I went to Puerto Prinsesa last February 7-9, 2011 with my friend, Trina. She was my companion too when we went to Coron, Palawan last year along with another friend, Kim who, unfortunately, wasn’t able to join us this year due to health reasons. Trina and I stayed in Kookaburra Travel Lodge. I recommend you to stay there because the people here are very warm and approachable. Our room is clean and spacious enough for us. Breakfast is free also. Kookaburra offered travel tours for our convenience.
Trina starting her free breakfast
On our first day, we had Day Tour. We roamed within the city proper. We visited the following:
Plaza Quartel- where a memorial marker stands for the Prisoners of war of World War II. According to the guide, the Plaza Quartel used to be the jail during World War II. Nearby was an old church. We went there also and paid homage.
here we are in front of Plaza Quartel
a commemorative marker
a memorial marker for POW
Church
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center- I loved this place! There are lots of crocodiles! I even had the chance to hold a baby. You can feed the crocodile with a raw meat for a minimal fee. There are other animals here also such as wild boar, ostrich, etc.
Trina stepping on a crocodile replica
I'm holding to a baby
the nursery
the big crocodiles
this one is really scary!
an ostrich
Trina's twin sister..joke!
meerkat
Ramon Mitra’s Old House/ Mansion- the former Senator’s big residence. You can’t go inside the house so I sort of didn’t like the place because you just toured outside. Actually for me, this could be removed from the Itinerary. Sorry.
Trina and I in front of Ramon Mitra's Mansion
Ramon Mitra's Hacienda
Binuatan Creations, Handloom Weaving Showrooms- Manufacturer of Handloom Weaving Products utilizing Palawan’s Indigenous Fibers. Available products are place mats, bags, wallets, fan, ref covers, table runners, etc. They told us that Calvin Klein get products from them and the prices will be 10x more expensive when the CK tag is placed already in the weaved item.
I'm trying to weave also
pose at the entrance
Iwahig Colony- this is their prison here in Puerto Prinsesa. It's 22-hectares and prisoners here wear color coded clothes depending on the gravity of their offenses. it's a big place where the prisoners walk and work but escorted with police. They do their farming and fishing here. they have different kinds of sports here like basketball, tennis, baseball, ect. They also make key chains as souvenirs for visiting tourists.
We got tired already and hungry so we ate in one of the famous restaurants there, KINABUCH Grill and bar. I got the chance to try “tamilok”-native name for the wood worm, cooked like Calamares or breaded squid. Since it’s a wood worm, it’s too soft. Then I ate crocodile meat ala “Bicol Express”. The meat is not tough. It tastes like chicken to me. I wasn’t able to take pictures of the food because of hunger.
Kinabuch's Grill and bar
different nations eat here :D
big resto
Next day was spent on an early trip to Underground River. Since our call time for Underground is 2:30pm, we stopped at Ugong Rock before lunch time where we tried spelunking and zipline. It was my first time for spelunking and I was caught unprepared. I am already small yet the holes there where we entered were smaller and narrower which left my back ached because I didn’t exercise before trying this. But I enjoyed it because it was challenging. When we reached the top of the mountain for 20 minutes, our sweats are all-over so better bring your own towels. Since we need to go down already, we were offered two options; 1) go down the same way we went up, so basically, entering the small, narrow holes, getting dirty again for 20 minutes or 2) try the 21 seconds, 50ft, 350 m zipline for a minimal fee. I chose the zipline. Aside from it will save time and energy on my part, I’ll be refreshed. Besides, it won’t take too long and dirty when I reached the ground unlike spelunking. I was right with my decision. No regrets! After zipline we had our buffet lunch.
After eating we rode a boat to transfer us in Underground River. From there, we saw monkeys walking freely. Be cautious. They grab gadgets and foods so better don’t go very near them. There are monitor lizards and squirrel too. We waited for our turn to enter the finalist of the new “Seven Wonders of the World”. Yes, Puerto Prinsesa Subterrenean River National Park, Underground River is currently on top list to be included in the New Seven Wonders of the World. Voting is until September 2011. We wore our hard hats and life jackets. We rode a small boat. It was really dark inside so I wasn’t able to capture good shots such as stalagmites formation of melting candle, Mama Mary, Jesus Christ, Mushroom, vegetables, etc. It was cold inside too. I enjoyed the ride because I am very proud of myself that I was able to visit a place nominated for Seven Wonders of the World. After this, we went back to city and had our dinner, this time in “Bilao at Palayok”. Sea foods are the best at very affordable prices with huge servings!
boats to transfer us in Underground River
Entrance of Underground River
we rode this boat to enter Underground River
a stone formation looking like a fish
done exploring Underground River! :D
we met some friends along the way
the one in the middle is "Cio", our energetic tour guide
On our last day, we went to Honda Bay. Our Island Hopping Tour. We swam and enjoyed snorkeling. I saw lots of fish but the species or kinds are not many compared to Coron. But I enjoyed feeding them since we really had close encounter with the fish, too close they bit me! But I didn’t get hurt. Don’t forget to bring your bread again. You’ll need this for better captures of sweet images of the cute fish from your waterproof camera. By the way, our tour guide is an expert diver. He helped us feed the fish and took great images of the school of fish. I didn’t get scared though the sea is at 12 ft already because he helped us to relax and just enjoy the experience. As soon as we finished our Island hopping, we went to the Airport and head back for home.
Trina with our tour guide&diving expert too
here I am under the sea!
sea weed
live coral with blue fish
i'd like to catch them :D
wow!
amazing view under water!
i want to play with you guys!
these shots were taken using my water proof camera
a very interesting fish :D
Trina with her okay sign after seeing the "world of under water"
Trina and I feeding the school of fish
I enjoyed my stay and short vacation here in Puerto Prinsesa. I love the environment! I love the warm acceptance of the people! Next destination: Singapore!
P
