Philippines: Day 26 - Sunset in Sabang

We had booked a transfer with the Lexxus Shuttle Service the day before and - for an extra fee - got the option to have a transfer from our hotel in Puerto Princesa, the Acacia Tree Garden. We left at 8 a.m. after breakfast and then were brought to the bus terminal, from where it took about two hours to get to Sabang. While the van was bit cramped, it was okay and taking a van is - for me - the most recommended option, when you travel between cities in Palawan. The shuttle service also offers tourist-friendly transfers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and even between El Nido, Port Baton and Sabang. 

Sabang is really small, and we were left out at the heart of the village, nearby the beach and the main parking lot at the beach. The primary attraction in Sabang is the Underground River, a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. You can go to the ticket office at the parking lot for tickets and information and then take a boat from Sabang to the entrance of the Underground River or even walk the "Jungle Trail" or the "Monkey Trail" to it. 

Many tourists come just for a day trip from Puerto Princesa, which you can easily book at most hotels in Puerto Princesa. But Sabang has more to offer and is a great place to stay at least a night. There´s a beautiful sandy beach, restaurants, a waterfall in walking distance and a Zipline. There's also a Mangrove Boat Tour and more caves to explore. But it is small, so don´t expect an ATM if you plan a visit.

We mainly just came to relax after our busy sightseeing weeks in South Korea and Hong Kong. After all, I've been to Sabang many times before. It was a somewhat spontaneous trip, and we didn't reserve a room in advance. So, we tried our luck at first at the Daluyon Resort. It is rather expensive for our standard, but we thought, we could grant ourselves some luxury towards the end of the tour, and I've never been there, although I have been in Sabang several times already. Unfortunately, it was fully booked. After a quick look at the even more expensive Sheridan, which was also fully booked, but much too expensive anyway, we went to my usual home in Sabang, the Dab Dab Cottages. While they didn't have a free cottage, we at least got a room in their new building.

The Dab Dab Cottages are little cottages in a beautiful garden, just a few steps from the parking lot and on the other side of the central hotel area. They come at a fair price, and I especially like, that each cottage has its space, so that it feels a bit like having a little house inside the jungle. However, you need to know, that there's electricity only in the evening, so don't expect a flatscreen TV or an aircon. The hotel also has its own restaurant, and the ground has a tranquil atmosphere - only disturbed by the roosters in the morning. 

After checking in, we went to a little eatery at the parking lot, where I got lunch, and my friend got some pizza before we went swimming and just relaxed on the beach. 

Later we also walked along the coast, above some cliffs and through the river, to the next beach and adored the sunset. It is a beautiful area, and we changed between swimming, lying around, walking a few steps and eating. Precisely what we had hoped for and what we needed after the exciting but exhausting sightseeing weeks in South Korea and Hong Kong.

Philippines Day 25-26: Sabang, Cabayugan

My nephews fetched me quite early in the morning as we planned to go to the world famous underground river. It became a tradition for me to visit this national park whenever I'm in Puerto Princesa. The last time was in August 2011. This time, I travelled with my two nephews with the Lexus Shuttle Service from San Jose Terminal next to the new public market in Puerto Princesa, and it cost 140 Php per person to Sabang. Since there's a lot of passengers going to this place, it's necessary to book or reserve your seats. It takes about an hour and forty minutes to get there.

We did not book a place to stay before coming to Sabang, but we're still lucky to get the room at Dabdab, which is owned by a friend of mine. It was already late afternoon, so we just hang out a little bit around the docks and went swimming afterwards amid the warnings of strong undertow. After taking a shower, we just went to find a place to eat our supper and soon went to bed eventually.

On the next day, I've let the boys do what they want to do while they waited for their brother from the city who later joined us. I decided to stay back at the cottage and slept longer. I gave them my small point and shoot camera to take some pictures for me while they explore the real underground river. Their friend and neighbour who now works as a nurse at the park went with them, so it saved them a bit of paying the entrance fee. I have learned that another friend of mine was now the park's supervisor. Oh yeah, I'm here to exploit my connections eh!? 

Later on, I decided to go to the village and try to meet a friend of mine from college whom I've never seen for a very long time. Unfortunately, she was not at home in Cabayugan. Her son told me that she was attending a wedding in town. Anyway, the tricycle driver brought me back to Sabang while stopping from time to time along the way so that I could take some photographs.

I've waited for the boys to come back from their exploration at the underground river so we could eat lunch together. There were a lot of eateries around the area for every budget so you will never go hungry when you get there.

Later, the three of us went to the nearby waterfalls on the west side of Sabang, while the others did their thing. The way to the waterfalls was a bit tedious since you have to basically walk on round stones where you always have to keep your balance all the way.

The trip to the waterfalls was indeed a pleasant surprise. We took our time relaxing at the very shallow pool of fresh waters. Then it was almost dark when we got back to our cottage. We just went to the Grill Bar near the pier for dinner and just relaxed at our place until sleeping time.