The Legendary Palawan Experience
Our host for the trip was The Legend Palawan, a member of the Legend Hotels International Corporation. The Legend Palawan is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in the city because apart from its impeccable service and facilities, they also have the most extensive packages for the most memorable Puerto Princesa experience. With everything set and ready, I got to see the best of Palawan, one escapade at a time.
Puerto Princesa is the center of many adventure sites in the Philippines. The fact that Palawan forks away from the main islands of the country promises true adventure and exciting escapades waiting to be explored. It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many other adventure sites that it would take days to visit them all, so it was proper that our exploration of Puerto Princesa started with a day tour around the city. What I imagined the city to be while I was growing up was far from what I saw when we arrived, yet the essence of the atmosphere was what I hoped for. Its rural and bucolic terrains are mixed with fast-developing touches of modernity. Every kilometer alternated between structures and vast fields of trees or thick vegetations. A traveler might think that the call of adventure is far from this quiet metropolis, but it’s actually quite the opposite.
Our first stop was the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Preservation Center which protects the Palawan wildlife, particularly the indigenous freshwater crocodiles. One of their main highlights is the skeletal and leathery remains of a 17-foot crocodile located at the entrance. The facilities of the preservation center include breeding grounds for the baby crocs as well as big pens for the adult ones. After the tour, guests can also explore the property and see the other protected animals such as indigenous birds, bearcats, monkeys and even ostriches. For souvenirs, tourists are encouraged to get their picture taken while holding a baby crocodile. Their jaws are tied up but they can get agitated and hard to hold onto. After the preservation center, we drove up to an affluent neighborhood in the city where Hacienda Isabel (Mitra’s Ranch) and Baker’s Hill are located. Hacienda Isabel is popular view deck in the city overlooking Honda Bay while Baker’s Hill is a favorite pit stop for tourists who want to enjoy fresh baked goods, refreshments and cheap souvenir items.
We had a special request to go and visit one of the most interesting places in city, Vietville. Years ago, this small village in Puerto Princesa became the second home of thousands of Vietnamese seeking refuge from the war. Today, the community is a ghost town after the Vietnamese left to start a new life in other countries. Located at the entrance of the village is Vietville Restaurant, one of the few establishments that still operate in the community. It has maintained the authenticity and flavor of Vietnamese cuisine made by the adopted residents of Palawan. A must try is their Beef Stew Noodle Soup, French Bread and Spring Rolls. It was a delicious meal to celebrate our daytrip around the city.
The next day we were scheduled for the island hopping in Honda Bay. Among my other island hopping experiences, Honda Bay was the grandest of all. Majestic blue hues are everywhere, from the sky to the deep sea, with green islets scattered around. Our boat wasn’t the usual motorized banca but a large white boat that can easily accommodate a group of 30. It even has an upper deck for a full 360-degree view of the bay. It took 45 minutes to travel to Snake Island, the first of two destinations. Its long bar of beach sand curves like a serpent making it a popular sunbathing area for visitors. On the other side are shrubs of mangroves and other plants occupying the whole area. Here, visitors can swim around the shallow ends of the island while others can hang around and refresh with coolers like halo-halo in the cogon-roofed huts located at the middle of Snake Island. By midday, we already felt hungry so the crew brought us to our next destination, Pandan Island. After riding for 30 minutes, we arrived at our lunch place. Compared to Snake Island, Pandan Island is much more vibrant with its sprawling trees and few residences. The tropical atmosphere, full stomach and the feeling of vacation calls for a relaxing siesta and the many huts and long benches situated under the trees are the perfect place to catch a nap. Meanwhile, those who want to do a little exploration can go freely around the island. By 4:00 PM, the boat was ready to take us back to the main land. The sun has just passed over the middle of the sky casting rays of sunlight on the water creating cascades of diamonds floating on the sea; a mesmerizing sight to see just before heading back to the hotel.
Our third day was the most awaited one. We woke up extra early to take the two-hour drive going to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park located north of the city. Also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, it is one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Puerto Princesa, the other one being the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park located in Sulu Sea between Palawan and Mindanao islands. Those two hours passed by quickly and we saw ourselves standing by Sabang Beach. Hundreds of boats were parked along the wharf waiting for their fill of riders to get to the park on the other side of the island. For another 20 minutes, we bounced along the waves of China Sea, basking on the tall cliffs bordering the island. We landed on a pristine beach with a huge sign of the Subterranean River Park welcoming us towards the forest. Thick foliage crowded the opening and this small preservation park is inhabited by numerous indigenous animals such as monitor lizards, local birds and monkeys. It was a perfect example of a preserved biodiversity with its mountain-to-sea ecosystem. After a short 3-minute trek to the park, we saw the familiar opening of the Subterranean River. The water pouring in from the sea was jade in color, a contrast to the ash walls surrounding the mouth of the cave. Before riding the small boat that would take us inside the cave, we had to register first and get our life vests and helmets for safety purposes. At first, you would think that the cave is small. However, when you see the boats returning from their trip, the mouth of the cave magically becomes bigger, like a portal to another realm.
At last it was our turn to enter and within minutes, I could hear my heart beating loudly and my breaths taken in slowly as we entered into darkness. I was assigned to hold on to the generated electric lamp and in less than a minute after entering the underground river, the cavernous walls took shape with the light. The site in front of us was amazing. The river looked like a big hallow hall paved with ebony floors. We had an amusing river guide who not only gave us insights about the aged structures of the caves but also entertained us with the creative nicknames of the various stone formations inside. For millions and millions of years, the cave was under the process of metamorphoses with unique formations of stalagmites and stalactites developing in its cavernous walls. Although dark and completely humid, the underground river still has its share of residents from the bats on its high ceilings to the small insects and organisms living on its walls and waters. The tour guide then requested to turn off the light just for us to experience the darkness inside the cave and for a quick moment, the feeling of coldness and frailty enveloped our small vessel in the deafening silence. Quite an experience you will never ever forget.
The Subterranean River ride took about 45 minutes and before long, we saw light again coming from the entrance of the cave. A sumptuous lunch back at Sabang Beach sealed the tour with much needed refreshment. This trip is truly one of the best experiences I've ever had.
For four glorious days, I got to enjoy the beauty of Puerto Princesa. Leisure, pleasure, and adventure -- it’s all here. God surely does answer your dreams. He just chooses to wait and let you enjoy and experience it at the most unexpected time.
Travel Notes
The Legend Palawan
Malvar St. Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 434 4276
www.legendpalawan.com.ph
The Legend Palawan has more than the usual tour packages to see the best of the city. They offer tours to Estrella Falls, Dolphin Watching excursions, trips to the Nagtabon/ Talaudyong Beach coves as well as a Sunset Cruise and Firefly Watching Tour. The Legend Palawan has also come up with packaged tours especially made from adventure lovers (Extreme Expedition), families (Family Island Vacations) and couples (Twosome Holiday).
Where to Eat:
Badjao Seafront Restaurant
A. Abueg St., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 433 3501
Ka Lui
369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 433 2580
Lotus Garden
Rizal Ave, Puerto, Princesa
(63 48) 434 1132
www.thelotusgardenphils.com
Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 433 5182
Kinabuch Grill and Bar
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 434 5194
Vietville Restaurant
Km 3, Bgy Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
How to Get There:
Domestic carriers have regular flights to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan from Manila. Travel time by air is one hour.
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