Port Barton (My Hidden Paradise) 2014

So After i have spent 4 days and 4 nights in El Nido, I'm now moving to Port Barton.

I went to the Cherry Bus terminal as early as 6:45am because I was told that the first trip to Puerto Princesa leaves at 7am. (Ordinary Bus) The bus left around 7:20am, the fee is 170 pesos. The driver said it'll be a 4-hour long journey so I decided to doze off.  Around 9:30 am the bus stopped and the driver told me we have to grab something to eat first, i was hesitant at first but he insisted and told me that we'll be staying there for 15 minutes. I told the driver that i need to be in ROXAS before 12 noon. I get off the bus with my small backpack while I let my luggage in the bus. I had rice and Adobo and softdrinks for 70 pesos. :) After the allocated time, passengers went back to the bus, and I started to drown in my dreams again! zzzzZ

Around 11:30am, we finally arrived in Roxas.  The driver helped me with my luggage and brought me to the jeep terminal bound for Port Barton. Luckily, the jeep hasn't left yet, the passengers told me it usually leaves around 11:30 am, once a day. The fare is 100 pesos but for foreigners, I've noticed that it's 150 pesos.  It's an hour of bumpy ride since the road to port Barton is not paved yet, though there is a road construction on going.

It started to drizzle, almost 2 pm we arrived in Port Barton.  Other passengers help me out with my luggage and even accompanied me to where I'll be staying - El Dorado.

The owner of El Dorado- Ate Lucy gave me the fan room for 300/night. Good Deal! The place is beach front.  You can sit on their outdoor stone made seats while waiting for sunset. As soon as i arrived I unpacked my things and started to lay down on my bed, by the way there were two beds in my room. :) Slowly, I fell asleep and was awaken by the sudden pour of rain on the roof.  

I slept for almost 2 hours, then I decided to find something to eat. Gacayan was recommended to me by the staff of El Dorado, it was indeed the place to be! On the way there I met a grade 6 student boy, he volunteered to accompany me to the restaurant since the directions are quite confusing and I'm not familiar with the place either and it's getting dark and... anyhoo, we went there together. They offer rice meal for only 50php. You may choose from the variety of home cooked dish they have (pork, chicken, vegetables or fish) They also offer short order menu that costs from 100 to 200 php. :) I ordered the 50 pesos SULIT Meal for me (porksteak) and Marvin (chicken curry) - the boy who accompanied me to Gacayan. Since it's almost 6pm I don't think I will still go out after going back to my place so I decided to order a seafood pizza -150 php. I had to take it out. Marvin was thankful for the meal  and decided to walk me until the bridge back to El Dorado, I told him he can go back home since it's already dark and thanked him for accompanying me. Then When I get back to where I was staying, there was an almost sunset view but since it was drizzling the whole day, it's more cloudy, I still took that chance to take a photo.

Then I went back to my room charge all my gadgets since the electricity is only from 6pm to 12 midnight everyday. I started munching my pizza, there were 4 slices and I ate the 2 and leave the other half for tomorrow's breakfast.

I slept early, around 9pm, since I was also tired from the long travel. I woke up the next day as early as 6am and the rain was pouring :( I thought to myself... awww i can't go island hopping, okay go back to sleep.  But before I sleep again, I ate the leftover pizza. Finally, I decided to get up around 11am, I went out of my room to check the beach, it's still cloudy, I decided to take photos, and walked by the beach.

I was actually looking for Kuya Jensen Gabuco, he was recommended by his Highschool friend whom i met in El Nido.  As I enjoyed walking along the shoreline, I keep on taking photos while asking where can i find kuya Jensen.

Then Finally, I was directed to his house.  So, I told him Kuya Noy, was the one who recommended him to be my tour guide for island hopping.  I invited him together with Kuya Allan, one of their batchmates as well to have coffee at Gacayan.

Then, we agreed to do the island hopping the next day and we'll start at 8am.

I met Kuya Jensen at Besaga Resort, we used his small boat since I am alone. We started sailing the sea of  Barton, It was still cloudy that day, but the sea remains calm. Kuya Jensen was telling me stories and introducing me each island that we passed by.

Our first stop, German Island. and the rain suddenly pour. The wind was so strong too. I was busy taking photos despite the freezing wind that keeps on blowing.  Kuya Jensen was busy preparing our lunch- freshly caught fish :)

We had lunch then waited for the rain clouds to pass by.

Then we moved to Paradise Beach, there were some tourists that were taking photos and having lunch there. 

Then we moved to Exotic Beach,

Kuya Jensen said, the beach' shape changes depending on the wind and waves,

so sometimes the sandy part is on the right side but by November it'll move at the left side.

The we went to the nearby island because the rain started to pour again- Albagin Island.

Whoah!!! this island..... <3 the sand is soooo fine, the water is so clear if not for the rain I could have taken a lot of perfect shots here.  I still did anyway. :) I also tried snorkeling here and after getting tired and going back to the shed, I was freezing cold because of the wind. I'm still a happy kid :)

We waited at the small Nipa Hut shed, then Kuya Jensen pointed something at the beach..... Sea turtle!!!!! <3 Among all islands, this probably is my favorite. :) Since the rain keeps on falling, we decided to call it a day.

These dogs though ...

We head back to Port Barton, and along the way we encountered a very huge rain clouds! we just had a little shower! hahaha Kuya Jensen was very accommodating, he feels sad for me not getting to maximize my island hopping experience of their town.  I told him that probably it's a sign that I should come back. :) When I returned to El Dorado, it was around 2 or 3pm, I washed up and went to Gacayan to have something to eat. Then I decided to go back home early so I can fix and pack my stuff while there's still electricity. As I walked back home, I am still hopeful to catch even just a glimpse of sunset, and then this stunned me!

I felt so happy, loved and special because finally... after waiting for 7 days... SUNSET breathtaking view is finally in front of me.

Then I suddenly felt sad, the realization that my 10-day vacation is about to end.  I don't want to go back just yet, but I know i can't.  I will just go back... to Palawan. The next day, I was ready to go as early as 7am, I don't want to miss the trip that will leave as i was told around 8 am. I was early, way too early i guess? I decided to visit their church first - Kuya Jensen dropped by the terminal to say goodbye. The powerful jeepney leaves before 9:00am and arrived at Roxas at around 10:00am.

I took the van going to Puerto Princesa, I've waited for about 30~ 40 minutes since they are still waiting for other passengers. The fee is 150 pesos and the travel period is about 2 hours. When the van leaves at around 10:45 am, I started to sleep. The van has no aircon so I just enjoyed the fresh air from the open window of the van. We arrived at Puerto Princesa terminal around 1pm. I took a tricycle that brought me to Natua's cabin that is located beside the airport. The tricycle costs me 120 pesos. I stayed in Puerto Princesa for a night so to try the famous Chao long and of course to get a perfect view of Sunset. 

To wrap up this trip, well all I could say is, this is a very relaxing yet full of great and new adventure. I fell in love with Palawan the first time I came here, and i fell in love with it over again. <3 I am sure to go back :)

** Here’s my Itinerary: (October 9- 13, 2014)

Day 1:

• Arrival in Roxas
• Take a jeepney to Port Barton
• Checked- in at El Dorado
• Afternoon nap
• Late lunch/early dinner
• Sunset watching in front of the resort
• Wash up
• Sleep :)

Day 2

• Walk along the beach
• Looked for Kuya Jensen
• Late Lunch
• Wash up
• Sleep :)

Day 3

• Island hopping
• Breakfast in the boat
• Lunch at German Island
• Go back to Port Barton
• Early Dinner
• Sunset watching
• Stroll along the beach
• Wash up
• Sleep

Day 4

• Check-out
• Go to Jeepney terminal
• Arrival in Roxas
• Took a van to Puerto Princesa
• Arrival in Puerto Princesa
• Check in at Natua's Cabin
• Late Lunch at Bona's Chao Long
• Attended a Sunday Mass
• Sunset watching at the bay
• Dinner at Itoy's
• Wash up
• Sleep

Day 5

• Breakfast at Bona's Chao Long
• Buy Pasalubong
• Check out
• Walk to the airport
• Arrival in Manila

**Estimated Expenses: All amount in Peso (Philippine Currency)

• Bus from El Nido to Roxas - 170 (non-aircon) 4hrs Travel, 1 stop over
• Lunch at Stop Over - 70
• Jeep from Roxas to Port Barton - 100
• Dinner - 310
• Late lunch/Early Dinner - 320
• Snacks - 40
• Island hopping tour - 700
• Lunch on the island - FREE :)
• Dinner - 205
• El Dorado Sunset Resort - 300/night x 3 nights = 900 (Fan Room)
• Jeepney from Port Barton to Roxas - 100
• Van from Roxas to Puerto Princesa - 150 (non aircon) 2 hrs travel
• Tricycle from Puerto Princesa terminal to Natua's Cabin - 120
• Natua's Cabin - 350/night (Fan Room)
• Late Lunch at Bona's Chao Long - 120
• Dinner at Itoy's - 350
• Tricycle - 10/ride = 90
• Breakfast in Bona's Chao Long - 150
• Pasalubong - 1,000
• Terminal Fee - 150

*** I feel Like this trip in Port Barton is one of the most affordable destination, that is if you are not very choosy with everything, life here is very simple yet I felt so much happiness. :)

**Contact Person: KUYA JENSEN GABUCO - +639 216 269 191
(I highly recommend  him to be your boatman and tour guide very friendly and accommodating :)  )  ** He was referred to me by Kuya Noriel who happens to be his classmate in highschool, I met Kuya Noriel in El Nido during our TOUR B. Kuya Noriel is an official photographer of Palawan Province. :)

EL DORADO Sunset Resort - Ate Lucy - +639 203 299 049  



****Important REMINDERS:


  Port Barton's electricity schedule : 6pm to 12 mn ONLY

  Jeepney from Roxas to Port Barton Schedule: 11:30 am (please make sure to be at Roxas terminal atleast around 11 am because the Jeepney travels only once a day, if ever you missed the jeepney, you can hire a habal-habal/ tricycle for a price because of the rough road that you have to pass by)

 Jeepney from Port Barton to Roxas Schedule: 8:30 am (The jeepney leaves before 9am, just be at the terminal early, also to get a good seat)

 BUS from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton 7:00 am  ( A direct trip from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton leaves this early but arrives quite late, around  lunch time, transportation fee is 200 php)

  BUS from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa 9:30 am (A direct trip from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa that leaves before 10 am, the fee is 200php)



 *****All these information is from the locals/drivers of Port Barton, please double check the schedule when you get there to avoid missing the trip. :) Enjoy Palawan!!! :)