Puerto Princesa Palawan 2014

June 12, 2014 - Philippine Independence Day and this day we had another arjourney

We took the liberty to travel and celebrate my wife's birthday and our wedding anniversary in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. Andaming celebration..lols..

Actually, I don't have much eagerness to visit this province thinking its almost the same with Marinduque, my own province - language, both surrounded by water, both have an islands and caves, both offered sea foods.
But my interest to visit this province was triggered after the underground river was recognized as world heritage site and has been included in New 7 wonders of Nature.

Thanks to almost year-round promo fares offered by different low cost airline companies, we got a ticket amounting 1,800 roundtrip for 2person including terminal fee amounting P200. Btw, ticket was booked 3 months before our planned trip.

Since we are operating our own travel agency (Timescape Travel and Tours), we have atleast an idea what tours are available in Puerto Princesa.

Common tours are
1. City Tour
2. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Tour with buffet lunch
3. Honday Bay Tour with lunch. Activities: Island hopping, swimming, fish feeding
4. Dolphin Wathing
5. Ugong Rock Tour
6. Firefly watching

However, in our 5days4nights stay in palawan we chose to avail the first 3 tour I have listed above. 

First day of our stay is just spend for relaxation, No activity aside from strolling on city's capitol area. They are celebrating a baragatan festival during that time by the way. :)

2nd day of our travel,City Tour. Sinundo kami ng van sa hotel around 2pm at tumakbo ang tour for almost 5hrs. Tourist spot we visited were Crocodile Farm, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel (Garden /
Underground Tunnels), Baker’s Hill, Mitra’s Ranch, Baywalk, souvenier Shop.

At crocodile farm

entrance to Baker's Hill. Aside from bakery, there is also a restaurant inside the compound

Overlooking view at Mitra Ranch. They called this place as tagaytay of Puerto Prinsesa

Bone of crocodile, the largest crocodile until Lolong is found.

Inside the Immaculate Concepcion Church

Outside the Immaculate Concepcion Church

At Plaza Cuartel, Medyo malungkot ang kwento sa lugar na 'to :(

Baker's Hill Landscape

Baker's Hill Landscape

Baker's Hill Landscape

Baker's Hill Landscape

Baker's Hill Landscape

On our Second day, we we're fetch by van service around 6:30AM for honda bay tour. Yes, ganun sya kaaga kaya wala nag ligo-ligo, after ng breakfast, go na. Honday wharf is 25min van ride from city proper. Upon approaching the wharf, kelangan nyo maghintay para sa designated boat for your group pero habang naghihintay pagkakataon na rin para magrent ng snorkeling gear, complete set will cost you from 600-700pesos depende sa shop. You may also rent or buy a waterproof gadget ziplock -60pesos for rental and 200pesos if you want to purchase, waterproof cameras are available as well for 600pesos.

Starfish Island - based on our tour guide this was called starfish island dahil marami daw starfish along the seashore pero unfortunately parang 4 na starfish lang nakita namin. This island by the way is 20min from main island. In fairness, wala man yung mga starfish nagenjoy at naaliw naman kami in fish feeding. Imagine kahit hanggang bewang mo pa lng yung tubig andami ng fish na lumalapit as long as you have bread to feed them. Most of our time in this island was consume just by feeding fish. An hour before we proceed with the next island, that's when we realize that we have to feed ourselves as well. lols..

At starfish island. 

Luli Island - Luli actually is abbreviation of Lulubog-Lilitaw. Island can be seen or lilitaw during low-tide and lulubog during hightide. This island is also perfect for snorkeling and fish feeding. Fishes are bigger that fishes in starfish island. Sandbar on this island is so perfect for photo op.

Cowrie island - The last island we visited, ang pinaka malapit na island from main island. Unlike the first two island, cowrie already have restaurant, water activity is also available like kayaking and inflatable slides. However, since busog kami and napagod from the first 2 island, we just chose to rest and wait until our transfer back to our hotel. Tour is lasted around 3pm.

On our 4th day, the highlight of our tour, visiting the Subterranean River. Again, sobrang aga kami sinundo ng van, its around 6am. River can be reached by 2-2.5 van ride to sabang wharf + 20min boat ride and 100meter walk in monkey trail.
This underground river is an 8.2 kilometer long pero for 1.5kilometer lang ang allowed for tourist with normal pass. To those who want to explore beyond 1.5 kilometer will need to secure a separate permit from local government. Just like other caves, there are a lot of stalactites, stalagmites, bats, and some flora and fauna. Underground river tour will run for 45minutes. Another aliw factor during the tour is the bangkero's, although halatang scripted ang mga jokes nila. lols..

A view while riding the van going to sabang where underground river is located

still, a limestone rock mountain. A proof that this area was submerged in sea water a long time ago

using this boat in sabang wharf, we travel in water for 15mins to reach the entrance of underground

the view while riding the boat

start of 100 meter long monkey trail going to underground river

riding a paddle boat, ready to enter one of the 7new wonder of nature

inside the cave

in front is the monkey trail.

And before I forgot, FYI. normally, tours in puerto princesa,palawan are in group tour. Ibig sabihin, sa isang van madami kayong magkakasamang tourist - 12person/van. So before the tour started, van will pickup guests in different hotel/resort. Expect that, unless you are in a group of 12 already.

in a paddle boat with a couple we meet during the tour, they are also celebrating their wedding anniversary

Ready for island hopping, with a family from Rizal, they are celebrating father's day

On our lastday, we just chose to spend the rest of the day for relaxation, So we woke up late, took our breakfast and just watch movie until our checkout.

For our food. Mostly seafood ang inoorder namin kase mura. :) Ilan sa mga sikat na restau in PPS are Kalui, Kinabuchs and Ka Inato.

Tour Cost per person
Airfare: P900.00 via Airasia Zest
Land Arrangement Tour Package: 6,400(5D4N)
Food: P1,200 (Free bfast, luch during tour)
Pasalubong: Tshirt, cashew nut = 1000


Next destination: El Nido.. Hoping. :)