The Palawan Experience

After months of yearning for the Palawan trip we have finally set foot on the island last week. Took a flight to Puerto Princesa via CebuPacific. I'm glad to say that the weather was kind enough to let us do the city tour in the afternoon. It rain but not too hard and we even managed to visit some local tourist spots on our own.

Iwahig Penal Farm

Mitra's Residence overlooking Honda Bay. Oh! how I wish I own this house.

Another date with the crocs. Watch out! They're alot bigger and furious in Palawan

(Baker's Hill) I still love the LaFortuna Hopia in Cebu though ;D

(Binuatan Creation) Finally, I saw a handloom for real (I only see this on history books) and yes, I was able to operate it.



We asked our tourguide to drop us to the city proper so we can have our own sidetrip.

We went further to their "Baywalk" or Baybay as what the locals call it.

...saw the maiden by the sea and tried biking (God! I almost forgot how to).

Tried a Vietnamese dish - Chao Long. According to our tourguide its a rice noodle. We both had the beef curry. If there's another chance, Iris would like to try the Buto-buto ala Bulalo the next time we set foot in Palawan.

A serving costs around 50-60php. Its served with beansprouts and mint leaves. For thos who doesnt like those leaves, dont worry its optional.






Second day came and the van pick us up at around 9am going to Sabang. It was a 2-hour bumpy ride along ravines, muddy and rocky roads. It was a good thing our tourguide's very perky and kept us awake the entire trip.

Plus, we were seated just beside the driver so we can see everyhting on the way. The driver said the road to Sabang has now improved compared to before.

Arrived at Sabang port a little bit early so our tourguide brought us to Taraw and had a buffet lunch by the beach fronting the South China Sea (yes!) but I forgot to dip my feet in the water.

Tried an exotic dish called Tamilok dipped in vinegar and tastes like oyster, raw oyster to be specific.

Gulp, I didnt manage to swallow it.

A little bumming by the beach after lunch. "I'm flying!!", Iris was saying.

We took a boat going to the beach near the river's mouth.

..and a short walk in the Monkey Trail






On our way to the Underground River

The entrance of the cave, err, underground river.

Smells bat on the inside but really spectacular formations. No wonder it made to the UNESCO list of a world heritage site. We took a 1.5km boat ride going inside and by the time we reached the "highway" (its the part with a 200m long path wide enough to be a highway) we have to go back as our permit only allowed us to reach that point. If you want to go further and navigate the entire 8km you have to secure another permit. According to our cave guide/boatman, we went inside the limestone mountain that we saw earlier on our way to Sabang. By the way, we were lucky to be seated on the front row of the boat, I am the one holding the light and Iris was able to took alot of pictures.

The cathedral's melted candle.

The bacon

Dora's Hair (according to our guide) hahah!

A sexy lady they call Sharon Stone because she's made of stone.

We had dinner at Badjao Seafront Resto

and ordered their seafood platter and lobster. The food was kinda pricey and not-so-worth-it. Nothin's really special but its still a must-try. A platter contains crab, seaweed, prawns, tuna, etc.

The ambience was great though ;D


On our last day in Palawan, we had the island hopping tour at Honda Bay. It was called Honda based on the Spanish term "ondo" meaning deep and we have proven that when we went snorkeling. By the way, we were lucky enough to have rented a waterproof camera pouch at 250php. Also, the tour does not include snorkeling gear rental, so you have to pay an additional 100php but I tell you its worth the price. Our fist-stop is Pambato Reef. Our boat docked by a floting wharf while our tourguide Ate Glo went snorkeling with us and acted like a teacher telling us what type of corals are at the bottom.

She even got this big starfish (yes it is) from the bottom and took this pic for us.

I thought there were jellyfishes swimming with us because as soon as you get into the water it gets really itchy and you can feel something biting or stinging you. Ate Glo said the sting is caused by the little planktons in the water. So I suggest you wear a rashguard rather than be on bikini. However, you can be on your bikini once you get to Snake Island and Pandan Island.

We docked at Snake Island by 10am. Its called Snake Island, by the way, because of the long winding sandbar that looks like a snake. Its about 2km. Took our buffet lunch by the beach.

and that's me holding a Halo-halo

I must say that for 3 straight days of eating seafood the monotony started to hit us but the crab was just irresistible.

Good thing we bought bread before leaving the port earlier. It came in handy when we have to feed the fish. And my! the fishes are brave enough to come so close to you to feed with the bread.

Our next stop is Pandan Island. Its called Pandan because of the presence of Pandan tress in the island and its the only island in Honda Bay with freshwater in it.

The fishes were more aggresive here. They would come so close to your hand while you are holding the bread and would sometimes bite your hand mistaking it as bread but no worries the sensation you get is more like that of getting a Fish Spa.

Our tourguide saw this lion fish hiding between the corals so she borrowed my cam and took a snapshot of it for us to see.

Went back to the resort by 4pm. Our reservation at Ka Lui is at 6:15 so we had a full 2 hours to freshen-up. Ka Lui resto is located within the city proper so we didnt have a hard time going to it and the resort's driver gladly took us there.

Notice the shiny floor? That's because everyone, guests and crew, is required to take off their footwear upon entering the resto. I forgot the exact name of what we ordered. All I know is that its a set of meal. First, a hot clam soup.

Then, grilled prawn, fish in coconut milk and sizzling tuna plus rice for 2 people all for the price of 365php.

 And oh! I amost forgot to include the dessert! Mixed fruit served in coconut shell.

We also had the Seafood Sisig made of cuttlefish. Its tastes soo good!

We took a short walk around the city after that sumptous dinner and we passed by Kinabuchs, which, according to the resort staff, serves fresh Tamilok.

Dropped by the Provincial Capitol before taking a tricycle back to the resort. After a couple of songs on the videoke machine we went by the beach and stared at the canopy of stars. It was a clear moonless night and I had no difficulty seeing the Milky Way. I miss nights like that. The next day, our flight via Cebu Pacific took us to Manila which I will be writing on my next entry (I am writing this one while at work so I am currently multi-tasking ;D).