One of the exciting things to do when in Puerto Princesa is island hopping. If you’re an adventurer, this is the one for you. This begins in Honda Bay, a 20 – 30 minute drive from the city proper. We booked a package at gopalawan.travel and paid $68 (for 2 people) via Paypal. Method of payment is very convenient, we didn’t have to go to the bank or pay cash. A van picked us up at Pads (our hotel) and also brought us back after the tour.

We arrived at the Honda Bay dock station at around 8:30 am. This is the time that it’s packed with tourists, ready to go island hopping. The pump boat can accommodate around 10 people. Our first stop was Pambato Island where we snorkeled and saw beautiful corals and fishes. This was actually my first time to snorkel and I really enjoyed it. Seeing the fishes and other sea creatures in their natural habitat was heavenly. As my body was floating while snorkeling, my mind was floating as well, just like in a state of grandeur which I can’t really explain. I am seeing another world within our world which I haven’t explored in my entire life.

Snake Island, Puerto Princesa

The next island that we visited was Snake Island. The reason it was called as such because of the shape of the island and not because it’s infested with snakes. This island has a sandbar which is very evident when it’s low tide. It also has mangroves in some parts areas. We spent around 2 hours in the island and we also had our lunch here (already included in our package). We also fed the fishes here with the bread that we bought before we began the island hopping.

Our next stop was Pandan Island. For me, this is my most favorite island. It’s very peaceful and it’s like you’re lost in the middle of nowhere. I enjoyed the moment by swimming in the clear, pristine waters and fishfeeding! I said to myself, “ahh, this is the life”.

This was where some of our tour companions had fun with jump shots. Here’s one Canadian lady we met who enjoyed the jump shots:

We left early because some of our companions have a flight back to Manila so we headed back to the base at around 4 pm. This was one of my most memorable experiences in the Philippines and I am looking forward to seeing more of like this in other provinces.

Actually, you can go there without a package. You can rent a boat for around Php 3000 – 4000 for a whole day. If you’re worried about food, you can either bring your own or buy fresh seafood in the island and pay the locals there to cook them for you (or called “paluto”). There are also other islands there that you can visit but according to our tour guide Gloria, the must visits are really Pandan, Snake and Pambato Islands. But if you are lazy to think of where to go for island hopping, I would suggest that you get a package. There are a lot of travel packages that you find when you step into the Puerto Princesa arrival area.

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In the whole duration of our trip in Puerto Princesa, we stayed at Pads by Legend Hotels. Pads is situated just beside Legend Hotel and both share the same entrance, same frontdesk and same staff. By the time we arrived in front of the hotel entrance, we were welcomed by festive music while a garland made up of shells were hung around us.

I’m not sure though if they do it for each guest that arrives there but it was also the same time when some members of the Knights of Columbus arrived.

Twin Flat

The room we got in Pads is a Twin Flat which has two single beds that are perpendicular to each other. The room has a flat screen television with Cable and air-conditioner. There’s also a telephone inside the room that you can use if ever you need room service. It also has a private bathroom. If you’re planning to have your stay there, you do not need to bring towels since they have one already. Inside the bathroom, there’s soap and shampoo (of small sizes) provided.

Outlets provided in the room are enough. Me and Sha can charge our phones and cameras simultaneously.

Even though the area of the room is quite small, I’m satisfied with our stay in Pads since our purpose in going to Puerto Princesa is to travel around.

A hotel booking in Pads is inclusive of one-way airport transfer (airport to the hotel). Breakfast is not included but you can dine at the restaurant of Legend Hotel and avail their buffet breakfast 350 pesos per head). If you’ll be in Palawan for a business trip, it’s also good to stay there since their lobby has Wi-Fi The rate of our room is 720 pesos per night. FYI, the room rates vary depending on the date you’ll stay there. The rate that we got was actually lower than what was quoted to me. We stayed there from March 5 to 7, 2010 (2 nights only).

For me, the rate that we got is reasonable.

Pads by Legend Hotels
Malvar Street
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines
Tel. No.: +632 7022700 to 04 and 0917.7022700
Fax No.: +632 638.9255 and +632 702.2780

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Baker’s Hill is known to have delicious baked goodies such as Chocolate Crinkles, Hopia, Brownies and many more but aside from that, it is also known to be a theme park for Puerto Princesa citizens and tourists as well. Baker’s Hill is like a kiddie wonderland filled with fiberglass sculptures adapted from popular Disney characters. This will certainly make you feel that you’re in Disneyland, but without the gigantic and flashy carnival rides. The place is great for families because there is a playground wherein kids can just be themselves and adults can be kids again.

Baker’s Hill started out as a usual bakery but they eventually expanded and decided to make it into a theme park. And now, this has become a popular destination for the Puerto Princesa City Tour. Our friendly tricycle driver brought us there after coming from the Mitra Ranch which was just nearby. We heard that the owner was not originally born in Puerto Princesa, but also a tourist just like us who decided to stay in Puerto Princesa and venture into this kind of business.

There were houses that seemed like what we imagine in fairy tales. It brought me back to my childhood because the houses were so adorable especially fictional characters. Unfortunately, you can’t picnic there. Food establishments are just around the corner and food is not that really expensive (around 50 to 80 pesos per meal?).

There is no entrance fee in Baker’s Hill. In fact, you can just go there and take a look around. For us, we stayed there for about 30 minutes. After looking around, we headed to the bakery and bought ourselves pasalubongs for our families in Manila.

Baker’s Hill is located at the Mitra Road, Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City.

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A short visit to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk is part of our city tour itinerary. The development of the area may be still incomplete but it is a lovely place to stroll around. How I wish we could stay a bit longer here so that we could see more of it.

A stroll around in the Baywalk of Puerto Princesa would have been more ideal if it’s done early in the morning or just before sunset. We went there while the sun is high up. It would also be interesting to see it at night because of these beautifully designed lamp posts.

Our guide told us that the peacock is the symbol of Puerto Princesa City which is a part of the city’s official seal. You can see the image of the seal of Puerto Princesa in this page. The symbol was probably chosen because of the Palawan Peacock Pheasant which is an endangered specimen and is endemic to Palawan.

These colorful fish on display is a great spot to take group photos. I bet this looks more lovely in the evening.

In addition, you’ll see a splendid view of the bay which is great to take photos of during day time.

If you happen to be in Puerto Princesa City during the first week of April, do visit Baywalk for the Pangalipay sa Baybay.

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Plaza Cuartel, located just a few meters away from Immaculate Conception Cathedral, has a dark past. During the World War II, 143 American soldiers were burned inside the tunnel by Japanese soldiers. Eleven soldiers were able to escape from Plaza Cuartel. In 1997, Plaza Cuartel was transformed into a leisure park after it was occupied by the National Police.

There are steel bars that blocks the entrance to the tunnel. Looking at the opening of the tunnel while thinking of what happened there is a scary thought indeed.

Inside Plaza Cuartel, you’ll see the Memorial Marker for the 143 American POW (Prisoners of War).

In addition, you will also see there a memorial made by Don Schloat. Don Schloat is a World War II veteran and he was once imprisoned in Plaza Cuartel. Check out some photos of Don Schloat here.

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Immaculate Conception Cathedral is just one of the tourist attractions in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It is located along Rizal Avenue in Barangay Liwanag (located across Plaza Cuartel). This cathedral is very historic. This used to be a small church during the Spanish occupation (circa 1872).

In 1961, it was developed to become a cathedral. Although there were developments made, the church edifice was preserved. Its design, as you may have noticed, have angular structures. The arches inside and outside the church are pointed.

If you happen to be in Puerto Princesa during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (celebrated from November 29 to December 8), you will see their grand celebration in honor of their patroness.

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While we’re at the Butterfly Garden, I spotted this sign on a refrigerator . Does that mean we can drink beer while we’re in the Butterfly Garden? Perhaps drinking a bottle of Gatorade (spelled as Getorade on the sign) would be a better idea.

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Puerto Princesa is lucky to become a haven of different species of butterflies in South East Asia. The Butterfly Garden is located in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa. It’s a small garden filled with beautiful butterflies in their natural habitat where lots of plants and flowers where butterflies can frolic onto. There are also some dragonflies there that mix with butterflies. It’s really a magical place and made me thought of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The facade is very simple but when you’re inside, it’s like you’re taken away to a fairy-tale like place and can make you forget the outside world for a while.

Butterfly Pupae

Aside from garden, they also have a lover’s bench hidden somewhere in the garden. Isn’t it romantic when you’re with someone you love and experience love together with the beautiful butterflies? I guess the non-romantic person will definitely appreciate this.

Entrance fee is just 20 pesos and you can stay for as long as you like inside (for as long as you’re not part of a tour group ). You can also see other photos that I took here (these are Karla’s photos ).

How to get there:

Tricycle – There are some tricycle drivers who would offer you city tour in Puerto Princesa for 300 – 500 pesos. This is usually part of their tour. That’s how we were able to get there. You can also ask a regular tricycle driver to just go straight there, just not sure how it would cost you but I guess around 150 or more.

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You’d probably think that after the city tour in Palawan, you’ll just have dinner and grab a couple of beers at Kinabuchs. You may want to rethink your itinerary and experience firefly watching. In firefly watching you will cruise the Iwahig river for an hour and you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the fireflies. Iwahig river is located at Highway km. 20 Barangay Iwahig Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Going There
We hired a tricycle driver and offered us to bundle the city tour and our transportation to Iwahig River and go to Kinabuchs after the cruise. We added 700 pesos to be able to include Iwahig River in one of our stops.

River cruise fees
We only paid 600 pesos for a boat with a capacity of around 4 people including the boatman.

The Experience
We arrived there a bit early for the river cruise. Around the area, there are some cottages where you can have a picnic with your family or friends before the cruise. There’s also restrooms for both male and female. The area which houses the information desk also has souvenir stuff displayed that one may buy. In the same area, you can also have your other things kept there while you’re on the cruise.

We had merienda that we bought from Baker’s Hill while waiting for us to be called by our boatman. It is important that you bring snacks with you and bottled water as well so that you won’t feel hungry during the cruise and firefly watching and while you’re on your way back.

After around half an hour of waiting, we were called by our boatman. We wore our life vests (which is mandatory for safety purposes) and they asked us if we want to wear the “salakot”.

While we were cruising the river, I had mixed emotions. I was happy and a bit scared at the same time. Hearing the sound made by the crickets while cruising the river at night would give you this eerie feeling. By the time I saw the fireflies, the eerie feeling was then replaced by sheer happiness because of its beauty.

At one point during our cruise, the boatman asked us to struck off the water and look on it. He told us that those are planktons. They give out light when there’s motion. There’s a scientific explanation here.

Firefly watching at Iwahig River is an activity that should not be missed. It’s a great escape from the urban jungle where you will get initimate with nature.

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Puerto Princesa’s pride, the Subterranean River National Park is now an official finalist in the New 7 Wonders of the World. This won’t only be Puerto Princesa’s pride but definitely be the Philippines’ pride.

The New7Wonders in Zurich announced on July 21,2009 that the Subterranean River is part of the finalists after the third phase of voting all over the world. Below is the official announcement of Bernard Weber, president and founder of New7Wonders:

“Congratulations to the supporters of Puerto Princesa from around the world for their passionate, inspiring work in bringing them up from over 440 participants into this elite finalist group of just 28. This is an extraordinary achievement and the eyes of the planet will be upon the Puerto Princesa National Park and the Philippines for the next 2 years. We look forward to an exciting and record-breaking final race, with the whole world coming together to choose the Official New7Wonders of Nature, 7 locations that will become part of Global Memory for ever,”

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