Paguran sa Palawan

I've been here twice in a span of 3 years (I think). First time I went here was when I was with my twin, B-an. Sa ganda ng place, I vowed na babalik ako dito para isama ang love of my life na si Marv. And so I did. I created a jam-packed itinerary para hindi sayang ang mahal na pamasahe. So for those looking for a rest and relaxation break, I'm sorry but this trip isn't for you hehe.

Day 0

Marv and I arrived late in the afternoon na since I still had to work in the morning (model employee!). We were lucky to be able to catch the sunset during our flight.

It was already around 7PM when we arrived at the Palawan airport. We rode a tricycle (P50) to Circon Businessman's Inn (I'll post the contacts in the end of this post para organized so don't panic). The inn's located in the heart of Puerto Princesa city, right beside the plaza and walking distance lang from the market (great!). We had dinner in Kinabuch's Bar (trike-trike galore lang ang drama namin always). I wasn't able to take much pictures of the place since busy ako numongga. But the bar is famous for its good yet cheap food, inihaw, and drinks. It showcased sports grill/bar/diner decorations and played good music. Perfect for chillax talaga!

When we went back to our inn, we had the receptionist book us for a package tour. All of our tours were organized by Wild Rock Travel & Tours. The tour guides really really take good pictures so you better book with them if you want your own photographer hehe.


Day 1
Honda Bay


For P1,200/pax, we were able to visit Honda Bay. A van from Wild Rock picked us up from Circon at around 7AM. We will be picking up people from other inns/hotels and we will be considered as one group kasi nasa 1 van kami. Before going to the port which is around 30-45mins drive from the city, the tour guide will ask you if you'd like to buy stuff (i.e., sunblock, water, junkfood) kasi if you do, they will bring you to the nearest convenience store. The package includes lunch na so bring chicha nalang.

When we got to the port, our tour group arranged a boat for us to ride. Sa port, you can rent underwater cameras for P600 film included and other stuff like snorkels, reef shoes, etc.


Our first stop was Pandan Island. The island has cottages/cabanas where you can relax while the tour guides cook/prepare the group's buffet lunch. You'll be given the freedom to take pictures, sunbathe, swim, sleep, or pretty much anything you wanna do in the island. Marv & I spent our time taking pictures.

Our tour guide, Joseph (who's also the proprietor of Wild Rock), organized a friendly boxing event in Pandan Island. It's open for locals, especially kids, and guests. He'll be providing the punching gloves too hehe.

Our lunch was inihaw na liempo, ensalada, talong, adobo, fruit, etc. Basta marami and you can have 2nd-3rd servings! After lunch, our next destination was Snake Island. The island is shaped like a huge snake, hence, its name.

I told you they're good photographers!

Snake Island has a filthy rich marine biology. The boatmen let you borrow goggles and snorkels and will guide you in the water. Here I am looking for Nemo.










And there he is! Medyo isnabero lang; baka busog hehe.

We stayed there for about 1-2 hours and headed to our last destination for the day: Starfish Island. It is famous for its, well, starfishes! But you cannot pick them up and they them out of the water too long because they'll become weak. Hold them up high for a few seconds to take your picture and place them back in the water. Have mercy on these creatures or else I will hunt you down.

More and more pictures for Marv and I. Yikeeee. Then we're off to the port.

The trip will usually end late in the afternoon. You'll be back in your hotel/inn around 4-5PM. Marv and I rested for a while and prepared ourselves for our dinner in Badjao Seafront Restaurant (you need to make table reservations in the morning if you plan to go at night). We took a trike and since the resto was located in a secluded area, we had to bargain with the trike. We paid him P200 to take us there, wait for us for an hour while we ate, and they take us back to the hotel.

The resto has dimmed lights so photographers out there should bring along their tripods to get clear timed exposure shots. Food is a bit pricey. Our bill was around P1,500 but we ordered 4 crabs, 1 kilo of buttered garlic shrimp, mango juice, iced tea, sinigang na baboy, and 4-5 cups of rice hahahaha! I said pricey since there were other restaurants in Puerto Princesa that offered these type of food at a cheaper cost. But the ambiance there is priceless. You might want to go before the sunsets because the resto is located in a mangrove area; view and food are jaw-dropping.

After 2 hours...

Day 2

Underground River

We availed a tour package from Wild Rock again. Since we were already "loyal" customers, Joseph gave me a rainmaker. For P1,500/head, the tour already includes van transpo, food, boat rides, and permits. Please do not try to go to the river alone as there's a need for permits (for crowd control perhaps) which can be obtained from the barangay (nag-imbento lang ako pero kelangan talaga ng permits). The trip also had a stop over and there you can buy souvenir items (I bough rainmakers for my former colleagues) and syempre, photo op again for Marv and I.

We had buffet lunch again in a restaurant by the sea. Since there were a lot of people going there, our group had to wait for our boat, which was still in queue even after we finished lunch. Marv and I spent time at the shore taking pictures. You can also swim if you want.

Finally, it was our boat's turn to go to the island. When you get to the island, you will be led to the river. Along your path, you may see bayawaks or monkeys. Please do not put your valuables in small plastic bags as the monkeys may mistake these for food and will definitely steal them away from you. You will be riding a small boat, a very small boat, that almost goes deep into the water (haha). The people sitting in front will be in-charge of holding the light since there will be no light inside the cave. Marv and I (B-an and I as well) choose to ride in the back. The boatmen are humorous since they will also be your tour guide. I can't truly describe how they entertain you so surprise nalang if you go there.

The trip usually ends early. When B-an and I were there, we got back around 3:30PM so we had time to explore the city. We took a trike and asked him to take us to Butterfly World and the Crocodile Park. Honestly, I wasn't much into this kind of stuff since I knew we had these places somewhere in NCR. They didn't have much crocs really. I expected the animals to be active and be biting at us but they were already sleeping when we got there. That's why I chose not to take Marv there. Pero don't get me wrong, still, these are examples of places that you can go to if you take the city tour. You might enjoy them!

After the underground trip, Marv and I went to Balinsasayaw Restaurant for dinner. Guess what we ordered?

We paid not more than P500 for these including drinks.

Day 3

Dos Palmas (Optional for those on a budget)

We saved up for this trip so we had the resources to splurge on ourselves. Since we bought airline tix from CebuPac, we had a discount on Dos Palmas Day Tours. For around P1,800/pax we can visit Dos Palmas and the best part ay ang buffet. Buffet talaga ang ipinunta ko sa Palawan hehe. A van picks us up again from Circon and takes us to the port. You will ride the Dos Palmas boat and will reach the resort after 45mins-1hr depends on how strong the waves are. You will be greeted their by the staff. They will be singing "tuloy po kayo, tuloy po kayo, sa aming tahanan, islang paraiso" and you will receive complimentary drinks.

READ: I Keep Coming Back to Puerto Princesa

Entrance to Dos Palmas Resort

Complimentary Drink

You can explore the whole resort for the whole day (actually up to 4PM only because the boat leaves at that time). You can enjoy its amenities (except for the pool because it entails extra charge haha). We went snorkeling first. A speed boats takes you to a floating deck in the middle of the sea. Staff give you free bread so that you can feed the fishies! And you can also use the kayaks and syempre photo op.

Cute ni B-an

Buffet

For more information on other amenities in Dos Palmas, please visit my friend, Lynne's blog.

When we got back to the city, we had to pamper up and prepare for our last dinner/night in Palawan. We had reservations (super must) in one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Princesa, Ka Lui. The prices are not as cheap as Balinsasayaw but not as expensive as Badjao Seafront. But you really pay for the ambiance and syempre the crabs and shrimps forever and ever.

Kitams, told you a tripod will be useful hehe.

After dinner, we went to Tiki Bar. 2 bottles lang plus the live band kasi early flight kami the next day. Ang saya ng banda sa Palawan. Reggae kung reggae ang labanan. 

Contacts

Circon Businessman's Inn

Valencia St. Cor Rizal Ave, PP

Room rates range from P650-P800 (Our is P650 ata)

Good for two. Very clean room.

May shower and cable TV.

Circon Official Website

Contacts: 048 4332738 / 09175262008 / 048 7232628

Wild Rock Travel & Tours

#29 National Highway, San Miguel, PP

Look for Joseph

048 434 1290 / 048 723 2329

09274077522

09293609605

0929 795 5131

Ka Lui Restaurant

Ka Lui Official Website

048 433 2580