It's been a little over a month since my four-day trip in El Nido and Puerto Princesa with some of my RJ friends. I had been a little too occupied ever since I got back, and the daily grind for the past month has left me yearning for the sun, sand, and sea in which I basked in abundance while in Palawan.
We had been planning for this trip since early this year, at least, and we sure as hell made the most of it. We arrived in Palawan on the evening of May 6, Wednesday, greeted by Kuya Gabs's parents and sister. He is from Palawan and we had stayed in their house in during the last days of our trip.
From the airport, we headed straight to El Nido after a six-hour drive, where we stayed for two amazing days.
It's this quaint little town and port that greeted us in the morning:
On that Thursday, we went on an island hopping tour, exploring five beaches and lagoons. These "hidden" water forms (descriptively called Hidden Beach and Secret Beach) could only be reached by docking the boat outside the rock formations and swimming through the gap.
Obviously, the long boat rides were so worth it when you get to be in the middle of such spectacular views and pristine waters.
Hidden Beach ❤
Frexy, Marifel, and me inside the Secret Beach.
My Studio Ghibli-loving heart is a little overjoyed when we reached this place, because it's so strikingly like being inside Porco Rosso's lair. :D The gap was so small we had to duck as we swam inside, and the limestone wall surrounds the gorgeous beach in a complete 360. ❤
We also had a blast snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. I think that was the only time I truly enjoyed snorkeling because El Nido is teeming with brightly-colored corals and schools of fish. I admit I got so excited like a little girl because the multitude of fish coming in various colors of the rainbow were almost always within my reach.
We were supposed to have lunch on the beach at Talisay Island, but since we ran out of place to dock, we ate on our boat. The scenery plus plus the sea breeze plus the filling meals served made for a sumptuous lunch. Island food is simply the best. Haha.
Playing in the sand while waiting for lunch.
Matinloc Island. The only no-swimming island we visited.
Can I just say that my Inay is a little too sexy for this world, kahit sa pagbaba lang ng bangka? Haha. Bakit hindi ako nagmana? :))
This blue beauty is so breathtaking.
My emo-ing friends.
Back to mainland.
On our second day, we chose to go to a beach for a whole day instead of going on another island tour. It proved to be a good decision because staying in Nacpan Beach was, honestly, the highlight of the trip for me.
Aside from the stunning blue sea and the fine white sand, we scored a jackpot in choosing the place because there were very few people around. We had one part of the beach practically all to ourselves.
Accidentally artsy shot of Kuu. Haha.
I have such sexy friends. Hahahuhu. ❤
Who are, at the same time, crazy friends. :))
I'll say it again: Island food is the best.
The kids were playing in the sand again, crafting a masterpiece that will put everything else to shame. :))
❤
El Nido is a paradise, and such a beauty deserves a return visit.
On Saturday midnight, we arrived in Puerto Princesa for our Underground River Tour the following morning.
The river meets the sea...
Makes this another unbelievably beautiful shade of blue-green. ❤
Round 347 of How to Pose for Another Group Shot. Hahaha.
Sabang, the entrance to the Underground River.
The number of tourists visiting the place is kinda ridiculous, which, I guess, is understandable since it was the summer season. We had to amuse ourselves and find comfortable resting places while we waited for our turn to ride a paddle boat and enter the underground river.
Naturally, we chose to (try to) nap on the ground. Haha.
And after a few hours, finally!
The tour was fun and informative, and we were lucky to have had an upbeat boatman explaining the rock formations in the cave. I'd gladly choose the six-hour travel for El Nido instead though.
Anyway, when we got back to the city, we spent a couple of hours shopping for pasalubong. Kuya Gabs also took us to a popular Vietnamese food place in Puerto Princesa for dinner, where we got to taste the local favorite Chao Long.
This hearty stew, generous serving of meat, and big slices of bread only costed a hundred bucks. Haha. Sulit at masarap! :)
To wind down, we walked around the city, and headed for the city's bay-walk. There, we just enjoyed the cool night breeze and took turns in riding the bike of Kuya Gabs's friend. Hehe. The others also had an impromptu dance-out-of-beat party. :))
Before going back to our hosts' house, we bought a small cake as present for Kuya Gabs's parents, especially since it was Mother's Day the following morning. It was a small gesture in return for their family's kindness and generosity for us mga dayong taga-Maynila. :")
It was a lovely four-day vacation, and with all these work load and adult worries piling up right now, I can't wait to be back in Palawan for more.
