Actually this trip happened a year ago of November. My mom booked our package tour at a particular agency two months earlier. Since we live in Tarlac City, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is a better choice for us instead of NAIA Terminal 1 since it is just 45 minutes drive and it isn't crowded unlike other domestic airports in Manila.
I can't believe I am afraid of riding planes. I think this fact is a delayed realization for me. It wasn't my first time, but I don't know what gotten into me the moment I sat down my legs are shaking uncontrollably , and it grew worse when we took off and when we were about to land. I think it is because of fear and the very cold air conditioning inside AirPhil Express. My fault coz Im wearing something that looks like Im ready to hit the beach.
This is me with my mom's friend from Australia, Tita Ivette at the waiting area in DMIA.
This is Puerto Princesa Airport with my little sister, my mom and her friend. Thank God I was able to capture a decent shot even if I am still suffering after shocks from my shaking syndrome inside the plane.
And so our itinerary started and this is our Day 1. We checked in at Corazon's Hotel and Inn located in the city proper. We started our city tour at exactly 1pm. These are some of our pictures.
Mitra's Ranch with the three of us.
Baker's Hill where you can eat and buy souvenirs as well.
Crocodile Farm
Day 2 is purely Island Hopping.Our guide debriefed us on the way that if we want to go snorkeling we can rent some snorkeling gears at a reliable shop where the gears are sterilized properly after use. You can also rent an underwater cover for your digital camera to capture pictures underwater. Sadly, if you're bringing your DSLR camera, you have to protect it from strong water waves that crashes the boat on the way, since the store doesn't have any cover protection for it.
I think we went to 3 or 4 islands that day. Our first stop is at Pambato Reef where we went snorkeling for the first time. There is a so called LULI Island meaning "lulubog lilitaw", it vanishes during high tide and appears on a low tide. Pandan Island is where we had our lunch prepared by our very kind tourist guide.
The three of us yet again.
Underwater shots while snorkeling
A shot of me c/o our diving guide
With our snorkeling gears on
Me and Kaye at Pandan Island
Our lunch prep by our very kind tourist guide (delicious)
Day 3 is our last day and it is in the famous Underground River which was proclaimed as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. From City proper, we have to ride at least 2 and a half hour going to Sabang Station. After we arrived, our tour guide queued our trip, made us sign a waiver for environmental purposes and get the number of our boat since we have to ride at least 45 minutes to reach the corner of the mountain where the underground river lies. There were a lot of tourists, both locals and foreigners waiting while others were buying souvenirs. The sea possesses big crashing waves that's why swimming is prohibited and for me that sight is frightening. The moment I sat down on the boat, I instantly felt sea sick. I harnessed myself snugly on my orange life vest and faced big crashes of waves that made me grip on the boat too tight that my hands turned white. By the way, while I was still on the boat I noticed a zip line stationed above the mountain that slides across the sea all the way down the station that we've been to, similar to Hanna's Resort Zip line in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Stop over to take pictures along the way
Limestone formation
A decent shot of me
About to enter the cave
I can't seem to find the wooded sign board of PPUR so I settled with this tarpaulin instead
Plane ride bound HOME.. Do I look calm here? Hell no.
Touch down Clark. Empty airport.
So to sum it up, this trip is one unforgettable memory for me. I wasn't that adventurous, but I am open to new explorations and experiences ahead of me. Though I have a lot of fears, conquering them is one of my goal. Surely, Palawan got a special place in my heart. From virgin forests, good food, nice beaches although big crashing waves on boat rides frightens me a lot, nice and kind people, cheap souvenirs and a wonderful trip on a river underground exceeds the value of your money. So visit Palawan soon! I hope the next time I'll be there, I'm with my boyfriend and we will conquer Coron and El Nido, Palawan. ^.^
Ciao! <3
