Travel Dairy: Palawan

The may day in year 2013 was wednesday. The only way to use it was to take the whole week off. With this excuse, me and my friend were off to Manila for nine days. However our final destination was Palawan. We took Air phil express flight to Puerto Princesa from Manila as soon as we could. Our intent was to see the Sabang subterranean river and El Nido.

Ever since we landed in Puerto Princesa, we were greeted by Edward Hogedorn, Mayor of Palawan, everywhere, not personally but with his posters - big and small - all around. It seemed as if he was part of natural land scape. Though later this year, he lost the election. 

Our trip didn't go as per plan. Sabang had become some natural wonder and local and international traveller were flocking in They number of permits per day were limited and we could get the permit for 3 days later. The permit office for underground river is in Puerto Princesa. It is possible to obtain this permit from the home country through travel agents but plan in advance, like a month or more.

With a permit to Sabang subterranean river after 3 days, we headed towards El Nido. There are lot of vans for El Nido from Puerto Princesa but if one wants a slightly longer (like 30 mins) but a comfortable journey, opt for RORO bus. They are awesome, efficient and punctual. 

By the time we reached El Nido and checked into the hotel, it was dawn. Time for a good dinner after a long bus journey. We checked into a beach facing hotel and there are lot of awesome restaurants along. Also there is a Shisha place above Submariner dive center. 

The next morning we had planned a dive trip. When we got up looked though our window, the feeling of Ha long bay and Phi phi island kicked in together. We had to contain that feeling as this was our dive day.

The visibility was bit low but it was a serene experience. We dived with submariner, we were clubbed with Open water student hence the experience was not the best. Some photos below, credits to Bharath for this underwater pics.

The day ended with Sisha and good food. The Next day we hired a motor bike and planned to stroll around.  On our stroll we went to a waterfall, one secluded beach, Nacpan beach and sunset view point to Bacuit archipelago.

First view of Nacpan beach.

And here we are at Nacpan beach. All for ourselves.

After the beach we went to a waterfall named Bulalacao falls. It is a gentle walk away from the main road. The Nag Kalit-Kalit falls was dry in May but this was still booming with water.

The next day we went for island hopping, Cathedral Cave, secret lagoon, snake island. We started really early morning and hence we were able to avoid the crowd.

The day didn't end here. I went forward to top most point of El Nido, the Taraw cliff. See the photos and you would want to miss it. One will need a guide for Taraw cliff. And it is 3-4 hrs round trip. Please avid this is rainy season as the limestone cliff is slippery..

Bacuit Bay from top of Taraw cliff

The next day we took the Roro bus back to Puerto Princesa but got down at Sabang crossing. Took the van to Sabang. A nice laid back place, total peace. And staying over night there helps in visiting the Underground river before the general crowd arrives from Puerto Princesa. However, the river was bit disappointing after an Awesome El Nido. may be.

We were back in Manila for a day. The rainbows greeted us there other than that nothing great about it.