Travel: Savoring The Wonder Of Nature: Palawan

A Memoir Of Palawan Trip 2014

Island Of Palawan

Palawan is under the island of Luzon. However, in 2005, by virtue of EO 429, Palawan became one of the islands of Visayas. Currently, this reorganization is held in moratorium maintaining the province to the island of Luzon under Region IV-B while awaiting reconsideration. Palawan is very renowned with regard to white sand beaches and pristine coral reefs. The province is also a haven for immense biodiversity of marine animals and coral reefs which is centrally located in Tubbataha Reef. There are also many world class and major beaches in Palawan, namely: Coron and El Nido. Palawan is dubbed as the city in a forest and one of the wonders of nature. Natives here are called Tagbanwa and Palawan. A trip to Palawan is reasonably affordable. You can avail it on the spot using on line reservation or through budget airfare. Also, you can travel by land using RoRo or by sea. Palawan is best for those travel buddies who want to experience nature at its best.

The First Day: Moments after arrival at the airport on March 7, 2014, at about 7:45 in the morning, we were fetched by a staff of Congressman Douglas Hagedorn to tour us according to itinerary. Thereon, we decided to eat at a nearest Vietnamese restaurant.

Puerto Princesa City Airport

Unknown to others, Palawan is also home to Vietnamese delicacy like “Chaolong.” Chaolong is a Vietnamese innards rice porridge, which is comparable to “lugaw” and “congee,” filled with different spices, sliced beef, and can be mixed with menthol-tasting basil leaves to add a suiting taste. A garlic bread can also complement the taste of Chaolong. For the price of P60, you can already be satiated and satisfied with Chaolong variants such as beef stew, chicken, bone, etc. There are many branches of Chaolong house in Puerto Princesa. However, Bona’s is the most famous among Chaolong houses in town located at hub of the City.

Chaolong Beef Stew

After breakfast, we were driven straight to Sabang beach—the gateway to the Underground River—by Lito—the designated driver. Going to Sabang is about 3-hour drive from Puerto Princesa City. A mountainous drive uphill was really a great adventure.Different sight-seeing beyond our expectation can be seen. According to the tour-guide driver, the mountains and caverns encompassing Barangay Tagabenit were formed million years ago out of limestone which attracted many Japanese firms lately to explore the place but it was immediately discouraged and rejected by the Hagedorns owing to possible environmental degradation and issue. Before you reach Sabang, an incredible 15-20 minute roller coaster like road will be negotiated and expected. So if you are not used to this kind of travel, you will easily get nauseated. Along the way, many limestone or karst formation can be seen in the scenery like the Elephant Cave or Karst Mountain which is considered by some as the biggest and best rock climbing spot including Goliath mountain, etc. that really captivated our spree going to Sabang.

Karst Mountain aka Elephant Cave

There is also a nearest zip line adjacent to Elephant Mountain which is the Ugong Rock Cave located in Barangay Tagabenit. Ugong Rock Cave/Adventure is a 75-foot karst limestone and also an alternative adventure spot which is home to plunging rock zipline—Palawan’s first zip line—spelunking, trekking, waterfalls and biking.

Ugong Rock Cave and Adventure

Unfortunately, those adventure spots or activities were not in our itinerary and not undertaken. Previously, the road going to Sabang was a rocky road to traverse with according to my friend Tolitz Billaoac who was in this place 3 years ago. Luckily, when we got there, it was fully completed concrete road—not including minor bridge works along the way. When we reached Sabang Beach by 11 am of the same day, we were 2 hours advanced from our schedule for the Underground River cruise. So, we decided to take our lunch buffet offered along the shoreline of Sabang. The buffet cost P150 per head not including the famous exotic delicacy known as “Tamilok” that is P100 per serving.

Exotic Food: Tamilok

Souvenir items are also available here. We had also an opportunity to take a photo souvenir from former Congressman and now Governor Junie Cua who was also traveling together with his wife.

Stream Mouth Of The Underground River

Our dream materialized upon arrival of the boat service on time that would ferry us towards Underground River. Immediately, we boarded and put our life vest on as a standard operating procedure being implemented and enforced by the Philippine Coast Guard for the safety of all passengers in a ferry. The South China Sea was calm when we sailed. A picture perfect rocky, limestone formation and cliff along the way were the highlights in our boat ride suggesting the proximity of the Underground River towards our position. This was another thrilling and nature experience.By then, we were already informed about possible tussle against the monkeys ashore if we would let our valuables be exposed to them. Monkeys at the shore are attracted to rustling plastic bag. According to the folks, bringing of valuable items enclosed in plastic bag during a walk to the banks of the Underground River is highly discouraged or or else imminent struggle against the monkey can be very much anticipated. It will take travelers about 30 minutes from Sabang shore before making it to the wonder of nature—The Underground River. Moreover, this UNESCO heritage site is an estuary that is connected to the sea. An exclusive boat is used when sailing the Cabayugan river aka the Underground River. Before reaching the Underground River, a 2-minute walk from a riparian zone passing the forest towards the site is expected. After, you will be amazed by the time you reach the stream mouth of the river. Its pristine and unimaginable appearance is incomparable and unbelievable.Our boatman was also our tour guide. Inside the Underground River, the boat man used to crack joke almost all the time relating stalactite and stalagmite formation into objects you can never imagine. The scheduled cruise has a span of 1.5 kilometers which is actually short of less than 4 kilometers from original tour owing to the shortness of time allotted and the narrowness and danger of the trail beyond. Other stalactite and stalagmite formation that really attracted us in the Underground River, namely: The holy family, the fruits and vegetable section, the last supper, the image of half-faced Jesus Christ, and of course the nocturnal bats. A notable graffiti I had noticed in the Underground River was confirmed to be a handwritten from an American explorer who was one of the earlier explorers of the Underground River and was commissioned to explore the said subterranean river in 1834—as written in the walls. There was also black cross signage inside which according to our guide was a marking drawn by natives to guide them in their navigation inside the subterranean. Also, the underground has many exit points. One of them is the exit point leading to Elephant Cave or Karst Moutain which is more than 4 kilometers long. Upon returning outside the underground, we could not help but amazed about the well-preserved heritage that is known to the world as the longest subterranean river and one of the wonders of nature.

After this adventure, we travelled back southeast to buy exotic dishes that would be eaten at the resort of Congressman Douglas Hagedorn. After a tiring 2 hour-ride from Puerto Princesa, we arrived safe and sound at the resort at about 8pm. Bonfire, drinks, foods and karaoke were set after an hour.

The Heat Is On: Blue Sky Resort in Inagawan South of Puerto Princesa City

We were delighted by the way foods and drinks were presented. We took our dinner and drinks infront of bonfire at the beachfront. We drank and sang all-night. We adjourned at about 1 am in the morning of March 8 and woke up at about 7am for our simple breakfast. We departed Blue Sky Resort located in Inagawan at 8am bound for Honda Bay.

Honda Bay: Starfish Island

The Second Day: Honda Bay is roughly a 15-20 minute ride from the City of Puerto Princesa. This bay is under the Sulu Sea East of Palawan. The bay covers 7 beautiful islands namely: Cowrie Island, Pandan Island, Dos Palmas Island, Snake Island, Starfish Island, Luli Island and Pambato Island. In Honda Bay, you will register first before making transaction and availing a boat ride. Traditionally, you will pay for an environmental fee that costs P40 per head and a package boat ride that starts with the price of P1700 per 7 persons. However, the price of the boat still varies depending also on the engine you want. The boat ride is an all-day cruise to your chosen island of destinations. You can travel as many island as you can for a day but not beyond 3 pm or else the boat will leave you there in cold. The tour in Honda Bay is called “island hopping.” The most renowned islands here are Pandan, Snake and Dos Palmas Island. However, Snake island now is a private island owned by Willie Revillame while Dos Palmas requires reservation and permit to anchor in this island. Isla Pandan is also one of the finest islands available in the bay. Isla Pandan's entrance fee costs P150. There’s also Starfish Island. This island is a white sand beach where you can find the largest school of starfishes. Entrance fee here is the cheapest that costs only P50. This island is best for snorkeling and diving. An island called Luli was also one of the highlight that we saw. According to the natives, the term “Luli” was coined because this islet submerges every high tide and emerges again as the tide normalizes. The entrance fee here is P100. The Cowrie was the last island we had seen and dropped by.

Buffet Lunch At Cowrie Island, Honda Bay

Its name maybe derived from an invertebrate ocean animal with glossy shell. We took our lunch buffet on this island. The food was mediocre in taste and a combination of vegetables and dessert—contrary to my initial expectation. However, we were not able to see the Pambato Island because of time constraint and an impending accommodation from Congressman Abueg. So, Lito, our tour guide, left us infront of Cong. Abueg's house in Lagan Street at about 2:00 pm of May 8, 2014. While waiting, my travel buddies made up their mind to shop in the nearest souvenir shop for a while before taking merienda at Robinson’s Palawan. Just like “tuktuk” drivers in Thailand, trike drivers here offer a free ride to souvenir shops and in return, trike drivers will be paid accumulate points and a kilo of rice by the establishment. This practice really invites and attracts tourism.

Baywalk: Looking For Buwayang Sisig

Baywalk

At sundown, we strolled the main City of Puerto Princesa including Bay Walk where we spent our drinking spree. We ate sisig na buwaya and other delectable dishes here.

The Third Day: A visit to the Penal Farm at Iwahig. Going here is a 20-30 minutes from Puerto Princesa City.

Iwahig Penal Farm

Upon entrance from the gate, you will start to negotiate 2-3 kilometers of rough road. Formerly known as the Iwahig Penal Colony, the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm have grown extensively from mere prison to livelihood and farming. Established by the Americans under Governor General Luke Wright’s watch on November 16, 1904, to primarily accommodate and decongest prisoners from Bilibid Prison in Manila. Here, Prisoners are free to roam around within this 22 acres vast Penal Colony for as long as they would report during roll call. Prisoners are categorized as settlers and colonists. Prisoner here are given livelihood for their family. Some inmates here already live here together with their family. At the Central, you will find old buildings and establishment dated back to Commonwealth Era or American Regime.Inside the old recreation hall, you can find the settlers products and talents. They also have a dancing inmates here. Frankly, price of commodities here are higher than outside of the prison farm.

The Dancing Inmates of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue And Conservation Center which was formerly known as the Crocodile Farm is located 15 minutes away southwest of Palawan. The entrance fee here ranges from 20-40 php. P40 for 13 years old and above, P30 for senior citizen and P20 for 7-12 years old. At the entrance of the museum, you can see a colossal stuffed crocodile. This croc was named Rio. Rio was the longest crocodile ever lived before Lolong. Both Rio and Lolong succumbed to stress. Inside the hatchling house, you can see months old crocodile. They live here until the age of 5 before and by then they will be transferred to the larger crib at the backyard. The oldest adult Crocodile in the farm is 35 years old. Aside from crocs, there are many animals including birds, cats, etc. There is a forest-like park at the back of the farm. So, it felt like I was walking and hunting in the woods. There’s also souvernir shops inside the farm and canteen for refreshment after touring the said rescue and conservation center.

Crocodile Farm

We also visited the Sta. Monica Racetrack, which is near the Ranch of the Mitras, to witness the motocross racing. The Mitras Ranch is called "Rancho Sta. Monica" which was constructed during the time of former President Corazon Aquino. This ranch is also home for zip line—which according to them is the longest in the province—and other adventure. We were not able to go inside the mansion since VIPs were also there to visit the place.

Mitras Ranch: Rancho Sta. Monica

Subsequently, our travel will never be completed without a visit to the Cathedral. The Cathedral is enormous and accessible to devout since it is located at the hub of Puerto Princesa. Adjacent to Cathedral is the former penal colony known to locals as Plaza Cuartel. According to them, many prisoners here died during World War II.

Plaza Cuartel

The fourth and final day in Palawan: we thanked the staffs who accommodated us during our brief stay in the City of Puerto Princesa. The staffs prepared a delectable breakfast before we left the house. At exactly 8:00 am, we were transported back to the Puerto Princesa Airport. We departed the island of Palawan at exactly 9:20 am which was earlier from the expected flight. We arrived in Manila after 70 minutes stay in the fuselage.

With travel buddies: Dharie Dela Cruz, Amelito Billaoac, Excequiel Beltran, Marlon Dones, Fernando Labay and Rey Gerard Castillo, this is your blogger Truman.
More Fun in Palawan!

Hasta La Vista!