Manila-Puerto-Nido 03 : El Nido, Palawan

Labsy's 33rd birthday (Jan 23) was a blast! Food trip was one of a kind and we had a great time spending it in the Underground River and Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Sabang, Palawan. But the adventure just kicked off and will continue to the elusive, worth taking El Nido.

Heading to Big Lagoon

After having that "to die for" and "breath taking" dinner in Sheridan Resort (http://donandji.blogspot.com/2011/03/manila-puerto-nido-02-birthday-prince.html), we went back to the van and started the road trip to El Nido. The place we almost given up going to, due to time constraints, and maybe finances too.

Leaving Big Lagoon

Most of the roads were rough and dark, you wouldn't want to get the wheels yourself. :). But since all four of us was tired from the day's happenings, we were quietly having a good night sleep, despite the humps, bumps and the cold air inside the van.

We reached El Nido around 5:30 AM. But before reaching town, we stopped somewhere for a while to take more sleep inside a steady van this time. Thanks to Manong, we had an extra hour of sleep and it was enough to give us more energy in the adventures ahead.

When we reached town, we searched for a place we can rest and freshen up later before heading back to Puerto Princesa. We found Marikit Pension House for a Php 300.00 per person on a dorm type non-air room. The owner said, it is for an emergency, when her children visits her, they will stay at that loft room, right above hers. Since we'll just be staying for a few hours, so we took it.

We settled our things, stayed in the Inn for a while to have breakfast, we bought bread and some food from a nearby restaurant and by the way, coffee was free. :) The Pension house was okay and just a walk away from the beach, so not far from the take off point of the Island hopping and where the best of El Nido is right before your eyes.

We wondered who stays there?

Manong Driver called his contacts and we talked some arrangements re the Island hopping in El Nido. For the tour package A and C, they'd asked for Php 1,500.00 each, a total of Php 6,000.00 for us, which includes the boat, the guide and our lunch. For other options, you may also check http://www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com/island.html.

In our case, they merged the Tour Packages A and C. With the places to be visited, we were way too excited and expecting too much. Unfortunately, there were locations we weren't able to visit due to the weather conditions. We weren't able to take some shots, but the waves were too welcoming to us, they were dancing to the music of the wind. But, despite the high ups and low downs of the waves, with all the places we've been to, it was more than worth it!

Simisu Island

SIMISU ISLAND : Our first stop was the Simisu Island. We stayed a little longer to do some snorkeling. We brought our own snorkeling gears, so we immediately geared up and jump to say hi to the fishes and corals.

They gave us some bread to feed the fishes and so we did. We were having fun snorkeling, but we were bitten by I-didn't-know-what sea creature, maybe some jelly fishes, so we didn't stay too long.

Small Lagoon

SMALL LAGOON : The second spot we visited was the small lagoon in Matinloc Island. It was indeed small, but cool. Unfortunately, there are still few visitors who doesn't mind the sensitivity of our nature. My brother saw a "sanitary napkin" on one of the rock-walls and it was depressing.

Adjacent to it was a wonderful shoreline we had fun taking pictures with and jumping around, nobody's watching anyway... :)

Kayaking at Big Lagoon

BIG LAGOON : Then we had a turn and went to the big lagoon. It was indeed big and before reaching it, we saw some tourists kayaking and having a grand time.

Kayaking is also an option. You may want to stay longer and do some kayaking with friends for additional fee of course. But the activity could be fun and worth the time and money!

HIDDEN LAGOON : After the visit to the big lagoon, we went for a very long swim towards the hidden lagoon. Lay was constantly at Doy's arms even with a life vest. When we reached the hidden lagoon, the water there was so cold, it was quite different from the usual. We cannot bring the cam, so we ended taking pictures at the opening after we moved out from that very long and tiring but muscle-friendly swim.

SECRET BEACH : We passed by the secret beach and was supposed to go in. Unfortunately, the waves are too strong and the opening going to the secret beach is too narrow. To get in, we have to dive deep enough that the waves won't affect us and swim in until we get through the hole and into the Secret Beach. Due to health or life concerns, we didn't. Doy was determined though, but we all agreed to disagree with him. :p

Lunch!

LUNCH : Our tour included the preparation of lunch by the beach. I forgot the name of the Island where we stayed for lunch, but it has the most beautiful background for our pictures. It has a nice view of the sky, the water was so clear and deep enough and the waves are strong but friendlier.

Our Island during lunch

While our guide and boatmen were preparing our lunch we enjoyed the island for some snorkeling, swimming and playing around. When they were done, we had the most full lunch of our journey. The food was well cooked and overly delicious! The memory of it keeps reminding me, it's all worth the additional calories... :)

Top of Heart Island

HEART ISLAND : After lunch we head to what they call the Heart Island. It is the island where they had a grotto and a place of worship. They even used to held mass there. They also have a museum where they hang the memories and touches of history on the wall.

After a quick tour on their cave-like museum, we conquered some steps toward the high part where the cross was stationed and watched the outstanding view of El-Nido. It was breath-taking…

We also had fun on their pier like pavement taking some moments with our partners. And that's where Lay and Doy had the nicest jump shots taken by me. When it was mine and Labsy’s time, my battery disagreed.  Well, it was good ‘til it lasted… :)

After a few minutes in the Heart Island, we went to the nearby beach, just in front of the Heart Island, the Star Beach. We reached a quiet and calm beach we all so loved. It was where we wanted to stay longer. The water was cool, the sand was perfect and the whole island was ours, just ours, for the time being.

It was already late in the afternoon and since the waves are starting to hate us I guess, we did not went around the Island we were supposed to for a shortcut back to the take-off point, instead, we went back where we came and headed back to the shore. But before reaching main El Nido town, we went passed by the Laughing Island. We did not go down, our boat men just gave us a quick tour of the Island, in addition to our adventure before heading back to the main land.

Mother Mary-like formation

When we reached town, it was almost dark. We then head back to the Pension House to freshen up and prepare to head out again for dinner. We wanted to dine in a beach front restaurant, so after an hour of preparing, we went back to where we took off for the island hopping and checked out the beach front restobar for some possibly extravagant dinner.

Dinner at Seaslug's

We ended at Seaslug's. Most of the restobar have live bands and this one has too. We ordered some crabs, grilled fish and soup. It was more than what we can take, but we nailed it anyway! Lol. 

After dinner, we stayed for a few minutes to enjoy the ambiance more, while Doy joined in the fun with the band and had a song for us…

Well, since we are going back to Puerto Princesa the next dawn, we decided to retire earlier that evening and take a couple of hours of sleep then head back to Puerto Princesa. We arrived around 7:00 AM and went straight to the airport for Doy and Lay’s flight back to Manila and to Davao later in the afternoon.

It was a fun-filled adventure and we don't have a single regret in doing this. We even thought of doing another adventure on Coron someday. Most probably not any time soon, but hopefully it will happen... ;)

When things aren't so easy to get, don't stop reaching for it, you might just be on top of it before you know it. Enjoy every life's success, learn from every fall, and continue to have faith... And most importantly, keep the good heart in place... "All is well..."