With my Malaysian friends... From left, Sathishkumar Muniandy, Sofian Abdullah, Suhaila Mohd Zaki, Me~Elvie Mesiona and Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil
Our group with Honda Bay as our background : From left, Abdul Hadi, Me~Elvie, Suhaila, Sofian and Sathish
Taking our breakfast at the airport before boarding the plane
At Terminal 3 before boarding
Our departure date was April 17, Saturday and our flight was at 8:10 AM via Cebu Pacific Airlines. So I woke up at 4:00 AM, took a bath and waited for the Malaysian (Abdul Hadi) who was supposed to pick me up at 5:00 AM. The driver came at around 5:30 AM but without him and I found-out he was not able to get up on time. Hmph ! So, I pick him up instead, waited for awhile and proceeded to Sofian’s house then we had to go back again to Abdul Hadi’s house because he forgot something. I think he needed someone to organize his life. We left Laguna Bel-Air at 6:00 AM and luckily there was no traffic and the driver was a good driver. We arrived at Terminal 3 at around 6:30 AM. Sathish and Suhaila were already there waiting for us.
On board Cebu Pacific Airlines : Suhaila and Me ~ Elvie at the back, Sathish, Sofian and Abdul Hadi in front
Suhaila Mohd Zaki (left) and Me ~ Elvie
The gentlemen : From left, Sathish, Sofian and Abdul Hadi
We got our 4D/3N Palawan Tour Package from Island Accommodations and the amount we paid was worth it. The cost was so affordable and we did not have any problem at all. I was surprised to know that Island Accommodations’ office was not located in Palawan but in Cebu. I discovered them while I was trying to find a tour operator that offers the tour that we like : The Underground River and Island Hoppings. The first tour operator that we contacted was very slow in responding and seems not interested. I think they primarily offers the Coron Tour which is more on Island hoppings. I will recommend Island Accommodations.com to my friends since I was satisfied with their services.
We finally arrived at Puerto Princesa Airport
Puerto Princesa Airport
TOUR DETAILS
Pick up: 1:00 – 1:30PMHotel
Arrival: 4:30 – 5:00 PM
Tour Date: APRIL 17, 2010
Wildlife Conservation and Crocodile Farming Institute, Iwahig Penal Farm, Mitra's Ranch, Bakers Hill , Binuatan Handloom Weaving; Passing tour to other attractions (if time permits).Entrance Fees,service of Licensed Tour Guide and Airconditioned van transfers included.
We stayed in Hotel Oberoi which is away from the town proper. We had to take the tricycle to go to the town. The place is quiet with a breezy environment and I hear birds chirping. It is Filipino inspired, with a big pool and a beautiful landscaping. The wood carvings were interesting adding beauty to the place. Our favorite spot is the resting area near the pool. On our first day at dinner time, we rode a tricycle going to Ka Louie Restaurant, five people can ride but we are like sardines. Four inside and the other one is back ride. It was the Malaysians’ first tricycle ride and it was fun. We were even chased by dogs while traveling in one of our trip to the town at night time. I was scared as I was seated near the tricycle’s entrance and the dogs were running after us. One dog was almost near me. I shouted ! What an experience !!!
At the Reception of Hotel Oberoi : From left, Abdul Hadi, Sathishkumar, Sofian and Me ~ Elvie
This is the resting place near the pool, our favorite place to wait for our tour guide and our ride
A close-up of the resting place... It's cool ! I love the design
Waiting for our tour guide at our favorite area near the pool at Hotel Oberoi
Look at the resting place's ceiling with the fan and it is made of native materials, lovely !
A beautifully designed wall at Hotel Oberoi
The huge pool at Hotel Oberoi
The Pavillion
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ This is the Crocodile Farming Institute which is inside the Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center
An interaction with a baby croc... I have to hold it tight so it won't move
I like the Crocodile Farming Institute as I had the opportunity to hold a baby crocodile and one of the Malaysian guy, Hadi took some pictures. I got great pictures with the croc.
Abdul Hadi kissing the baby croc and wishing it will turn out to be a beautiful princess...eeeeeeee !
The children's room at the Crocodile Farming Institute
Suhaila Mohd Zaki and Elvie Mesiona
The smiling Ostrich at the Nature Park inside the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ Baker's Hill, Home of freshly baked bread, pastries and other Palawan delicacies
Our group with the disney character statues at Baker's Hill...From left, Sofian, Abdul Hadi, Me ~ Elvie, Suhaila and Sathish
At the Baker's Hill Souvenir Shop with Suhaila Mohd Zaki
They look real parrots but they are statues
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ MITRA'S RANCH. From left, Abdul Hadi, Me ~ Elvie, Suhaila and Sofian
Sue and Me at Mitra's Ranch house
A group shot at Mitra's Ranch : From left, Suhaila, Me ~ Elvie, Sofian, Sathish and Abdul Hadi
There's an alien behind us ! It's Hadi-yo !
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ Handloom Weaving Factory
At the Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving Factory
Beautiful native bags at the Binuatan Weaving Loom Factory
April 17, 2010 : City Tour ~ IWAHIG PRISON AND PENAL FARM
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm Souvenir Shops with Hadi and Sue
April 17, 2010 : After our City Tour, We went to Ka Louie Restaurant as suggested by our Tour guide, Buboy
Hadi, don't forget my favorite please .....CRABS !!!
Waiting patiently for our food, from left...Sathish, Me and Sue
Making fun of Sofian ~
Mangrove Forest and Underground River Tour
Pick up:7:00 – 7:30 AM
Hotel Arrival: 5:00 PM
Tour Date: APRIL 18, 2010
Airconditioned Van Transfer, Boat Transfers, Servicesof a Licensed Tour Guide, Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour,Underground River Tour w/Boatman/Cave Guide, Entrance Fees/Permits,Beachside Picnic Lunch, Swimming in the pristine white beach after lunch (OPTIONAL).
April 18, 2010, the 2nd day was the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour and the Underground River Tour at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It was a 2.5 Hours countryside drive to Sabang on rough roads. Some portions were good roads and we were going up and down the hilly roads like a roller coaster… It tickled my stomach ! What an exciting ride ! The sceneries along the road were beautiful and we had to make a stop-over in an area overlooking Honda Bay. It was so inviting so we took a lot of photos with Honda Bay as our background. After the long drive, we finally arrived at the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour Registration Area. Hadi registered us all and our tour guide offered us to try eating the wood worm. The wood worms lives in the Mangrove trunks and are edible. Nobody from our group tried eating it. I think I am going to vomit. The Mangrove Paddle Boat tour was interesting, I learned something from the boat man how to distinguish a female and a male mangrove. Well, the female mangrove has a big round leaf while the male mangrove has a thin long leaf. Mangroves are fish sanctuaries and Palawan has the most number of Mangroves in the Philippines and these are protected and the local government encourages planting of new mangrove trees. We saw a monkey in one of the trees and we joke while we pass by as it might pee or make poo, poo ! Yikes ! After exploring the Mangrove forest, we had our lunch at the Taraw Restaurant. Tables and Chairs were set-up near the beach and it was breezy while eating our lunch. The beach has white sand and the water was blue and very clean. What a beautiful scene ! One of the Malaysians was enjoying the beach with the women in two piece. He took some photos of them. Since Malaysia is a Muslim country, women are not allowed to show skin so I guess that’s why he enjoys looking at them. Guess who ???? By the way, before I proceed with my story, I would like to thank our Tour Guide, Buboy for taking great photos using a trick. I really love them ! That was so cool !
A stop-over in an area overlooking Honda Bay
So many women's accessories are sold in stores along the road going to Sabang. Suhaila and I bought a few as "pasalubong"
From left, Sathish, Sue, Me ~ Elvie, Sofian and Abdul Hadi
Posing while waiting for Hadi who is doing the registration for the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour
Getting ready for the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour
Mangrove Forest ... here we come !
Hey ! Look up ! There is a monkey in one of the Mangrove tree...Watch out ! it might peeeeeeeeeee!
Enjoying the ride..In front...Me and Suhaila and at the back are Sathish and Abdul Hadi
Me and Sue resting for awhile... See the white prestine beach behind us
This is too heavy.. Help ! Photo courtesy of our tour guide, Buboy using a camera trick. Taken after our lunch at Taraw Restaurant
Suhaila emerges from the coconut ! Magic !
I'm flying on a broomstick like Harry Potter ! Cool !
I don't think I can finish this !
After our lunch at Taraw, here goes the Underground River Tour. We had to travel for about 10 minutes to the wharf to take the motorized boat. We had to wait first while the tour guide also waited for the go signal that we can travel already. They wanted to make sure that some of the people who took the underground river tour are on their way back already. This is to avoid overcrowding. While waiting, we ordered Halo-Halo since it was so hot. The Halo-Halo was just okay but I was expecting that they have ice cream to go with it. It should have been more enjoyable with ice cream ! Finally, we rode the motorized boat going to the Subterranean River National Park. There were a lot of great sceneries while traveling by boat. I love the beauty of nature. God is really good ! We arrived at the National Park and there were a lot of people already waiting for their turn for the Underground River Tour. Our group was no. 47 in the line. The Underground River is measured about 8.2 kms. Long and navigable is about 4.3 kms. It is reputed as the longest navigable underground river in the world. In the boat area, I saw a beautiful Labrador in the water looking at the small fishes and I touched it. I love dogs so I was happy to see it. Then I heard Sathish said “Oh no, Elvie touched it” I wonder why so I asked Sue. For Muslims, they are not allowed to touch a dog especially the wet dog as it might be their saliva. Now I understand why they stay away from dogs when they see one in the beach. I had to wash my hands with mineral water and Hadi while I wash my hands seems to be teasing me. After a long wait, we boarded the boat for the Underground River Tour. We are ready to explore the “Bat Cave”. We had to wear hard hat inside and the life jacket . There were a lot of fishes as we go near the cave and there were a lot of interesting rock formations inside that resembled something. The boat man explained everything and would sometimes joke about it. Amazing !!!
Riding the motorized boat going to the Underground River Tour
We arrived at the island where the Underground River is located
A group shot in front of the cave...from left, Suhaila, Me ~ Elvie, Abdul Hadi, Sofian and Sathish
Wearing our life vest and our hard hat...Underground River, here we come !
The cave's mouth
April 17, 2010 : After a tiring tour of the Mangrove and Underground River, we went to the Badjao Seafront Restaurant
Hurry ! Let's go in ! Jom Makan la !
We are hungry ! Waiting for our food at Badjao Seafront Restaurant
The gentlemen...Abdul Hadi, Sathish and Sofian
Honda Bay Island Hopping
Pick up:7:30- 8:00 AM
Hotel Arrival:4:30 – 5:00 PM
Tour Date: April 19, 2010
Air-conditioned Van Transfers, Motorized Tour Boat,Pandan Island swimming, Snake Island snorkeling and Open Sea Fish Feeding & Star Fish Island, Entrance Fees, Picnic Lunch, and Services of Licensed Tour Guide.
April 19, 2010, the 3rd day was the Honda Bay Island Hoppings. We went to the wharf, ride the motorized boat and visited three islands : Pandan Island, Snake Island and the Starfish Island. We enjoyed snorkeling and fish feeding. There were a number of fishes everytime we feed them. They are so colorful and beautiful. Some of them touches the tip of your finger. We were all tired when we returned to the hotel. We were all exhausted from the heat of the sun, snorkeling and traveling. During the night, Hadi was not feeling well so Sue and I checked on him. He had a bad stomach and vomited. Maybe he has a weak stomach because all of us ate the same food and most of us were fine. He seems to be okay after drinking the medicine I gave and joined us for dinner but he had to select what he eats because it might trigger again his stomach problem. Later during the night, Sue also was not feeling well and had to take medicine as well.
We are all excited for the Island hoppings
From left, Sofian, Sue and Me
We arrived at the first Island ... PANDAN ISLAND
At Isla Pandan Resort with Abdul Hadi and Sue
John Labu (Sofian) versus Yo d' Killar (Abdul Hadi)... Mafia Wars ! I am the referee...he, he, he
The 2nd Island.... STARFISH ISLAND...Me and Sue holding a starfish
I love starfish ! ~ Elvie
Anybody wants to buy a starfish ? ~ Abdul Hadi
This is beautiful ! ~ Sue
The 3rd Island... The SNAKE ISLAND
Enjoying fish feeding at Snake Island
Snorkeling !
April 20th was our return to Manila but our flight was at 5:30 PM so we still have time and we decided to go to the Town proper just to go around and see what to buy. Sue stayed in the hotel and wanted to rest to recover. I went out with the guys and rode the tricycle going to the downtown. We arrived at the mall and Hadi felt dizzy and wanting to vomit again. Sofian and Sathish went inside the mall to buy some medicines and I told them to buy tissue paper as well for Hadi. I stayed with Hadi who was seated on the side of the concrete plant box and all of a sudden he vomited all that he ate during breakfast. I tried to make him comfortable by rubbing his back. He needs something to wipe his face and I don’t have tissue paper except for my handkerchief so I offered it to him. I can’t live without a hanky so I always carry one around when I go out. I was so worried ! He should not have come with us since he is not yet okay. He felt better after vomiting and that was a relief. Sofian and Sathish came back with the medicine and Hadi took it. In my mind, I prayed he would be totally okay again. We entered the mall and bought some souvenirs for my family and friends. I saw Hadi seated near the stairways, his face looked still not okay. After spending some time at the maill, we had our lunch at Shakey’s Pizza, a walking distance from the mall. We were actually looking for Mc Donalds but there was no Mc Donald outlet in Palawan. I am happy Hadi felt okay already. We went back to Hotel Oberoi and waited for the driver who will take us to the Puerto Princesa Airport. Well, our 4-day vacation is over, back to work the following day but we really had a great time in Palawan. I am happy that both Hadi and Sue had recovered. I hope I can go back to the enchanting Palawan in the future but this time I want to go to EL NIDO either Lagen or Miniloc Island. My boss loves El Nido and had visited both islands already. It’s very beautiful yet so expensive !
My Malaysian friends will soon be going back to Malaysia after undergoing training for more than a year at our Philippine facilities. They will start our third solar cell manufacturing facilities (Fab 3) and I will truly miss them. Good luck to you and more power to Fab 3 !!!
Farewell to you my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't worry cause it's not the end of everything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you, my friends with you...
The last few lines above are excerpts from the beautiful song “Farewell To You My Friend” sung by Raymond Lauchengco.
It is so touching, I wanted to cry….
