At this point of writing, there are no direct flights from Boracay to Puerto Princesa. Hope there will be in the future.
Anyway, I took the flight from Caticlan - Cebu - Puerto Princesa. The flight from Caticlan to Mactan-Cebu International Airport took an hour.
Cebu is also a popular tourist destination, famous for its beautiful beaches and historical sites. Well, I didn't have enough time to slot this place in my itinerary. Maybe next time.
Well you can have a massage or grab a dim sum while waiting for your flight. As for me, I bought the Otap (a biscuit famous in Cebu). It is actually quite good. It is sweet and crispy, perfect as a light snack.
This time, I boarded the Cebu Pacific jet airliner instead of the turboprop airplane.
After about an an hour, I was in Puerto Princesa Airport.
If you have not booked your hotel, transportation or tour. No worries, there are two booths at the arrival hall of the airport selling their services. Of course it is better if you have arranged all that beforehand.
Took the motorised tricycle from the airport to the hotel. The driver offered to drive us to our hotel then to Honda Bay and back for 500 PHP. I said I would consider, that was until I reached the hotel.
The location of the hotel was so secluded that the driver had to stop and ask for directions. Thinking that it would be a hassle to try and catch a tricycle later after checking in the hotel, I agreed to accept the driver's offer.
Are we lost? After 5-7 minutes on the gravel road from the main road, we reached the 'Hotel'.
Sitio Reden Pension House. I found and booked this place through Agoda.com at USD 25.00 per night. It is cheap, but this place is located quite far from the main road, not walking distance anyway.
If you like to stay in a remote area or on a budget, this is the place to be. Breakfast is also included. Although the breakfast was nothing fancy (rice, luncheon meat/sausage and egg with coffee/tea), it wasn't half bad either. It also has a small garden within its compound.
After checking in at the hotel, I proceeded to Honda Bay.
Unlike Boracay, you can't approach the owner of the boat to give you a ride. You have to make all your bookings and payment here at the Tourist Assistance Center located at the Sta Lourdes Wharf.
The boat rental cost 1,500 PHP per boat. On top of that, you have to pay the entrance fee of each island that you choose to visit. The entrance fee for each island varies from 50 PHP to 100 PHP per person. You will also need to pay for the environmental fee (40 PHP) and terminal fee (9 PHP), all at separate counters.
Sounds confusing? Well, this is how Filipino collect their fees. So be prepared and get use to it. Why can't they save the hassle and collect the fees at one counter?
Don't forget to apply lots of sunblock lotion.
Starfish Island. A place not to missed if you want to grab a starfish and don't forget to get a photo at the 'picture frame'.
Pandan Island is my personal favourite island at Honda Bay. Its powdery white sand and crystal clear sea almost rivals the beaches in Boracay. Highly recommended.
Initially I wanted to book and stay at AA Plaza Hotel which is located at the main road but unfortunately it was fully booked.
Well, a meal at the AA Seafood Restaurant is not to be missed if you crave for Chinese food.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is not to be missed while in Palawan.
You can also opt to hike to the Underground River. From the map you can see that the Sabang Beach is on your left and the Underground River is located to the right side of the map.
It is located just 5.3km away from Sabang Beach.
The registration of all visitors to the Underground River is located here at the Sabang Boat Terminal.
Usually the tour guide will do all the paper work for you. Just remember to bring your passport or ID. If not, you'll have to go the counter yourself to register like myself.
Only 900 visitors are allowed into the Puerto Princesa Underground River per day. You can't book directly with the Underground River authorities. To be on the safe side I booked the tour through the travel agency at www.gopalawan.travel for 1755 PHP per person.
You can walk around and buy some souvenirs or you can wait for your turn under the tent to board the Bangka.
Scenic sights before you reach the beach of the Underground River.
The poster of Puerto Princesa's beloved mayor, Edward S. Hagedorn who's leadership is directed towards establishing a harmony between the environment and development. Thus, Puerto Princesa is known for the City in the Forest.
You can admire the flora and fauna of the National Park.
The 'mouth' of the Underground River.
Walking around and taking some photo while waiting for my turn.
Here is where you hop on a small boat for your 45 minutes river cruise. Strap on your life vest and a helmet and you are good to go.
Here I come!
Bring a good camera for the river cruise. Advisable to bring along your DSLR with an external flash. As for me, I took the pictures using the compact Fujifilm X100 camera.
It is pitch-dark inside the Underground River. No natural or artificial lighting inside the cave. Just the torchlight from the boat. So remember to switch on your flash.
Be careful not to open your mouth while looking up. You don't want water dripping from above or worse bat's poop dropping to your mouth. Of course, be careful not to let the water smudge your camera lens.
Oh, remember to hang on to your camera. You do not want to drop your camera into the water.
Bats hanging on the ceiling.
The light from the boat's torch light.
The bright yellow spot in the picture comes from the torch light. Hard to avoid snapping my camera without the yellow spot while the lights are shined towards the stalagmites and stalactite.
Well, if you can capture the picture with minimum yellow spot, it wouldn't be too obvious.
I managed to capture a few pictures without the yellow spot.
The tour lasted 45 minutes. Before I realized it, we were on the way back to the shore.
It really was an unforgettable trip.
Back to Sabang Beach.
You can laze by the beach.
You can always do some shopping at the shops by the beach or get a Henna Tattoo.
Take note of the beach warning flags.
The weather is really hot. Even my tour guides had to take cover from the sun.
Some of the places of attraction in Puerto Princesa City.
The motorised tricycle and jeepney is the only mode of public transportation around the city. It's still more convenient to travel by tricycle if you are travelling in a group of two person like me.
For me, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the only place worth visiting in the city.
Of course you can drop by the Plaza Cuartel and the Baywalk if you have the time.
Jollibee is a local fast food chained restaurant. You can also get food from stalls at the roadside.
Kalui is a famous restaurant in town. Reservation is a must. No reservation, no table.
The exterior of the restaurant.
The meal was good, but.......
..........the ambience of Kalui is even better.
El Nido is located further-up North of Palawan and is said to be spectacular. Didn't really have the time to visit El Nido. Maybe next time.
If diving is your passion, don't miss Tubbataha Reefs.
You can get your food or buy some souvenirs here at the airport.
It's time to leave Puerto Princesa. Jesus Makes Everything Beautiful.
Palawan is truly a beautiful place. Goodbye Palawan and Hello Manila.
Next posting will be on Manila.
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