The Traveler: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
By The Parodist | September 26, 2008
I went on a short trip to Palawan a couple of weeks back and stayed mainly in Puerto Princesa. Twas my third visit, last was back in June 2005. Previous visits were mostly to discover fabulous beaches like Dos Palmas and Sabang, island-hopping in Honda Bay and check out a few island attractions like the Underground River, Viet Ville and Dang Maria. Unfortunately, the latter had shut down. What rotten luck cuz I was so looking forward to coming back to photograph the place. Of course, the trip to Puerto Princesa won’t be complete without visiting Ka Lui.
This trip was a bit different. Which is something good cuz we wouldn’t want to travel to a place you’ve been to before and do the same things over and over, yea? Anyway, it’s more like hanging out with good friends, filled with conversations, laughter, and photos.
I love these girls to bits!
Primary reason for making the trip was to visit our friend K who had moved back to Palawan to settle. She was having her son, RK, dedicated esp on the weekend of our visit since we were all ninangs (godmothers). Let me tell you this, I’ve seen my share of babies but he was one huge 2-month old! He’s so fair and adorably looked Chinese! What a cute baby! (So says a proud ninang!)
Alright. Apart from the child dedication, other things on the plate were, yea, FOOD.
I guess I’m referring to sampling their coffee over at a popular local coffee shop, Itoy’s. That’s where I mooched off some free wifi cuz I needed to work a bit.
For the third time, dinner and drinks at the now surprisingly “reservations only” Ka Lui. Sampling the Tubataha Salad was certainly a new experience for my good friend, R. The place has quadrupled their loyal following since I had last been there.
Late lunch at Nitchie’s Vietnamese Noodle House, where I had sampled their Spicy Ribs and Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls till I was too full to walk.
Varied dishes but with grilled chicken specialty at Inato. I enjoyed the lechon so much that I wanted to go for seconds.
And one of my favourites, hotel breakfast at The Legend Palawan. If only I wasn’t nursing a massive headache that morning, I would’ve wolfed down all the suman (rice cake) and latik (coconut-based sweetener) around.
Time to check out some of the photos!
Nitchie’s Vietnamese Noodle House
Spicy Ribs at Nitchie’s
Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls at Nitchie’s
What I ate at Inato. Look at that positively sinful lechon! Of course the chicken inato was yummy, too!
Right before we went and cooled off at the pool.
Just checked out so we can hit the market and shop for pasalubongs.
The blue cake that’s so pretty you’re about close to not eating it. Nope, didn’t happen.
Moving on to the rest of the things in our itinerary.
We also scheduled a time to visit the studio of my friend’s cousin who happens to be a photographer. It was our chance to get a few photos taken together and with baby K. It’s been a while since we last did this that’s why this was pretty awesome!
I grabbed the opportunity to snap some photos and make use of the studio’s lights. I also took a few using the cold light streaming in from the glass windows. I actually was able to take some interesting photos. Cool! I’ll upload the rest of the photos sometime soon.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see the prints!
Last but not the least, we found ourselves in Puerto Aventura Beach Resort Cottages, located half an hour away from the city center.
Puerto Aventura is owned by R’s uncle and was quite an interesting place. I remember having seen it on my last visit but a lot has changed since then.
Exploring the place, I found myself captivated by rustic designs: net curtains with dried coconut leaves knotted into birds that are seemingly trapped in the net, fish carved on the bark which are then used as decors on the post that holds up a multi-level cottage, plus other wooden knick knacks.
And then there’s the shell curtain.
We came at low tide so there’s this wide expanse of white sand littered with young Mangroves.
If there’s one thing that tourists often over-look about Palawan is that it’s one of the places where Mangroves are found and protected.
Last time I saw tons of Mangroves on the beach was on one of the islands in Honda Bay during my first trip to Palawan. I was incredibly fascinated by them then and had wondered how they thrive in salt water. But I failed to read up on it. I reckon I’m adding that to my to do list for, er.. I’ll do it within the next few days.
Do any of you guys know? Help a girl out. Hehe.
At Puerto Aventura, you’ll also see huts surrounded by Mangroves at one side (and trees!) and the sea on the other.
Fascinating beach backdrop. Instead of massively tall coconut trees, you’ll see scores of Mangroves all around sands and even in the water!
We also checked out the almost-finished Baywalk (yes, they also have one in Puerto Princesa!) which looked promising! I reckon they’ll be putting up restos around the area, er, I’m hoping, that is. It’s a great place to hangout. Sorry, no photos cuz we didn’t stay long.
Okay. I hadn’t planned on doing a long post but with so much to tell and lots of photos, I reckon it ought to have been expected. LOL.
With that I leave you with two last words:
“Whatever Yaya!” (Sorry, inside joke.)
All Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel except for the first two and last photos; by Marivic Arteta and the rest by Roel Almonte, accordingly. Picnapped from Raissa.
Humour Me:
- The Beach Monger: Palawan
- The Traveler: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- The Traveler: A Taste of Vigan and Everything North
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, The Traveler |
September 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am
great travelogue
what camera do you use?
September 27th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Thanks. I use a Canon 400D.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Wher in Palawan did ypu see the mangroves?… Is the place an ecotourism site?.. The setting is amazing..
September 29th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Now I know, mangrove ecosystem could be a tourist spot…. The girls are cote!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:16 am
Nurhanina: First was in several islands in Honda Bay. They also market the area as such. Palawan is an amazing place.
NJ: If you’ve lived most of your life in an urban area, seeing Mangroves can be a special thing. Also, if it’s located in a gorgeous place then tourists will definitely want to check it out.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
hi would just like to ask if you still have the website or contact numbers of aventura. and is it a beachfront? where located… thanks so much
October 9th, 2008 at 9:03 am
love the place, love the food, love the girls, bouncy baby