Palawan: El Nido

We booked a trip for 4 days and 3 nights to Palawan via Air Asia because it was on sale. We paid PHP2100 for a round trip ticket including insurance each.

If you're going to need an ATM, you better find one before leaving Manila. There is a BPI ATM at Puerto Prinsesa Airport but better be safe than sorry. I also noticed some money changers in El Nido town proper like Palawan Express and Singh Exchange? or something.

We spent the first day at Puerto Prinsesa to see the infamous Underground River then spent the rest of days at El Nido. Find out more about our PPUR experience here.

El Nido is a 4-6 hour trip from Puerto Prinsesa. It's like going to Baguio from Manila with zig zag roads but some roads are not yet paved. We rented a van for our entire tour for PHP1200 each for 10pax. It fetched us starting from the airport going to PPUR, then to and around El Nido and back.

At El Nido, we stayed at Overcomer Lodge for 3 nights which costs us PHP1980 each with breakfast. It's not located at the town proper so you have to take a tricycle to get there though there are also food joints in the area.

Our first day itinerary is a combination of Tour A & C which costs PHP1500. We also bought this package from Overcomer.

What you need to bring on an island hoping tour.

Drybag (bought mine at ace hardware for PHP200), waterproof mobile pouch (PHP50 at my suking bangketa XD you can buy these for PHP120-200 in Palawan), waterproof camera, powerbank, sunblock, crackers and a bottle of water.

 Our first stop was helicopter island. It's called helicopter island because err the island's shape is that of a helicopter? XD

Just a bit of snorkeling but nothing much to see.

Next stop is Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine View Deck

Matinloc Shrine Port

Then we had our lunch in an island somewhere which I forgot the name.

This feast was prepared by our bangkeros. This is included in the PHP1500 package.

Next stop is Secret Beach. The waves are kind of strong so we were just holding on to the life buoy while kuya bangkero pulled us along.

Entrance to Secret Beach

Underwater shot at Secret Beach

Secret Beach

Next with another small hole as entrance is Secret Lagoon. They sure love secrets don't they?

There are rock formations here that look like alligators trying to break free from the rocks.

Next is the Big Lagoon. The boat will just go around the lagoon while you take pictures.

Next is the Small Lagoon which I really enjoyed because it's my first time to try kayaking.

Our last stop was at Seven Commando Beach which is just 10 minutes away by boat to the town proper.

Seven Commando Beach

I came in like a.... XD

Powdery white sand

Sunset at Seven Commando Beach

On our second day, we went to Nacpan beach to chill and Marimegmeg beach to watch the sunset which costs PHP300.

 

Nacpan Beach

This is the common destination when tours are cancelled. It's 2 hours away from El Nido town proper. It's a nice place to go to..

 Take gorgeous pictures

 Get your pictures taken

 Play sand volleyball

 Chill and pet the dogs on the beach

 Build sand castles

Play with the waves

You can already tell we spent a lot of time here. You can even go on trekking to see a nice view which I didn't because of my "kasipagan" (diligence). 

 Marimegmeg Beach

We only stayed at marimegmeg beach to watch the sunset.

On our last day, we headed back to Puerto Prinsesa, bought our pasalubong and hanged out at Baywalk while waiting for our return flight.

 It looks like the Baywalk in Manila

There are also food stalls nearby. Try the crocodile sisig at Boyet's.

Anu kaya iniisip ni koya? XD

Before I forget, we bought our pasalubong at Puerto Prinsesa. Palawan = Kasoy. It is known. There are also the usual souvenirs like shirts and bags and key chains and magnets. They also have other Filipino delicacies/sweets and dried fish.

When I saw this shirt I just had to buy it. (^_^)V This is the only souvenir I bought in El Nido. Customized shirts cost PHP260 (round neck) PHP300 (v-neck) and the usual Palawan shirts cost PHP90.

There are still a lot of islands we haven't been to. It's a chill trip with some sight seeing so #KeepExploringKeepComingBackToPalawanV1.0 (^_^)

Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa: Underground River

If there's one thing you shouldn't miss while in Palawan, it's the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River (PPUR). How could you when it's named as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of the World?

Puerto Princesa Underground River

There are 2 ways to go to the underground river. First is via 20 minutes boat ride from Sabang Beach or via 2 hours of trekking (one way) to the underground river.

 

 Sabang Beach

The sun was shining brightly, the clouds clear and we were ready to take the boat ride to PPUR... or not thanks to the not so calm waves that prevented the boats to set sail. And so our 2 hour long journey begins.

We walked along Sabang Beach for a few minutes until we reached a river? which you have to cross. It looks like you can walk to the other side but the middle portion is actually deep.

And that was just a warm up. The 3.56km trail starts after you cross the river XD. I have a history of asthma so this is really a big deal for me. 

The trail reminds me of the mobile game "Temple Run" because there are a lot of tree roots you have to get pass. It's not that hard but it feels like forever when all you see are trees.

When your tour guide tells you that you're just 20-30min. away from the underground river DO NOT BELIEVE HIM!!! because he will probably say that a dozen more times.

Now when you see this cave, Congratulations! you are already half way through the trek XD.

Half way marker

There are a lot of signs and the trail is pretty clear so there's a very slim chance of getting lost.

If ever you do get lost, look for red/orange markings on trees and you will find your way back to the trail.

You know you're already near the underground river when you see monkeys along the road. Cute as they are they are cunning little creatures so be careful with your belongings because they might just snatch them away.

Finally, the board walk to the underground river.

Entrance to the underground river.

Before we go deeper into the cave, let's talk about permits and fees. We bought a package which includes the tour to the underground river, environmental fees and permits, transportation and lunch for just PHP1060 (Jan2015). So everything was already taken care of when we arrived.

Now back to the cave. The underground river is about 8km long but the tour only covers around 1.5km (back and forth? sorry can't remember). If you want to go deeper into the cave, you'll have to get special permits. These are usually given to those who study the cave.

 

Inside the cave, you will find different rock formations, your imagination is the limit.

Of course there are also a lot of bats inside so be sure to close your mouth when looking up.

The water level is around 30-40meters inside the cave or at least that's what I remember the boatman said. XD

 Boatman smiling while his guest takes a picture of him

There may be other caves as much or even more captivating than PPUR but I think one of the selling points of PPUR is the Filipino humor through manong bangkero (boatman). Where else can you find a boatman who can greet you in multiple languages and make you laugh? Now for me that's priceless :)