Budgeting Puerto Princesa

Budgeting Puerto Princesa (PPS)
September 21-24, 2011
DAY 1
Arrival PPS, free pick up service c/o Ysabelle Mansion	Free
Check In, Ysabelle Mansion (YM)	4,500.00 (4D/3N)
Trike to Balinsasayaw (8php)	24
Lunch @ Balinsasayaw	663
Trike back to YM	24
City Tour (trike driver/guide: Kuya Jomar-09214008770)	600
Crocodile Farm entrance fee (40php)	120
*donation – bear cat protection	50
Mitra Ranch entrance fee (20php)	60
Baker’s Hill (hopia)	290
Tiange Tiange (pasalubong etc)	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dinner @ Heavenly Desserts (w/ discount vouchers worth 900php)	225
Trike to YM	24
Subtotal:	6580
DAY 2
Breakfast@ YM	Free
Underground River Tour (c/o Palawan Ultimate Adventure - 1,200php)	3,600.00
Contact person: Kuya Dudz – 0917.590.2001
*Tour inclusive of van service, boat rentals, permits and fees,
Buffet lunch*
*tip for UR boatman	50
Ugong Rock Adventure (optional, 450php)	900
Trike to Ka Lui	40.00 (special ride)
Dinner @ Ka Lui	850
Trike to PPS Baywalk	24
Piatos roast beef	28
Trike back to YM (double ride, drop off Mercury drug))	50
Misc @ Mercury Drug	20
Subtotal:	5522
DAY 3
Breakfast @ YM	Free
Honda Bay Tour (c/o Palawan Ultimate Adventure – 1,100php)	3,300.00
Contact person: Kuya Dudz – 0917.590.2001
*Tour inclusive of van service, boat rentals, permits and fees,
Buffet lunch*
Rental fee - Snorkeling gears (150 php)	450
Rental fee - Digital camera with underwater protector	600
*if underwater camera protector only-250*
Bread for fish feeding (15php)	30
Tip contribution for boatmen	100
Trike to Tiange Tiange	40 (special ride)
Additional pasalubong	xxxxxxxxxx
Trike to Kinabuchs	24
Dinner @ Kinabuchs (opens 4pm-2am)	891
*all croc-meat menu – 300 pesos per serving*
Trike to YM	24
Subtotal:	5459
TICKETS:
For Mama&Papa  (no direct flight from Surigao to PPS)
*CebuPac - paid July 2011 (Surigao-Cebu-Surigao) w/ 15 kilos luggage (2way)	4,200.00
*CebuPac - paid Dec 2010 (Cebu-PPS-Cebu)*seatsale w/ 15 luggage (1way)	1,000.00
*add-on luggage (Cebu-PPS-Cebu)	100
For me and J
*Airphil – paid Feb 2011 (Manila-PPS)	189
*Cebupac – paid Feb 2011 (PPS – Manila) *seatsale, LITE fares*	1500
*add on luggage (CB)	100
Subtotal:	7,089.00
PASALUBONG:	xxxxxxx
TOTAL:	24,650.00 (based on triple sharing)
Disclaimer:  Prices may vary. Quotation is based on personal expenses on travel dates Sept 21-24,2011.

Cruisin Honda Bay

Okay, allow me to correct myself for having no passion about 'beaches'. I don't actually hate them, I just don't like any swimming activities as I never learn how to swim.

But it was until my recent visit to Puerto Princesa when I finally realized what I missed all this time - the interesting and mesmerizing creatures below sea level.

Our last day in Palawan was spent in the beach. Three islands in a day in Honda Bay was a total blast. Thanks to our very effecient guide, Kuya Ryan.

Tour costs 1,100 per person, it includes van and boat rentals, permits and entrance fees, lifevests, and buffet lunch. Snorkeling gears and underwater camera protection is exluded in the package.

I was planning to buy a cheap underwater camera for our Palawan trip. But friends and other travel forums advised me not to, as there were a lot of underwater camera case for rent in the port. So much to my disappoint when they only  have camera case for compact point and shoot digital cameras. Grrrh! Since non would fit for my dear LX5, we ended up renting another P&S camera for 600 pesos, with camera case and free batteries.

PAMBATO REEF

We had our first dip at the Pambato reef. It's my first to snorkeling so is my mother dear, who, at first,  had a hard time navigating her gears.

I find Pambato reef very unique as this is like a balsa-material-made-little-port floating right in the middle of the ocean.

But this isn't a very good spot for snorkeling as the waters are dark, you could  hardly see any fish or corals. J had to go deeper to get a good view, but nothing very spectacular.

First attempt with my rented underwater camera.

We stayed for almost an hour in Pambato Reef. I think, J and I were the last ones to get off the waters. Untrue to its name, if this will be our pambato to any coral reefs competition, sure it won't get any prize.

PANDAN ISLAND

It's called Pandan Island as there are a lot of pandan plants in the area. Among the three island we visited, this one's the most beautiful.

After placing our bags in the rented cottage, J and I rushed the seas and started snorkeling again.

Here comes my AWE-WOW-moment.

Easily got bored with fish feeding the same-colored-striped-fishes, J went to the deeper blueish area (kaw na ang magaling lumangoy!) and surprised with more corals and different school of fish sorrounding it. He took me there afterwards. Pushing my floating feet forward while my face soaked insde the waters. Seriously, I have never seen such beauty uderneath.

Some of the fish were territorial. At some point, J stood up to one of the stoned corals, and one fish was bitting his foot, until he decided to leave the area.

We had our lunch in Pandan Island. As mentioned in my previous post, you can d-i-y your Honda Bay tour, and you just have to worry about what food to bring, as your boatmen and your guide will be the one who will prepare it for you. In our case, we went snorkelling all the time, mom just called us when it's time for lunch.

After a fully-loaded lunch, we hit beach back.



  

J: pinatawag ko kayong lahat..para sa isang mahalagang pulong..*haha*

  We also sighted some scuba divers, and this one didn't mind for a shot.

And in case, you got nothing else to do underwater...

Just before we left the island, I bade goodbye to a cutie friend. He joined us in our lunch,  he ate some of my food and leftovers. Wish I can take him home. Tsk tsk.

 SNAKE ISLAND

Fret not, as there are no snakes in the island, only its shoreline looks like one.

Here, fishes are bigger and more aggressive. Though they're not as lovely as the ones in Pandan Island. Water's greyish. Less corals.

Mom did enjoyed her first camera trick shot in the island.

I tried exploring the other end of the shoreline, as I wanted to check the 'snake' in the island. But there's

really nothing special with the coast.

... so J decided to 'planked' himself again...

...and again...

...and again..

Past 2pm, we headed back to the port. while on our way, the rain started to pour out. which reminded me, if it had been so sunny, I wouldn't enjoy the beach that much. Good thing, the weather joined my sweet sojourn with the sea. Haha.

We arrived the city and went back to the tiangge for our last minute pasalubong shopping.

Aroud 6pm, we went to Kinabuchs for our dinner. Kinabuchs (kina-Butch, as the owners name is butch) is only open in the afternoon, 4pm-2am.

that's real..for your eyes only!



Here, they serve the must-try croc meats in three different menu - adobado, bicol express and sisig.

Al-fresco dinning Kinabuchs could get crowded in the evening  as this is one of the famous bars in town. They say your visit to Palawan won't be complete without a visit in this restuarant.

Another must-try in the restaurant is the famous tamilok (woodworm), which we didn't care as according to mama, we have a lot of this in Taganaan.

Guests started to fill in the restaurant when we decided to head back home and prepare our luggage for the next days scheduled  flight.

*All underwater photos taken from Canon P&S camera*

Down under the Underground River...

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines. It features a spectacular limestone or karst landscape that contains an 8.2 km long underground river.  It is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the World. It is the official entry of the Philippines to the Search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. - PP Underground River

To visit the well-known Underground River was the only reason why I wanted to go to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I have always been fascinated about her gorgeous beauty even before she became our finalist to the search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

And when she made into the shortened list, it convinced me more to get to know her better.

We were picked up by our service van at Ysabelle Mansion at 7am. We had Kuya Ryan as our guide, through Palawan ultimate Adventures. They said travel time from the city to Sabang port is 2 hours. But we made it in an hour and a-half. Trust me, this is more than Kennon road-trip to Baguio as the roads to Sabang are more zig-zag-mind-buggling-journey. Prepare Bonamine if you're not used to these kind of land travels.

Underground River tour can be done d-i-y. Again, if you're travelling in a group. But I never thought of doing it my own way as this trip can be more hassle, compared to Honday Bay tour. Here, you needed to secure permits a day before, and it's first come, first serve basis.

  

We were joined by seven other individuals, and was divided into two bangka. From Sabang port, we rode a motorized bangka for 20 minutes, to get into the jump-off point of the Underground River.

I can't help but noticed the lush green trees sorrounding the area. No wonder it's called the Last Frontier, as you can feel nature's genuine beauty close to you once you step into the forest. Something you can feel, perhaps, only in Palawan.

We were strongly advised not to bring plastics or any kind of plastic bags while in the vicinity. As according to our guide, monkeys are everywhere, and they're very aggressive and hungry and they have this very particular affection with 'plastics' that they tend to grab it from anyone possession.

Before proceeding to the Underground River area, we were directed to the other side of the forest where you can get upclose but not-so personal with the lizards. I have seen some of Kuya Kim's stunts here on his tv show. I wish I can hold this creatures too. 

After playing a little hide-and-seek with the lizards, we then headed to the highlight of the trip. The waiting area was filled with tourist, most of them were students from Lyceum of the Philippines who were conducting a school tour.

I asked our guide how many tourist per day do they have in the UR, the most according to him is a thousand or more during holidays and weekends. Quiet a number huh?

We had enough time for camwhoring, as there were no paddle boats available yet. Apart from the bat piss' foul smell, we enjoyed the whole scenery. A platform was made near the waiting area, for a better and closer view of the Underground River entrance. I assumed this was used by the Miss World candidates when they visited UR weeks before.

And the time has finally come.

J and I seated in the front row of the paddle boat. Making it sure to get the best view of the river and the cave, of everything.

Again, I had this one-quiet-moment for myself to thank Him for His wonderful creation.

As stated above, the UR is more than 8km long, the longest navigable underground river in the world. But only less than two kilometres is open for public.  The rest are yet to be discovered. Though, according to our guide, there are foreign and local geologist who are continuing their exploration in the underground. Reminds me of the movie Sanctum.

Travelling the spooky Underground RIver will never be complete without your most trusted boatmen. Sure they were trained how to entertain their passangers as traversing the river can be a bit boring. Good thing we had the most comic guide ever, and there was never a single dull second in our 45 minute-journey to the centre of the cave.

Different rock formation will also amaze you inside the Underground River. Common sights were the holy family, Christ-like rock formation, the Cathedral, Tom and Gerry paint marks, the last supper (only there were just four in the table, as according to our guide, the rest were done eating!)

chicken wings

nauupos na kandila

the MRT

The MRT formation marks the end of the 45-minute-much-splendid Underground River tour. Should you wish to continue your tour beyond this point, you can take the mrt, but it's not operational at the moment (joke ng guide). Haha

Seriously, I wish the remaining area of the Underground River will be open to public soon, to prove justice to its name as the longest navigable underground river. For now, I can only hope PP's number one tourist attraction and Philippines' pride will make it to the final 7 New Wonders of Nature. I think, she deserves to win. Help her win. 

After the much anticipated tour, we headed back to the shore. As mentioned earlier, wild monkeys in the area tend to be aggressive when they see plastic bags around. While on our way, the expected surprise guest appeared.  I heard students and other tourist behind us screaming their lungs out as the running, pugnacious monkey rushed into our way. It assaulted my unaware and guardless boyfriend, who became completely helpless after the surprise attack by the big, territorial, warriorlike  father monkey. Haha. The monkey took the plastic bag my bf was carrying, it includes our baon (2pcs saging na saba my mom bought at the port, hopia from Baker's hill, chips and bottled water.) The bottled water fell off the ground while the rest of it were gone in split seconds. We were shocked and stunned with the monkeys special rub-out skills.

While waiting for our boat, I was telling J that it was a good thing that he was unaware when the monkey ran into him, as he might battle against the mischievous creature, at makipag-agawan pa sa monkey, sa ngalang ng hopia at saging. Haha. It totally completed our extraordinary Underground River experience.

We took our lunch buffet at Sabang beach front. You can also enjoy swimming in the area as the wide shoreline, refined sand and crystal waters are very enticing.

We rested for a while, then we continued our tour to Ugong Rock. This isn't part of the package but this one is also worth your visit.

It's called Ugong Rock as the stone walls in the tiny cave creates sounds. Umuugong. This may not be as challenging as the cave connection in Sagada, but it still is quiet a sight. What makes it a little different is that you need to take the zipline goin down, which is a bit refresshing as you can get sweaty on your way up. Ugong Rock fee is 450 pesos.

Tired and exhausted, my body found comfort on  my partners shoulders while seated side by side in the serivce van. As we journey the zigzag roads back to the city, I can only wish Papa was with us to share the joy of todays' adventure. Tsk. Tsk.

***

Fast forward: 830PM- We dined at Ka Lui's restaurant, then we visited Baywalk afterwards.