Puerto Princesa -Underground River Tour 11.09.2010

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.

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 .

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

Here are the rock formations inside the cave:

It was so amazing to see stalactites and stalagmites.

We had so much fun. The Underground River tour is really a must see wonder when in Palawan.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan Adventure 2010 -Part I

Thanks to CebuPacific's anniversary seatsale in June, I was able to book/buy cheapest fare to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for travel period Nov 8-10, 2010. Since my two grown ups have work and studies, this trip would be just my husband and me. Round trip airfare for two (2) cost us Php 1217.60 only; had it not been for the insurance , the fare would have only been around Php 717 .. It was still a great buy.

Next step was to reserve for our accommodation. My husband and I searched the internet for hotels in Palawan, read reviews, asked friends who have been to Puerto Princesa. My former manager stayed at Microtel, a former colleague stayed at The Legend and a former teammate, at Puerto Pension (did you notice, they're all former !).

After considering the cost per night, amenities , wifi and other things, we finally booked 2 nights at Puerto Pension. The reviews about Puerto Pension were good and this place was recommended by Lonely Planet as well. Room cost Php1500 per night, continental breakfast can be upgraded to either Filipino or American for additional Php88. There's a free airport transfer as well. The pension is walking distance to the bay. This baywalk is similar to Manila's baywalk along Roxas boulevard. This area is good for walking and jogging and .of course, photoshoot. It is also in this baywalk where boats offering dolphin watching tour are docked.

Four months after booking the flight, we're finally boarding at 810am. The flight was just over an hour. Puerto Princesa's airport has no passenger tube so we took the stairs down to the tarmac and headed for the arrival area picked up our bag and waited for our transfer.

Puerto Pension staff was there waiting for us. He drove an airconditioned jeepney. As we passed by the main road, Rizal Avenue , we saw many tricyles. The driver cum tour narrator was in a jolly mood and started narrating to us some facts about Puerto Princesa. He's proud that Puerto Princesa is the country's cleanest and greenest city. It was clean indeed!!! You can not see any litters on the streets; there are big green trash bins every 200 meters; litter bugs will be fined. The tricyles follow a color coding scheme--white and blue colored trike alternate each day. I believe this is to avoid traffic jams.

Basically, cutting of trees is not allowed. Moreover, there is an annual tree and mangrove planting in Puerto Princesa in order to maintain the ecology and the green surroundings . Also, there is only one mall in Puerto Princesa. It is called NCC and it is only 3-4 floors (am not sure but the building is not high). The people jokingly called it No-Choice mall coz being the only mall, they have no choice. We also saw outlets of Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Mister Donut. We also passed by some famous restos--Ka Lui , Kinabuchs (famous for its Tamilok and croc meat), Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill. Suprisingly, there is not one movie house in Puerto Princesa. The people here are happy to go home after work; they prefer to go nature tripping instead of going to the movies. According to our driver, there was one theater before but it eventually closed down because only few people watch.

As we turned to Malvar Street where Puerto Pension is located, i saw the baywalk afar and i got excited; i cant wait to check it out. The staff at the reception were friendly ; they served us cold gulaman drink and after filling up some forms, off we go to our room. Room 20 is located on the 3rd floor.

The room is small but has enough elbow room to move around. The motiff of Puerto Pensionis tribal so the room has lots of native decors. We have a view of the bay which is refreshing. The bathroom was clean and white. There's hot water equipment, bidet, clothes line. The towels are white and almost new (which i like); small ref, cable TV, aircon, overhead electric fan (fan blades were anahaw leaf shaped)..It's all good...now we rest...