Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 3: Puerto Princesa Departure

~Ola

This is the saddest part of our trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Aside from the fact that we need to go back to our normal work lives, we would be missing the beautiful people and places at Palawan. We would be flying back to Manila via Zest Air and the time of our departure was suppose to be at 5:25 p.m. 

 Ah..so domestic airport had cheaper terminal fee and the place is well maintained.

We encountered same problem when we were at Palawan. Our flight was delayed once again because of the famous problem delayed arrival of turn around aircraft. It was not only Zest Air, there's Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express.

Well, instead of getting upset since there's really nothing much we can do. We just enjoyed chatting and looking at the pictures that we took during our vacation. The aircraft arrived at almost 7 p.m.

We actually spent like 10-20 minutes in the air circling the runway because of air traffic. And after landing, we were not able to get off immediately because the the aircraft didn't have a proper parking space. We were waiting for other passengers to get off the plane because the exits are still crowded, everybody was excited to leave. 

Somehow it feels good to be back...This vacation had brought me wonderful and scary memories that I won't forget. I'm looking for another great vacation in the year 2013 

~FIN~

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 3: Pandan Island

~Ola

The last island that we visited was Isla Pandan. When we were on our way to the island, the wind was blowing hard and the waves are kinda crazy again. Our boat was like doing a wild rock-a-bye baby by the waves It was the Southwest Monsoon acting weird As usual, I was on my prayers at the back of my mind..God is good because he let us reach the island safe and sound.

Another breakdown of expenses at this island: 

100 pesos per pax ~ entrance fee

350 pesos ~ picnic table rental fee

250 pesos ~ lunch meal  

After settling down at our picnic table, I explored the island but I didn't go far. I might get lost you know.

The shade of our table

 Trees are all around

Our lunch took a long time to be cooked. But it was worth the wait because it tastes so juicy and fresh. 

Grilled seashell

Stewed seashells in ginger and malunggay leaves

Our belly was sooo round and stuffed. We spent the next minutes resting..we can't barely walk LOL.  We made sure that the food that we ate is already fully digested before we went back to the water to play. 

Hubby and I had so much fun but it was too windy and the waves were getting bigger. We decided to leave the island by 1:30 p.m. so that we can go back at the hotel at 3 p.m. to grab our things. It was one crazy boat ride once again. The waves were big and strong that it can already flip our boat over. Would you also believe that are boat man wore the life jacket in case of emergency. I was really panicking and I kept on asking myself on why is it taking a long time for us to reach the seaport of Honda Bay. 

My hubby kept on holding my hand but he was smiling because for him, it was a thrilling experience to literally ride with the waves. My prayers were again answered when we were able to reach the seaport safe. But I noticed that the seawater near the port was already brown like it had too much soil on it. I figured out that the coast guard was no longer allowing tourist to leave the port due to bad weather condition. Whew, such a relief! I would never forget this trip but it won't stop me on going back to Palawan for more vacation adventure.

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 3: Pambato Reef

~Ola 

Next stop of our island hopping is at Pambato Reef. This is just floating structure at the middle of a deep blue sea. We just had some few pictures here as my camera was not waterproof at all. Another entrance fee of 50 pesos per pax should be paid upon entering the floating structure. 

I was braver this time around. We were able to explore the whole snorkeling area. I saw different kind of fish, coral and giant clamps. I was actually looking for Nemo which is a clownfish but our guide said that it was at a restricted area. It was a big achievement for me to overcome my fear. I was extremely happy so see a paradise under the sea. 

....to be continued 

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 3: Luli Island

~Ola

The island that we first visited is Luli Island. This is were we'll have a crash course on snorkeling. We also brought some biscuits for snack but it became fish food on the later part. I didn't realize that we do no have a water protector for our camera. So we were not able to capture our underwater adventure. BTW, you also need to pay an entrance fee of 50 pesos per pax for the island visit. 

This is one of the floating house at Luli Island. We were not able to finish our crash course on snorkeling here because I totally freaked out when I saw how deep the water is. Our tour guide/assistant boatman was very understanding about my phobia. We just stayed at a nearby area with a school of fish that I was able to feed. I said sorry to hubby because I felt that I was such a kill joy. Hubby also advised me that I should just focus on thinking how beautiful the place is, instead of entertaining the paranoia that I would drown. Urgh! Slap! maybe I just needed time to cope up  

....to be continued

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 3: Honda Bay

~Ola

Were off to the last day of my vacation tour, this was the last day so it needs to be special. We ended up almost broke after this trip lol. Purok Honda Bay is about 20-30 minutes ride from the city. Same as our day one here at Palawan we didn't avail the package tour from the agency..we did our cowboy style adventure again. I think there are 5-6 island to choose from when you go island hopping and it was our call which island to visit.

These are the breakdown of expenses before leaving the seaport: 

    500 pesos ~ trisikel ride (back and forth) 

600 pesos ~ rental fee for 2 pairs of snorkeling goggles and aqua shoes

1300 pesos ~ rental fee for the boat ride with the capacity of 6-8 passengers

50 pesos per pax ~ environmental fee Luli Island

50 pesos per pax ~ environmental fee Pambato Reef 

100 pesos per pax ~  environmental fee Pandan Island 

We spent around 2,300 pesos in total . We had an exclusive boat ride and we were 4 passenger in total including our boatman and his assistant which is going to be our tour guide . The waves were still calm when we departed from the seaport. 

  

....to be continued

Happy Holidays!

(image credit to http://katsuragikaeru.wordpress.com/)

I'll be interrupting my lost list of delayed post just to greet you guys

Happy Holidays  

This if my first time to spend this holiday alone but don't

worry I'd be heading to the province (countryside) for the New Year. 

Words are not enough to say THANK YOU! To every people who 

brought joy and pain into my life. God had truly blessed me with sooo

many things and he continue on to guide me in every single day of my life. 

I wish for everybody's good health and prosperity. 

Love,               

 eKai        

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 2: Dinner Time

~Ola

After an exhausting day we were sooo dead hungry again. Since the baywalk is just a walking distance from the hotel, we decided to go there and see if there are any place where we can eat at. Luckily we have found JA Seafood Restaurant. Aside from being a restaurant its also an acoustic bar. 

We ate sizzling sisig, sinigang na hipon and garlic rice. This meal costs around 500-600 pesos. It was really satisfying and its worth every penny that we spent. If we were in Manila, we would be spending almost 1,000 pesos on a meal but its not satisfying unlike here at Palawan.  

There was actually a carnival near the baywalk. After eating at the restaurant, we went there and hubby played some games. It started to rain though, so we went back to the hotel immediately. Oh! before I forgot, I bought a cotton candy on our way back to the hotel.

We spent the night packing our things for our island hopping tour and the things that we need to bring back home. Our flight is at 5:40 p.m. so we still have a lot of time to go island hopping. Our check out time at the hotel will be at 12 n.n., and hotel staff will just bring out our things and leave it the lobby for us to pick-up. So we made sure that everything is in order before sleeping

Puerto Princesa Adventure Day 2: Underground River Tour

~Ola

Yay! I am thanking this holiday season as I have a lot of time to post on my blog. Moving on, I''ll be sharing to you our trip to Puerto Princesa Underground River. Let's start! Our call time was 7 a.m. so we woke up early to make sure that our fellow tourist wouldn't wait long. Our transport was an air conditioned van so that we can travel in comfort. I thought we would be able to travel early but the van headed to other hotels to pick up other people. In total, there were 11 passengers in the van including the driver and the tourist guide. 

We would be traveling from the city going to Baranggay Sabang which is located at the South China seaside of Palawan. It was a long travel that took more than an hour. Most of the roads were already cemented but it was very zig-zaggy. One of passenger got carsick but luckily I'd didn't get to experience that as I am asleep most of the time

This is the only picture that I took when I was awake XD

When we were like 15 minutes away from the seaport my hubby woke me up. Our tour guide asked for everybody's identification card. He said he needs it so that the staff from the seaport could counter check it with the underground river tour permit  that we were able to acquire prior to going there. He also asked for an additional 40 pesos per pax as an environmental fee..I wonder why those kind of fee is not included on the tour package. 

We waited for another 30 minutes for our turn to ride the boat. It was our chance to take a look at the beautiful view. 

I can't take a proper picture while on the boat ride because the waves keeps on splashing everywhere. I don't really remember how long we traveled from the seaport of Sabang going to Saint Paul Mountain Range because the waves was distracting me too much.

You don't know how thankful I am when we reached the shore. Crazy, but when I'm traveling at sea it gives chill on my spine..aquaphobia yes! I think I have that somehow. 

There is a wooden pathway in the middle of this forest. It's soo amazingly green here believe me!

 The water is cold and look! Some fresh water fish is playing around. 

These are some pick pocket monkeys..be careful, they can grab anything and you won't be able to take it back. 

A view from the boat

 Cave entrance

 It's really dark inside the cave. My digital camera can't really take decent pictures. The tour inside the cave lasted for more than 30 minutes I believe. You'd be able to see amazing rock formation and bat poop!

What I don't like on this tour, is our guide was in too much haste. He's such a kill joy on camwhoring moments and he hides/stays away from the group if you to attempt to ask him to take a picture of you. I hope Maple Travel and Tours improves on the interactive skills of their tourist guides. 

After going back to Sabang port we went to a resort near the sea and ate our lunch. And when we got back to the city, hubby and I decided to take a nap before dinner time. 

....to be continued