Palawan: A Sweet Escape

... and this is a super late post but, its better late than never. I just wanna share my happy escape in this beautiful place last September 2012. ☺☺☺
My most awaited trip. Awaited because there's so many things happened prior to this trip but I made it through and make it worthwhile and an adventure I couldn't forget. A sweet escape....
... And this is our first local trip together of my friend Joyz.

..and were escaping!! =)

September 5 : Day 1 ✈✈✈

Since, I'm coming from the south, I booked a 6 am flight Davao to Manila and arrived Manila at around 9 am through Airphil Express. Joyz and I just meet up at the airport.

Our Manila to Puerto Princesa flight via Airphil Express is at 12NN and were just happy that were not delayed.
.... After 45 minutes, we arrived at Puerto Princesa airport. We landed smoothly on a cloudy Palawan.

hello!! Palawan

... and our little adventure begins!!

For this trip, I contacted a travel agency to arrange everything for us since we just have 4 days and we want to spend it wisely. Outside the Airport, Ate from the travel agency welcomed us warmly. On our way to the van terminal to El nido she brief us with our travel itinerary and everything.

At almost 2pm, we left Puerto Princesa to El Nido. El Nido is a 6-hour drive from Puerto Princesa. But, every 2 hours the van has a quick stop-overs on eatery for some snacks and CR breaks.

At around 8pm, we safely arrived in the town of El Nido.

The travel agency booked us at Marina Garden Beachfront Resort. (See next post for details about Marina Garden Beachfront Resort)

Hungry as we are, we had our late dinner at Art cafe Boutique.

El nido is a small town so most of the establishments closes at around 10 pm.
... and its time to relax and regain energy for the next day adventure!

 September 6: Day 2

Rise and Shine!!! ☼ ☼ ☼

awesome view while having breakfast

Tired as we are, especially me, we missed the sunrise.And there's no electricity already. Electricity in El Nido only operates at 2pm-6am and the rest of the day the resort just uses generators.

Breakfast is served on their restaurant right in front of the beach. just an awesome view. ❤ ❤ ❤

..and were so tan!!!

At around 9am, we went for Island hopping. We booked for Tour A. (I'll discuss our island hopping adventures on the next post)

... And the tour ended at around 5pm.

As fast as we can, we showered and fixed our things and checked-out 'coz were gonna catch the 6pm roro bus to Puerto prinsesa...

At 12 midnight we arrived Puerto Prinsesa and went directly to Purple Courtyard Inn... Thank god kuya driver is friendly enough to find the place...

... And its another goodnight sleep!

September 7: Day 3

Brand new day here in Puerto Princesa...

Underground River

Underground River and Sabang Cave day!!! (See it on my next post!)

entrance to the cave

Dinner at Kah Lui and end the day with a relaxing massage...

@ Kah Lui

September 8: Day 4

We hired a trike for our own version of city tour...

We just went to Bakers Hill to buy pasalubong and went to the souvenir shops....

... Flight back to Manila at 1pm!!

and its raining...

Goodbye Palawan!!! See you again soon!! ✈✈✈

we own the plane.. lol ☺☺☺

Bangui Windmills and Kapurpurawan Rocks: Day 3 Ilocandia Adventure

Let's go to the Southern part of Pagudpud!!!

.. and lets do the jump shot!!

☛ BANGUI WINDMILLS

Bangui windmills is located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. The windmill supplies power to INEC the electricity provider in Ilocos.

Bangui windmill is first windmill farm in the Philippines.

Huge windmill towers is facing South China sea and the pristine waters is so inviting.

Best time to visit the Bangui windmill is on the afternoon.

☛ KAPURPURAWAN ROCK

This is my 2nd time to visit Kapurpurawan Rock. My first time here, we had a hell of a ride in our hired trike because of the rocky road and after 4 years the road is pretty much improved but still not concreted. (Well, its part of the adventure..) (^_^)

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Kapurpurawan Rock is one of the must see attraction when going to Pagudpud. It is a white rock formation formed by nature. It is a limestone and its color changes depending on the weather. When its summer they say its super white.

this stone is just right in front of the rock formation

The local tourism already improved the area. When were there, we can't go near the rock instead the local tourism constructed a viewing deck for the tourist maybe to preserved the beauty of the Rock because we observed there were lots of vandals already on the rock.
 

tired from the long walk...

On the other side of the rock, there is some sculptures of the tribe that were used to lived on that area.

view from the other side of the rock

 Its quiet an effort to go near the rock, you have to walk for about 5-15 minutes or if your tired of walking you can try horse back riding.

almost a sunset

view of the rock from the entrance

Experienced Sand Dunes: Day 4 Ilocandia Adventure

The last day of our Ilocandia Adventure.....

.... And we've save the best for last!!! (^_^)

The Ilocandia Adventure won't be complete if we will not experience the very known 4 x4 ride in Sand dunes and sand boarding.

enjoying the sun and sand

The La Paz sand dunes or Desert of the North is a wide stretch of sand on the side and a beach on the other side.

the sand....

the beach...

The 4x4 Truck ride experience is sooooo awesome! Excitement were just all-over the place and we really enjoyed it.

Part of the sand dunes experience is to know and try sand boarding....

Adventurous as we are, we did the sand boarding though its so very hot already. (Hello, sunburn!!) ☺☺☺

Some did it at first try, like i did!! Thankfully... (^_^)

.... and some did it with so many tries.

I did it!!! (clap, clap, clap)

Stumble and falling is part of the fun.

... and i didn't stumble ☺

..... IT'S REALLY IS MORE FUN IN ILOCOS!!! ☺

Fee: Php 500.00 per person (negotiated)
( 1hour 4x4 truck ride and sand boarding)

Pagudpud: Day 3 Ilocandia Adventure

Pagudpud a fourth class municipality and a coastal resort town of Ilocos Norte province, in the northern Ilocos Region of the Philippines. According to the latest census, Pagudpud has a population of 20,385 people in 3,804 households. It is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island. (Wikipedia)

Welcome to Pagudpud!! (^_^)

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is 45-minutes away from the capital city Laoag. You can get there through bus, hired vans and private cars. First time i went there we rode a public bus and the locals were so friendly to direct us where were going and this time, since were many we have our own tour guide.

Pagudpud beach are known to be "Boracay of the North".

The Blue Lagoon

☛ BLUE LAGOON BEACH

It is a hidden bay found at Maira-ira Point, which is a half-moon in shape edifice, by the Nacatnagan Cliff in the east and the Dos Hermanos in the north. This place is where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Reaching the place is quite tiresome for it is around 2.5 kilometers away from the highway with rigged roads and it is found at the interior part of Sitio Malingay. On the way is thick forest and you can also have glance of the sea. Malingay Cove is famous for its crystal blue water and fine white sand. (Wikitravel)

Hanna's beach resort is a luxurious resort in blue lagoon area. Right in front of the resort is a wide stretch of fine white sand beach.

jump.. jump.. jump!!!

In blue lagoon, we had a fine lunch infront of the beach. If you didn't bring food like us, there's a stretch of resto in the area that sell live seafoods and they'll cook it for you.

Palutohan in Blue lagoon

Blue lagoon's sidewalk (from edgar's camera)

☛ BANTAY ABOT CAVE

the hole

Bantay Abot Caves means “a mountain with a hole.” A hole was found at the middle of the mountain where the waves were free to flash into its walls just like an open shore until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 80’s. It is also called “the underground sea” for on top of the cave is a lustrous vegetative cover. Inside the cave is a church that once you are inside, you do not only hear the echoing sound of the waves, the chirping of the birds but you can also feel the cool breeze of the air. It is a favorite hangout of swallows that swarm to their roost in the late afternoon. It is a very unique creation partly surrounded by the clear blue sea. Its shore has white sand mixed with fragments of shells and rocks that can be made as a décor. Parts of the shore are forms of rocks where you can sit and relax and enjoy a lucid view of the wide sea and verdant mountains. (Wikitravel)

On our way to the cave.. Photo by: edgar

Going to the cave, you need to go down the beach, and step on those rocks and you will be greeted by a smashing waters. =) Be careful with your camera's and gadgets it might get wet. Going up the hole is quiet slippery, but there's a great view of the beach on the back of the hole.

on the other side of the hole

at the entrance of the cave

☛ PATAPAT VIADUCT

Patapat viaduct is a long and winding bridge road that connects Province of Cagayan and Ilocos. It is situated on the cliff side of Cordillera mountain range.

the viaduct

This serves power to the mini-hydro plant in the area.

☛ PARAISO NI ANTON

Paraiso ni Anton is known to its miraculous waters. They said it is enchanted by a white lady. Travelers used to stop-by on the area to sip some drinkable water and freshen up. By the way, the water is cool and refreshing.