Honda Bay Islands

Our very last day in Puerto Princesa!

And again, to avoid the hassle we opted a package tour going to the Honda Bay Islands.:) We were a bit disappointed because this time, we were joined by a family. So we don't have all the time in the world by ourselves.

Our driver and tour guide fetched us at around 7:30am, but because we had to prepare our stuff we left the house a little bit before 8pm. Sorry that they (by they I mean the other tourists) had to wait for us. No wonder they're giving us the "face".Hihi.

Then our adventure began.

We stopped by at a rental place to get some snorkeling gears and aqua shoes which we didn't bother to rent because we have our own. Then continued our journey to the port area.

The tour guide got the permit while we waited inside the lobby. This time, we don't have much energy for some photo ops so we just sat down and wait...and watch the other tourists taking a picture of themselves. Sad.

Then off we start with our island hopping.

First Island: Starfish Island

The island got its name because obviously there are many starfishes in this island. And oh! The funny thing is,  there are statues for photo ops in this island. Want to see Michael Jordan?

Told you, he's here!

The long strip of sand.:)

If you're looking for fine white sand, then this one's not for you. The sand is made up of broken pieces of shells and corals that's why it's not fine at all.

I don't know if it's the sand or what but we didn't feel like swimming that time so we just stayed inside the cottage and just had some little girl's talk while the boys went out for a swim.

Then, or boatman's assistant came to us and asked us if we want to have some artistic shots.  And this is what happened...

A few moments later, "Kuya tour guide' approached us and told us to board the boat so we can go to the next island.

Luli Island

Or short for "Lulubog-Lilitaw", because during high tide you will no longer see the island.

We spent 30 minutes here swimming and feeding fishes. And just before we leave this island, I had to make a decision!

It's whether to jump off the diving plank or not.

See: Plank Diving at Luli Island

After that daring adventure (or so I guess), we left the island to have our lunch at...

Cowrie Island

Again, this package tour includes buffet lunch.

We arrived there a little past 11am, that's why there are only a handful of people occupying the dining area. The tour guide told us that during lunch time this is mostly packed with people availing the package tour at Honda Bay Islands. It's better early than sorry!


Food at the buffet table consists of meat, veggies, seafoods and pancit plus drinks and desserts (coffee jelly & fruits).

I don't know how many times we went to the buffet table but the seafoods are so good! Especially their calamari! Yum yum!


After the feast, we continued relaxing at a nearby cottage only to find out that staying there isn't for free, so again we had to move to a nearby table.

We spent a few minutes talking and cracking jokes at each other...and planning for another out of town getaway!


But of course! For the last time we, the girls decided to enjoy the beach for a couple of minutes before we had back to the real world.:)

 

The entire trip lasted until 3:00pm then we prepared or stuff for our flight that day.


This sums up our Puerto Princesa-El Nido Trip.:)

Puerto Princesa City Tour

This city tour is our last-minute-decision kind of thing.:) 

We were initially planning to just explore the city via DIY style but we didn't have enough time to research.:) So we just opted to add P2,000 to our van so we can have a private tour and  include the city tour in our itinerary for today!

See: Adventures and misadventues with Northern Hope Travel & Tours

After our trip to the Underground River, we went straight to the Crocodile  Farm & Nature Park!

Entrance fee: P40/head


They have schedules for guided tour, which I think is required when you visit the park.

We arrived there at around 2:45pm, our driver got out of the van to bought some tickets for us. When he came back he told us to wait at the entrance of the park fo our schedule at 3:00pm.

Before heading straight inside the park, we were asked to fill out a sheet of paper, to track the numbers of visitors per day.

Then our tour began.
 
As you enter the lobby of the park, you will see the preserved bones and skin of the largest crocodile captured in Palawan.



The preserved bones of the largest crocodile captured in Palawan.

This is not the one used for Hermes Bags...sorry.

A tour guide would make a biefing regarding the area and some "do's and don'ts" so pay attention!:)

After the briefing you will all go straight to the Hatchling area where you will see all the baby crocodiles! But never ever dare to put your fingers inside their tub or you will come home missing one.



Inside the "Hatchling area"...baby crocs!

 



 Then the tour will continue up to the area of the adult crocodile and it will also end there but if you want to tour the whole area, you are welcome. Just make sure you know how to find your way out!:)

Next stop, Mitra's Ranch

Entrance Fee: FREE

This used to be privately owned but is now open for PPS tourists and locals. Operating from 6am to 6pm.  And the best part is,the entrance here is absolutely FREE! (Fees apply when you do the activities there, such as horse-back riding, trampoline zipline, etc)

Overlooking the city of Puerto Princesa, this is the perfect place to relax, unwind and just be with nature! I love nature!

The perfect spot. See the house at the back? Too bad it's a private proper property. I'd love to have one like that someday.:) 

 

Our last stop is at Baker's Hill which is just a few meters away from Mitra's Ranch. We bought some pastries for pasalubongs. And of course, we didn't forget to have our photos taken at the infamous heart-shaped flower decor inside Baker's Hill garden. Another one for our bucket list...Check!

 

 

Will you?

 

 

Perfect place for pastries and romance!

 

 

Since we're all tired from our trip, we didn't stay much long here. But before going back to our place, we had to do some little "pasalubong shopping" and had a quick stop to buy some dinner and booze for our last day here in this island.:)

 

 

 



Exploring One of the "New Seven Wonders of the World"... Underground River Tour

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".:)

See  Adventures and misadventures with Northern Hope Travel

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.

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?

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

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!