April 2011 -- We arrived in Puerto for a three days and two nights get-away where we stayed at The Legend Hotel. The hotel was just few minutes away from the Puerto Princesa airport. The Staff were pleasant and accommodating.
We asked the hotel staff where we could have a superb lunch, and they have suggested the Badjao Sea Food Restaurant. We went there via "tricycle" transport, the Philippines is well known for that kind of transportation if you're planning to go nearby, in addition to that it has a very cheap fare. The restaurant was located above the sea that's why it's called the floating restaurant. The food was good but not enough of serving for it's price. With lots of mangrove trees under the restaurant and you can actually go down and take a better view of it.
After that we went to the town proper again, with the help of the tricycle driver whom we call Manong (Mister), who waited for us until we finished eating our lunch.
In the town Proper we bought some souvenirs for pasalubong (gift) and some dried squids for a very reasonable price.
In our first night, we went to one of the bar in the plaza and we had a relaxing night listening to the band singing the audiences favorite songs upon request it.
The next morning we had our breakfast buffet in the hotel, that was included in our package tour. After that we were informed that in the next two hours we are going to go to the Underground river cave, which is also included in the package. If it's not included and you will avail it from the hotel, it would cost you probably like 1,800 pesos/head.
We rode a van going to the area of the underground river together with other tourists. It took us 2 hours including stop over to get there. On our stop over, we were in a resort where we had our lunch, which was included in the underground river package tour. It had a very nice white sandy beach that it's irresistible that I took off my clothing (I was wearing a swimsuit underneath) and dive-in into the water. The water was warm, very clear, clean and green! It's like you were in Boracay! :)
Upon arrival in the underground river island, you will be asked to register your name and where you came from. The staff then will ask you to wear life vest and head gear. You will be grouped by corresponding number of people that a "bangka" (small boat) can accommodate. Then you will be heading inside the cave, without any lights only a portable flashlight. From the moment we entered the cave, the crystal stones and minerals formed were captivating! You will be amazed by what nature had created over a hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Worth the adventure and the money spent.
We have known from the natives that it will save us money if we are going to go to the ISLAND HOPPING TOUR with just by ourselves. So on our third day, we went to the docking area where the Island Hopping tour starts. We hailed a "tricycle" to get there. From there we registered and paid for a whole "bangka" to get us to all 5 islands, Coral islands, Bat island, Snake island, Pandan island and I forgot the 5th one. All of the beaches were paradise! Except for the Bat Island where we didn't docked in, because according to our guide, the land is so muddy that it's very difficult to walk on. We finished by after lunch and headed back to hotel for checking out. At the same time our flight going back to Manila was at 5pm that same day. :)
It was my first time in Puerto Princessa Palawan, and it took my breath away! The place was very spectacular. If you are a nature lover and adventurous person as well, Puerto Princessa is best for you! Nature Adventure in one place indeed. I can say that surely I will come back when time permits me. Check out more of the pictures of Puerto Princesa below. :) --- thea
Golden Tiara
|
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
