PALAWAN: A real paradise

I've been busy lately that's why I had no time to write something about this experience. But now, I found time to finally share to all of you my experience on this wonderful trip.

 It's almost a month since I saw such a fascinating place called PALAWAN. Since my sister had a vacay to the Ph (from Canada), we decided to celebrate christmas away from home. We planned this tour 2 months ahead. And because we are a big group, we decided to get a package tour for a less hassle trip.

December 22, 2016 - the day of our departure
Our time of departure is at 10:15 AM so we left Tarlac early at 3AM. Had our breakfast before checking in, then checked-in 2 hours before our flight.

So, this is my first time travelling via plane that's why I am totally amazed with the feeling inside the plane. I'm amazed with the clouds, the view.. everything! (But ofcourse a bit nervous. Haha!)

Our flight was a bit delayed. We reached Puerto Princesa Airport at 12nn which is supposedly 11:30AM. We then decided to have our Lunch first before going straight to El Nido.

It's Ka Inato. The food is really great! We enjoyed our lunch. Then, we headed straight to El Nido. So from Puerto Princesa, we travelled 6 hours to El Nido.

We arrived at 8 PM in our hotel (Casa Cecilia). Although we ran out of energy on the long trip, we still pushed to have a quick glance on the place.

For our dinner, since we all wanted to rest, we didn't eat heavy meal. Had our picka picka foods at Squidos.

December 23, 2016 - 2nd day. Island tour.
Yesss. It's time to enjoy the islands of El Nido.

but, breakfast first! :)

All set to witness the beauty of the islands of El Nido! :)

First stop is the Secret Lagoon. Why is it called Secret Lagoon? Because there is a small passage for people, and inside of it was a beautiful Lagoon.

Second island is the Shimizu Island. This island is popular for snorkeling. Of course, we didn't missed the chance we had. Saw beautiful corals and different kinds of fishes below.

Small Lagoon - The best thing to do here is Kayaking in it's turquoise - green waters. And never miss to enjoy the view. We rented a big kayak that can accomodate 4 person. The amount for the kayaks are excluded from the package so we added 1,000 for 2 kayaks.

When we went back to our boat, we are surprised because the food is served. And because it's my 21st birthday, the "chef/cook" has something for me! Super thanks chef!! 😜 Well, I won't deny it, that was the best lunch we had. As in, the food is 101%. The best!! 😊

Big Lagoon - just like the small lagoon, You'll also enjoy the turquiose - green waters in here. It is bigger than the small lagoon that's why it's called Big Lagoon. Haha! You can do snorkeling and kayaking also. Plus, taking a picture in between of big limestones while your at the tip of the boat (Sadly I missed that shot because our boat didn't go inside the lagoon)

Seven commandos Island - it was named after the 7 commandos lived in the island. It has vast fine sandy shore and has cottages to stay on. There are vendors that offer fresh buko juice for Php 50. You can enjoy swimming at its beach and enjoy the photo tricks that are set there. 😊

                       

Islands of El Nido are very fascinating and enchanting! They are really different from the beaches I've been to. El Nido will make you fall in love on its islands. And it'll make you want to go back on the place.

At night, we tried to have our dinner at Art Cafe (discovered it on the tv show "Biyahe ni Drew")

December 24, 2016 - starting to have SEPANX on the islands of EL NIDO. It's time to go back to Puerto Princesa! We left palawan at 8:00 AM. Then, we already had our City Tour at Puerto Princesa!

CROCODILE FARM

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

MITRA'S RANCH

BAKER'S HILL

 

PLAZA CUARTEL & PUERTO PRINCESA CATHEDRAL

At night, we had our dinner at KaLui Restaurant. KaLui is a famous restaurant in Puerto Princesa. It is made of native wooden house and before entering the restaurant, you should take off your footwear and they will be put in a small lockers. It's a must visit because of the cozy ambiance it gives and the great food they serve. But, KaLui Restaurant do not allow walk-in guests. If you want to eat there you should have a reservation first.

Believe it or not, this is their rest room ;)

Since Corazon Inn (our hotel) is just 5-minute walk from KaLui Restaurant, we decide to walk.

Took a risky chance to take a picture on Puerto Princesa's Arch.

dropped by at Palawan Province Capitol

December 25, 2016 - Merry Christmas! This must be the day of our tour in Underground River. But sadly and unfortunately, all the tours in Underground River are cancelled because of the bad condition of weather. (Typhoon Nina just occured). So instead of staying at our hotel, we planned to go to Nagtabon Beach.  

The view of Nagtabon Beach from the view deck

Nagtabon Beach is like a public beach in Puerto Princesa. But although it's a public beach, it has clean water and smooth sand. Our expenses on this tour is not included in the tour package. So we added another expense for this.

When it's getting dusk, we went to the Bay walk of Puerto Princesa. Had a short walk then had dinner at K'na Boyet Sa Baywalk Restaurant.

December 26, 2016 - it's our last day in Palawan. Expecting we could go to Underground river, tours are still cancelled. That's why our Underground River tour is converted to Honda Bay Tour. Which is again an island tour. And before we reach Honday Bay, we need to first rent Aqua shoes and snorkeling gears. (Rental fee is excluded in the package. ANOTHER EXPENSE! hoo) 

All set! Ready to G.

Pambato Reef - The Filipino word Pambato mean "contender" or in other filipino term is Panlaban. This place is perfect for snorkeling because it's a marine sanctuary of different beautiful fishes and corals.

Luli Island - "Luli" means "Lulubog Lilitaw" because it has a sandbar that shows up during low tide and sinks during high tide.

There are also photo tricks in here. There will be a director who'll direct you for your pose and you're boatman/tour guide will be the one to take photos. After taking pictures, you can give tip for the people who made those photo tricks.

Cowrie Island - we had our buffet lunch here. Cowrie island offers banana boat and jet ski (I just have no idea how much because we didn't tried it) Since our flight is at 6:00 PM, we didn't stay long in this island. After eating and a bit rest, we headed back to the port and to our hotel.

As what they say, great things also come to an end. Palawan is such a real paradise. No wonder a lot of people love to visit the place. It is naturally beautiful and it'll make you want to go back to it. PALAWAN is really a must visit.

They also say, "MAGASTOS PERO SULIT" (EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT) It's true! It's really worth it I tell you. Every tourist will surely enjoy. It just so sad that we didn't experience the Underground River, one of the most known place in Palawan. But I believe, we'll be back there. 4 thumbs up!

Btw, just an advice: If you're in El Nido and planning to buy souvenirs, you can at least buy at Puerto Princesa (If you still have your tour there) because souvenirs in El Nido are a bit costly compared to the pasalubong center in Puerto Princesa! ;)

Our expenses:

Php 13, 000 x 10   -     El Nido - Puerto Princesa tour package

Php 1,500              -     Lunch at Ka Inato

Php 1,000    x 2     -      Kayak Rental (small lagoon)

Php 1,500              -      Dinner at Squidos

Php 2,700              -      Dinner at Art Cafe

Php 4,500              -      Dinner at KaLui

Php 5,000              -      Nagtabon beach expenses

                                      - Van rental

                                      -  food

                                      -  cottage fee

Php  2,500             -       Dinner at K'na Boyet sa Baywok

Php 150       x 10   -       Aqua shoes rental

Php 150       x 4     -       snorkeling gears

We thank Shadow Travel and Tours for arranging our tour! And to our boatmen, tour guides and hotel staff of Casa Cecilia and Corazon Tourist Inn for being so accommodating.

If you plan to have your DIY tour in Palawan and looking for accommodations, here are hotels we stayed on. 

Casa Cecilia (El Nido, Palawan)

  - Globe/TM: 09262032413 

  - Smart/TNT: 09076929798

  - Gmail: casacecilia.ph@gmail.com

  - Facebook: facebook.com/CasaCeciliaHotel

  - Twitter: twitter.com/@casa_cecilia_ph

Corazon Tourist Inn (Puerto Princesa)

  - Landline:      (048) 433-0508

  - Smart/TNT:  09989708790/09778433339

  - Globe/TM:    09276855534

  - Sun Cellular: 09256855534

  - Facebook: facebook.com/corazontravelandtours

                                     

And to sum it up, here's a short video I made! :)