PALAWAN TRILOGY:EL NIDO SUMMER HEAT QUENCHER

EL NIDO SUMMER HEAT QUENCHER

May 7-11, 2014

My second arrival at PPC Airport

My carefree summer getaway to El Nido, Palawan, voted as the most beautiful island in the world, this year and my initial visit to Puerto Princesa City in 2009 plus my lone travel in 2013 to Coron, Busuanga rounded out my date with nature in Palawan!

This was on record my only summer trip for I seldom get a good deal of promo come-ons only offered this time by Air Asia. 

PPC's new moniker

CITY OF THE LIVING GOD

Puerto Princesa has said goodbye from its erstwhile moniker “City in a Forest” to “City of the Living God,” as the arched welcome sign greeted me while walking my way off from the airport. I never had the chance to query someone for the change of the very imposing slogan that acclaims God’s greatness revealed through His handiwork in the whole of Palawan.

Before catching a van ride to El Nido, I visited the capitol building and the museum behind it which I failed to visit in 2009, grabbing few photos before going back to the van terminal.

PPC TO EL NIDO 

The full packed van departed around 10 o’clock and I braced myself for a long tedious ride that would last for about five hours or so. A round-trip fare is cheaper, but since I purchased a one-way ride that’s why I paid Php 600.00. The road was good and the views of the white sandy beaches and islets which conceal and disclose as we moved along were cool to see.

We had a late lunch stop-over at a restaurant in Taytay, Palawan where my travel mates were mostly foreigners. From that point we waited for another 2 hours or so before finally reaching town where the terminal is situated. I rented a trike that took me to my pre-booked lodging for three days.

TAY MILOY’S INN

At that time, this was the cheapest and I opted to stay there for it was suggested by bloggers who featured it online. The room was so-so, but my stay was good. For me it was more of a home-stay as sloppy children were also on the receiving area. At four occasions I requested for meals which were all reasonably priced.

After settling in my room, I walked to the beach to have a glimpse of Bacuit bay and see the beachfront hotels and restaurants along the cove. The place looked quaint and the seascape adorable with the still sail boats moored, and the sun was already sinking in the west. Tables were already displayed ready to welcome diners and merry-making to commence.

I learned from a beach walker that the room he’s occupying cost only Php 300. After a while, I decided to eat and sleep early for the island hopping the next morning seems irresistible.

Bacuit Bay

Tables are now ready for diners along the beach as the sun starts to set 

One of the beachfront hotels

Speedboats remain calm as water activities rest for the day

TOUR A:

Our tour was organized by our innkeeper with joiners coming from other inns. The group headed to the moored outrigger by the shore, just few steps from my inn. We were 8 onboard and we started exchanging informal Q and A’s about ourselves while we were at the same time appreciating the ubiquitous huge rocks not seen elsewhere in the Philippines, as we cruise the bay en route to our featured destinations.

The first spot that wowed us much was the one direction small and big lagoons. The calculatingly vibrant color of the water was so relaxing and inviting. We were all raring to grab the chance of posing by the front bow of the boat that boasts of the imposing sight. All of us jumped off to enjoy the refreshing water on small lagoon, snorkeled at the same time with my tour group afloat. 

Papaya Island was our next destination of interest. There we scored young coconut and munched some chips while passing away time on the island. The sand was fair and there was volleyball net for recreation. Having been drenched from the previous spots, it seemed to be mandatory that I take a dip on every island beach that we dock.

Seven Commandos beach was not part of the package but we requested the boatman to take us there for it looked better than Papaya Island. It rained hard while submerged on the shallow part of the water, making the moment as pleasurable as can be.

Tour A with my new acquaintances

Small Lagoon

Big Lagoon

Snorkeling moment 

Mouth-watering lunch treat

Entry point to Hidden Beach

My Tour B buddies

Hidden Beach

Matinloc Shrine

A view from the Shrine's lofty karstic rocks

Part of  Matinloc's  rocky heights

My Matinloc jump shot

Moored at Talisay Beach for lunch

Food break on Talisay Island Beach

TOUR B

My two Cebu buddies were still with me on this tour with a couple from Paranaque. Our outrigger boat was much bigger and newer than yesterday’s “seascapades”. The best part of this tour was the Secret Beach and Matinloc Shrine. The island was said to be heart-shaped and the shrine sits on the highest point. The views were awe-amazing and picturesque. I loved the panorama that reminded me of a familiar spot in Caramoan. The place was cool and we had a couple of nice jump shots by the bridge. A museum can also be found on that island, ill-maintained though.

We left the island with a smile as we headed to Talisay Island which has a solitary Talisay tree hence its name, for our lunch by the beach. Our boatmen prepared a very artistic presentation of the food, dish and fruits. To our hearts’ content, we wolfed on whatever was available. The boatmen were also heartened by our appreciation of the very satisfying meal they fixed for us.

We headed out next to Secret Beach. With our vest on, we jumped off to the sea and swam underwater to enter the secret passage to the beach. What a wonderful revelation there was. It was unimaginably beautiful as there were already swimmers frolicking and savoring the short stretch of white sand surrounded and inside the karstic limestone afloat.

The tour ended at Helicopter Island where I enjoyed snorkeling and fish chasing. The most varieties of fishes that I enjoyed were right there in El Nido, not to discredit the beauty of the other islands which are so-so as well.

Try Midtown Bakery'y Blueberry muffin

TOUR C: NACPAN-CALITANG TWIN BEACHES

These twin beaches truly made my day and decorated my El Nido respite, no less. Tours A and B didn’t catch my taste and fancy at all. With comparisons playing in the back of my mind, my El Nido experience was kind of an ordinary island hopping adventure, until I made a half day trike tour to this off-the-beaten-path of Nacpan, Palawan, again with my Cebu buddies.

The sun was up and intense when we strolled through the beaches, and finding the best spot to view the wonder of the place. Three kids surfaced and were all eager to lead us to the hill where we could get the best view of the twin beaches. I had no inkling if these twin beaches are the only one of its kind in the Philippines or even in the world.

The teasingly beautiful beaches, best enjoyed and photographed when the sun is up, won’t stop to amaze anyone who comes up to this place for nature tripping. Far-off islands, rock and land formations dotted by plants pronounce the grandeur of this new tourists’ hub in Palawan.

Since we were PPC-bound, I didn’t bother to take a dip, but rather opted to order the cheapest food they have at Php 150 – one cup of plain rice and sauteed mussels for lunch on a shanty eatery by the beach..

RORO BUSTERMINAL, EL NIDO -BONA’S CHOWLONG, PUERTO PRINCESA

I tried a RORO bus as my return vehicle to Puerto Princesa around 2 in the afternoon. Upon arrival in PPC, we proceeded to Bona’s for another taste of “chowlong” for dinner with my two buddies. The glutinous rice noodles were too yummy to chew plus the strange taste from the eucalyptus and sprouted mung bean toppings. Then we headed a hotel to pass the night. 

PPC UCCP WITH DR.ANA INTIA BASIG

I exchanged communication with Ana, former UCCP member from Bato Evangelical, now a resident of PPC, prior to this trip. I should have paid a courtesy visit to her last 2009 had I known her whereabouts that time. From my hotel, I dined at Mc Donald’s for breakfast before going to the UCCP church’s new address. The small congregation worshiped together and it was a good feeling that I was able to attend Sunday worship before flying back to Manila.

Voila Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beaches

Take another look at this incredible wonder of nature!

Picturesque Nacpan-Calitang land and seascape

The final shot

Savory Bona's Chowlong: A vietnamese Legacy

Best tasting Chowlong

At Puerto Princesa UCCP with Ana Intia Basig

PPC UCCP WITH DR.ANA INTIA BASIG

I exchanged communication with Ana, former UCCP member from Bato Evangelical, now a resident of PPC, prior to this trip. I should have paid a courtesy visit to her last 2009 had I known her whereabouts that time. From my hotel, I dined at Mc Donald’s for breakfast before going to the UCCP church’s new address. The small congregation worshiped together and it was a good feeling that I was able to attend Sunday worship before flying back to Manila.

NOKI NOK’S HALO-HALO

The specialty of this local fast-food chain is their finely shaved ice and the creaminess of their halo-halo. It was worth the try because its taste is different and the mixture is much lesser but has a flavor like no other. 

From that point, along the airport road where the arched welcome sign was and where I captured a shot of it, hailed a trike to take me to the airport. Thank you, Lord for completing my three Palawan travels.

Noki-Nok's yummy Halo-halo