Island-hopping at El Nido

it rained the past days so i deem it such a blessing when we were greeted by warm sunshine that morning, just perfect for our scheduled island tour. it was Mang Sonny who introduced us to Mang Jun, a fellow Cebuano who became more enthusiastic upon learning we speak the same dialect.

we set off at around 9am and proceeded to our packaged tour A which supposedly include Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu, Miniloc, Secret Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon and 7 Commando Beach.


our first stop was in Payong-Payong Beach, whoa! sand was so fine, waters azure blue and it was deserted we had it all to ourselves that we had a grand time clicking away and frolic in the sun.



after reminding everyone that it was only our first stop, we headed to our next destination. we anchored near Shimizu Beach for snorkeling and fish feeding. indeed, fishes abound in the area and they are as cam whores as we are too!


for our lunch, Mang Jun took us instead to Snake Is. which is supposedly part of Tour B. He said the sand bar would be more interesting and we could trek towards the view deck for a better view of the surroundings as well. we took more photos, took a dip while Mang Jun prepared our lunch.



lunch was composed of grilled fish and pork, crabs and some vegetable salad. yum! Mang Jun does know how to prepare an island feast!




and that is the breath-taking view from the view deck. the hues of greens and blues are totally relaxing even if the sun was shining down brightly on us.

from Snake island, our next destination was the Secret Lagoon.



and here's the entry to the secret



our final two stops were the Small Lagoon and the Big lagoon.



we finished with the tour at around 5PM totally exhausted but sated. El Nido is indeed gorgeous and everything there makes us feel we are truly in paradise.

(Tour cost is 500PhP including the snorkeling gear and meals.)

The Road To El Nido

i can't sugarcoat it, the drive towards El Nido is indeed rough, though the first 4 hours or so ride is smooth it could get dizzying at times because the roads are winding.

it didn't help much that it was raining during our trip.

i took bonamine and though i fell asleep on the first few hours i was jolted off from sleep because of the sudden twist and turns.


on the last 2 hours of the trip that's when the roads became really bad. parang nangangabayo ka lang. especially for me who was seated on the rear most part of the van.





but i had great company, we slept, ate a lot, we had chips and hopia and asado, and pianonos bought from Baker's Hill. we'd sing, dance to 80's music playing in Mang Sonny's stereo.

and when we finally got to El Nido this is what we saw:



the beach looks so calm, serene, inviting. the trip is just worth it!

we left Puerto Princesa at around 11am, had lunch at Roxas and arrived El Nido at past 5pm. so yeah, the trip takes around 6 hours.

Please contact Mang Sonny: 0926-5732031 if in case you'd want to go there and need a van.

our roundtrip van rental was P12,000.00, when we got to PP airport, some ladies there are offering van rentals for 12k one way.
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The Underground River Tour

Sabang, Palawan


i admit it, i am slightly claustrophobic. i have been left inside a freezer (it was turned off, don't worry) for hours as a kid when we were playing hide and seek. well, i was told to stay put no matter what and that's just what i did. masunuring bata. part of our childhood games with my siblings was crawling through a rolled mat (banig) but everytime i'd get to crawl through they would trap me inside and it's just so dark and i could hardly breathe! *shudders*

till now, thinking of being in an enclosed dark place still gives me the shivers. i'd most often find myself gasping for air when a room has no windows or the curtains are fully drawn.

this is one reason why i haven't really tried going inside caves or any more enclosed places.

this is one exception though. i've been to Puerto Princesa several times and though i have shunned the idea of braving the Underground River tour i knew i must have to try it out somehow. i'm not getting any younger after all.

located in Sabang, about 2 hours from the Puerto Princesa proper, the Underground River also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park has about 8 kilometers stretch of underground navigable river.




a paddle boat will take the tourists inside for a 40 minute round trip up to the designated stretch and back to the cave mouth.





it is totally dark inside save for the the spotlight provided by each boatman. nothing is heard but light splashes of water, the low murmurs of each tourist and the booming voice of the boatman who also serves as the guide.



i had to breathe more deeply and deliberately and tried to calm myself down as i listened to the guide. he would point to us different rock formations like the holy images, some vegetables and animal shapes. and he would constantly remind us not to raise our heads and open our mouths lest droppings from numerous bats on the ceiling would find it's way to it.




there is nothing but mystic serenity inside the cave. but i could not help but heave a big sigh of relief when we could finally see the mouth of the cave again. ahhh, open air!




we are once again greeted by the lush scenery of blue skies, deep blue and green waters and heavy forest.

at least i can finally say i've been to one majestic cave my entire life and a World Heritage Site at that!

next stop, Sumaguing Cave in Sagada???? Let me think about that a thousand times over hehehe....

splendid Coron!

let each photo be a testament.


waiting for the sunset at La Sirenetta Bar and Restaurant.



finest white sand and the clearest blue waters at Banol Beach



from the Kayangan viewdeck, one can see this majestic view of limestone cliffs and deep greenish-blue waters.



the very clean and serene Kayangan Lake.



the marine park of Siete Pecados.



The Lambingan Bridge.

Darayonan Inn

Coron, Palawan




i have stayed here years before which is why i looked this up at once when i knew i'm supposed to go back to Coron.

i stayed at their standard room accommodation which is located in the main house where the lobby, office and kitchen is. i guess the owners live there as well






rate is at 800 for two persons including breakfast. it has an aircon which i rarely use since it's a bit cold already and the electric fan could suffice. it has hot and cold shower too.




there's free wi-fi in the area which could reach up to my room as well. they also offer unlimited water and coffee refills.




there are newer rooms in the area. the compound also has a restaurant and a bar.

i love it here, it's so homey and comfortable and food is good enough even for the most discriminating palates.

contact info:

www.darayonan.com
dipulao@yahoo.com.ph
Phone (632)7105484
Fax (Manila): (632) 7004519
Contact Person: Francisco P. Fernandez Jr.
Mobile: 09178811151

rediscovering coron

there is now a certain charm these small planes have for me. it gives me the promise of being able to explore un-popular, less developed destinations. it may feel a bit cramped inside the plane, i could almost hear its groans and whines as we slowly cruise towards unchartered territories.

Coron reminds me of Batanes, rustic yet heavenly, and i feel like hearing tribal beats resounding in the air as i face the prospect of more adventures.

this is the cheaper version though especially when the airfare that i got only costs around 2500 roundtrip from PAL Express. ;)


Coron beckons!