With the help of Puerto Pension's receptionist, I booked a tour to the Underground River on day 2. I am alone on this tour as my husband would be physically challenged in riding bancas. The tour cost Php1500 (standard rate) inclusive of aircon van, lunch, permit to the underground river & tour guide .
The van picked me up at around 815am and i learned that i was the last passenger for this tour. We were 11 in the van including our tour guide, Harry. There were 3 european male with us, one of them was married to a filipina. Our tour guide was very interesting as he narrated everything about Puerto Princesa City (PPC) and Palawan. He spoke in English because we have foreigners in the group. I can sense that he is very proud to be living in PPC; the place indeed was clean and green. Littering is an offense and there is stiff penalty even imprisonment for repeated violation. We stopped at the tourism office and Harry got our permit and schedule to the underground river (UGR). Tourists going to UGR are being monitored to avoid being crowded.
Travel time to Sabang Port was more or less 2 hours. After an hour of smooth ride, we stopped at an area for kidney break and for us to stretch our legs and bodies. Took some photos and off we went.
There was 1 km of rough road which Harry described as free massage. After almost 2 hours of land travel, we finally arrived at Sabang. Since our group was scheduled at the UGR at 1230pm, we had our buffet lunch first and more photoshoot at Sabang Bay.
There was 1 km of rough road which Harry described as free massage. After almost 2 hours of land travel, we finally arrived at Sabang. Since our group was scheduled at the UGR at 1230pm, we had our buffet lunch first and more photoshoot at Sabang Bay.
Our group was divided into two as the motorized banca can accomodate maximum of 7 people. The sun was cooperating and we had a nice view of the mountains and some rock formations.
the waves were not strong but as we reached the beach of the subterranean river national park , the waves became strong and i have to be careful in going the 2 step ladder. I may be out balanced and might dive in the water .
the waves were not strong but as we reached the beach of the subterranean river national park , the waves became strong and i have to be careful in going the 2 step ladder. I may be out balanced and might dive in the water .
There was a long walk in the middle of the forest before you reach the beach leading to the underground river. Along the wooden planks were monkeys who would steal your food! We were briefed by our tour guide not to bring transparent plastic bags as the monkeys would snatch them and mistaken for food.
At the end of the wooden pathway was our boat . we wore floater and hard hat. I am so excited to enter the cave as I only see this in photos and videos posted in youtube. Now, i would actually experience it.
I sat on the second row behind a foreign who held the big flashlight. The tour guide was on the last row. He stirred the banca and at the same time described the different rock formations and directed the "lightman" on where he should point the light. e.g. left , right, middle
It was so amazing to see stalactites and stalagmites.
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