All About Lagoons: Exploring Palawan (Part 1)

One thing you must know about me is that I panic. A LOT. I am especially anxious when I need to meet a deadline or get to a certain place at a certain time. I can be incredibly annoying if I realize that I’m going to be late for a flight. I’ve always been afraid that I’ll miss the plane. And when we left Taguig at 6 AM on a Friday morning hoping to catch a 6:30 AM MRT ride from Guadalupe Station to Trinoma, I knew we’re not gonna make it to the 7 AM bus schedule to Clark International Airport. So, my anxiety levels were up the roof. I convinced my companion for us to book an Angkas (a motorcycle ride booked through a hailing app). Since I cannot book 2 rides at the same time, he had to take a non-legal habal-habal instead. We arrived at 7AM at the MRT station, so I accepted our fate and just hoped that we could make it to Trinoma by 8 AM to catch the bus going to Clark.

The train seemed to be traveling at 10 km/hr, so we arrived at the North Avenue station at 7:50 AM. We had roughly 10 minutes to get to the bus, or we’ll miss the schedule again. When I realized the time we have left, I did the most panicky thing: I ran. I saw a bus almost leaving, and I figured it may be the bus we needed to catch. So, I ran faster. And I stumbled, elbow first. I felt like a broke something but shook it off and when the bus stopped, I asked the bus driver if it’s the one going to Clark. He said I should not have run as it’s the other bus, the unmoving bus, that I’m looking for. My San-Tsai moment was for waste. I got to the bus at 7:56 AM. I signaled my companion to get in, and the bus left at exactly 8 AM.

I spent the entire bus ride thinking about whether I broke my arm and whether we should push through with the trip after all. I couldn’t extend my arm, and my wrist felt weird when I tried to move my fingers. I was trying to be positive by convincing myself that it’s just a minor injury, possibly a shock from the fall. But, as we journeyed to Clark, the pain worsened. This is to add to the fact that we have a 10 AM flight to catch, and Clark flights are normally on-time, so I was extremely worried that my rushing and panicking were useless after all.

Half-way through the trip, I had high hopes that we’ll make it. At 8:45, we’re already in Mexico, Pampanga, so we’re still at a safe distance and speed. However, the vehicle took unexpected turns, and we arrived at the airport at 9:48 PM, giving us 12 minutes to get to the boarding gate. It’s one of those moments when you wish for the flight to be delayed just so you could make it. I was thinking that maybe it’s a sign for us not to make it to that flight.

We did make it. By the time we got to the boarding gate, everyone’s lined up to get to the plane. I gave a deep sigh of relief as we showed our boarding passes to the ground crew. To my utter dismay, our flight did get delayed for around an hour.

So, we got to Puerto Princesa at 1:30 instead of the scheduled time.

To get to the pension house we booked to stay for the night, we rode a tricycle for 100 pesos each (it’s pricier than a taxi!). The 5km journey took us to Prima Residences, a pension house we booked for 500 pesos/ night.

At this point, my arm was killing me. My movements became even more limited. However, the journey must go on, so after settling in, we took a multicab (for 10 pesos each) and rode to Chowking to grab a snack.

Since it’s near the hospital, I decided to pay a quick visit to have my arm checked. However, I was informed that the Orthopedic has already left and asked whether it’s okay for me to be checked by a surgeon instead. Out of desperation, I decided to wait for a few minutes, but I realized that that check-up may have a big price tag considering that I’ll be checked by a freaking surgeon. Also, who wants to wear a sling or a cast while island hopping, right? So, I gave up that check-up, and Niño and I just went to the nearest mall (there’s a Robinson’s Mall there) and bought ice and painkillers.

For the rest of the night, I laid down with the cold compress on my arm, utterly disappointed by my injury.

The next morning, we decided to join an Underground River tour priced at 1700/ person. It included:

• Van transfers
• Buffet lunch
• Entrance Fees

We also paid a 150-pesos each environmental fee on top of the 1700. That’s basically 1850 per person.

We were picked up by the tour van at 9 AM, and we arrived at the port’s dispatching area at 11 AM.

We had a buffet lunch (not satisfying) as we waited for our turn to leave the port. We left at around 12NN. It was a 25-minute boat ride to get to the Underground River entrance.

It looked like a deserted beach. We walked for 2-3 minutes until we reached the cave opening.

To get inside, tourists have to take another boat ride. We were lent helmets and a listening device prior to entering. The guides turned on our listening devices at the same time, and we heard what seemed to be an English narrative of what’s inside the cave.

The Underground River is astonishing. I must say that the amount I was initially hesitant to pay is worth it. To see such natural creation is beyond comparison. I thought that it is just an overrated tourist spot, but I was sooo wrong. It was breathtaking, and it’s something everyone should get to see at least once in their life.

Here’s a photo I took inside the cave:

I guess I have to cut this blog as it has gotten too long. LOL. Watch out for the second installment of our Palawan adventure!