You see, our trip in Palawan was just one of those "accidental trips". We were initially planned to go to CDO but since Air Asia decided to do some "re-alignment" we had no choice but to reroute our flights.
Lo and behold, we found ourselves booking a flight to Puerto Princesa, a month before our supposed CDO trip.
Since, we only had a few weeks to book everything----tour, transfers and accommodation, I had to bend my own set of rules when traveling...never ever book a package tour!
With the help of a friend, who stumbled upon Contradicting Harmony's Blog, we found Ate Neriza's Northern Hope Travel & Tours.
Ate Neriza, as the writer calls her, owns the travel agency, along with it, she also happens to own a cheap accommodation in El Nido. She gave me a very good deal among all the travel agencies I've inquired...and so we booked it. The package includes accommodation in El Nido & Puerto Princesa, Island Hopping in El Nido & Palawan, RT Transfers, Underground River Tour.
Fast forward to our trip.
As we got out of the Puerto Princesa International Airport, we easily spotted our welcoming party, waving a signage that says "Pamela Ang & Company". He then, escorted us to a nearby restaurant that serves as "our" waiting area while he went back to the airport to fetch other guests.
After almost an hour (I guess) another guy approached us and asked "Northern Hope Inn?", we said yes then he told us to follow him to the van---- Eulen Joy Express.
We were six in the group, then along with us there were other passengers who will be joining us on our way to El Nido--- two foreigners, and some locals who were bound to go home from Puerto Princesa.
And then our six-hour journey began.
We stopped by at a local eatery to grab some lunch (forgot the name), and continued our journey.
See Puerto Princesa-El Nido via van blog post
Upon arriving at El Nido Town Market, we asked the driver how we can reach the Northern Hope Inn. He told us to ride a tricycle going there. (Costs P30-50 per way)
Since we're six in the group and a whole lot of luggages, we got two tricycle for us. We reached Northern Hope Inn after 3-5 minutes. Then one of our friend told us that there's some changes with our bookings, instead of staying at Northern Hope Inn, Ate Neriza rented rooms at Anang Balay Turista and Leah's Cottages (relatively new in the rows of inns and cottages near the beach) because according to her, they're fully-booked. ( I didn't bother to ask them since she gave us a decent place to stay---with a nice view of Bacuit Bay)
That's when I checked my phone and saw text from her that indeed there are "some" changes with our booking.
That "some" changes led one to another. Before we left El Nido, I talked to Rhea (One of Ate Neriza's staff) and confirmed our bookings in Puerto Princesa, then she told me "Ma'am ok na po yun, na-inform na po sila about your bookings." I
We left El Nido at exactly 6:00pm and arrived at EJ Pension House (just as what is stated in our itinerary) by midnight. Expecting that the staff at EJ Pension house would welcome us, we were surprised to see all the lights were off and they're all sound asleep. Panicked that we might spend the night outside, I've decided to open my phone (which ran out of battery) and borrowed another friend's phone to call Ate Neriza. She then told me, there are AGAIN changes in our booking.
Since EJ Pension House is already fully-booked, she booked us at another hotel J-Rhanz Transient Homes. Ate Neriza told me that she'll ask Ate Heidi (owner of J-Rhanz Travel & Tours) to call me.
After a minute or two, Ate Heidi called me up, and was surprised to know that we are at EJ Pension House. She asked if the van already left us, and when I said it did, she asked me if we can wait for a few more minutes because she will fetch us.
I want to thank the staff of EJ Pension House for being so accommodating. At 12 midnight we didn't expect them to open their doors for us while we waited for Ate Heidi to fetch us.
From EJ Pension's Website
Since it's already late in the evening, and her driver already went home, she asked her husband to get a tricycle for the six of us.
We said our "thank yous" to the staff of EJ Pension House and bid goodbye. Then off we went to J-Rhanz Pension House (a few minutes away from the airport).
After some mishaps and miscommunication, we arrived safe and sound at J-Rhanz. Went straight to our rooms, freshen up then slept.
But wait! I didn't sleep!
Before we went to our rooms, I asked Ate Heidi regarding our Underground River Tour the following day. We were both surprised because she didn't know anything about the tour. She then tried calling Ate Neriza for confirmation, but she's not picking up.
Then she told me, she'll handle everything.
Morning came then I went outside the room to see Ate Heidi, then saw Ate Susan (the real owner of the pension house) and asked her if she knows anything about our Underground River Tour, she then told me with assurance, "Kayang gawan ng paraan ni Heidi yun, kain muna kayo ng breakfast."
While we were eating our breakfast we called up Ate Neriza and informed her about our situation, she then clarified that the tour were initially booked to other travel agencies, but since Ate Heidi is already accommodating us, she will transfer everything to Ate Heidi's care.
We then asked if we can get the private tour (for the UR Tour) instead so we can include the city tour as well. She agreed to do the private tour but we'll add P2,000 nett for the van. Fair enough!
The tours came as a breeze! Thanks to Ate Heidi for making sure that we were well-taken cared of!
Ate Susan and her daughter was such a blessing to us! She often remind us that her house is our house too, so we don't have to worry about anything. She is also very accommodating and even allowed us to have a drinking session (the night before we left for Manila) in the common area of her pension house.
Before we left for Manila, I had a brief talk with Ate Susan regarding her pension house. I promised to endorse her to my friends as a "thank you" gesture for her kindness.:)
If you happen to be in Puerto Princesa and will be needing a place to stay, I would be glad to recommend to you Sunglow Transient Home.:)
Sunglow Transient Home-Puerto Princesa City
Ate Susan- 09394516715
Rate: (Direct)
P500/ room with breakfast
* Ate Susan also has a van for rent and she can give you a very good deal.
J- Rhanz Travel & Tours
Ate Heidi- 09052777986
Northern Hope Travel & Tours
Ate Neriza Dado- 09277353221
Package Cost for El Nido-Puerto Princesa Tour
(Per head, unless stated otherwise)
Accommodation (Northern Hope Inn & J-Rhanz)- P1,600 (for 4 nights)
Combination Tours A & C- 1,500.00
Tour B- 1,000
Environmental Fee- 200.00
Underground River Tour-1,300 (with Buffet Lunch)
Honda Bay Island Hopping- 1,100.00
RT Van Transfers-1,000.00
Total Amount: P7,700.00
