Last week was excruciating. The only thing that kept me going like the Energizer bunny was my impending trip to Palawan with Christian. So when the clock stroke 3pm last Saturday, I was gone. In 60 seconds. El Nido has always been a "must go to place" when the finances allow. And just recently, so is Coron. But never did I dream I'd be setting foot in Palawan this soon. So, thank you Phil So Good. Thank you Department of Tourism Region 4. And thank you President Aquino for the very long weekend.
How to Get There:
Cebu Pacific offers daily flights to Puerto Princesa. It's the only airline with direct flights from Cebu. The earliest and lone direct flight is at 10:00. You get to Puerto Princesa just in time for lunch to grab some fresh sea food or what have you.
Where to Stay:
Puerto Princesa has a wide array of accommodations for
tourists that’s suited to the budget. If you want to splurge on the tour
packages and save on the lodging, pension houses are available at a very
affordable cost. A local even shared that when it’s peak season,
local residents open rooms of their homes for a much cheaper fee. But if you prefer
having a hot and cold shower, free breakfast/lunch/dinner, access to wifi, cable
TV, use of swimming pool and total relaxation, several hotels are sprawled all
over the city. The biggest one I have seen is Hotel Centro with 111 rooms.
We stayed at Hotel Fleuris, a Standard class hotel accredited by the DOT. It is located just 10 minutes away from the airport and a 5 minute hike to Rizal Ave., the national highway where the restaurants are lined up. They have complete amenities to satisfy your stay coupled with a warm and courteous staff.
What I found most convenient about Hotel Fleuris, and most hotels in Puerto Princesa was that they have free airport pick up and drop off.
What to Do:
1. Dine at their famous restaurants applauded by tourists and locals alike. Lunch on our first day was at Balinsasayaw Restaurant at Rizal Avenue. The restaurant is built on stilts, sans the water. Tables were placed on separate mini huts and customers have to climb a few steps of stairs to be seated. Frankly though, it needs upkeep and maintenance. The wooden columns and cogon roofs gave off a strange smell that triggered my allergies. But all in all, it was an okay al fresco dining experience because the food made up for what the restaurant lacked in aesthetics.
On top the regulars, we ordered the resto's specialties. We had Balinsasayaw Express - plate of seafood heaven. It was a combination of sauteed shrimp, shell meat, squid, cubes of cheese and bell peppers all mixed in sweet and sour sauce. Also, as suggested by SMILE magazine that we read on our flight to the city, we tried Ranga - Ranga. I am not a lover of seafood but this dish I really liked. It is sauteed shell meat with bell peppers and onions.
Locals we've talked to highly recommended Kalui. So we dined there on our last night. A tip though: call the afternoon prior to your planned dinner date because they prioritize reservations. They do accept walk ins but you will be seated in garden area rather than inside the premises. The indoors is a cozy hut adorned with real fruits (bananas, papayas, coconuts and avocadoes) vegetables, paintings, native furniture and decors. They also have a barefoot policy. Customers are required to leave their footwear at the deposit area.
2. Cool off at Baker's Hill. We hired a tricycle for P100. The distance from the city proper and the steep road en route to the spot explains why it is quiet pricey. Baker's Hill started as a bakery but later added a restaurant, a pizzeria, playground, and aviary to its amenities. It sits neatly on top of a hill overlooking the city. Hence the name.
What I found amusing about the place were the human size fiber glass statues of cartoon characters, pirates and animals. Perfect for perverting, err, making fun of...which we definitely did!
Baker's Hill, I found, to be a breath of fresh air from the city scene - literally and figuratively.
3. Get in touch with your wild side at Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center a.k.a the Crocodile Farm. Unlike Baker's Hill, they have an entrance fee of P40 for adults and P30 for children. They conduct tours to the farm every 30 minutes with the last one at 4:30 pm. Awaiting your tour, enjoy a photo op with a 3 year old crocodile for P30 only. Jaws taped shut of course. Proceeds go to the center as funds for care and maintenance of the animals.
The tour started showcasing a humongous spread of crocodile skin on the wall with a glass case of crocodile skeleton just below. These were the remains of the largest crocodile captured in Bacungan River, Palawan. It devoured half of a fisherman. Months later after being housed in the center, it unfortunately died of stress. (LOL)
Later we were taken to the hatchery where they keep the baby crocs. Then we were led to the den where the adult crocs were. Subic has bigger, hungrier and scarier crocs, I'd have to say.
Next on the itinerary was an unguided tour in their mini forest slash zoo. They showcased animals and mostly birds indigenous to Palawan. It was dusk and with my poor eyesight, I did not enjoy the stroll. I found fascinating though this broken-down make-shift bridge curtained by hanging vines.
Nearing the exit of the tour is another photo op but this time with a very lovable and lambing bear cat. Any amount of donation is appreciated. Here is Christian and the bear cat who can't seem to get enough of him. Adorable isn't it?
The center sells crocodile meat - sisig, sausages and longganisa. This I found ironic for a wildlife conservation center. Prices range from P150 and up. We were not able to try it nor did we buy a pack. I'm pretty sure it tastes like chicken. Tee-hee!
We hired a tricycle to transport us from Baker's Hill - Crocodile Farm - Hotel for only P300. The only mode of transportation in Palawan is by tricycle. Multi-cabs are available too but one has to wait for the cab to be filled before you can depart. Also, considering the travel distance to the center, the fee was not that bad.
4. Stroll along Baywalk. Locals recommend a relaxing saunter along Baywalk on a star filled night. And so we did. Baywalk is a seaside hang out that' similar to Manila's Roxas Boulevard. We were entertained by the colorful and decorative lamp posts of fishes and peacocks. Bikes are available for rent as well. The cool sea breeze was what we needed before heading back to the city.
5. Hotels and travel agencies offer a variety of tour packages for tourists. Here are some of the famous packages and their corresponding rates:
We stayed at Hotel Fleuris, a Standard class hotel accredited by the DOT. It is located just 10 minutes away from the airport and a 5 minute hike to Rizal Ave., the national highway where the restaurants are lined up. They have complete amenities to satisfy your stay coupled with a warm and courteous staff.
What to Do:
1. Dine at their famous restaurants applauded by tourists and locals alike. Lunch on our first day was at Balinsasayaw Restaurant at Rizal Avenue. The restaurant is built on stilts, sans the water. Tables were placed on separate mini huts and customers have to climb a few steps of stairs to be seated. Frankly though, it needs upkeep and maintenance. The wooden columns and cogon roofs gave off a strange smell that triggered my allergies. But all in all, it was an okay al fresco dining experience because the food made up for what the restaurant lacked in aesthetics.
On top the regulars, we ordered the resto's specialties. We had Balinsasayaw Express - plate of seafood heaven. It was a combination of sauteed shrimp, shell meat, squid, cubes of cheese and bell peppers all mixed in sweet and sour sauce. Also, as suggested by SMILE magazine that we read on our flight to the city, we tried Ranga - Ranga. I am not a lover of seafood but this dish I really liked. It is sauteed shell meat with bell peppers and onions.
I recommend Kalui's Special of the Day - dishes of vegetable tempura, steamed prawns, fish steak and steamed fish with oyster sauce. All that for the price of P395 only. Drown that off with a thick concoction of avocado and banana fruit shake and you will have to drag you and your round belly back to the hotel room. They also serve flavored San Miguel beer in apple and lemon flavors. We were lucky enough to be served complimentary desserts - a brimming bowl of fresh fruit slices (watermelon, mango, banana and papaya) sprinkled with brown sugar. We both agreed dining at Kalui's was the perfect way to end our stay in Palawan.
The place had this gorgeous 3 storey house that surely qualified for my dream home.
3. Get in touch with your wild side at Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center a.k.a the Crocodile Farm. Unlike Baker's Hill, they have an entrance fee of P40 for adults and P30 for children. They conduct tours to the farm every 30 minutes with the last one at 4:30 pm. Awaiting your tour, enjoy a photo op with a 3 year old crocodile for P30 only. Jaws taped shut of course. Proceeds go to the center as funds for care and maintenance of the animals.
Next on the itinerary was an unguided tour in their mini forest slash zoo. They showcased animals and mostly birds indigenous to Palawan. It was dusk and with my poor eyesight, I did not enjoy the stroll. I found fascinating though this broken-down make-shift bridge curtained by hanging vines.
The center sells crocodile meat - sisig, sausages and longganisa. This I found ironic for a wildlife conservation center. Prices range from P150 and up. We were not able to try it nor did we buy a pack. I'm pretty sure it tastes like chicken. Tee-hee!
We hired a tricycle to transport us from Baker's Hill - Crocodile Farm - Hotel for only P300. The only mode of transportation in Palawan is by tricycle. Multi-cabs are available too but one has to wait for the cab to be filled before you can depart. Also, considering the travel distance to the center, the fee was not that bad.
4. Stroll along Baywalk. Locals recommend a relaxing saunter along Baywalk on a star filled night. And so we did. Baywalk is a seaside hang out that' similar to Manila's Roxas Boulevard. We were entertained by the colorful and decorative lamp posts of fishes and peacocks. Bikes are available for rent as well. The cool sea breeze was what we needed before heading back to the city.
City Tour - P600/pax
Honda Bay Tour with Lunch Buffet - P1,100/pax
Underground River with Lunch - P1,500/pax
Dolphin Watching - P900/pax
Firefly Watching with Dinner - P1,300/pax
Estrella Falls with Lunch - P1,500/pax
Bacungan River Cruise with Lunch - P1,700/pax
*Inclusions of aircon van, entrance fees, boat fees, shed/cottage rentals, boat fees and a licensed tour guide.
Since we were booked for 3 days and 2 nights, we only availed of the Underground River tour. (Details to follow on my next blog post. I need more time to find the right words that would justify the beauty and wonder I witnessed!) What we wanted to try was the Honda Bay island hopping tour. However, that takes one whole day to finish. So:
How long to stay:
It is recommended that one stays for 4-5 days to enjoy the full experience of Palawan. With that period, one can certainly enjoy all of the tour packages offered and have time to shop for unique souvenir items.
Fun Facts about Puerto Princesa:
1. Palawan grows its own mangoes. However, locals and tourists cannot bring them out of the city. There is a law that expressly prohibits that. I am not certain but I think it has relation to the prevalence of mango pulp weevils in the region . It is a wormy thing that grows inside mangoes. Once eaten it can ruin a person's appetite and will render the mango inedilbe. These wormy things only grow in Palawan.
2. Airport security is stricter than usual. If you have any indications of pink eye, you will not be allowed to check in, more so, board the plane. In order to do so, you must present a medical certificate that you are fit to travel.
3. Puerto Princesa is typhoon and earthquake free. The last time they experienced a typhoon was in 1998. Typhoons only come to the area every 12 to 15 years. That is why most houses are made of light materials. Sale of cogon leaves and bamboo is a predominant business in the city.
4. They have no cinema house...yet. Currently, Robinson's is developing a mall and cinema house. News also say that SM will soon establish a mall in Palawan.
5. They have color coding of tricycles. On Sundays, all colors are allowed to roam the city. But on Mondays, only white ones can.
6. Puerto Princesa is the first carbon neutral city in the Philippines.
7. More importantly, Puerto Princesa is the home of one of the next Seven Wonders of Nature (fingers crossed!), the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Who to Contact:
Timeless World Travel and Tours. Look for Ms. Vangie Dytioco, their General Manager. Such a warm and adorable woman. She personally sees to it that her clients are properly taken cared of. She makes time to call and even visit you at your hotel.
Address: Unit G - 2nd Floor Escamilla Bldg., Rizal Avenue Extension
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
5300 Philippines
Telefax: (048)434-1868
Wireless No: (048)723-6636
Email: info@timelessworldtt.com
Website: www.timeslessworldtt.com
Very extensive and detailed post lex. I love it. Paging DOT! They should hire you. Hehe.
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