| |
 Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Palawan, Philippines
Know the most popular landmarks in Palawan, Philippines. You may read about best transportation, recommended travel itinerary, suggested routes and directions. Also, you might want to read our
Baguio city guide,
Bohol city guide,
Boracay city guide,
Cebu city guide,
El Nido city guide,
Manila city guide,
and Puerto Galera city guide.
Pages (1 of 1):
| M Legaspi |
10 February 2004 |
Stayed at Legend Hotel Palawan, The - Palawan, Philippines.
|
Before I came to Palawan, I read a few travel guides on Puerto Princesa. I emailed a safari cruiser and a writer as well---Bruce Curran, and he referred me to Chikee Denosta, manager of the Palawan Airport Village hotel.
My friend and I got to Puerto a few minutes after 9:00 am on a bright Sunday. I met Chikee later on before checking in the Legend Hotel. A few minutes later, we were out discovering the city.
Puerto Princesa (meaning Princess of Ports) is a bustling industrious city. Its main source of income is tourism and agriculture. Our first stop was the Butterfly Garden. Here, we actually saw a butterfly getting out of the cocoon and mating butterflies. (We were supposed to go to the Crocodile Farm, but it's closed on Sundays.) Next stop was the house of deceased former Senator Mitra. The house had a good view of the Honda Bay, so we took a few pictures there.
It was just after 11am. Next stop is Honda Bay. We set out to Sta. Lourdes Wharf, where the docking station was located. Honda Bay consists of about 9 islands: Cowrie, Bat Island, Luli (for Lulubog-Lilitaw) Island, Meara Marina, Starfish Island, Snake Island, Pandan Island and Dos Palmas. Our tour (Php 600.00) included Pandan, Snake and Starfish. Some of the islands you can get in free, while some you have to pay an entrance fee. Dos Palmas is the most expensive. In Pandan Island, we did a bit of swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. We then sailed to Snake Island--an island name because of the way it was shaped. I love Snake Island. There, you can snorkel and feed the fish. They will really come to you! Plus the view was amazing--clear white sand stretched in the shape of a snake. It was a beauty. Finally, we went to Starfish Island. In fact, we came upon a starfish already at Snake Island, but here there were more. Just so sad that rain poured that afternoon, so we got stuck on the sheds.
When we got back to the Wharf, our tricycle man was there. (We paid him Php 500.00 for the city tour, plus the ride to the wharf.) He brought us to VietVille (Little Saigon)-- a place where Vietnamese had found their homes after the time of wars. They serve great french bread for only Php 5.00 here! Afterwards, we were taken to a nearby hot springs resort. Here, you can rent a "room" which had a sort of hot springs jacuzzi in it. Rent ranges from Php 100 to Php 200 for any number of people.
We went back to the hotel to change for dinner. Chikee, my friend and I had dinner at Balinsasayaw (derived from a type of bird), where we heaped ourselves grilled squid, calamares and grilled pork liempo. After dinner, we went to the Palawan Airport Village Hotel and Kamarikutan Coffee and Art Gallery. Kamarikutan is known to be a sacred place, and every year, Joey Ayala plays here to chant some music.
Day one was finally over. Day 2: Underground River trip. If you’re less than 3, take the jeep. Earliest trip is at 6pm. Last trip from Sabang is at 2pm. (Bring also a packed lunch if you want.) After waiting for more than an hour at the San Jose loading station, we finally began our mountainous tour to Sabang. 2 hours after a very jerky jeepney ride, we were welcomed by the majestic view of South China sea. For travelers going to the Undergound River, you have to pay a Php 150.00 payment for the permit. Then another Php 500.00 for the boat ride. 6 people can be accommodated per boat, so the more, the cheaper. The boat ride (30 mins) will take you to the entrance of the Underground River. If you plan to stay overnight, you can rent a room at Sabang and take the trek to the Underground River. From a pump boat, you will have to switch to a paddle boat, for touring the Underground River. Again, our tourguide was very accommodating and he offered more information than I could handle. The Underground river is 8.5 km long, but the tour was only 1.5 km. Why? Because the boats need to go back in order to accommodate more travelers. The Underground River has one of the world's best limestone carvings and is one of the wonders of the world.
We got back to Puerto Princesa town proper around 430. We went straight to Nasin-aw White Beach to catch the setting sun. Here, beaches close at 6pm.
Dinner was late, but superb. We ate at KaLui's, a famed seafood restaurant at Rizal Avenue (where the airport was also located). We had shrimp, blue marlin and seafood sisig...yummy! For some late night fun, go to Kinabuch's. It’s a favorite hangout, mostly for students. It had a bar, billiards, and great music. People stay up there till 2 to 3 am. We stayed there for quite a while and ended the day at 1am. Phew!
For pasalubong, you can buy salted fish or cashew nuts. Buy at the airport or at the market.
It was a wonderful trip, I must say. Short and fun. We had made friends with most of the townspeople and learned a lot of things about Puerto Princesa and Palawan. I would really want to go back sometime soon.
|
| I Norlund |
12 December 2003 |
Stayed at Club Paradise - Palawan, Philippines.
|
There is only the same restaurant, and that is fine for non back packers. Have to go by boat 45 minutes to reach the coast of Busuanga, and a jeepney from there to other destinations. Coron island was wonderful, you have to know a little climbing to reach the lakes. Coron town seems very real and Filipino.
|
|
Pages (1 of 1):
Book a hotel in Palawan, Philippines
|
