Out Working in Puerto Princesa Palawan

Always wanted to go to Palawan. But with 2 little boys in tow, I knew, it would be later than sooner before I get to go there! Afterall, travelling with children, boys aged 2 and 6 is not the kind of romantic vacation I was hoping for.

So when I learned my US immigrant parents are coming over for a 2 months visit to the Philippines. I knew, that it was answered prayers. I right away booked 2 flights to Palawan (for my husband and myself) and arranged for my mom and dad, to take care of the kids, while we are away.

So off we went to the island province of Palawan, excited for our 4days/3nights rendezvous.

(Puerto Princesa airport, Mayor Hagedorn himself welcomed us complete with band musicians in Puerto Princesa!)

We stayed at Hibiscus Garden Inn. I was a little apprehensive at first, since it is not the regular hotel type I would normally stay in, but when we got there, my husband and I fell in love with the place.

Hibiscus Garden Inn is like a home away from home for us. The place is clean, cozy and refreshing. Instead of the usual swimming pool it has a wonderfully maintained garden in the middle. My husband so love this setting.

(Hibiscus Garden)

(my husband fell asleep relaxing on this hammock)
 

The owners and staff our equally friendly. We were allowed to do an early check in (arriving at 930am) and rest while we wait for our afternoon itinerary.

For lunch, we went to the nearby Chicken Inato (the local version of their Mang Inasal here in Manila). Noticed, by the way that the locals here love grilled chicken. Suprised to see that there are more grilled chicken than sea food restaurants (no dampa, huhuhu). I told my husband, that maybe we are not looking hard enough or maybe we are in the wrong side of Palawan.

For our first day itinerary, we went to Iwahig Prison, the Crocodile Farm, Mitra's Ranch, Bakers Hill and Binuatan Creations (found real good weave products here, cheaper by about 70-100% compared to Manila prices).

(shop crazy for woven bags!)


(yup! making a living, weaving.)


(a real baby crocodile)

(Iwahig in-mate on the lose)

(Mitra's ranch)

On our 2nd day, we went to the Underground River. I am proud to say, I have visited one of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World. We were simply speechless at we saw. It is worth the long travel and the stinky rat urine smell (which after a while, you will get used to).
 

(our tour mates, the underground river as background)



(hard hats, protection for whatever may fall from the cave's ceiling. you just don't know what that might be.)

(underground river as background)

Day 3, was Honday Bay Island Hopping. We visited 3 islands, Pandan, Starfish and Snake Island. Of the 3, fish feeding is best at Snake (fishes are big and are so close to the beach). However, I would recommend spending the most time at Pandan, since it has cottages and decent rest rooms (unlike the other 2). There are also nice ladies offering massage, their massage area is nestled under a bunch of trees, feels so relaxing. I suggest you treat yourself to one. Meanwhile, for picture taking, you are sure to like Starfish Island.

(fishes everywhere)

(my starfish encounter)

For our last night, we tried the tourist favorite Ka Lui. Note that you would have to make reservations to ensure you get in. The interior of the restaurant is impressive, but I find the taking off of the guests shoes rather un-hygenic. The food, I think is over rated. I liked my Chicken Inato meal better. Overall still worth the experience, but would not likely repeat it.

(ka lui, full packed for the night)

going home :(

Palawan is a sight to behold. The people are friendly and warm. We are happy to be there.
For next year, though we are planning for Bohol or Cebu. However, we would probably be bringing our little tots. My parents aren't returning next year for vacation and the overtime excused we used on the kids, when we left for Palawan, would obviously no longer work the next time.


 

Tagaytay for New Year!

Darn, I was expecting it too be alot colder here in Tagaytay! Brought thick japorms jacket pa naman... Anyway, air is still colder here than in Manila. So I guess this will just have to do. Will pray nalang that it gets colder later in the day.

This is the first time the family will be spending New Year out. Normally we just spend it at home. This year, I got a good deal for a 4 bedroom town house. Since it was quite big for us, I invited some cousins to tag along.

Left Manila past 8am and reached our destination at 10am. Trafic was a swift at SLEX,ar the type you wish for when you are running late for a meeting.

We freshened a bit and then braved the Tagaytay Mahogany market for additional ingredients we forgot to bring from Manila. I guess this 2010 will be better and more abundant than 2009, daming food sa lamesa. We had, Andoks chicken and liempo, binagoongan, relenong bangus, grilled fish, steak/t-bone, bbq, hotdogs, 2 types of pasta, refrigerator cake, cakes, fruit salad, ube, taco, various fruits, liquor, softdrinks, ham, marca de bola, etc. The refrigerator is so full, if we get stuck in Tagaytay for 2 weeks, I think we have more than enough food reserves.

Whether was finally cold outside at 6pm. The boys started grilling while the girls prepared the New Year feast! At 7pm, my cousin's Jose Cuervo made its way to the Lanai, followed by a bottle of red wine, Sangria and Baileys.

I must say that starting with the Cuervo was not such a good idea, since it was not even 10pm and everybody were already feeling a little dizzy (ok alot dizzy and zzzzleepy). So we rested the rest of the Cuervo bottle and shifted to the rhums and wines.

(usapang lasing na kami dito!)

I must admit though spending New Year in Tagaytay was way much more peaceful, compared to the non stop fire crackers in Manila that starts harassing my ear drums as soon as Dec 31st sets in. Which was good since one of the reasons for deciding to celebrate January 1 in Tagaytay is for an more "usok free" New Year.

We were up early January 1, kudos to my toddler who was up and wide awake as early as 5am. We had left over breakfast at 6am and was out on leisure walk at 7am. There were cows, carabaos, roosters, goat around; there were also plenty of vegetations. My kids had so much fun and they sure enjoyed the walk. The place we stayed at was like a farmville (hehehe), if I may borrow the title.

At 10am, we left for People's Park (which we did not enjoy, the P50 bucks entrance fee per head was not worth it). The place was dusty, crowded and old! Left soon after and found ourselves at the Tagaytay Viewsite restaurant; we ordered the ever famous Tagaytay bulalo (which so complemented the cold weather), sisig, Bicol express and fresh coconut juice. I could have posted the feast we had, but everyone was too busy eating to bother taking picture (oh well).

Before leaving Tagaytay, we went back to Mahogany market and bought some freshly picked vegetables and beef meat. With some rooms left in our cars, we made a stop at the Loumar's, for some buko crumble tarts.

Swell holiday weekend!