Thursday 19 February 2015

El Nido, Palawan

My picture did not gave justice to how beautiful this place is. #NacpanBeach


Guess what???
I should not be here, typing and thinking what should I include on my El Nido post.
Muntik na kami maiwan ng eroplano!!!!
We rode a cab and with conviction I said, "TERMINAL 3 manong"

After we had our baggage checked, we we're about to choose what seat we want, the Cebupac girl encircled our ticket and said that we were supposed to be in TERMINAL 4!



Our flight was 4:30am!!! and it was almost 4 in the morning.
We hurriedly ran for our lives, as if there were zombies behind us.

Then, there goes Terminal 4.
The girl who assisted me said that the counter for our trip was already closed!
Oh my gaaaaahd. This can't be happening.
My braincells weren't able to function properly after hearing those words.

I then looked where Jok was, I just hand-signaled him saying to just wait where he was.
The Cebupac girl then referred me to another person and she whispered, 
"Mam, sakanya po kayo makiusap."

I was ready to be a Star Magic talent during that time...
Ready na ko magmakaawa, umiyak, at lumuhod sa harap ni Ate para lang pasakayin nya kami.
Then I heard the "SShhhhhkkkk" sound from her walkie-talkie phone.
The girl I was speaking to was asking a guy from the plane if there were still vacant seats.
The guy from the phone replied "Tawagan kita ulit after 2mins, nagbibilang pa kami ng ticket."
That was the longest 2minutes of my life, my heart was pounding really fast and I'm not ready to go home yet.

So I heard that "Shhhhkkkk" sound again.
OH LORD, WHATEVER YOUR WILL IS.... tatanggapin ko po ng buong-loob.
Then I had a quick glance to where Jok was.
As I was looking at him, I heard the guy from the radio said

"Give them Seat 24 - E and F"

Departure from TERMINAL 4


Just our luck :)


===========================The Arrival======================

1ST Day! February 3, 2015


Hahahaha!!!! 
I was just so happy we were able to get into that plane.

We arrived at Puerto Princesa airport almost 6 in the morning, then catched a Van going to El Nido...
Medyo fail lang ung nasakyan naming van since kuya directed us to a "so-so" van, he said to just wait there and he will get the new van that we will be using.
After waiting for almost 20mins, he started the engine and hindi na kami lumipat ng ibang van.
Ok lang naman since comfortable and ok naman ung sasakyan. 
Un nga lang since gusto ni kuya mas kumita pa, ang dami pa naming dinaanan na stopover to get passengers.

The usual travel time from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is 6 hours, but we reached El Nido almost 2 in the afternoon. So, that was more or less 7 hours.

But it was fine, atleast we had time to sleep during the trip.

I wasn't able to snap a photo of our van, but this is the usual van that offers transfers to any point of Palawan.
Tagline: Gabay sa Turismo sa Palawan
Photo credit: http://adrenalineromance.com/

I woke up when a foreigner at the back of the van shouted "Stunning! Stunning!"
He was referring to "Stunning Vistas".
So when I opened my eyes, I knew we were in El Nido.

Seeing the mountains,
and the cliffs,
and the rock formations,
and THE BEACH!!!! 

I WAS SPEECHLESS!!!




We were dropped off at the terminal and there we rode a tricycle going to Nido's Friendly Inn, our home for 5days.
We booked a fan room with shared-CR, but to our surprise, they gave us a room with a private CR.
This day is going pretty well.

We then headed to our room, fixed ourselves and our things, took a rest for few minutes. 




Nido's Friendly Inn
Contact #: 09194515991 or 09096011702
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nidos-Friendly-Inn/

After we changed clothes, we ate our baon na food before we headed to the beach.


Jok prepared 2 tuna sandwiches and I ordered 2 sausage sandwiches from Claudz :)

We laid our blanket on the sand and rested for a few hours, after which, we strolled along the beach and the streets.



We went back to our room to prepare ourselves for dinner.

Grilled Fish with 1cup of rice = 200
2 extra cup of rice = 40 (20pesos each)
5 sticks of isaw and tenga = 50 (10pesos each)

We ordered grilled fish to one of the restaurants along the beach so we can have a good ambience while having dinner.
This is one of the ihaw-ihaw stall along the street.
It's infront of the St.Francis of Asisi church


After dinner, since we we're a bit tired with all the transfers from jeepney-taxi-airplane-van-tricycle, instead of going to bars and socializing with other locals and tourists, we decided to stay at our Inn's veranda.



Empi Lights, Ice, chips, etc= 200 pesos

===================END OF DAY 1=======================



2nd day! February 4, 2015

We had a goodnight sleep and so on our 2nd day, we woke up 7:30 am.
We ate breakfast and prepared the things we will bring for our Package C tour.

Piaya and Biscocho given by Ate Janice
Free Coffee from Nido's Friendly Inn
Cost: 0.00 pesos


We purchased our Tour C package from a booth which I forgot the name.
Originally, Tour C is for 1,400/pax, but they gave us 200 discount each.
It includes buffet lunch and snorkel gears.

Helicopter Island
It has such name because it looks like a helicopter from afar.


Talisay Island as our scenic background


Buffet Lunch!!!!


Secret Beach


Matinloc Shrine


Cadlao Lagoon 

Tour C includes the Hidden Beach but we were unable to drop by since Survivor Norway rented the place.

NOTE:::
Tourists are required to get an Environmental pass from the Province Tourist department for 200pesos good for 10 days, but don't worry your tour guides will get it for you.

Just keep your Environmental pass handy because they will ask for it once you avail for another tour package.

We started TOUR C almost 10am and finished around 5 in the afternoon.
We were a group of 14 tourists (5 pinoys and the rest are foreigners) plus 3 tour guides.

It was tiring but very worth it.

As soon as we reached our room, we immediately took bath so we can rest afterwards .

We were feeling a little hungry when we realized we have not taken dinner yet.
So we walked on the streets of El Nido and looked for a budget-friendly carinderia.

There we found Empaña's Specialty Carinderia, just in front of St.Francis of Asisi church.


paubos na ung isang ulam bago ko mapicturan 


2 ulam = 100 (50 each)
La Paz Batchoy = 55
Rice = 30 (10each)
Coke Sakto = 10

We're not in the mood to mingle with other people so we bought a bottle of red wine and drank relaxedly in our abode. 

It's way cheaper than hopping to a bar and we can be more relaxed.



Red wine = 245
Ice - 10 (5pesos each)

====================END OF THE 2ND DAY====================



3rd Day! February 5, 2015

We started our 3rd day with the all time Pinoy favorite breakfast meal. 


Silog Republic
65pesos on all Silog
65pesos on all Sizzling Plate meal (+15 for additional egg)


ToSilog
(pero hindi sinangag)


On our 3rd day itinerary, we opted to travel North.
We rented a motorbike for 500 pesos good for the whole day. 
It is the cheapest way to get around El Nido and to get to Nacpan Beach.
But if you don't know how to drive a motorbike, you can rent a tricycle going to Nacpan, 
It will cost you 1,500 pesos which is for 2pax, which includes a roundtrip transfer, 3-4 hour stay in Nacpan Beach and a side trip to Las Cabanas for its famous sunset view.

Nacpan Beach is an hour away from El Nido (30mins smooth road and 30mins roughroad), but I tell you, it is worth all the pain in the ass on those bumpy roads, worth the sun heating up on our skin and worth everything!!!!

This is just a soft-touch of the bumpy road, it is worse in person.

As soon as we arrived, we hiked on a small cliff-like terrain for more or less 20mins to get a better view of the Twin beach.

No words can describe the serenity and the calmness of this place. 




In my 27 years of existence, I've been to different beaches from Luzon (Pagudpud, Quezon Province, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, Baler, La Union, Batangas, Puerto Galera) , 
Visayas (Boracay, Guimaras, Ilo-ilo, Romblon) 
and Mindanao (Davao, CDO, Camiguin, South Cotabato, Koronadal, GenSan), 
maybe I forgot some but really....... 

I can say, this is the most amazing view I've ever seen in my entire life.

Nacpan Beach is now my most favorite place in the Philippines, so far.

I wanted to stay at the top for a longer time but the sun is really scorching.



I'm no photographer, that's why I took an online picture to give justice on how beautiful Nacpan really is.
Photo credit: www.palawan.nfo.ph

It was mixed emotions.
I was awestruck because it was really beautiful.
I was speechless.
I was jealous of those people who've seen and held you before me.
It was as if I was looking at a postcard.
It was so tranquil, relaxing and de-stressing.
ANG GANDA MO NACPAN!

My pictures can not attest to the beauty of this place.
No one can justify how amazing Nacpan is, just go and see for yourself.

Panaromic view

We found a place under the shaded trees where we can place our blanket, we settled our things, sit, lay down, ate, drank, smoked, watched the waves and people enjoying the beach. We just took time to appreciate the place and that blissful moment.



We left Nacpan beach before 4pm and while on the road, we noticed a sign for a waterfall trip. To our curiosity, we then stopped on the next house that offered a trip to the Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls.

This is me, trying to test my skills in driving a motorbike.
And, I did a great job!!!





Their offer is 150/pax, but before we agreed, I asked for a discount and we paid 200pesos only for both of us.







The hike going to the falls took  30-40mins and we just stayed their about 20mins since we needed to get to Las Cabanas before 6pm to watch the sunset. After a quick dip from the basin and shower from the falls, we went back to our tour guide's house to finish our waterfalls trip.





Obviously, we enjoyed our stay in Nacpan Beach that we forgot to have lunch, we were so hungry but we didn't want to eat a full meal since we have a better plan for dinner. So before heading straight to Las Cabanas, we had a stopover to one of the store in the town proper to buy merienda.

Siomai = 60 (30pesos/4pcs)
1 stick of Kikiam = 10pesos/4pcs
1 stick of Squidballs = 10pesos/4pcs

While we were soundtripping, joking and goofing around with selfies, we just found ourselves quietly watching the beautiful sunset. 





It is one of those "awwwwww......" moments.







After the sunset, we headed back to our room to got ourselves cleaned and prepared for dinner.

As Jok, being a pizza-lover, Maybe, just maybe! 
This is his most favorite moment from our El Nido Trip.
We had dinner at a restaurant called "Altrové".

Back when we were in Manila, my friend Martin kept on reminding me not to miss the famous pizza place in El Nido. 
During our conversation, he forgot the name of the place but he still pushed me to not leave El Nido without dining there.
On our first night in El Nido, I noticed a line of people outside this house-turned -restaurant.
Below it was a brick oven where the staff prepares the pizza.
Without thinking twice, I knew this was the place Martin is referring to.

The place was jampacked, so we still needed to queue, waited around 15-20 minutes before we were able to get a seat.



We ordered 1 pizza and a plate of pasta.
I forgot the name on the menu, but trust me, everything on the menu are all DELICIOSO!!!!


I think, their pizza is about 12 inches, it's good for 3-4pax. The serving on their pasta is good for 2pax.





We loved the food and we loved Maura, the owner of Altrové. She's from Italy but choose to stay here, I wasn't able to ask how she knew El Nido since they were all very busy. 

She is really very friendly and very accomodating. 

Maura (with a rolling RRR) <3

After a full and sumptuous dinner , so we decided to stroll along streets of the town proper and there we found Kuya Cris from MAAMBENG tour agency. 


He gave us an incredible discount for Tour A package. 
Usually, tour packages only include buffet lunch and free use of snorkel gears.
With Maambeng, you will also get individual towels and they also have free coffee, just in case you want to drink something while waiting to get to the next destination. They also have new snorkel gears.

We felt tired after the long walks so we decided to get something to drink. 
Beer is too expensive and we wanted to try something different from the usual Empi lights, so Jok decided to mix a simple cocktail drink.

while watching Horrible Bosses

We were so tired with all the activities that we weren't able to finish the drink and the movie.


=========================END OF DAY 3====================


February 6, 2015

I alarmed my phone 7:30am but we got up around 8am to make most rest as we can since we knew this will be a long day again.

We had breakfast in our room, we ate the remaining pizza that we took out from Altrové.

As soon as we finished the food, we went to Maambeng's office to meet our tour guide.
We started the tour almost 10am and ended before 5am.


7 Commandos from afar


7 Commandos upclose


Big Lagoon


Kayaking inside the Big Lagoon


Sa dami ng na-island hopping, nakalimutan ko na to.
Secret Lagoon
That small opening at the back is the entry to get in to the lagoon.
You will need to be very careful getting inside the lagoon since there are sharp edges from the rocks.

We had so much fun during the tour, but at the same time it drained my energy. 
As soon as we got to our room, we washed ourselves and took a rest. 
When we decided to find a place to have dinner, I suddenly felt sick. 

We don't have any thermometer but we knew my body temperature is hotter than usual. 
I forced myself to get out from bed and still managed to walk and look for a place to eat.
After serving the food, it just took me 2 spoonful of rice and Nilagang Baka and I could not consume another mouthful of the food.

I left Jok at the carinderia and  rode a tricyle going back to our room because I am feeling really weak.
Since this was our last night in El Nido, we were supposed to spend it in Puka bar, a reggae restobar along the beach. 
Unfortunately, since I am feverish we just stayed in our room. 
Jok bought cup noodles so I can eat before taking meds.
I was just asleep the whole night while Jok continued to watch Horrible Bosses.


====================END OF THE 4TH DAY==================


Our flight going back to Manila was 5:35pm so we booked for a 9:30am shuttle transfer from El Nido going to Puerto Prinsesa. 

We woke up 7:30am, just enough time to fix our things and to prepare ourselves. 
We choose to eat at Silog Republic again, this time we ordered Sizzling Burger Steak with egg (65 for the steak + 15 for the egg).

We arrived Puerto Prinsesa airport more than an hour earlier, we checked in and choose a seat, after which we went outside to look for a"Chao Long" eatery.

We rode a tricycle and asked manong to bring us to the most visited Chao Long restaurant.


Bona's Chaolong in Puerto Prinsesa

Chao Long is a vietnamese food made out of rice noodles. I first experienced it 3years ago when I visited Puerto Prinsesa. I really loved it, that's why I convinced Jok to find a Chao Long place before we headed back to Manila.

Since I am still feeling a bit sick, I wasn't able to enjoy the food. While Jok, obviously did.




After we ate, we rode a tricycle going back to the airport and waited for boarding. Little did we knew, the flight was delayed for an hour due to delayed airplane arrival.

We took off before 6:30pm and arrived NAIA Terminal 4 after an hour.

P.S.
While on the plane, Cebupac threw a Guess that Love Song game and Jok won a Cebu Pacific's pouch bag. \m/



Big smile!!! :)