EL NIDO (A dream come true destination)

Visualizing El Nido in my dreams

One of the Wold's best renowned place, Honeymoon getaways, unbelievable limestone formations, taking spots on everyone's bucket list and breathtaking view anywhere you look. That's how everyone describe this Place which is located in the Philippines' last frontier "PALAWAN". It is none other than the beautiful Island of El Nido.
Yes! by God's grace I went to El Nido. I couldn't be any happier than fulfilling one of my greatest dream destination. I have Batanes on the top of my list seconded by El Nido and here it is; God is giving me the chance to get there together with my friends as well as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is one great opportunity that SFC's (Singles for Christ) International Conference will be at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Since I'm done with the tour in Puerto Princesa I think I should try something bigger, ambitious and unbelievable. I was stroking a joke when I tell my friends that we should try El Nido after the conference and we all reacted "Wow! feeling mayaman". It was just a dream until we made some research about possible budget trip and we're glad that we had a wrong thought of El Nido. Maybe most of us have that impression but it's a big "No". El Nido's beautiful island can be accessible even for a backpacker and budget/low-cost travelers. So, no more inhibitions we pursue that "Feeling mayaman tour". Let me take you to a beautiful place by telling our journey, just sit back, relax and enjoy the pictures.

Based on travel reviews I decided to contact Northern Hope Tours, Caera Tours and Servant Tours. It was Northern Hope and Caera who replied to my inquiries. I felt bad when they said combination tours are no longer allowed in El Nido but they give me another option which  is a "private tour" since we are 10 in the group it is more convenient to have an exclusive tour and so we decided to deal with Northern Hope tours   (http://www.northernhopetours.com/)for a Private tour Combination of A & C for 1,500. After having secured the island hopping, next thing is the accommodation. Since we all had a very limited time in El Nido I asked Ms. Sai of Northern Hope if there were any budget accommodation for us; and they have one at Northern Hope Inn 280/pax/night, an air-conditioned room with CR. Next thing to secure is the transportation. We wanted to ride an A/C bus but our conference will end mid-noon and so we decided to get a private van 6,000 one-way. It is more convenient for those who will arrive at El Nido in the middle of the night because buses and public van has to stop at the terminal and passengers had to take a tricycle to get to their accommodation. Everything is settled and I know we made a good choice.

We left  Puerto Princesa by 4:30pm and arrived at El Nido 10:30 pm. It wasn't a smooth ride at all. Zigzag road as if we're traveling to Baguio, rough roads and long hours of darkness but I still find peace with kind of ambiance of nature has. There are 2 stop-overs for the dinner and a toilet use. Arriving at Northern Hope Inn we we're greeted by Ate Minda , the caretaker. She instructed us of everything we have to do for our Island hopping activity as well as attending to our request everytime we are in need of something. It was a good accommodation for backpackers except for a fact that there is electricity problem in El Nido. We have to deal with the brown out on our second night, after experiencing the best in Island hopping we're really annoyed with the whole night brown out. They said that a well-known investor take place in their power generation of El Nido that's why routine brown out is no longer a problem since November 2014 but brown out still take place for quite some time. another thing is the water system, sometimes there is a slow flow of water in the faucet that took us so long in the shower. Those were the few problems we encountered in El Nido but that does not limit us to love the place more.

                                               

1st stop-over (Dinner time)

Let me tell you our Island hopping experience now. It was 7am that we had our breakfast at Seaslugs restaurant and proceed immediately infront of bacuit bay to meet our guide and boatmen. We started the tour by 9:30am after settling the food, rental of kayak and aquashoes. I'd like to commend our tour guide, assistant and the boatmen. They we're really a big part of how we enjoy the trip. They attend to our needs and the food preparation was fantastic. We just forgot their names but we're really thankful to them especially for helping us in secret beach and secret lagoon.

Bacuit Bay (at 6am) 

we're ready to go hopping

For the start of Island hopping it is Helicopter Island for our first stop. This island is part of the Tour C, A Helicopter shaped island with a good snorkeling site. It has a vast range of hard and large corals but one must be careful when snorkeling because of sharp edges that might cause wound after exploring what it has to offer; though it is called helicopter island because of its shape I also find it to be like a shape of chicken drumstick. We stayed in the area for 30 min. because we still have more islands to go.

Helicopter Island from a far

tail of the island

Survivor shot!

not so healthy corals from helicopter island

Second Island still part of Tour C the Matinloc shrine "a heart shape island" where every visitor will be mesmerized for what they will see from the view deck. It is one amazing spot that you can see the whole area from above of those limestone formation.There is also an abandon shrine that tells different stories,  I'm just saddened to what happen to the shrine. It has been ruin by the robbers and left nothing but trashes. I hope this beautiful island will restored once again.

Matinloc View deck.. Amazing! Right?

trekking through the karst

Matinloc, A heart shaped Island

After 2 islands we are now going Talisay beach for our third island and lunch area. There were few people in this island having set up for their lunch but for our unique experience, our guide decided to have our lunch at the boat; so while they're preparing the food it is our time to explore Talisay beach. This one is a good spot for swimming, snorkeling, resting and of course picture taking. Unlike in helicopter island, Talisay Coral are tinier and more healthier. You can see fishes in the area or swim with them even on the shallow part of the beach, its a friendly destination even to those who can't swim professionally. Another attraction here were the karst and shed for resting, You'll surely love how it was formed like a cave and be a shed for those who just want sit on the sand. After almost 30 min. of snorkeling our food is ready for battle! hahaha. Yes! once you saw how they creatively presented the food you'll surely want to attack immediately. That was a sumptuous experience.

I love this area

You can see corals from the clear water

there you go!

Happy lunch!

For our next island is the most thrilling part of the tour and also our last destination for tour C since we're not allowed to go to hidden beach because of the shooting of a famous reality TV series "Survivor". We are now heading to Secret beach; it is the most adventurous part because one must have to swim against the strong current and enter a small hole to see what's inside that limestone. It  is also said to be the inspiration of the writer for Leonardo di caprio's movie "The beach".  I have to thank our guides for they have to swim while carrying us to get inside the secret beach. And as we enter the hole it seems like it is no longer a secret for you can see many tourist stranded in the area, because only one person is allowed to that small opening of the limestone. Thanks for the waterproof camera that we rented from Northern Hope, We can capture every moment without risking the DSLR camera. As we took a hard time to get inside it is also a struggle to go out and all I can say is "It's all worth it".

Small hole of the secret beach is hiding within the stones and water

Inside the secret beach

small hole at our back

Our next destination will be on Tour A and the first stop will be secret lagoon; quite similar to secret beach that you have to swim and enter a small hole but this one is much easier to swim and the sea level is not as steep as secret beach. Though it looks similar to one another, Secret Lagoon has its own beauty. Once you enter the lagoon it gets colder while the water seems to be warm; another attraction here are the rock formations We've spotted a last supper, frog and even alligator formation. After exploring the secret lagoon there's an area on the side where you can take a good rest in the sand or under the tree unlike in Secret beach that once you get out there's no other way but to go back to the boat.

Our way to Secret Lagoon

Inside the Secret lagoon

Beach beside the Secret Lagoon

This is the only entrance/exit 

The most exciting part now is the Big Lagoon. Yes, it is the most exciting part for me because I dreamed of El Nido through this postcard images as El Nido is presented to the world with the Big Lagoon on the picture. We were not able to go down the boat coz' its already high tide but of course the main activity here is picture taking while the boat roam around the Lagoon. It is one spectacular view of how wonderful our nature is. It is really an escape to a chaotic environment in Metro Manila and as if we just want to stay there longer. That clear, aqua blue, turquoise, sky blue  and green water makes Big Lagoon more beautiful aside from the tall limestone that surrounds it. I just can't describe how good the feeling is when I actually get in touch with this amazing beauty.

Turning my dreams into reality

Inside the Big Lagoon

the most famous image of El Nido

Stone fish & sea urchins can be viewed with clear waters from Big Lagoon entrance

If there's a Big Lagoon well of course there will be small lagoon. Activity here is Kayak and swimming. shallow sea level is on the opening side of the lagoon and inner part which is deep can be enjoy using kayak. Our kind tour guide used to paddle the kayak while we are enjoying taking pictures inside the Lagoon. he also take us to what they call "swimming pool". Yes it is called swimming pool coz' its as if it is carved like a pool and the water is really inviting you to swim just like a swimming pool but it is also the deepest part of the Lagoon. There's also a small cave inside the lagoon which is said to be hiding place of bats, birds and other animals. Small lagoon is also a picturesque of water, stones and plant combination. This will really take you to the other side of the world.

Entrance to the small lagoon

Calm small lagoon

hanging around with clear waters

so-called swimming pool

small cave 

For our last destination, I must say that it is the conclusion of how great our whole journey by ending with a peaceful, tranquil & Serene Beach Sunset view; None other than the 7 commando or the "Ipil-Ipil beach". It is a long stretch of white sand beach with a great background of Ipi-Ipil trees; 7 Commando is the only island with a store or I must say the only commercialized island. There's a hotel, convenient/Sari-sari store and Volleyball in the Area but more than anything else One great scenic view here is the sunset, while resting on that fine sand or swimming in the turquoise water you can enjoy the end of your island hopping by taking a good post as the sun is settling down on your background. It is truly an amazing day that ends with amazing peaceful view.

7 Commando from a far

going to the mini bar

A very serene view

tranquility

ending the day with a peaceful view

As we head back to town proper everyone were so tired but happy. We will all leave El Nido with a Happy heart and good memories of how great our God is. By carving these beautiful islands and let us witness it. Life is really an amazing journey especially when you got to experience be in touch with His wonderful creations. We might have seen the best of El Nido with that Island Hopping and seen the worst as we struggle with brown out during our second night but nothing can replace how grateful we are, for this one great adventure of our lives.

I'd like to thank Northern Hope tours for attending to our concerns since the day of inquiries up to our last day in El Nido. As well as the Guides and Boatmen for being so nice and accommodating to us. Also the burned CD copy of our pictures from the rented underwater camera. Indeed true that as you experience El Nido you would likely wanting to go back. If given the chance of going back we will still choose your company for another adventure.


Photo Credits to my dearest friends :)