Beautiful Puerto Princessa

Going inside the Underground river

This is the 1st trip that Gracey and I will have. Although missing some friends (Rosey and Jops), we still pushed through since we already booked a flight months in advance and already made an initial deposit on our lodging. Since the flight was early, we didn't have time for  breakfast and thought we had time to buy at the airport. Unfortunately, while the staff was preparing our food, we were already supposed to board. It even came to a point where we were already being called so we were running at the gate with food and all. I ate my food in the plane and I thought the flight attendant was telling me not to eat it, apparently, he was telling me he knew me from college, Wow, I'm soooo popular, hahahaha. The flight from Manila to Puerto Princessa takes 1 about and hour so we were there in no time. The flight was a little late so when we got there, our trusty guide and driver Kuya Allan was already there with his sign (my name listed as CJay, which was alright, atleast I was the only CJ during that time). There were hoards of air-conditioned vans there, but I already know that we will ride our lodege's good 'ol trusty jeep. I thought the jeepney was airconditioned (or I just assumed it was) but it was OK since we thought we'll appreciate the fresh air of the province. First order of business was to buy supplies for our stay (meaning groceries and all). We went to the wet market which was opposite a big grocery. It was divide and conquer, Margo and his nephew went and bought the fresh food while Gracey and I bought the groceries. Budget was 3000 pesos for 5 meals good for 4. We had the house bring us an ice chest so that we can store our fresh fish and meat so it won't spoil since we will head straight to the underground river before settling in the resort (ofcourse we bought ice along the way to keep 'em fresh).



The trip to the underground river was long, more than 2 hours and the way was bumpy since we were riding a jeep (Tip 1: Make sure to eat before going to the tour or atleast, bring snacks). It was already 12:30 when we got to Sabang port and kuya Allan asked us if we wanted to eat first, we said we'll just eat when we come back. He took us to the tourism office to have our permits validated (the resort got the permits 2 days before), and paid 15 pesos for the parking of our jeepney. We headed out to rent our boat, minimum was 6 people for 700 pesos and paid an additional 3 pesos each for the terminal fee. There was quite a line and while waiting for our turn, we took pictures of the beautiful landscape. It was cloudy and seemed like it will rain so it was a good thing atleast we weren't waiting under the sun. Also, the mountains were beautiful with the clouds on top of it. We rode our bangka and it was mandatory that we were life vest. The life vest smelled funky and we tolerated it for 15 minutes, along the way, we were silently making fun of it.

Beautiful Palawan Landscape

Boats heading to the Underground river

Heading to the Underground river

Entrance to the river

We got to the beach, which was gorgeous, not really the white sands that you would expect but it was clean and quiet with a sign welcoming guest that they have arrived (Tip 2: make sure to wear flip flops, there's no port so you'll have to get your feet wet in the beach. Coming from the aiport to the tour, I was still wearing my leather Kenneth Cole sandals, which eventually got wet and sandy, ugh). Once your're there, you'll have your permit validated again and you'll get a number to be in line for the boat going inside the river. Around the area, there's monitor lizards (bayawak) and monkeys, which is good since you have the feeling of nature and that it's still there although hoardes of people visit the place (Tip 3: Make sure that you don't leave your stuff lying around since there's a tendency for the monkeys to get it. While we were there, the bag of the tourist guide was almost snatched by a monkey). Once you have your number, it's a 2 minute walk going to the mouth of the cave. Once you are there, present it to the guide and they will call the number and instruct you when to put on your gear, life vest and hard hat. There's a particular smell in the park, at first you will wonder where it comes from, apparently, its the smell of bat droppings. It was quite a while before our number was called since the bangkas going inside were limited, so we had ample of time to pictures. 

Path to the Underground river

Underground river park

Going inside the subterranean river

 Finally it was our turn and I was lucky to be seated in front and part of it was to hold the light for everyone (Tip 4: Be prepared to get wet since water is dripping inside. Also make sure to bring water resistant/waterproof cameras or bring something to keep your gadgets dry (plastic)). The tour will take 30 to 45 minutes  and each boat will have around 6 - 8 people.

Mouth of the cave

Waiting for some passengers?

Sabang beach

The boatman will serve as the guide while you're inside and instruct the designated light holder to light up the interesting shapes and figures. The guide spoke in english (ofcourse, there were a lot of foreigners when we were there) and he constantly gave interesting facts while inside and scripted jokes, which make the people smile every once in a while. It was already almost 2PM when we started the tour and I was hungry already, to make it worse, we went to the part of the tour where he said we were in the fruits and vegetables section pertaining to the shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites. We can barely hear the boatman's instructions on where to point so it took a few seconds before everyone saw the different forms. The inside was awesome, there's huge formations inside, there's even a part where its a huge dome that was about 200 feet high. When asked how deep the river was, its around 30 feet and you can go only as far as 1 something km, since you'll need a separate permit t explore more of it. We took pics at the beach first before riding our boat going to Sabang where the drizzle became rain.

The mouth of the cave

Coming out of the Underground river

We looked for a place to eat and found ourselves in a carinderia although there weren't food left (since its already 3PM when were were there) so we just bought some cold drinks and used the rest room. The trip from Sabang port to the Sunrise Mansion was another 2 hours (good thing we had groceries so we started eating chips and bread) and it started to rain, I mean pour and it even started to get wet inside the jeep. Before reaching the place, we made a quick stop over a small store since we forgot to buy rice and cooking oil. We were relieved when the jeep made a right turn to the mansion and there was ate Lisa already waiting for us. 

Sunrise mansion

Ate Lisa is the mayordoma and is the contact person of the place. She makes sure that you have everything you need while you are staying there. Expectations were met when we came in, the house was big with a grand staircase. It had 6 rooms (3 rooms had bathrooms), a pool table, a videoke machine, satellite TV at the living room and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. 

Inside the house

Infinity pool at Sunrise mansion

It was raining hard but we didn't mind, we were just happy that we can now rest and settle in. The rain stopped when we were having dinner (Tip 5: make sure to bring insect repellent. While eating, the mosquitoes were also having dinner) so after eating, it was time to mix some drinks and take, a dip in the pool. It was still early, 11PM when we decided to hit the sack since we had the whole day of travelling. The next day, I woke up at 5:30 to see the sunrise, unfortunately it was cloudy so I just decided to explore the beach. 

Good morning Palawan

View from my terrace

Beach at the Sunrise mansion

 The beach is pebbly, there's a lot of smooth rocks by the shore, opposite the beach is the gorgeous landscape of the mountain, which is really beautiful, raw natural beauty of Palawan. After taking a few more pictures, I headed back up to help out in preparing our breakfast. There's a terrace with a table and chairs that overlooks the sea which was absolutely gorgeous. Also, the sun began to shine brightly so the setting was perfect. With the sun up, it was just natural for us to take advantage and sun bathe and take a dip on the pool and enjoy more drinks, particularly rhum coke. After lunch, we headed to the beach. The tide was already low so it exposed more of the pebbles.

View of the beach from the house

Having fun at the pool

After the pebbly shore, there's a sandy area fit for swimming (Tip 6: It's best to swim in the afternoon when the tide is low, the sand is exposed more and the waves are not as strong than in the morning). We were already a few meters away from the shore but the water was still chest deep but we were still careful since the waves were kinda strong. After an afternoon of frolicking in the beach, we headed back to the mansion. It's perched on a cliff which gives you scenic views of the surrounding. Since its still the wake of the storm, it started to rain again late in the afternoon, so we made use of the videoke machine and sang our hearts out while preparing for our dinner. Dinner was yummy, crabs, squid, tuna belly and shell fish (which I forgot the name).  I guess because of eating the whole day and drinking,  had a major tummy ache so I slept early, curled up in my bed. The next day, I was feeling better and the sun showed its brightest throughout our stay. Don't be surprised if there will be people dropping by the resort making an ocular inspection. During our stay, the place was visited 3 times (maybe scouting the place for a possible stay or venue for a party). Make sure to secure your stuff, just to be sure but ate Lisa is there to keep watch. I was surprised to see a kid inside the house one time. After breakfast we made sure to enjoy the remaining time we had and had fun at the pool, taking some crazy pictures and some jump shots. It was sad to leave the place, the sound of the waves and the awesome view, but we had to go back home. It takes an hour to reach the city from the mansion and we still had to stop by for some gits to take back home. 
 

The pool and the bar area

Gracey at the pool

Enjoying the view

What trip would be complete without some soubenir shopping? Kuya Allan took us to a local souvenir shop and we had little time to shop. I only got pearls for my niece and mom, a native pouch for my niece and just a ref magnet for myself which I collect. I guess we took longer than expected shopping that I thought we were gonna be late again for our flight like last time, good thing, the flight was delayed for 30 minutes (whew!). We got back in Manila, happy, relaxed and with lots of fun stories to tell.
 

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