Lunes, Setyembre 23, 2013

Tips Advices on Palawan Philippines Visit

The astonishing island on the right is Palawan Philippines. Famous around the world for its rich natural resource. Got plans on visiting the Philippines? What are the good places to visit on the country? Is it worth the travel time and budget?
Some may know it, some may not, but the Philippines is one of the best places to spend a relaxing vacation. There are a number of activities to do when visiting the Philippines. People who enjoy mountain climbing, biking, bird watching, a camp on the woods, etc…may do it on the mountain regions. A person may also experience the joys of island hopping, surfing, swimming, kayaking, etc… on the wonderful beaches of the Philippines. For city people who prefer malling, watching good movies on inexpensive high quality theaters, eating superb food, may do it on the numerous super malls of the country.
However, to truly enjoy and be left in awe at the beauty and exoticness (if ever there was a term), it would be highly advisable to visit El Nido Palawan.
For those who are not aware, El Nido is one of the popular Palawan island resorts – actually, some claims that it is the most popular. Contained herewith highlights Palawan island activities that we have done during our 3D2N (3-days and 2-night) stay and is beneficial to the following readers:
  • Anyone who is wondering what when going to Palawan El Nido and how to go about doing it.
  • First time visitors of the said island resort
  • Readers who thinks that a 3 day and 2 night stay is quite short

5:28 am – Arrival at ITI (Island Transvoyager Incorporated) hangar

Arrived at ITI or A. Soriano airport area / hangar. This is located between Manila domestic airport and NAIA terminal 3. For those who are not that familiar with the place, it is a right turn near the only stop light in the vicinity. The actual address is located at the corner of Lima Road and Andrews Avenue, Domestic Airport, Pasay City. ITI is actually a private airport operator to Palawan El Nido.

7:00 am – Scheduled Departure from Manila to Palawan El Nido

The scheduled departure was done on time. Breakfast was served though this may depend on the type of package that you get. We took the so-called “complete package” which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Almost all the popular Palawan resort activities are included on the package except for the massage, scuba diving, and drinks.
We were served with different varieties of muffin and cupcake while at the ITI departure airport (an exclusive area for people who will be going to Palawan El Nido). As for the drinks, you may choose between iced tea, hot tea, and coffee.
A short bus ride will take you to the 56-seat airplane.

7:55 am – Plane landed at LIO airport on Palawan Island

Guests are welcomed with a song and one can really feel the ambiance of hospitality. FYI please that this island is not yet the actual resort that we are booked to. Palawan El NIdo is made up of 45 smaller islands and the landing area of the LIO airport terminal is just one of them.
Actually, El Nido has four popular islands which are listed below:
  • Lagen
  • Minilog
  • Dibululan
  • Entalulan
There are two huts – one for arrival and the other for departure. Snacks are also served here – Kuchinta (a local delicacy) and drinks (similar with the ones listed above).

9:20 am – Arrival at Lagen island resort

As mentioned, the island to which the plane landed is not yet the actual resort. We have to board a Jeepney to the shore to which a speed boat is waiting. The speed boat will then bring us to a medium size banca (local term for boat) that will bring us to to theLagen Island Palawan Resort. The boat ride is approximately 45 minutes. Once in Lagen, we have to transfer again to a speed boat since the medium size banca is not small enough to reach the shore.
Again, the staff welcomed us with a joyful song, pandan juice, and peanuts. While enjoying the free drinks, the resort manager explained to us the rules of the resort, activities, etc…
Since the package that we got already includes many of the popular activities, we simply asked the front desk to draft us the time of the activities.
While waiting for lunch time, we snorkeled and kayak at the Lagen Palawan Resort.

12 noon – Lunch time

Our package includes a buffet lunch. Foods include grilled shrimp, grilled pork, grilled squids, salads with different varieties of dressing, bread, soup, etc…
Oh hi Marlin! Still looking for Nemo? Your way off u know (Pun obviously intended) :)
Oh hi Marlin! Still looking for Nemo? Your way off u know (Pun obviously intended) :)

2 pm – visit to the small and big lagoon at Miniloc Islands

Lagen to Miniloc is more or less 45 minutes boat ride. At the big lagoon, we transferred to a speed boat for the tour wherein the guide pointed different natural wonders. Snorkeling can be done on the big lagoon. We spend 30 minutes appreciating the beauty of big lagoon before going to the small lagoon.
The small lagoon of Miniloc islands is another place of beauty. Here, we toured using a kayak instead of the speed boat. Snorkeling can also be done on the small lagoon.

5 pm – Went back to Lagen island for the sunset cruise.

The sunset cruise is basically going to the middle of the sea to enjoy a clear and magnificent view of the sunset. Here, one can take pictures at the boat as the water is very calm.

7 pm – Dinner time

Just like lunch, the dinner included on the package is buffet style. The grilled selections are still available but this time, pizza and pansit are included.

630 am – Boat ride to Miniloc

At 630 am, we are scheduled to go to Miniloc resort for breakfast. The selection included on the breakfast buffet is really delicious (fresh juice drinks are included on the buffet). Be warned though not to eat too much as it may be difficult to swim / snorkel.
Three suggested things to do in Miniloc are the following:
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Feeding and swimming with the “Jack” fish
Be sure to only feed the Jack fish (Talakitok) from a safe distance as they are really big. They are essentially harmless unless you have their food on your hand when you go snorkeling – so be sure to empty your hands.
Also, be sure to wear foot fins or booties as there are some sea urchins at Miniloc. There are various fish species found in Miniloc and some of which can be seen on the pictures below.

130 pm – Island Hopping

We went to three islands whose name I forgot since it is quite hard to remember – all are in native dialect and quite long. We explored two caves at two separate islands.

5 pm – Back to Lagen Resort

At this time, we no longer attended the sunset cruise activity as basically it is the same thing done yesterday.
While waiting for dinner, we shoot some pool, played darts, and table tennis.

7 pm – Dinner buffet

Not much to say about here except delicious food. The food was actually made much more delicious as our energy was totally spent due to various daytime activities.

630 am – Forest hiking

On this activity, we trekked the forest and ended up on the beach house on the other side of the island. One can Kayak back to Lagen but for those who are too tired, a speed boat for pick-up may be requested.

7 am – Breakfast buffet

The breakfast buffet at Lagen also has fresh fruit juice drinks included. By the way, fresh fruits are included on each meal.

9 am – Boat ride to Dibululan Island

This island is one of the four popular islands in Palawan. As usual, snorkeling and kayaking are the usual activities on the island. We also ate lunch here at noon and went back to Lagen at 1 PM.

1 pm – Back to Lagen for check out preparations

Usually, the checkout time must be noon but the Palawan resort is accommodating enough to let us stay up to 2:30 PM.

3 pm – Departure from Lagen Island resort

At 3 pm, we have departed to Lagen and going back to the island where the plane strip is located (LIO airport). As usual, we need to make some speed boat transfer and a jeepney ride.

3:55 pm – Arrival at the plane strip

We are served afternoon snacks while the plane is prepping up. Our estimated time of departure flight is 5 pm so we took this opportunity to take some pictures and marvel at the beautiful island of Palawan El Nido.

610 pm – Arrival at NAIA Terminal 3

The plane landed on NAIA Terminal 3. We took a bus ride to the ITI hangar where our luggage is already waiting for us.
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