All About Lagoons: Exploring Palawan (Part 2)

If you’ve read my previous blog, then you know that:

• We almost missed but made it, nevertheless, to our flight.
• I stumbled, fell, and injured my arm.
• The Underground River is awesome.

So, after the surreal trip to this World Heritage Site, we went back to the port. Realizing that our current location is closer to El Nido, we changed the previous night’s plan and decided to go straight to El Nido instead. We arranged it with our tour guide, and we paid 600 each (yep, it’s expensive!) to get transferred to a van going to El Nido. We obliged as we’d like to maximize the day. The initial plan was to rent a motorbike to get to El Nido but, with my injury and the time we have left (it’s around 3 PM when we finished the tour), we decided that it’s safer to get there by van. It’s a 200km drive, and with the low-quality helmet that some renters provide, plus the expenses for gas and rental, it seemed like a better idea to change the plan. If you’re interested in doing this, here’s the motorbike pricing (some of the images were covered. Sorry!):

The gas prices as of November 25, 2019, is at 64 pesos per liter.

The journey took 5-6 hours (there were 2 stopovers for 10-20 minutes each). We were dropped off at Novie’s Inn in Corong-Corong, El Nido. If you’re looking for accommodation that’s near the town’s center, this is not for you as it’s a 2km drive to the busy portion of the town. However, if you’d like peace and quiet and to stay within budget (we got our room at 800 per night), this is the place to be.

It’s still under construction, but it’s no big deal. The room is cool. It’s got banig-covered walls with a very earthy bathroom. Check out this video for more information.

Since we only had a few hours left, we looked for a place to eat and found a grilling restaurant by the port.

No. We did not order that. We didn’t even bother to ask how much it is.

We availed Tour Package A through the receptionist, and we paid 1200 each for the tour and 400 each for the environmental fees and entrance fees. The environmental fee of 200 can be used for a 10-day island tour and will only have to be paid for once.

The tour included the following destinations:

• Small Lagoon
• Big Lagoon
• Secret Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• 7 Commando Beach

Our tour started at 9AM and ended at 3 PM. Our first stop was the small lagoon, which is about a 15-minute boat ride from the port. Small Lagoon is mostly for snorkeling. Secret Lagoon is for picture taking. Shimizu Island is a lunch destination. 7 Commando Beach is for relaxing and thinking about life decisions (just kidding!).

To get to the secret lagoon, you have to enter into a small opening. There’s a long line as people cannot enter and leave at the same time. Inside is deep waters and rock formations:

Packages come with a buffet lunch, and it’s usually served in Shimizu Island. However, when we got there, the waves are too big, and the boats couldn’t dock the island. Therefore, our food was served on the boat. It was a satisfactory lunch; we were served grilled fish, chicken, and pork, clams, shrimp, and various fruits:

After lunch, we sailed to Big Lagoon. Big Lagoon is a mustn’t miss. It’s one of the most awesome places I’ve been to. With a kayak rental of 250 pesos per boat, we got to enter the astounding stretch of water and rock formations.

You get to be surrounded by nature at it’s finest. The kayak ride was incredibly tiring but extremely worth it. During tours, you will be given 40 minutes to explore the lagoon and breathe the fresh air.

Our last stop was 7 Commando Beach. It’s got fine, white sand and a calming view. We got ourselves halo-halo served in Buko (for 150 pesos). There’s nothing special to it, but it’s nice to munch on this cold dessert while looking at the sea.

We arrived at the port at 4PM. We, then, rented a motorcycle (Honda XRM 125cc) for 600 per night. We strolled around the island to find a place to eat.

There, we found a familiar Italian restaurant, Trattoria Altrove:

It’s the same restaurant we found in Coron. Since we already know that they serve good food, we fell in line. We waited for 30 minutes until it’s our turn. We ordered truffle pizza, and it made the wait truly worth it:

It’s admittedly pricey (around 1000 for 2 people without drinks), but it’s good food, so what the hell, right?

The next day, we had a DIY tour of El Nido. Using the same rented bike, we went to:

• Bulalacao Falls
• Buli Beach

Yes, it’s not a very long list. We planned to go back to Puerto Princesa by lunchtime, so we only included 2 destinations in our motorbike tour.

Bulalacao Falls is around 23km from where we stayed. We got there first, but there wasn’t anyone at the reception, so we decided to go to Buli Beach instead.

If you’re not into rough roads, this is not for you. There’s 2km of the muddy trail to get to this remote beach, and it was a struggle. However, when we got there, it made the struggles truly worth it.

This hidden beach barely has people. It’s got fine sand and dip-friendly waters. The waves are strong enough for surfing, too, and there are surfboard rentals around. There are not many activities, but the serene waters will keep you at awe for a while.

We hated to part with this hidden treasure, but we had to keep going. So, we made our right to Bulalacao Falls.

We paid a 30-peso each gate pass upon entering. We were offered a guide, but it’s for another 150 pesos, and we felt that it’s gonna be more of an adventure if we do it on our own. Based on the caretaker, we just had to take a right everytime. We were told that we’ll pass 5 rivers, after which, we should be near the falls. For a person who has absolutely no spatial intelligence like me, his instructions were hard to follow. However, when we started walking, we realized it isn’t that hard.

We followed the instructions and the flags on the trail, and we got to this beauty:

I can’t deny that there’s human intervention, but it’s astonishing, nevertheless. The water was clean and cold, and we had a dip before heading back.

We headed back to our hotel and packed our things. Since the van ride is too pricey, we opted to take a bus back to Puerto Princesa.

We paid 300 pesos per person (instead of the 600 each for the van ride).

If you’re in a rush, this is not the recommended route. The bus, being a public transport stops often to pick up or drop off passengers. Even more, they pick up commuting students to drop them off near their houses. From what I understood, they do this for free as some of the students live too far from the schools.

We reached Puerto Princesa at around 7 PM. At that point, we just had dinner and went back to our accommodation to rest and pack for the next day’s flight. I was too anxious to be late again, and I thought that preparing earlier would save us the stress.

Which, I figured the next day, isn’t the case. Since we were ready by 9:30 AM, and our flight is not until 11:55, we decided to dropby Baker’s Hill, which is just around 5 KM away from where we stayed that night. We thought we had ample time to travel to and from the famous bakeshop to Puerto Princesa airport. I couldn’t be more wrong.

We opted to take public transportation again; we paid 15 pesos per person for the multicab ride, and 30 pesos for the tricycle ride. To our surprise, it took us almost 45 minutes to get to Baker’s Hill.

We quickly bought all the variants of their famous hopia and went on our way. Accounting for 15 minutes of buying time and 45 more minutes of travel back to the airport, we had 15 minutes allowance (at least) before our flight.

Or so, I thought. I don’t know why, but we got to the drop-off nearest the airport at 11-freaking-45. Which meant we had 10 freaking minutes to get to the airport or we will miss it!!

Again, I ran. I caught the nearest tricycle to take us to the airport. I was confident we’ll make it because I did online check-in, but my Cebu Pacific app just wouldn’t show the boarding pass. I think it smelled fear and decided not to cooperate.

When we arrived at the airport, it was around 11:50. 5 minutes!! I could hear them calling our names, saying that the board gate’s closing.

So, I frantically rushed to the check-in counter, bypassing all those in line and, with great panic, begged the ground crew to please print our boarding pass as they are already closing the gate on us.

She obliged and called her colleague to let them know that we’ve arrived. She printed our boarding passes, and we rushed to the gate.

At this point, everyone’s on board, and we’re the last ones to get in.

No, the flight wasn’t delayed. Nevertheless, we got in, and I couldn’t even begin to describe my relief!

This made this trip easily one of the most memorable of them all. Because of this experience, I also made a mental note to NEVER BE LATE AGAIN.