snorkeling and swimming. It is really important to have swimming shoes for protection from shells, corals etc. and goggles as well if you want. We are only allowed to go to two islands for the tour since snake island was closed for the tourist. We are only visiting to Pandan and Cowrie Island. Both Island were wonderful and good for picture taking and swimming, you only have to be careful with the jellyfish. We have encounter 2 jellyfish in Pandan Island and 3 in Cowrie. some parts of Cowrie were not allowed for tourist since there are plenty of jellyfish in those area. I just can't explain the happiness we had from that day. A day with nothing to do but spend all the hours to get tanned.
Our last at Puerto Princesa. Though our flight schedule 12:55pm we still manage to go to the beach near our place. Pristine Beach Resort; It is not the typical beach that tourist longed for. just a simple and quiet place with fine white sand. They had the so-called sinking cottages because as time passes by the tide is getting high and their cottages is sinking with waters. Good thing about this is that We almost own the beach since there were few people in the area. As for entrance fee there is 20 pesos payment per head and 200pesos for cottage rentals. They also had restaurant if you only like.
And finally we have to say good bye to Palawan. The whole travel was really worth it and definitely we wanted to go back.
It is never a doubt why Palawan says to be amazing. We've only been to Puerto Princesa and not yet explored El Nido, Coron and other Parts of Palawan but we were captured by its beauty not just by nature, but also for being clean even in market and the hospitality of the locals. We will nevertheless go back and explore other beauty that it can offer us. I just can't write here the right word to describe how this place amazed us but I think Photos can speak for me.And I hope for all those who can read this will also try to explore Puerto Princesa and will have happiness as we have.
