We are flying Cebu Pacific going to Puerto Princesa. Since we availed for the GoLite promo we are not allowed to check in our baggages unless we are willing to pay an additional Php400. (Tip 1: Unless you’re sure that you’ll be carrying less than 7kg of handcarry, better avail for the GoPromo to save money. CebuPac also introduced the advanced excess baggage in the case that you know that you’re goingg to shop and check-in more than the allowable weight which is 15kg, it will save you money too.) Luckily, I packed my luggage again the night before and weigh it at home so I’m confident that it’ll pass. My worry though is the tripod that we brought. I saw discussions on the web regarding tripods not allowed as hand carry baggage. Good thing though they didn’t bother to ask what it was. Just be sure to place it inside your bag.
Our departure time was 8:15am and expected arrival in Puerto Princesa is 9:30am. Our flight was on time and when we went out the PP airport, we looked for the Dangkalan Signage. I was looking for o ur name but unfortunately they placed “Fujitsu Ten” instead of our name. Then little did we know that there is a low pressure area in Mindanao that causes rainshowers and thunderstorms here in Palawan. (Tip 2: Check the weather the night before going to your trip. This will save a lot of time asking and a great deal of disappointment.) … and I thought I’ll be walking on sunshine the following days.
We went straight to Dangkalan Resort which is around 20mins from the airport. When we arrived, Sheryl who assisted our accomodation and tour welcomed us and gave us our room keys and welcome drinks. We stayed in Room 07 which I think the same room where our fellow officemates stayed early this February.
We rested for a while and decided to eat lunch in Badjao Sea Front. One of the famous restaurants in PP since I’ve been researching for “must go-must eat” in Palawan.
Lunch in Badjao Sea Front
It has really a nice ambiance. You’ll be walking on a bridge in the middle of the mangroves with colorful flags before reaching the restaurant’s entrance.
As you enter the restaurant you’ll definitely love the place and the scenery. The restaurant is situated on the sea that’s why it’s name is sea front. Too bad the rain is pouring hard so you can’t see the mountains and the blue water. Nevertheless, we liked it.
Since we’re starving already… we ordered Fish Kilawin (Php 140) and Mix Seafoods (Php 140). The food is superb! We both loved it. The seafood is fresh and it’s really yummy! We had 2 rice each as an evidence. (Php 100 @ 25/each)
Then we ordered vanilla ice cream (Php 55) for dessert since all their dessert is not available. Well, that’s my only complain. They also charge a 10% tax so we spent almost Php500 for lunch.
Then we were picked up by the agency that was assigned to us for our City Tour. And there we met Kuya Joel, our friendly tour guide. We have 2 Australians with us in the tour so he was explaining everything in English. It was a long 4 hour tour and I’ve learned a lot from him. I’ll mention the trivias I’ve learned from him as I continue my blog. To shorten our day, I’ll enumerate the places we went to and explain a little something from it.
City Tour Itenerary (a little bit revised since it’s raining throughout the day)
Bay Walk Running Tour
All the while I thought that when you say “running tour” it means that you’ll literally run as you take the tour. It just means that the van will just drive along the road and you’ll view it from the inside.
The Baywalk is called the “safe harbour” by the Chinese.
Plaza Cuartel
The only remains from the World War 2 that was maintained.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
The first mass in the city was held in this cathedral.
Souvenir Shop
Here I bought some bracelet pearls and Andrew bought 1 pack of cashew (Php 120) which he didn’t like that much since it’s fried. He likes the roasted one better. We might go to the market some other time to buy some roasted cashew for us and for pasalubong. As for me, I bought some pearl bracelets for Php 60 each.
Crocodile Farm
You’ll see a big crocodile skull and it’s skin in the entrance of the farm. The tour guide said that it’s 60 yrs old and killed 185 Palawenos.
There was also a hatchling area where the baby crocodiles were stored. And we also saw the 17 feet crocodile in the farm.
We managed to take some photos while holding a baby crocodile (Php 30/person). Its texture is like a rubber and it smells bad. At first it’s kinda scary but after the first shot, it’ll be okay,
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
This is where the prisoners that has no lawyer were sent. They are lucky though since they are given free shelter and jobs. I find it weird though but it’s their policy here. Some of the prisoners doesn’t want to go out of prison because they are living a good life inside and they can support their families through their prison jobs. Our tour guide even told us that some prisoners makes another minor crime just to extend their stay inside the prison when their sentence is almost over. By the way, there are 3 kinds of prisoners inside Ihawig Prison: Minimum, Medium and Maximum, the last being the worst crime down to the minor ones. The Minimum and Medium prisoners do the farming tasks while the Maximum prisoners stays only inside the prison cells and are only allowed 30mins just to get some fresh air and sunshine.
Also, we also bought some pure honey for Php 150. They say that it’s healthy and it’s mango based. I tried a little and it tastes good. Some tourist buys gallons and liters of it since it can do a lot of wonders. I now have to research on those after this trip.
Millionares Village, Mitra’s Ranch and Baker’s Hill
This were the last stops of the tour. Since it’s raining hard again we just had this “running tour” for each. The Village consists of retired foreigners and officials and their houses are very big! Then in Mitra’s Ranch, it’s like the Picnic Grove in Tagaytay where you can see the overlooking of taal volcano. Here in Palawan, you can see the overlooking of Honda Bay where the Island Hopping takes place. Last was the Baker’s Hill where we bought some bread for dinner. Nothing extra ordinary in Baker’s hill’s pastries though.
Then we are back to our hotels after the tour. It was a long rainy day so went to our rooms and rest for the next day’s adventure. We had a great day. Hopefully the weather will be better by tomorrow.
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