Amazing PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES in 8 days 05Oct~12Oct 2019: PUERTO PRINCESA, EL NIDO, CORON

Kayangan Lake, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

My family have been to many places for the past few years visiting our dear God's beautiful creations.   We have been to few places in the four continents of the world, yet just now we were able to visit the amazing islands and beaches in Palawan, which happens to be one of the provinces of my birth country, Philippines.   Not too late though. 

We had our Palawan escapades from 05 Oct to 13 Oct.  Our eldest did not come, my niece instead.  Latter flew from Clark Airport and we just met her at the Puerto Princesa Airport.  

It's really fun in the Philippines!  My home country has so much to offer, not just the bad politics recently.  Palawan is a safe place, still be cautious though.  Could not wait to share our itinerary and how much this trip had cost us.  You could do the math if coming from city other than Singapore and Angeles City in the Philippines.

05 Oct 2019  flew from Singapore to Puerto Princesa with stop at Cebu via Cebu Pacific Airline.  The flight was 1:45am bound to Mactan Cebu International Airport.  We arrived Cebu earlier than 5:40am.  We had reserved first row seats to get good sleep for 4 hours.  We collected our check in baggage and we were transferred by airport shuttle to the domestic airport.  Before we proceeded to the gate, we had hot drinks from Starbucks.

The flight from Cebu to Puerto Princesa was at 8:00 am, enough time to have freshened and the quick breakfast.  We arrvied Puerto Princesa Airport at 9:20am.  My niece left Clark Airport via Philippines at 6:00am , stopped at Cebu Airport too.  She arrived Cebu at 7:15am but we were inside the plane then.  Her flight to Puerto Princesa was 10:00am, arrived destinatination at 11:10am.

Apparently, we reached early.  My youngest and I went rode the famous tricycles to the town.  Actual fare was Php20 per passenger.  The tricycle can accommodate 4 passengers.  So not to waste time to wait for two more passengers, we were told to pay Php80.00.  I gave though Php 100.00 to the driver when we arrived at Chowking, one of the fast food chains in the Philippines serving both Filipino and Chinese cuisine at an affordable price.  The travel to the town proper was not more than 10 minutes.  We requested the driver to come back after an hour to take us back to the airport.  It's not that difficult though to hail any tricycle.

We had stayed at Dos Palmas Resort for 2 nights.  Total cost of the accommodation was Php21,648.00, net of 15% discount since we booked online, 30 days in advanced.  10% of the total room cost (excludes taxes and service charges) was debited to my card at the time of booking.  Full payment was settled when we arrived the resort.  The package includes Airport transfer, breakfast, free use of kayak, 2 hour tour to Isla Puting buhangin and transport to the snorkeling area.  We had arranged for airport pick-up at 12:15nn.  From the airport to Honda Wharf normally takes 40 minutes. Our travel took only 20 minutes by an air-conditioned van.  It was just the four of us and the driver in the car.  It was a bit raining, we had stayed in the van while waiting for the  boat that was strictly scheduled to depart at 1:30pm to take guests to Dos Palmas Resort.   You could check out the resort's website for all the boat schedules from the Wharf to the Resort and back.  The scenic boat travel takes one hour passing through Honda Bay, one of the offered tours in Puerto Princesa.  After 4:30pm, no one can leave and get to the resort.  

We explored the resort after we had checked-in.  The girls used the free kayak and later stayed by the infinity pool which is in front of the Resort's Restaurant.  We were not happy with the dinner, we had spend Php2,000 and over though.  This place is good for team building and family bonding.  There is no TV and internet connection so slow inside the room.  We opted to sleep early.

Free Kayaking at Dos Palmas Resort, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

06 October 2019  We had the buffet breakfast the following morning at 7:30am.  Nothing special.  We used the free kayak while waiting for the free 2 hour tour to the island of Puting Buhangin sandbar to depart at 10am.  After the tour, I did laps at the infinity pool.  I was afraid to go to the lap pool, I saw a snake glided to the tree near the Spa area where the lap pool is located.  After the swim, we had late lunch: pasta and fruit shakes.  Back to kayaking till 5:00pm.  We then fixed our stuff, we were set to leave the resort at 9:00am the following day (3rd day)

Infinity Pool at Dos Palmas, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

By the ocean at Dos Palmas Island Resort, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

Puting Buhangin, Dos Palmas Resort, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

Puting Buhangin sand bar is in the private island of Dos Palmas Resort in the Arrecife Island located in the Puerto Princesa area in Palawan

07 October 2019  Only boat could take us back to Puerto Princesa town proper from the Resort.  From Honda Bay Wharf, we had requested for my hubby to be dropped at the Puerto Princesa airport with all our bags and the rest at SM mall.  The girls stayed at he Coffee Bean.  I bought thin blankets at the department store and take away lunch at Max's Restaurants.  I never forgot to get a box of caramel bars as well from Max's.  We purchased bottles of Iced Lemon Tea at Hypermart.  We could had just spent the free two hours on our first day at the mall.  We did not know there is  SM in Puerto Princesa.  There are many affordable chains and so much to do.  There were also a lot of filipino snack I wanted to eat but we had no time.  I thought of having them when we arrive in Clark on our last day for 6 hours stop over.

We had arranged a private van for transfer to El Nido.  We booked the van through KK day for S$132.00 or Php4,954.00.  The van could accommodate 11 passengers plus the driver.  You could opt to take the shared van that cost only $13.35 or Php500.00 per passenger.  We did not regret paying much more, we were only four.  The bumpy travel was really pain, zigzag every time.  The travel took 5 hours.  We left Puerto Princesa before 2 pm and reached El Nido at 7pm.  We ate the lunch we had bought in the car.  The driver and his companion had a quick lunch after the 3 hour-drive.

The driver was so kind he called the resort we had stayed in El Nido to inform of our arrival in an hour.  The van was not able to take us at the resort itself.  The roads were very narrow, only tricycles could pass.  The nearest they could drop us was at Lally and Abet Resort.  Latter was few steps away from the resort's reception desk located at the Peak Corner (Fitness) Gym.

John, the owner of the resort, was waiting for us when we arrived at Lally and Abet.  John called for the resort's tricycles.  Two tri took us to the resort.  John is a Japanese american with Korean wife.  Hi family runs the beautiful resort we had stayed for 3 nights.  John and his staff were very accommodating throughout our stay.  They boats for the normal tours in El Nido with expert fully trained guides and boatmen.  John arranged for us the suggested two island tours: A and C.  He took care as well the required registration for the visit to Big Lagoon which was part of Tour A.  More so, the night we had arrived, John was so kind to help us purchased Phimal ferry tickets  for our transfer to Coron on 10 Oct 2019.

We booked in March the Oceanview 1 villa.  The villa, good for four (4), costs Php13,500.00 for 3 nights (inclusive of breakfast).  As the name of our villa, we had three beautiful mornings overlooking the ocean and the Cadlao mountain.  Hammocks are everywhere in the resort and a small pool.

EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Rock Formations at Entalula Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Grilled Lunch served on Tour A, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

The Tour A we had joined in El Nido was operated by the owner of the resort we had stayed in El Nido, Caalan Beach Resort.

08 October 2019  Breakfast started at 6:30am.  We had LONGSILOG, short for Longanisa, Sinangag and Itlog (Filipino sausage, fried rice and egg) with slices of tropical fruits (.pineapple, watermelon/melon and banana)  Unlimited fruit juice and coffee.  They have milo too.  More so, drinking water is provided by the resort 24 hours.  We just refilled our containers from the dispenser placed in the eating area.

Tour A was scheduled on this day to depart at 9:00am.  John had briefed us from 8:30am.  The resort have Snorkles and aqua shoes the guests could use for free.  We brought our own gears, bought thru Lazada before the trip.

TOUR A Itinerary:

Seven Commandos

Secret Lagoon

passed by Mimiloc Resort, $500 per night room rate

Entalula Island

      swim and snorkel before LUNCH

Shimizu Island

Big Lagoon.  rented Kayak (Php350.00 for two) to explore the Big Lagoon.

We were back at the resort at 4:00pm.  The staff were there asking if we did enjoy the tour.  They had prepared light snacks:  banana cake and juice.  We were really having a blast!!!  I did laps in the small pool afterwards.  We did not go out for dinner.  We just ate the Cheetos and Ferrero chocolates we brought from Singapore and we still have Iced Lemon Tea bought from SM Hypermart in Puerto Princesa.

09 October 2019  We had TAPSILOG today. Not the Sausage as yesterday, marinated beef instead we called, TAPA.  We thought the breakfast in the previous day was not enough, we requested for additional dish from the american breakfast for an extra charge.  We requested bacon and requested for my eggs to remove the yolks and scrambled with tomatoes and onions.  Php200.00 was added to our bill.  We did the Tour C day which was more interesting than the Tour A we had the previous day.

Shimizu Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Snorkeling at Shimizu Island  under our boat.

Big Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

We rented Kayak to fully explore the Big Lagoon at El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.  Big Lagoon was included in our Tour A.  Rental cost was Php350.00 for use of two.  Around Php400+++ if more than two.

TOUR C Itinerary:

Helicopter Island

Hidden Beach

Talisay Beach- LUNCH

Secret Beach

Matinloc Island

We definitely enjoyed the tours we had in El Nido.  Soaked in the pristine salty water and snorkeling the whole day with sumptuous yummy grilled lunch cooked on the boat.  Our guide, Albert, and the boat men were efficient and helpful.  They really took good care of all the passengers in the boat.

Total costs of the Tour A and Tour C for four (4) was Php12,000.  The rate included all the entrance and registration fees.

The same routine after the tour, light snack was waiting for us. Did laps at the small pool.  Since it was our last night, we requested for the resort's tricycles to take us to the town proper.  The arrangement was the tricycle driver will drop us at the Peak Corner Gym.  And when we were ready to go back, we will request for a pick through the staff stationed at the reception desk inside the Peak Corner Gym.  We had pasta, steak and burger at the Kuripot Restaurant.  The girls, who are burger lover, did not like what was served at the Kuripot's.  My Aglio Olio and the watermelon shakes were good, likewise their version of prawn tempura.  The steak was not bad.  We bought chips at the convenience before we went back.

view from our villa, Cadlao Island,  El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Enchanting view of Cadlao Island gave us three beautiful mornings during our stay at the Oceanview 1villa at Caalan Beach Resort, El Nido.

view from our villa, Cadlao Island,  El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Off for the Island Hopping Tour

Hidden Beach at El Nido, Palawan,  Philippines

10 October 2019  We had a quick breakfast, filipino breakfast, at 6:30 am.  We were scheduled to tranfer to CORON by ferry to depart at 8:20 am.  Our stuff were almost prepared the previous night.  It was suggested to be at the Pier one hour before the departure.  We left the resort though at 7:20 am.  The resort's tricycles took us to the pier.  Travel time was less than 20 minutes.

Tricycle, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

The ferry rate was Php 1,760.00 plus Php 20.00 terminal fees.  Latter pay after the manifestation.  Bags were checked by the K9 before we were allowed to board.  We passed our hand carry to the staff who was already inside the ship.  Then we took stairs to the upper deck as the entrance.  We left our bags with roller at the upper deck then took downstairs (from inside) to finally get inside the boat.  It was free seating on a first come basis.  We found ours in the front.  There was a monitor showing not so old movie.  It was a bit warm.  We tried to sleep, seats not comfortable though.

CORON, PALAWAN

We arrived the Port of Coron before 1pm.  Once exited the area it was overwhelming.  There were locals blocking the narrow exit way offering tour and transport services.  We went for the tricycle service to our hotel.  Negotiating with the driving was kind of messy.  To give you tip anyway, each passenger are charged Php20.00 each.  The tricycle could accommodate 6 to 7 passengers.  There were four of us plus our bags and we fully occupied the car.  He was at first asking for Php200 when we reached the hotel.  We ended to Php150.00.

My niece has to go back to Clark, Angeles City and go back to school the following day.  She was sad she was not able to join us in Coron.  We had requested the hotel staff to arrange airport transfer for her.  The service was an air-conditioned van for Php150,00

We had stayed at Bay Area Coron Hotel.  We were in a perfect location.  Nice view of the bay and the mountain outside the room.  Close to almost everything:  Restaurants, convenience stores, church, park...  There is  Pedro Gelato, Tea and Shakes, Potato corner, famous street food such as squid ball, fish ball and kikiam and more.  We had paid a total of Php 14,280.00 for two rooms that sleeps 2 for three nights. 

We opted to make this free day though, we suggest to go for the Coron town tour.  We were offered a van for Php1,500 to take us around the town, to the base of Mt Tapias and later to Maquinit Hot Spring.  I read not good reviews from the non-filipinos who had been in Coron.  The ride to the base of Mt Tapias was bumpy.  They could not appreciate the hot spring, the temperature in the Philippines is already hot.  For my fellow countrymen  we met in the boat- group of 4 or 5, they did enjoy the visit both to Mt Tapias and Maquinit.  They hired a tricycle and followed the itinerary of the Coron tour and paid only Php 500.00.

We had our dinner at the View deck grill house.  Just 2 minutes away from our hotel on foot.  Nice view of the sunset.  We tried this trip to be relaxing, we did not bring our heavy DSLR.  Those captured from my phone could not justify the beauty of the setting.  

11 October 2019 We requested the hotel to arrange two tours for us.  Pick-up was between 7:30am to 8am.  The tour on this day ended at 5pm.  Same as in El Nido, we were brought to pristine beaches and magnificent areas for snorkeling.  We never got tired soaking in the salt water.

Coron Ultimate Tour Itinerary @ Php1,750.00

Siete Pecados

Kayangan Lake

Barracuda Lake

Beach 91 - LUNCH

Shipwreck

Malwawey

CYC- public beach

Twin Lagoon

Beach 91 is one of the many beaches in the island of Coron.  We had our simple filipino buffet lunch in this place during our Coron Ultimate tour on 11 October 2019.  There were kayaks, free of use.

Malwawey, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Photos and videos taken while snorkeling at Malwawey Island.  We had a lot of videos taken under, I hope I would have time to upload.  Editing takes time.

Malwawey, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Siete Pecados Island, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Twin Lagoon, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

12 October 2019   Had our last tour in Palawan.  We were brought to the beautiful beaches in Coron.  Travel was so long though, almost two hours.  We find this tour least interesting among the tours we joined in Palawan.

Island Escapade Tour Itinerary @ Php 1,700.00

Malcapuya Beach

Banana island- LUNCH

Bulog Dos sand

Coron is one of the favourite diving sites in the Philippines, especially the sites of the sunken Japanese warships with 10 to 40 meters depth.

Malcapuya Island, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Malcapuya beach was the first island we visited on this day.  It was about half past 10, temperature was high.  As shown on the picture though, the place was without a doubt bewildering,

Malcapuya Island, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Banana Island, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

Bulog Dos sand bar, CORON, Palawan, Philippines

13 October 2019, We flew to Clark from Busuanga Airport.  Our flight was at 8 am.  The travel was fast.  We had stayed in Angeles City, Philippines for 6 hours before we flew back to Singapore.  We met my father and he drove us to SM Clark Mall.  Our flight to Singapore was at 6pm.

I may just update this blog later.  We have so much in our plate for now.  We are moving to new house this November, my work requires me to attend training sessions this November  that could take a week and over and I need to finalise the itinerary of our coming Europe trip this December,  from 21st to 7th Jan 2020.