June was such a bad month for me up until now. Got sick a number of times, my laptop crashed 3 times, wasted a couple of good opportunities, and a major personal problem is about to arise. So when I got an invitation for a tour of Puerto Princesa, Palawan courtesy of Airphil Express, I just couldn’t pass it up. Not only was it a good time to avoid the storm Falcon, it also served as an escape from my own tropical depression. Naks, ang witty. Char.
Happy flying
At first, we were all concerned if the flight will push through because of the storm but it did. When we arrived at the airport in Palawan, it was really hot and sunny and I could feel my mood changing a little. A shuttle whisked us away to our accommodation during out entire stay in Puerto Princesa, the Marianne Home Inn which is a pretty decent and affordable place to stay, with rooms for as low as P1,200 for 2 people per night.
Our agenda for the day is to have a running tour of the islands in Honda Bay starting with a 30-minute boat ride to Pandan Island where we’ll have our lunch. The place was really nice with a designated place for snorkelers and fish feeding. Plus there weren’t too many people so you can definitely enjoy spending time sitting on the sand or walking on the shore. Entrance to Pandan Island is usually P25 per person.
After a hearty lunch, we all went snorkeling and fed the fishes with bread that we bought from the main land and it was just so fun to see colorful fishes swim around you because of the food and it’s the first time I experienced something like it.
We then took another boat ride to our next destination, Snake Island. It was called Snake Island because of its shape. There we took some more vanity photos and we saw this part where little mangroves were planted and I thought it’d be a nice location for a photoshoot. Hahaha. When you come here, make sure you buy the halo-halo from the store. It’s a killer!
Our last stop was at the Pambato Reef. It’s this small cottage floating in the middle of the sea where visitors can go snorkeling for corals and bigger fishes.
Pambato Reef
Later in the night, we went to Iwahig for the Firefly Watching Tour. It’s a 45-minute night tour of Iwahig River by boat with nothing but millions of stars and thousands of fireflies to light the way. It’s one of the more memorable experiences I had in Puerto Princesa. I learned a lot of interesting facts about fireflies, as told by our boatman. By the time we saw the fireflies shimmering in the mangroves, we were amazed. This is definitely something you need to check out if you go to Puerto Princesa.
For our second day, we visited the Underground River which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the longest navigable river in the entire world and is currently running for a place in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Going there is around 2-3 hours by van from the main city to the wharf and 30-minutes by boat to Sabang Beach.
After registration, we got to walk through the forest, where monkeys and bayawaks are free to roam, until we get to the entrance to the cave. Each boat can accommodate 8-10 people and life vests are provided. As for the hard hats, it’s in case some bats decide to drop some guanos on your head. I’m not even going to describe my experience inside the cave because I strongly recommend you see it for yourself. Char lang. It was too dark inside and I couldn’t take any photos with my sucky camera.
Rochelle and I. Photo by Anton of http://www.pusangkalye.net
For lunch, we went to Taraw Vista Lodge and Restaurant where I bravely tried the infamous Tamilok or woodworm. It was okay, and tasted just like oysters. In fact, it’s actually not a worm but a specie similar to oysters. We pretty much had the rest of the day free so I just lazed around the beach and slept until our fabulous tour guide told us it was time to leave.
Tamilok (woodworm)
For our last day, we had a city tour of Puerto Princesa where we visited the Baywalk, Plaza Cuartel, some souvenir shops, Mitra’s Ranch, Baker’s Hill, and Binuatan Weaving Center. By 11:30, we were back at the hotel where we had lunch before going back to the airport.
Photo by Winston of http://www.batangyagit.com
In the end, I was able to spend a much-needed break away from the realities back in Manila and I was glad I spent it with new friends as it was my first time travelling with Eric, Winston, Rochelle, and JC together with Team West Anton and Mica. And of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the team from Airphil Express, Ms. Line, Hazel, Mike, and Bryan. We had loads of fun!!! Mostly because of the bida-kontrabida moments between Eric, Anton, and myself.
Team Puerto Princesa!
Lumalandi 2011
If you want to have the same experience we did, Airphil Express is having a promo Palawan Tour Package from July 1 to October 15. For less than P7,000 per person the tour package already includes the following:
- Roundtrip Airfare (ASF, YQ & TSC & 12% VAT)
- 3 Days/2 Nights Accommodation
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers
- Daily Breakfast
- A choice of either Honda Bay Tour or Underground River Tour
- City Tour
You can check out their website for more information.
52 REPLIES
Yey, Robbie! You deserve this vacation! Inggit ako sa boat ride.
At saang issue ng FHM umappear yung last pictures? Na-miss ko ata.
FHM? Fag Hag Magazine? Hahahaha.
yeah. Sobrang thankful ako dito at least kahit papano nagkaroon ako ng break bago sumabak ulit. Ka-stress talaga June.
Really love the fight pic! Di ko pa nau-upload yung set ko na majority ay ang iyong napakaganda/gwapong face :P
Ikaw na ang may iba’t ibang aura sa last pic. Labbit! The Escape of the Princesa =))
nakita mo ung aso dun sa pandan island? kulet kasi nun hinahabol nia ung mga isda sa mga mababaw na part haha nakakaaliw sya, sana nakapunta din kami dun sa firefly watching kainggit D:
Ang daming dogs dun!!! Sobrang cute pa nung mga puppies! Gusto ko nga sana makipaglaro sa mga puppies eh.
Next time punta tayo PPS! :D
ayun! napost na din! good naman at natuloy ang flight kahit na malakas ang ulan sa manila. at naiimagine ko ung bida-kontrabida ninyo ni anton. lol
Lol. So tingin mo sino samin ni Anton ang bida at ang kontrabida? Hahahaha.
Actually sobrang last minute na ako nag-pack dahil di ako sure kung tuloy pa din yung flight.
Palawan is truly a treasure! I had the chance to do a similar itinerary last March when I went there and the place is just breath-taking!
Please support the “No to Mining in Palawan” Campaign! Visit: http://no2mininginpalawan.com/
Thanks for the link! We signed up for a lot of petitions when we were there kasama na yung voting for the Underground River. If only the people in Manila and in other major cities in the country will vote.
pupunta min din dyan sa july 31-aug3 :D
kinain mo ba yung wood worm na nasa pic na parang kinilaw?
ahahha. natawa ako dun sa pic mo na naka higa ka ng flat :p lol
Yup, kinain ko siya. Pero konti lang. Di ko gusto yung texture niya eh. >_<
Wow, I have never been to Puerto Princessa. Now I must put it under my must-visit list. Thanks!
wow! excited much lalo na to see puerto princesa. Sana super ganda ren ng weather para pg-ng-firefly tour kme madami din ako makita. :D
According to locals, it rarely rains in Palawan. =)
Also according to our boatman during the firefly tour, mas madami ang fireflies after it rains because mas fresh ang halaman. Or something to that effect. =)
Gorabells!
Nice Article. I love Palawan:). I miss Philippines
Thanks!
I wish I can visit Coron and El Nido also! =)
I’m glad you enjoyed Palawan! Ang ganda talaga dyan no? And peaceful too!:)
Yeah. Ang ganda ng beaches. Napaka serene. Parang ako lang. Char. Hahaha.
Later in the night, we went to Iwahig for the Firefly Watching Tour. It’s a 45-minute night tour of Iwahig River by boat with nothing but millions of stars and thousands of fireflies to light the way.
— Hindi ko pa napupuntahan ung Firefly chenes!:D Next time, pag balik!:D
Maygad Robbie, summer na summer ang post mo. Nakaka-depress lalo. Hahaha. Joke lang.
Woooow, kakainggit.
Hihihihi. DECEMBER!!!!! Let’s Coron! <3
ganda talaga ng Palawan.
have you ever been to el nido? I skipped honda bay after visiting el nido, but i was wondering if the 2 could compare. Was the snorkeling good? and was the coral alive?
and i have to admit i HATED the underground river. definitely the only thing i hated in my 3 weeks in the Philippines!
No, I haven’t been to El Nido. But based on my travel blogger friends, I think El Nido is waaaay better than Puerto Princesa. And I think snorkeling is better in Coron and El Nido. =)
But why did you hate the Underground River? =(
Your comment about the Firefly Watching Tour: “It’s one of the more memorable experiences I had in Puerto Princesa.”
Dahil sa bangkerong engaged? HAHAHA!
Echusero ka JC!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahahahaha!
sa susunod.humanda. me resbak ang bida. hahaha
at talaga me personal storm na tinatawag?lols
twas really fun fun fun. walang ginawa kundi kumain, tumawa at gumala. 2nd time ko sa PPS pero iba parin talaga kasi iba mga kasama. lalo ang fa-fun nyo kasama. it’s team west + team palawan + team airphil express ftw!!!!
‘Scuse me, kahit anong resbak yan kabog pa rin kita. Char. Hahaha.
Kelangan talaga may personal storm na drama nukaba.
wow, tamilok! i’d like to try that. ganda ng pics mo parekoy! kakainggit!
Thanks Sir! =)
Okay ang tamilok na pampulutan. Maasim-asim. Hahaha.
hastigue talaga mga biyahe mo. san ba sunod?
may fireflies din sa donsol, dun ako unang nakakita ng napakaraming fireflies. after nun ayaw ko na unless libre. :P
Mas hastigue nga yung sayo eh! Ang sosyal lang ng mga pinupuntahan! Hahahaha.
May fee yung sa Firefly Tour pero napupunta naman sa upkeep and protection nung place to keep them away from mangrove poachers. Hahaha.
Hey there, nice post! I wish I could join you guys next time sa DFAT! Superb Puerto Prinsesa pics here!
I’ve got to try that firefly night tour!!
I’ve also read Eric D’s post regarding your trip at PPS, mukhang enjoy sobra ha. =]
Hahaha yeah. Of course the company made it more fun.
The firefly tour was a great experience. :D
I’m scheduled to visit PP this month! So excited…
Wow! Have fun there!
Suggest ko yung Honday Bay Island Tour and Firefly watching. :D
Great adventure. How I wish I can get to Palawan someday. One of my dream destinations;hehe; I’m curious about the wood worm. Magandang i-feature s food blog.
Kaya yan! Aiphil Express has very affordable packages for Palawan, inclusive na dun ang airfare and accommodations and tour! Bungga!
teh!!! i’m glad you had that trip. rejuvenated ka na?! :D
Rejuvinated, Refreshed, Reborn!
Char.
Ikaw na ang may bakasyon! Inggeeeet akoooo!
OMGEEEE Inggit sobra @_@ snorkeling + underground river!!! I wantssss din XD ang ganda nung beach!
Hihihi. <3
love your model pics!!! super bagay sayo! :D
Hahaha! Thanks Rochelle!
Nice seeing you again sa PPS! =D
Awsome pictures Robbie!!! A great, beautiful place to visit!
Hi Tsiremo! YEAH!!! I had such a good time there! I wanna go back for another round. Hahaha.
Nice! vacation! inggit much :)
Hahahaha! Thanks Irish! =)
you ought to come to bacolod’s masskara this october… weekend street party at its finest…
I want nga eh! I’ll see if I can. =)