Puerto Princesa: Easy Breezy Beautiful Islands

Day 11: Puerto Princesa

We were already looking forward to the island hopping the next morning. Right after breakfast at 7:00 a.m., we took off with the van that fetched us to go to Honda Bay. We booked this tour through our hotel which cost us ₱1,500 (Ph pesos) per person. That included the van transfer to and fro, boat ride, and lunch and entrance fees to three islands. My friend was already feeling giddy since he saw pictures of the islands on the internet. Unlike in Panglao, this time we had to share the boat with a group of 12 people.

The problem started right then in the morning when the van was already pretty late then we still have to pick up some other guests at different hotels who some still needed to be woken up and apparently took their time and let the half-full van wait for them. That went for about an hour until we could finally drive to Sta. Lourdes wharf which by the way, took us another 45 minutes.

Our boat took us first to Snake Island, a long sandbar connected to the main beach. It has an excellent swimming area and mangrove on one side. Unfortunately, we were not shown a reasonable reef or snorkelling area. Island hoppers usually take their lunch there, so it's advisable to arrive early to get a table. The downside of being in a group is that you always had to wait. My friend would have loved to go directly to the next island, but of course, we had to wait until lunch was served. Then there was the "French couple" who first went to walk to the farthest tip of the sandbar while the rest of the group ate their lunch. They came back when all were done eating, and that's when they started eating slowly.

Eventually, we went to the next island, the Isla Pandan. It went really quickly into deep waters, which was very good for swimming. There I also got a "halo-halo", my first in the Philippines since I arrived. We snorkelled a little and just enjoyed the scenery. We had enough anyway so off the group went to the last island for this tour, the Starfish Island. Our guide advised us instead not to swim on this island because of the poisonous fish that might prick us. It is rightly called stone fish because it looks like a stone and you would hardly notice it.

We took some photographs on the island, and since we could not really swim in there, it was decided that everyone had enough anyway. I already had a little sunburn in spite of the sunblock that I've put on all over my body. Whoever said a dark-skinned guy would never get sunburn?

Anyway, the drama began again as the "French couple" wanted to stay there longer. All other guests were already on the boat and ready to take off and these two decided to just lie there in the sun. Afterwards, they swam again for about half an hour until they decided to get into the boat. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to persuade our tour guide to leave those two behind. They could take the next boat anyway. No one on the boat was speaking, and I guess it was decided that everyone was a bit pissed.

The tour was somewhat disappointing - but there are the beautiful islands. Island hopping at Honda Bay would be advisable to hire your own boat if you want to get the most of the islands, then you don't have other guests to wait for, and you can decide how long you wanted to stay on the islands.

Back to the hotel, we decided to take upon my friend Daisy's offer to drive us up to El Nido. It was actually not in our plan due to limited time. So we agreed to be picked up at 4:00 a.m. the next morning. Then I called up my nephew to pick up the gifts (pasalubong) that I have brought them. Then another call to my friend Teng for dinner at Neva's Place, while my companion decided to stay back at the hotel and just watch Filipino TV and rest.

Puerto Princesa: The City In The Forest

Day 10: Cebu - Puerto Princesa

After a short break at the Inn, we then went out to explore the city. Puerto Princesa as I remembered hasn't really changed that much. There are the familiar places I go to in high school and college. Even my friend said that unlike in Cebu or Manila he felt safer everywhere in Puerto Princesa in spite of the chaotic traffic of mostly tricycles and multicabs. I've learned later on that the big busses and trucks were already banned inside the downtown area. They have a terminal at the new market just outside the city centre. There are no taxis in the city, but plenty of tricycles that are more or less dented but also cheaper. Only the traffic is chaotic, albeit on a smaller scale.

We first went to the port area to see the cathedral which is one prominent edifice in the city esp. when you arrived by boat or ship. The Plaza Cuartel lies next to it. It is the unfortunate place of a massacre of more or less 150 American soldiers by the Japanese soldiers during WWII at the underground bunkers. A bronze marker was placed on the site now.

Next, we went to the "Baywalk" where formerly a slum area and now a fantastic promenade with a view of the sea and the mountains. There are numerous food and beverage stalls, we splurged a very simple but tasty mango shake.  Afterwards, we went to the "shopping centre" at NCCC to buy some provisions.

Puerto Princesa takes pride to be the cleanest and greenest city in the country, and it's rightly so. The city centre does not have so many attractions, but it has many just outside in the nearby Barangays. The crocodile farm is only ca. 20 minutes away and the beautiful butterfly garden is also about along the way.  We opted out to go to the crocodile farm as what a friend of mine told me that it is not kept in excellent condition, and the safety is somewhat a bit questionable. Anyhow, it was not a big deal for us since we still have a lot to go to and see. One would already need a day to do the island hopping along Honda Bay. Most of the tourists go on a day trip to the underground river, but for a real nature lover, I could say that three days would probably be the minimum.

Puerto Princesa is the capital of the province, hence the primary jump-off point for travellers to the islands. But of course one can opt to go there as a last stop-over before going back to Manila.

In the evening we met my good friend Daisy who picked us up and brought to a nice restaurant "Ke Nikko" in Barangay San Pedro, where she also personally knows the owner. We got introduced and eventually "Nikko" drove us back also to our place.

Cebu-Palawan: Onto The Last Frontier

Day 10: Cebu - Puerto Princesa

We woke up early the next morning, took our breakfast and off to Mactan Airport. Checking in didn't go as smooth as I have expected. I bought a guitar from Maribago, (which the area is by the way quite famous for good locally made guitars) a present to my niece who'd like to really learn to play the guitar. Upon checking in, I was told by the Cebu Pacific personnel that I have to have it wrapped in a carton, check it in, and then I have to sign a waiver that whatever happens to the guitar, the airline would not be held liable. It must be a big joke, then I've asked why can't I hand-carry it? But the personnel already raised her voice in anticipation perhaps of a battle. I know there is nothing she could do and as most of the Philippine airports (as per experience) are making money out of anything they could think of.

We finally boarded the plane and off we flew to Puerto Princesa. I was born in a smaller island up north of Palawan, Araceli, but I mainly grew up in this city, and it's been over 8 years since I was last at home. I'm quite excited eventually and really have mixed emotions as I haven't seen my family for a long time.

We haven't really expected, but the hotel's van was already waiting for us outside the airport. That was great since we did not expect someone to fetch us and we were not really keen on having to haggle with a tricycle driver to bring us to Hibiscus Garden Inn.

Hibiscus Garden Inn lies just a few minutes by van from the airport. It's actually on the parallel street of Manalo Extension. As the name suggests, there is a beautiful garden with many hibiscuses, 14 rooms, a reception with small souvenir shop and a garden restaurant. At the first look, I and my companion were already impressed and decided that it is indeed a fantastic place to stay.

The rooms were immaculate, modern and new (we stayed at 3 different rooms during our whole stay in Puerto Princesa) Each room had a quiet and efficient digital air conditioning systems, flat screen television and a refrigerator with bulging minibar. The windows were open and had a stable mosquito net. We had the cheapest room (Classic Room), big enough and have everything you need and it costs ca. 30€ per night. They also have a larger one and a bit more expensive, but why pay more if the classic room is already fantastic?

In front of the rooms are hammocks and chairs with a table. That provided more seating areas. Next to it is the beautiful garden with manicured lawn and benches with tables. It is really an oasis of relaxation and yet in the city and very close to the airport. We have even sighted some hummingbirds.

However, breakfast cost extra. Western breakfast is a bit thin (coffee and two slices of bread with jam). The Filipino breakfast is a bit better. The best part, however, was the service. We first had to have our laundry washed. It worked just fine, and we got it back the next day. The staff are accommodating and friendly. We booked all our tours as well as rented a van for a trip to the Underground River which they facilitated very efficiently.The tours and rented van were actually not from Hibiscus itself but from their partner tour operators.In case of problems, they were always accommodating. (We could print an e-ticket for a flight or phoned the driver in Sabang when we did not find him). They are not only very efficient and friendly but very professional.

The ashtrays were repeatedly checked and cleaned every day. They also have thought about everything including putting mosquito repellent coil (katol, which is burnt like incense) to ward off those pesky mosquitos at night. There were also umbrellas for the short distance from the rooms to the restaurant. My companion who is very picky about food however raved about the "best pizza" he had during the whole trip.

We spontaneously had a chance to drive for an overnight stay in El Nido, and we had to cancel our stay at Hibiscus on a short notice and rebook a night after which went without any problems. 

Aida and Arlene at the front desk

Even though it didn't have a pool, Hibiscus Garden Inn was our favourite hotel on the whole trip.

Cebu: Not So Blue In Maribago

Day 9: Cebu 

Breakfast at the hotel was a buffet with a selection of mainly Filipino dishes, rice, fried fish, tocino and some fatty meat. Too bad for my European friend who is very picky about food, he was lucky enough to have a toast and jam.

Since the smog and urban chaos already got into our nerves, we decided to have a day at the beach. Off we went to Maribago Blue Waters on Mactan Island which lies about 45 minutes from Cebu city. We first went to Mactan airport to see how much time we would need for our next day flight and also stock up some local currency in our portemonnaie.

Maribago Blue Waters looked very good at first. They have several pools, and if it weren't so expensive, we would have probably stayed there. As a day guest, we still had to pay 1,500 pesos (inclusive of 700 pesos food voucher) and a towel. We wanted to have lunch there anyway. After paying for our day pass, the staff gave us a map of the resort and then we proceeded to the changing and shower rooms. There was very little water coming out of the showerhead, so I decided to just go to the outside showers.

We headed on to the beach as I wanted to check it out first. It was a man-made beach just like most of the beaches in Mactan area. I've read from our travel guide that the white sand of the beaches was extracted from other islands and brought to this beach. It was not necessarily a dream beach, but it was okay. On the other side was a man-made island which you can go to on foot during low tide. In the "lagoon" is quite full of seagrasses and algae. The type of green algae which only mean that the water is not necessarily clean.

From the island, we wanted to go down to the real sea but were not allowed by the staff since he told me that there was a Korean guest who was injured going down to the rocks. So we just lied there in the sun where the best seats were reserved for in-house guests.

Then we decided to just swim in the big pool. There were also loungers around. The food was alright, but unfortunately, we could only use our vouchers in one restaurant. It would have been better to restaurant-hop within the resort as one can have excellent choices of food. The service really needed some improvements. The waiter went off immediately even though we hadn't finished ordering. Then we had to wait for over 40 minutes for our food. I've ordered a mango shake and got only a smoothie. In my experience, every "mango shake" I've ever had has either yoghourt, cream or milk in it. When I asked the waiter why their shake has no milk, he condescendingly told me that mango shake never had milk. Tsk tsk. I probably should have asked for mango juice with crushed ice. Buhuuhu!

When we're done for the day, we returned the towels at the reception they were asked by the guards inside if we need a taxi. But what was the use of asking if you were just told to go outside the resort and take a cab from the street? Interested to see what other guests had to say? Check out the TripAdvisor review.

Next time, I would instead go to Panglao or some other cheaper but more beautiful beaches in Bohol if I would like to get away from the smog and chaos. Cebu City, by the way, is only ca. 1.5 hours from Cebu pier with Supercat and another 20 minutes with the van to Alona Beach!

On our way back, I asked the cab driver to stop by at a guitar making shop where I bought a pasalubong for my niece. Maribago is famous for its guitars, and there are countless shops around. Then we head on back to our hotel to change clothes and then, out again for dinner at the SM Mall. I accompanied my friend to a pizzeria, but I ate at the mall's food court.