Woke up from a few hours of sleep, we gathered all our energy to shower and fix ourselves because today, we are going to see one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World"--- the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
Last night's dilemma regarding this tour turned out fine, thanks to Ate Heidi and her "connections".:)
At around 8:00am, our van arrived and our trip to the Underground River began. We had a stop-over at a local eatery-slash-convenience store-slash pasalubong center where we bought some banana cues, water and stuff. Continued our journey until we reached Sabtang port, where our tour guide meets us for the permits and all.
Since it's a Saturday, there were many tourists at the port area, waiting for their turn to see one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World", so to avoid the hassle, you might want to consider booking a guided tour when going here, for your convenience.
Since it's a Saturday, there were many tourists at the port area, waiting for their turn to see one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World", so to avoid the hassle, you might want to consider booking a guided tour when going here, for your convenience.
After a few minutes we found ourselves on-board a boat going to the Underground River. It's a "sunny" Saturday morning! Perfect for our activity for the day!
And alas! We're finally here!!!
Before heading to the docking area for the paddle boat, and while waiting for our tour guide, we had some photo ops at the entrance of the Underground River Park.
A few moments later, our tour guide came back and escorted us to the docking area. We waited for almost half an hour (since there were a lot of tourists that day) for our turn to ride the paddle boat (I think we were number 36...and it's still an hour before lunch time). So expect more number of tourists during Sundays, I guess?
Entering inside, there's total darkness, that's why one of our friends had to sit in front and hold the flashlight (through the entire tour).
*Note, if you happen to be the one that will hold the flashlight, you have to make sure you clearly know where is your left and right.:)
There we saw all the shapes and sizes of stalagmites and stalactites...it's like going to Science class, all over again!
*Thanks to my Physics professor last sem, I was able to relate to what our boatman-slash-tour guide was talking about!
All in all the Underground River Tour took 45-minutes, with some constant "Hi" and "Hellos" to our fellow tourists inside the Underground River.:)
Then we immediately came back to the Port Area to had some lunch in one of the restaurants there.
*Usually, the Underground River Tour package includes buffet lunch!:)
Our Underground River Adventure is a wrap!:)
Off to our City Tour!
A few moments later, our tour guide came back and escorted us to the docking area. We waited for almost half an hour (since there were a lot of tourists that day) for our turn to ride the paddle boat (I think we were number 36...and it's still an hour before lunch time). So expect more number of tourists during Sundays, I guess?
Can't believe I was able to finally see this!
Normally, the paddle boat will load up to 10 passengers, so if you happen to be traveling with a group of 10, the boat will all be by yourselves. Luckily, though we were only six in the group, the (boat) dispatcher didn't include us with the other tourists, so we somehow had an "accidental" private tour! Horay!
Another one for the books!
*Note, if you happen to be the one that will hold the flashlight, you have to make sure you clearly know where is your left and right.:)
There we saw all the shapes and sizes of stalagmites and stalactites...it's like going to Science class, all over again!
*Thanks to my Physics professor last sem, I was able to relate to what our boatman-slash-tour guide was talking about!
All in all the Underground River Tour took 45-minutes, with some constant "Hi" and "Hellos" to our fellow tourists inside the Underground River.:)
Then we immediately came back to the Port Area to had some lunch in one of the restaurants there.
*Usually, the Underground River Tour package includes buffet lunch!:)
Our Underground River Adventure is a wrap!:)
Off to our City Tour!
