El Nido, Palawan (Philippines' Last frontier) October 2014

I told myself last year that i'll be spending my next birthday in El Nido. And yes,when the promo fare comes out, I immediately book a plane ticket from October 4~13 to Palawan not really thinking on what or how to go around.  I was also surprised that I must have been overwhelmed and booked a trip that is too long, but then again while I was on trip, I wish I have at least a month to spend on vacation :p So let's start it like this:

My flight was delayed for almost 2 hours because of the bad weather in Manila and I almost missed my night bus! Good thing I texted Kuya Ariel from Cherry Bus that my flight was delayed and might be a little late. I arrived in Puerto Princesa airport around 8:45pm and the night bus is scheduled to leave at 9pm. I hire a tricycle to bring me to the Bus Terminal which costs 120 php (special trip) it took about 15 to 20 minutes and Alas! the bus was waiting for me yeah!!! :) It was a 6-hour bus ride that's why i choose to travel at night so I could just sleep, and that's what i did.

At 3 am, we finally arrived in El Nido, it's still dark so I decided to stay in the bus until the there is sunlight outside.  I dozed off again and awaken around 5:30 am, I took my luggage and hail a tricycle and went directly to my hostel - Lualhati Garden Cottages.  Ate Susan welcomes me as she leads me to my room.  I leave my stuff and decided to find something to eat since I haven't had any dinner.  As i walk along Rizal Street,I can here Church bell so I decided to walk to the church first,

and attend the morning mass besides it's already MY BIRTHDAY :)

I wanted to thank Him for another year He added in my life. <3

After the mass, i found a place to eat - Tocilog for the win! 55 pesos only.

Then I went back to my hostel and prepared for my first Island hopping- Tour A.

As I start my adventure in El Nido, I am about to add new friends in my journey.

Big Lagoon

Happy Kid!

Secret Lagoon

Simizu Beach

LUNCH with my boatmates

7 Commando Beach

The next day I availed of Tour B package, in this tour I've met new set of friends :)

flying Hapon :)

Bandi

with my new Chinese friend

Snake Island

with Angel

Snake Island

Cudugnon Island

Cudugnon Cave

Cathedral Cave

 

 

Then I availed what they've said famous tour, Tour C.  

It's so nice to see them again, it feels like I've known them for so long. :) We were not on the same tour, I just saw them in this beach and whoah!!! we have to take this chance to take some pictures :)

Talisay Beach

Secret Beach

Matinloc Shrine

Sorry for the blurred pictures here, the rain was pouring when we reached Helicopter island.

Helicopter Island

But, despite the rain, i was so happy to see familiar faces. :)

On my last day in El Nido, I asked Angel and Hapon if they want to go on an inland tour and they both agreed to it. We decided to meet at around 9 am. That day, I was up early to climb Taraw Cliff. One of the most exciting yet tiring climb of my life, but I must say- It's all worth it!

We trek down back to the town just in time for our Inland Tour.  We hired a tricycle that took us to Nacpan Beach.

I was told that there's a spot here in Nacpan were people can surf, that idea excites me. :) I should go back here. :) <3

***Here is my Itinerary:  (October 4 -9, 2014)

Day 0:

• Take the last flight to Puerto Princesa - (Cebu Pacific)
• Take a tricycle from the airport to Bus terminal ( Cherry Bus Liner)
• Take the night trip - * (6 hrs ride)

  Day 1:

• Arrival in El Nido
• Check in at Lualhati Garden Cottages
• Go to Church
• Have breakfast
• Start Tour A - (roughly 9:00 am -4:00 pm)
  • Big Lagoon
  • Secret Lagoon
  • Simizu Beach
  • Small Lagoon
  • 7 Commando Beach
• Wash up
• Dinner

  Day 2:

• Breakfast
• Start of Tour B - (roughly 9:00 am -4:00 pm)
  • Pangulasian Island
  • Snake Island
  • Cudugnon Island
  • Cudugnon Cave
  • Cathedral Cave
  •  Pinagbuyutan Island
• Wash up
• Dinner

  Day 3:

• Breakfast
• Start of Tour C -  (roughly 9:00 am -4:00 pm)
  • Hidden Beach
  •  Talisay Beach
  •  Secret Beach
  • Matinloc Shrine
  •  Helicopter Island

• Wash up
• Dinner

  Day 4:

• Taraw Cliff Climb - (around 6:00am)
• Go to Nacpan Beach - (9:00 am)
• Short trek to view deck
• Lunch
• Swim
  • Go to Las Cabanas for sunset and zipline ( but it rained so this was cancelled)
• Wash up
• Dinner

  Day 5:

• Check out  at Lualhati Garden Cottages- (6:45am)
• Take a tricycle to Cherry bus Terminal
• Take the first trip bus to Roxas - 7 am ( El Nido to Roxas -- 4 hrs ride)
• Stop Over / breakfast/lunch - 9am
• Arrival in Roxas - 11:30 am
• Take a jeepney to Port Barton

For More stories and pictures about my Port Barton trip please click the link below. :)

Port Barton 2014

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

• Taxi from Manila to Terminal 3 - 290
• Tricycle from airport to Bus terminal - 120
• Bus from PPS to El Nido (aircon) - 450
• Tricycle from bus terminal to Hostel - 20
• Accommodation -Lualhati Garden cottages (Fan room) - 300/night x 4 nights = 1,200
• Tourist Fee for the whole Stay - 100  ** originally 200 (I think lean season price)
• Tour A fee - 900  ** originally 1,200/pax
• Tour B fee - 1,000  ** originally 1,300/pax
• Tour C fee - 1,100  ** originally 1,400/pax
• Breakfast - 55/ (..SILOG Meal)
•  Dinner  - 300-400/meal
• Lunch - 100-150/meal ** for Nacpan tour
• Fruit Shake - 80 -100/serving
• Taraw Cliff  tour guide fee - 300
• Snacks/ Beer - 300- 350
• tricycle ride - 10/pax  ** but the area feels so safe that you can still walk even at night, but sometimes I just feel lazy so i frequently ride a tricycle. :)
• Nacpan Tour/ Inland Tour  - 1,200 good for 3 pax --- 400/pax (includes waterfalls but we didn't want to go there anymore we just spend the whole time enjoying Nacpan)

  ** Contact Persons:
Lualhati Garden Cottages - Ate Susan - +639 999 941 195
Tour guide - Ryan - +639 105 476 579
Tricycle driver (Inland Tour) - Raffy - +639 077 199 882

  ** Important REMINDER! El Nido’s electricity schedule : 2pm to 6am ONLY