Considered as the “Last Frontier of the Philippines”, Palawan is indeed a very relaxing getaway destination from a stressful work. That’s why we’ve chosen that place to have our 4 days 3 nights Palawan Tour and enjoy life at its best.
Palawan is surrounded by numerous beautiful islands which are inhabited by varied types of wildlife, not to mention a fascinating world of marine life living below the oceans that surround this lush tropical island. Palawan is one of the most accessible destinations in our country; the industry of tourism easily grew here and continues to flourish and be known all around the world.
On our first day, we enjoyed our half day city tour with lunch at a local restaurant located within the city proper, and then we proceeded to the Iwahig Prison Farm. After that, we got the chance to see thousands of fireflies around mangroves and trees and feel as if it is Christmas already. It’s as if we saw big Christmas trees with live Christmas lights around it while we’re on a boat along Iwahig River.
The next day, we enjoyed our Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour, an amazing experience that I wish everyone could have. The tour starts with our lunch at a local restaurant along the shore of Sabang Beach.
Delicious native Filipino food served to us buffet style, such as shrimp, grilled fish, crabs, inihaw na baboy (grilled pork), and kangkong (river spinach or swamp cabbage) with pineapple for dessert. We were also served an exotic dish called “tamilok” widely served throughout Palawan. Tamilok is a shipworm that is not really a worm at all, but a mollusk that thrives in the saltwater areas of this region. Tamilok is served with vinegar or lime juice, red chili peppers and onions, with a taste similar to oysters.
At first I was afraid to try it because of the way it looks, plus the fact that I hated the idea of eating a worm. But after my friends tried it, I decided to muster up the courage and try it, and as I began to eat it, I did wonder what am I really eating – a worm or a rubber band? Tamilok has a rubbery texture that will urge you to take it out of your mouth, but I didn’t do it of course. I cannot tell specifically how the worm tastes, because all I tasted was the lime juice and vinegar. I had a hard time chewing it so I just decided to swallow it instead. Having a bite of Tamilok was an achievement for me and made me proud to eat an exotic Filipino dish like that.
After filling our tummies, we headed to the wharf and prepared ourselves for a motorboat ride to the Underground River, (Winner of the New 7 Wonders of Nature). Upon setting our feet on the shore, we saw a huge monitor lizard strolling freely, unthreatened and with the people all around just amazed by him. Monkeys are also found here freely hanging on the trees; some were watching the tourist as they were being photographed. After a not-so-long-wait, our turn to enter the cave finally came. As we enter it, our guide told us not to look up especially with our mouth open for we might catch the bat’s dirt. Darkness envelops us as we drew deeper inside the cave but of course we have a huge flashlight guiding us and letting us see the astonishing things inside. For the whole time we were there, I tried to minimize speaking as I let my two ears listen to the facts and stories that our bangkero (boatman) was saying; and feeding my two eyes with fascinating sceneries that are indeed overwhelming. The Underground River is 8.2 km long and according to our guide, geologists have given special trips up to the end of it for their studies. This is easily navigable up to 4.3 km but at a given cost, and permits are also needed for tourists to reach that far. A 1.5 km boat ride is what the management offers for tourists, which is indeed a short distance compared to its actual range. But despite of the given distance, for me it was the most beautiful and fascinating 1.5 km boat ride I’ve had, for it brought me an unexplainable feeling that I will never forget. Puerto Princesa Underground River was indeed a treasure to be preserved and to be proud of, because it is really amazing how those formations and all the things you can see inside were made by nature. Considering it one of the new seven wonders of nature is just worth it, and a title it truly deserve. After that great tour, we had our dinner at Ka Lui’s, a very idyllic place to eat with its beautiful ambiance.
We do not have to travel long to go to Underground River because we are lodged at Sheridan Palawan Beach Resort & Spa - the right place to spend a vacation for its relaxing atmosphere and beautiful sceneries around it. At the back of it you can see rich green mountains and fronting the hotel is the Sabang Beach which is the main gateway to Underground River. It is a picturesque site and a stunning beach that made the tourists feels the urge to swim and enjoy the water and its waves as if it is welcoming you on that place. Staying at Sheridan is an ideal way of having pleasure and luxury in a simple way. Its facilities are still at its first class which compliment with the simplicity of the place and all you can see around it.
Our third day is Island hopping through Honda Bay visiting Snake Island and Pandan Island. We had a great time there snorkeling and feeding the fish. It was actually my first time to swim that deep in a sea so that’s a very unforgettable moment to me. The sea and everything underneath it introduced me to a place that has indeed a very rich marine life.
For our last day, we had our final city tour where we had an encounter with the top predator of the environment – the Crocodiles at The Crocodile Farm. Then, we took pictures and stroll around Baker’s Hill and we even talk to a bird found inside the place. We dropped by at the Souvenir Center at the city proper, passed the Bay walk and the famous Palawan State University, and then we end our tour and head back to Puerto Princesa Airport.
Our Palawan Tour was the best that I have so far, as it brought me closer to nature and help me realize how rich our country is, with all the treasures that it offers. Before we left the place, I promised to myself that I will revisit it if I’ll be given a chance.
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