throwback august 2o1o: puerto princesa city tour

Let's finish my Puerto Princesa series, shall we? From the Underground River, to our Honda Bay Tour and now we're down to our last day - our City Tour.

It was a pretty long day before we finally headed back to Manila. Our first stop was Immaculate Conception Cathedral. I can't remember if we went inside or we simply took photos outside. Memory gap! Bawal ang pork, bawal ang beans.. Hehehe.

At the other side of the street is Plaza Cuartel. Wikipedia said "Plaza Cuartel is the restored ruins of an old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned 143 American prisoners of war inside a tunnel and stands as a grim reminder of World War II." Whatever you say, Wikipedia. But come to think of it, the place is indeed historic having witnessed such tragic event from the past. The good though is that they were able to transform it into an informative city park. Check this blog out. Click! Click!

Next stop was Puerto Princesa's own version of Baywalk. Perfect tambayan if we only had the luxury of time. I bet local teenagers flock the place during night time. :P

The highlight of the day was our visit to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. It was formerly known as Crocodile Farming Institute dahil hellooo, aside from the mini zoo, crocodiles na everywhere. 

We checked out the hatchling house first. There were lots of baby crocodiles separated in different basins depending on their maturity. May mature, may immature. Parang sa tao lang. Choooss!! (para sa pinaghuhugatan ng joke na ito, click here. :P) Hahaha! And by the way, guests are advised to keep a good distance from the basins because some immature baby crocs may snap and leap from their containers. Ouch!

Then we transferred to the older crocodile's den. There is a steel path walk just above the den for the visitors. Silip silip lang from above ang peg. We also watched as the other group fed a crocodile. Tied to a rope was raw chicken; they teased the crocodile with it and eventually let the poor creature have his meal.  I took a video and kept shouting as the crocodile snaps. And guess what, I won't let you hear my annoying voice in that video.

Update 07.25.2013 

Okay, I give in! Here are the videos. The second one's more entertaining. You're welcome. :)

Next we roamed around the mini zoo. They had ostriches, bear cats, porcupines, different bird species, among others. 

Lastly, we had photo ops with a baby croc. If you think about it, this activity doesn't support the welfare of the animal in use. Aside from the fact that the croc's snout is tied with rubber bands, I also saw an incident where the guest dropped the baby croc. But looking at the bigger picture, the funds they get from this activity support, or at least help, in the operation of the entire conservation center. It's really up to the visitors' judgement.

After the long hours spent at the conservation center, we went to Baker's Hill. Tinapay galore. Added bonus was the beautiful place. It's a mix of themed-park vibes and vintagey feel - themed-park vibes due to the looney tunes characters and vintagey feel due to the house, the ornaments and the kalesa. I just had to explain that. Haha! 

Last stop before lunch was Mitra's Ranch. Yes, it's owned by the late senator Ramon Mitra. There's a view deck where you can enjoy the beauty that is Puerto Princesa. The place is perfect for just hanging loose, I guess most especially at night. I wouldn't mind lying on the grass while stargazing.

Then we had lunch at Haim Chicken Inato. Ohai there, Mang Inasal. Haha! I'd say it's good but I really cannot tell if it's better than our very own Mang Inasal 'cause I'm no foodie. And oh, they serve inafish too. Funny, eh?

Of course, we dropped by the local tiangges too for pasalubong. Back in those days, since we're still giddy travelers, OA kame magpasalubong. We learned to mellow in time. Sorry parents, sibs, friends and officemates. :P

And then we had to hit the airport wearing our Palawan shirts and matching ethnic necklaces. Excited young girls.

You may want to checkout Sheena's stories too.

Puerto Princesa is Love: Underground River

Puerto Princesa is Love: Honda Bay

Puerto Princesa is Love: City Tour

ELSEWHERE

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throwback august 2o1o: puerto princesa honda bay tour

I plan my days - if you still haven't assumed that from my obvious oc-ness. Today says I should blog about my next throwback post so here I am blogging despite being a little restless and bothered. If the 'thing' that's bothering me turns out well, I'll tell you exactly what it is but if not, I am keeping it a secret. I am unfair like that. Harhar.

Let's continue with the Puerto Princesa series I started days ago. From Underground River, I'll take you to  Honda Bay. You ready?

Day 2 Honda Bay Tour

Have I mentioned we felt so at home at Aniceto? We had our no fuss breakfast at their rooftop. We only brought our baons then freely used their kitchen - utensils, hot water for our noodles, cold drinking water.. what else can you ask for? Ah, libreng kape! Oo nga naman.

After our homey breakfast, we started preparing for the long day ahead. We went to a local market to buy stuff for our lunch at the island - fish, shrimps, squid, etc. On our way to the wharf, we also passed by a random grocery to complete our island needs.

At the wharf, we went through the usual registration process. Can't remember though if we signed waivers, but most probably we did. We then gave our groceries to the boatman because he'll be the one to prepare our lunch. O diba, buhay mayaman?

Our first stop was Pandan Island. It's where we stayed the longest - snorkeling, lunch then lots of photo ops. 

I remember how scared I was when we started snorkeling. This was back in the days when I still can't swim and it's just my second time to snorkel. Poor little girl. The first time I tried snorkeling was back in 2009 in Puerto Galera and the big difference was that we were holding on to a boat that time. This time, we only had a single makeshift salva vida. I did not let go of the salbabidang gulong. Not.even.once.

Then it was time for lunch. To date, it was one of the best lunch I ever had; not only because of the food but because of the entire feel of the island. Yung tipong masasabi mo talaga, "ang sarap ng buhay". Hahaha!

We made the most out of our first island by taking lots and lots of photos. Our guide slash boatman also showed us some camera tricks. Amazeballs! But seriously, we were indeed amazed as at that point we were only starting with our travel dreams. Mga batang uto-uto pa. 

Our next stop was Snake Island. We only stayed for a while as there's not so much to see. Aside from that, it's a lot scarier than the previous island as we cannot see the ocean floor. Our guide was having fun of us by saying he cannot assure the absence of sharks. I have to admit he got me there!

Next stop: Starfish Island. If I have to rank the islands we were able to visit, this comes next after Pandan Island. Pandan being the best, of course. I had fun in this island because it's where we used our disposable underwater camera. Our guide made us pose underwater one by one. Ha! It was fun. And there were lots of Nemos. Oookay, I meant there were lots of clownfish. Now I know why it is so hard to find Nemo - the real one. #anodaw #waley

Fourth island: Pambato Reef! One thing I'll never forget about this island was the itch and rashes the eggs of the corals gave me. It was so itchy, disturbing, annoying, itchy.. did I say itchy already?! Haha! The feeling is fresh on my mind, you have to understand. To make it worse, it was the scariest among the five islands. Yung feeling na nasa gitna ka ng dagat, tas sobrang lalim at hindi ka marunong lumangoy.

Our last island was Luli Island short for lulubog-lilitaw. The said sand bar sinks underwater on high tide. Isn't that cool? Thank God we did not snorkel because at this point I was hella tired already and four islands to snorkel at is more than enough. Agree? Although we had to use what's remaining of our energies for jump shots.

After our honda bay tour, we went back to Aniceto to rest and freshen up. Dinner came in next at KaLui. I love the ambiance! Super relaxing, perfect after a long day of swimming and snorkeling. After our dinner, we stayed a little longer outside. Just like the other guests, we made the most out of the beautiful place by taking photos. It's all worth it. 

ELSEWHERE

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throwback august 2o1o: puerto princesa underground river

Because I can't figure out how to squeeze in our 3-day Puerto Princesa trip in a single post, let's do this in parts. Would that be alright? Yes, people. I'm asking you like there's anything you can do with that. Harhar.

Day 1 Underground River

It was the same day as our flight to Puerto Princesa. We were very much in a hurry that we headed straight to the underground river from the airport. We weren't able to check-in first to Aniceto Pension. I was forced to change clothes in Jollibee where we took out our lunch from. Maarte problems, I know. There's just no way I am ruining an 'outfit plan'. Hehehe. 

I must admit I was really in awe with the place. It wouldn't be a wonder of nature for nothing, right? I know the photos below do not give justice to the beauty of the place but sharing still - the underground river from the amateurs' lenses.

Inside the cave were more surprises. I was so impressed with the rock formations because at that time I haven't been to Sagada's Sumaguing Cave. It could have been better if people are allowed to get off the boat for photo ops but then that would be so dangerous. And freaking scary. But fun. Geez. What am I  thinking? 

Here's how we looked like inside. It's eerie but not to the point that it took away the fun. If you know what I mean. We were lucky enough too that we had such an amusing boatman. Sobrang benta!!

After the tour, we spent some time outside for more photo ops. Too bad swimming isn't allowed because they say, it is a marine sanctuary.

We checked-in at Aniceto Pension then hurried out again for merienda and more lakwacha. We ate some weird halo-halo at Sari's Baryo. We had a hard time looking for a place to eat because the restaurants were closed. Apparently, most of them only open at lunch and dinner time.

We then took our much deserved rest back in Aniceto. While traveling is fun, let's all admit it's pretty tiring too. Personally, I prefer itineraries that allow you to breathe. Enough time for rest, for updating your countless social media accounts, for quick naps.. This trip is exactly that except when we had to skip checking-in.

So anyway, for dinner we ate at Kinabuch's Bar and Grill, house of the famous and equally gross tamilok. At some point, I thought I regret that I didn't try it. But if I'll be given another chance, I still won't try it - which means I really do not regret it. Ano daw? Hahaha!

After dinner and their tamilok adventure, we went back to our crib and called it a night.  We knew another long day is waiting for us. 

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