What made it more seemingly impossible to get to Palawan was an impending Typhoon! But the heavens really do answer prayers.
We were picked up at the Airport by a friendly staff of the Puerto Pension, a small but wonderful Inn in the City Proper of Puerto Princessa. The place was very clean and orderly. An a/c room for 2 costs around P1,500. Check-in time was 2pm, but since we arrived at 10:30am, they took care of our bags while we got ready for our island hopping trip to starfish and snake island.
Since it was too late to join any tour group (who usually meet at 7am), we decided to just take a tricycle going to the wharf, the jump off point going to any island, including Dos Palmas. For contracting our tricyle driver to bring us to the wharf and back to the hotel, the rate was P600. Deciding to go at it on our own was a good thing as we didn't have to keep on waiting for a lot of people. At the wharf, we were instructed to proceed to the office of the coast guard to contract for a boat which costs about P1,400 and can accommodate up to 8 persons. It was a huge banca so no need to fear. The sea was also calm.
First stop was at Starfish Island. Absolutely serene. There was a small hut selling some nibbles and could also serve you a simple lunch. When I asked them if they had some crabs, a guy went to the sea, pulled out a net with 3 live crabs. Wonderful! And if they had some squid to go with that...my life would be perfect. Ofcourse they had squid! They gladly steamed both the poor crabs and squid and served them to us with a heap of newly cooked rice, soy sauce and calamansi with sili! All for P200. I almost had indigestion!
(Magagalit sakin si Alpha nito dahil puro siya ang nasa photos! Hahaha!)
Moving on... next stop is Snake Island. No... there aren't any snakes in the island. Its just that the shape of the island is like a snake...so there you go! We did some snorkeling here. There are so many kinds of fishes. Schools of them. One kept bumping me on my leg. I think they call it the Territorial fish, for obvious reasons. Just be careful when snorkeling. Don't go too far off if your not a swimmer. The water can get instantly deep.
(This can be an Alien...for all I know...)
After the amazement, the swimming, the too much eating, the snorkeling and the boat rides...you'll surely be exhausted at around 3-4pm. We went back to the hotel, cleaned, rested and got ready for dinner. We took another tricycle ride to the City and decided to try the food at Balinsasayaw (which is an indigenous bird of Palawan) Restaurant. The place was great with good tasting food at affordable prices.
On the second day of our trip, we joined a tour group going to the Underground River. Before reaching the port, we stopped by Ugong Rock. Here, we went very HIGH UP a cave (i cannot emphasize it more than that) and went back down via ZIP LINE! It was exhausting, scary, jaw dropping but also exhilarating and exciting!!!
(I never thought I'd fit in this thing!)
(Up, up and up!)
(Uuuuuuuuugh! Everything but my thumb hurts!!! But it was great!)
After Ugong Rock, we proceeded to the port in Sabang, where we rode another banca to the island where the Underground River is located.
(Touch down!)
Welcome to the Underground River!
You'll still have to walk through a forest with a path going to where the river is located.
At last!
(Very beautiful....)
If you think your banca days are over...well...you're wrong! The scenery was really amazing but beware of the smell. Bat poop abound in the cave and the water smells acidic. I got dizzy from the smell and the slow rocking motion of the banca. The inside of the cave was like no other, but photos won't do due to the darkness. Also, I missed to mention that the road going to Ugong Rock and the Underground River is zigzag all the way! So it would be good for you to be ready with the ever handy bonamine!
The above activities are enough to keep you dizzy for the remaining hours of your day and night. So off to the third day!
On day 3, we went to Dos Palmas for a day trip. This costs around P1,200/person.
This is also a wonderful place. Everything is provided for you. From your welcome drink to snorkeling gear, volleyball, bicyle, and a sumptuous lunch buffet! Sulit na sulit.
They have a diving site for your snorkeling fantasies. I met Nemo here!
Be sure that you're armed with an underwater camera. For Nemo, I merely used a protective underwater case for my camera.
You can also Kayak if you're not too dizzy from another boat trip! Alpha was going at it alone so I need not explain!
(just like a pro!)
e(hungry?!?)
And then there's lunch! Yey!
The food was great and the staff was equally warm and friendly!
You'll need to walk around after that filling lunch...
At around 4pm, we headed back to the City after a great day in this Island.
Our last day at Puerto Princesa was spent shopping at the City Tiangge. You can buy Kasoy, Danggit, Pearls and other Souvenirs here.
We also had lunch at the Badjao Seafood Restaurant. The food was so-so but the view was stunning!
Thank you for visiting this blog and we hope you'll enjoy your trip to Palawan as much as we did. I'll be also showing you some photos of our Zambales Island Hopping Trip on my next post. See you soon!
