This trip planner includes a 3-day or 4-days itinerary and covers the central palawan.the trip begins and culminates in puerto princesa and side-trips to either the Honda Bay or St. Paul's Underground River. The budget ranges from 5000-15000 per person depending on how luxurious you want the vacation and how many are travelling (single/ group). Choose from day 2 and day 3 itinerary if you only have 3days for your vacation. otherwise, stick with it to experience the best of this part of palawan.
The itinerary:
1st day:
Arrival at Puerto Princesa city. (preferably in the morning so you can go to Iwahig Penal Colony or Irawan crocodile farm, whatever you fancy.) There are also a lot of accomodations in the city. Your budget choice is Puerto Pension where room rates start at 650. Cap your day activity with a beautiful view of the Puerto princesa Bay while dining in at Badjao Seafood Restaurant. (250/pax)
2nd day:
Arrange an island hopping trip for Honda Bay or explore it the DIY way. island hopping package tours are available thru hotels in puerto princesa, tours include transport, snorkeling gear, and lunch. Going to Honda bay by yourself, one must ride a jeepney in the Puerto Market to Tagburos, Sta lourdes Pier where you can rent out boat and snorkels.
3rd day:
Tour the underground river. From Puerto Princesa, there are regular transport to Sabang. Do secure a permit from the information office then eat at Silayan Restaurant. Afterwards, decide wether you want to trek the Monkey trail or hire a boat towards the entrance of the river. the sabang beach is a beautiful setting and one may wish to stay here a night rather than going back to the city. The best choice is Mary's Beach resort.
4th day:
Wake up to a beautiful sunshiny day in Sabang beach, have a hearty breakfast then transfer back to Puerto Princesa for your flight back to Manila.
the budget(per single person)
plane tickets 2-way to Puerto Princesa from Manila (3500)
2day/2nights acoomodation Puerto Princesa City (1500)
1st day tour (Iwahig or Irawan) plus meals (500)
2nd day tour (Honda Bay) and meals (1500)
3rd day tour (Underground River) and meals (1000)
1 night at Sabang Beach plus breakfast (750)
4th day meals and transport (500)
Getting to Palawan:
PAL (02) 433-4575
Air Phil (02) 433-7003
Pacific Air (02) 433-4872
(or you may click the links on the sidebar to access their sites including the Superferry who has one route each week to and fro the city)
Since my sixth grade @ Naty's restaurant in Famy, Laguna, i had set my standards for my bulalo- none of the sweet and artificial flavors both of vegetables and seasoning, just the plain goodness of natural beef broth with tiny little beef fats to melt in my mouth.
It took me 14 years before another Bulalo impressed and indulged my taste buds.
Jake's Grill was well-situated near the town terminal of Lipa City (in front of Robinson's and Shakey's). The place was aptly named since they specialize on anything grilled and if you're lucky, serves specialty seafood like blue marlin. Could have taken them if only i was not craving for bulalo. And i was not disappointed.
At 165.00 per serving (good for 2-3pax), i think they deserve all the loyal customers that patronize them. Not only was the food inexpensive, it was impressively tasteful. The place has both air-conditioned and smoking areas. They also serve beers at a very affordable price. Yummy!
After the successful overnight climb at Mt. Maculot, we find our way towards the town parish where a wedding was to take place that afternoon. And if the mountain is the town's shield from the nature's forces, the St. Isidore Parish is the testament to the unwavering faith of the local folks.
Mass Time:
Sun: 4, 5:30, 7, 8:30 PM ; Mon, Tue, Thursday - Sat: 5:30 AM Wed: 4:30, 5:30 AM 
this mountain is Ecology's Club adoptee, a high school club where i was a member, and the first time they brought us here, i enjoyed the bonding of the group more than i appreciated the oneness of nature with us. After 11 years, i finally came back. there was a kick in me aside from the excitement. it was an awareness of how connected we are to the environment and how we live coindependently. Mt. Maculot (830MASL) is a fairly easy hike, with moderate ascents except for the hot cogon area up before the shoulder. With well-threaded paths and easily identifiable markers, this mountain is witness to many mountaineer wannabes' initiation, it being safe for beginners even on a night climb.
The hike began with registration at the brgy post, then at the mountaineers store for last minute buys, then through a dirt road. It was actually a leisure climb. Along the path were many resting stops, some just poles placed atop small branches, and others complete with make-shift tables which I had of course taken advantage of.
Of the highlights of every Maculot climb is the superb vista on the ROCKIES (635 MASL). From the campsite on the shoulder it was only 10-15 minutes toward these rocky hill, but beware since the slope was steep and the rocks were hard to navigate. Once you got here, you will be taken by the scenic and breathtaking Taal Lake protecting the tiny Taal Volcano.
To get here:
1.Take the Lemery-bound bus from Cubao (Php 150) on to Cuenca Municipal Hall or a Bus to Lipa (Php 130) then to a jeepney from lipa on to Cuenca (Php 30)
2.Take a tricycle from Cuenca Municipal Hall to the registration post then to jump-off (Php30)
Others:
there is a mini sari-sari store on the campsite by the shoulder were you can have one 1.5L coke ice-cold at (Php90), sadly, the trash were not managed properly and you can see candy and snack wrappers all around the area.
"TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS, KILL NOTHING BUT TIME." Practice leave no trace policy, we all want to enjoy nature. Don't be selfish with the coming generations, do not abuse our environment.
As arranged, Mamang Tiday was back for an early island hopping.
It was only few minutes after 7am, the best time to enjoy the sightseeing and the ride towards the park's hidden beaches and caves. I had first braved the silent strength of the sea, swimming away with the help of a life vest to sight one family of planted giant clams (taclobos). After which is an enjoyable ride through calm waters.
to get here:
ride a victory liner bus from cubao (368.00 aircon)
have a snack stop-over in tarlac and stretch a bit (45-90/pax)
ride a tricycle at alaminos town (50.00-100.00)
find yourselves a nice boatman at lucap wharf (8oo/day, 1400/overnight/ 1-5pax)
have a nice tour of the islands (an additional of 600-800)
(mamang tiday-the banca and our banceros)
Of the 123 islets in the park only three have basic facilities and accomodations. Herewith are the rates:
CHILDREN's Island:
Overnight
Nipa 1 (4-6 pax) w/ room 1500
Nipa 2 (4-6 pax) w/ room 1500
GOVERNOR's Island:
Governor's island ha a view deck located in it's highest point where one can have a good view of the whole park.
Overnight
Cottage for 4 2000
Guest house(w/water,generator 6pm-10pm) 10,000
Day Tour Overnight
Entrance Fee 20 40
Tables 200 300
Picnic Area 100 150
Picnic Shed 200 200
Tent Space 200 200
QUEZON Island:
Day Tour Overnight
Nipa A (2 pax) w/ room 500 900
Nipa B (2-4 pax) w/ room 600 1100
Nipa 1(6 pax) w/o room 350 500
Nipa 2 (6 pax) w/o room 350 500
Nipa 3 (6 pax) w/o room 350 500
Nipa 4 (8 pax) w/o room 500 1000
Other Rates used both for the Governor's and Quezon Island:
Motorboat Rates
Day Tour Overnight
Small (1-5) pax) 800 1,400
Medium (6-10) pax) 1,000 1,800
Large (11-15) pax) 1,100 2,000
Equipment Rentals
Day Tour Overnight
Salbabida 50 100
Life vest 25 50
Snorkel(tempered) 100 175
Snorkel(w/ fins) 175 200
Tent Rentals
Small (4 heads) 500
Medium (6 heads) 700
Large (8-10 heads) 1,000
And if you don't want to spend the night in any of the islands, there are accomodations on the wharf: Seaside Haven, Maxine by the Sea(striking view of the sunset) and Sweet Honey Hotel (from where you can have a shower for a minimal fee and sumptous meals at budget price with personalized service from the owners)are among the popular choices.
So come hither, and claim for yourself an island you can partially own one lucky day in your life.
Linked Posts:
--1.Pangasinan's Hundred Islands
--2.Dayout and Daybreak inQuezon Island
Quezon Island - one among the hundred+.
This trip to the hundred islands was the first trip i planned for a camp beside a beach and i am terribly excited about it. I wanted it a private encounter with the less visited one but seeing all the islands soaked to the depths of one open sea, i had my second thoughts. My great fear is to be left alone in the midst of the sea and to be in an island i know not the risks, my fear took control of me. So when it was mentioned that Quezon island is among the only islands which has facilities and almost always, visitors, we started our boatride towards the island.
Upon arrival, we immediately inquired for camping. We were politely informed that pitching tents are only allowed from 6pm until 6 am of the next day. Although i was worried where to put my belongings, i was glad that the park authorities are strict on their policies to maintain the park.
Since it was almost lunch time, there were about 30-40 people picknicking and starting to prepare their lunch in the pavilion.They were griling seafoods on one side and i felt my appetite awakening my hunger. So we lose not one minute and started to grill some fish and meat too.
A fresh lunch with one beautiful view, it was simply delicious.
The sun was too proud yet for us to start frolicking so we just decided to find a shady place where we thought we could nap for a while. Lying down, i couldn't help but wonder with the awesome art that nature has presented me at that time. Although the gentle breeze was fanning me towards sleep, i decided to just sit comfortably and let the time pass so lazily.
When the afternoon felt friendly on the skin, we ran towards the beach. We did a little snorkeling and seen some underwater action. i slipped once and unfortunately sat on the corals and got myself a bruise but this did not keep me from playing with the waves.
And as the dusk started to bathe the whole island with such a beautiful island hue, i found myself waiting for the sunset.
And when the night came to a close, when i knew that i'd be spending one sweet sleep, i looked forward to a beautiful daybreak in the island.
And i had the most tasteful instant coffee on the beach, my feet on the sand, and the sea greeting me the gentlest morning.
Linked Posts
--1. Pangasinan's Hundred Islands
--3. Hopping on Hundred Islands' National Park
two things
1. there were actually more than a hundred of these beautiful islands
2. the experience here can be as magical and as interesting as the legend that has these small beautiful islets of paradise made by the giants.
i was so excited putting my clothes into my bag despite that it was 12midnight and i just camefrom work. but who wouldn't be? after all, it was going to be my first time to visit the famous hundred islands.
after two hours of packing and six hours travel via the victory liner, i had stepped a foot on the town of alaminos. from the bus terminal, we have hailed a tricycle to get us to the market where we bought some supplies and food, then to the lucap wharf, where we haggled for a tour of the islands and a pick up the next day.
at 10am, i was barely aware of the lucap wharf. my attention was completely taken by the distant sight of the giant green mallows. so tastefully designed while they rested on the depths and stillness of south china sea.
it has been a while since i was really active posting a blog here. about nine months almost.
and now that i came back, i am giving birth to another subject for this blog. In between my posts of my own travel activities, i'd be mingling in itineraries through the Philippines and beyond which i had already researched for everybody's reference. I had also put up links on my sidebar for easier access to each blog.
so there! let us begin our journey once again..
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