PALAWAN: THE LAST FRONTIER part 2

EL NIDO (DAY 3)

Bacuit Bay, El Nido

We traveled approximately 6 hours from Puerto Princessa to El Nido by private van across winding roads (again) and mountain and farm landscapes. There's nothing much to see while in transit so you may prefer to sleep. At approximately 1-2 hours in the trip, you 'll get a glimpse of the islands of El Nido, and just like an enchantress taunting you. In reaching El Nido, you could opt by plane from Manila (much costly), from Puerto Princessa you could ride a bus or hire a shuttle van. For more info on daily trips to El Nido, click here.

Marina Garden at night

We booked a Townside room at Marina Garden Beachfront Inn, which as the name implies, is by the beachfront. The room was clean, and has an inviting look because of the paint. Our room's AC, with free WiFi anywhere inside the property. What we didn't like was the clerk on the front desk. Because we arrived at around 1pm, we could not book any tours. So we asked the front desk on what we could do to kill time, but they just looked blankly at us and shrug saying that the only thing to do are the island hopping tours. What?! So how come there were sites saying some other things to do while on the mainland? I guess they were not that helpful, or because they don't know those activities exist. #_#

FOOD TRIP!

On our first day we had lunch at Seaslug, located beside Marina Garden and at the beachfront. The service is good, the food is good enough and with ample servings, but there's nothing so special about the menu (as with some of the restos). :) At night they have live band and you could eat under the starlit sky on tables on the beach.(I tried finding seaslugs in their menu, but unfortunately it has none :)).

Seaslug Bar and Resto

 

We then headed to Art Cafe for dessert and some souvenirs. This is an institution in El Nido, where it is like a one-stop shop. Here you could manage your travels and tours, they have money changers, internet (free WiFi), and of course good food and conversations. Click here to see more.

Art Cafe, El Nido

For dinner, we tried Ric Son's, which is just beside Seaslugs. They also have a live band to entertain diners and you could also dine under the starlit sky. They said it's renowned for its fish delicacies, but sadly we ordered chicken curry and tuna spaghetti (at least it has fish). The food's ok, but still nothing special. :) (sorry, but i've tried food that has more flavor and appeal).

For breakfast we ate at Marina Garden's own cafe because it was part of the room rate. The food was ok, though a bit pricey (I had Longsilog for Php120! The Continental Breakfast was more worth the price).

MG Cafe at night

After our island trip, we head to Squido's for  dinner. Squido's is one of the oldest restaurant in town, which serves French-Filipino cuisines. Though its exterior may not attract potential diners, the interior has a homey feeling to it. They have a wide screen TV near the kitchen, so diners may enjoy the latest on sports. Their specialties are the mixed seafood curry and stuffed squid. 

mixed seafood curry

  
Because we ate a feast on our island tour, we only ordered the mixed seafood curry, which was good for two. And we were shocked when our order arrived, because it was served in a platter and we thought we could not finish it, but we did :) The spiciness makes you to eat some more. Hehe. It was a mix of shells, crab, squid, and fish. For dessert we had banana flambe, which was done with rhum (we think).

ISLAND TOUR

El Nido offers tourists four island tours, which caters to individual's interest. Tour A (mostly beaches) and Tour C (mostly snorkeling) are the most preferred. Tour D is (I think) for divers. The rates are standard as implemented by the Tourism, and all tourists are required to pay Php 200 for the environmental fee (good for 10 days). For snorkeling gears, you may ask your travel agent if they offer it for free. If not, you have to pay Php 100.

Tour A - Php 700/pax 

         Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon,

         Simizu Is.,Entalula Is., Seven Comando Beach

Tour B - Php 800/pax

         Pangulasian Is, Cudognon Cave, Cathedral Cave, 

         Snake Is., Pinagbuyutan Is.

Tour C - Php 900/pax

         Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, 

         Tapuitan Is., Helicopter Is.

Tour D - Php 700/pax

         Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Cove, 

         Ubugon Cave, Cadlao Lagoon, Bukal Is.

TOUR C ISLAND TOUR

Because we had limited time we chose Tour C because it was highly recommended. We boarded the boat of Spur Travel,(which they said it was their boat the Bourne Legacy used) and we were greeted by friendly guide, his assistant, and the driver.  Our first stop was Hidden Beach, then off to Tapuitan Is. for lunch buffet of grilled fish and chicken, cucumber salad, grilled eggplant, and fruits (pineapple and banana). Yum! 

feast on the beach

We aren't able to visit Secret Beach because of bad weather! (I thank God for guiding us safely back to port). All in all it was a good trip. We found two starfish on two islands, shell on Helicopter Is., and a boyband on Hidden Beach (see the photo below)! We also had a good time snorkeling (though they say Honda Bay in Puerto Princessa has more fish to see), and the more reason to appreciate God's artwork and power.

boyband in Hidden Beach!

Matinloc Shrine Ruins

Helicopter Island beach

blue starfish (with only four arms) and a shell!

Helicopter or whale? you decide! This was the island seen in Bourne Legacy

Just a word of advice: although it is much tempting to book your Palawan trip (especially to El Nido) when there are airline ticket sales, think so many times before you book on typhoon months (august to october) because you will not be able to fully appreciate the island.

Click here to read more on our last day.