It was the typhoon season in the Philippines. My favorite travel buddy and I were hesitant to push through with this trip. First, yeah, a stubborn amount of rainfall might ruin the plan. Second, work-related issues, and third, budget. We must admit, when we hear El Nido, we think of a bigger amount of money to spend in order to enjoy the beauty of that place. BUT! That is not true.
So we managed to overcome all three impediments. Well, if you’ll ask how we did on the first one? Prayer. It always works! (Amen). And we just found ourselves planning our escapade to this wonderful place in Palawan.
We arrived in Puerto Princesa past 6 in the evening and hit the road to El Nido by 7:30. Travel time is 5-6 hours depending on the mode of transportation. For those who are not availing a package, there are buses going to El Nido as late as 9pm.
There is a stop-over called “Halfway” where you can avail a 70-pesos meal. I think this is the only stopover within the trip so better fill in your stomach with whatever they have. That night, food choices are limited but their viands are delicious. Hope you’ll find Adobo and Calamares during your trip coz it was hmmm!
A little before 1am, we reached El Nido and were picked up by the resort friendly staffs. Oh, I would just like to share this funny moment – since Hadefe is an off-the-road resort, a tricycle is a must when you are bringing heavy baggage. That night when we were fetched, I was amazed on how their tricycle fit on a narrow street, probably a meter and a half wide. You would think that just a single motorcycle can go through it, but no! The resort-owned tricycles were actually measured to fit in. This street is located in Lally and Abet’s resort. Got no pictures, but you’ll see… 😉
Hadefe Cottages
We were lucky because it’s off-season and we were able to secure a good package from Hadefe Travel and Tours. Well, I must say, even if it’s not off-season, one must be patient enough to look for an affordable accommodation and learn how to budget each trip wisely. *wink*wink*
It was an air-conditioned cottage good for 4 persons fronting the beach and with a serene view of Cadlao Island every morning; With private bathroom;No television though. There are some accommodations in El Nido that have this amenity, but I don’t think you can maximize the use of a TV as there are a lot of activities you can do. Btw, electricity is out from 6am to 2pm.
The owner of Hadefe is very accommodating and he gave us a good package. He is very patient and he drafted our itinerary just the way I wanted it. Cheers, Sir!
Our package was worth Php. 8,500 per pax that includes the following:
Airport Transfers
Van transfer from PP to El Nido – back and forth)
4 nights accommodation in Hadefe
Tour A
Tour C
Taraw Cliff Climbing
Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beaches
Underground River Tour in Puerto Princesa
PP City tour
1 night accommodation in Puerto Princesa (Ysabelle mansions)
All lunch during tour
All breakfast meals
Very sulit, isn’t? 🙂
Island Tour C
This was our first tour. El Nido offers a variety of Island tours, A,B,C and D which cost Php1200, 1300, 1400 and 1300 respectively (rates as of this writing) and there is a Php200 environmental fee which is good for a 10-day stay. In our case, it is also included in the package + guide fees and insurances.
TOUR C covers Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach , Star Beach, Tapiutan Island, and Helicopter Island.
*SECRET BEACH*
*MATINLOC SHRINE*
shot from the view deck in Matinloc
Lunch @ *STAR BEACH*
*HELICOPTER ISLAND*
Do not forget to bring underwater camera. It-is-a-must! According to our guide, Kuya Loy, Helicopter Island is the best snorkeling spot in the tour, and yes it is! I’m a non-swimmer and it’s my first to snorkel. Thanks to my beau who has been very supportive. Ehem, and He’s proud of me! Naks!
*TAPIUTAN ISLAND*
This is our last stop and we spent the rest of the tour for photo ops…for the other peeps, nap time 😀
SUNSET in CORONG CORONG Beach
I’ve read a lot about not missing the sunset in Corong-Corong so I included this in our to-do list.
While finding a place to dine after the island tour, we decided to go straight to Corong. It was a little after 5 and we hailed a tricycle to take us there. I was a little anxious because the driver is not familiar on where he should take us for a best spot, I worry we may not be able to make it on time.
From our place, I heard the fare is just Php10 per head, but since kuya-tryc noticed that we are tourists, you know, the typical- he charged us Php100 for a back and forth ride. It was okay since we were able to watch the sunset. Buti nalang, ha!
The100-peso ride was worth it 🙂
DINING in EL NIDO
You won’t be having problems with this, because El Nido has a variety of food establishments from high end restaurants and bar down to eateries that offer Php50-60/meal.
We treated ourselves once, at the LONESOME CARABAO LOUNGE. A lot of foreign tourists dine here. They offer a wide range of food choices – Mexican, Italian, Pinoy favorites, etc. A bit pricey for a budget traveler but food is good.
And there’s the famous MIDTOWN BAKERY. I was curious about their breads and pastries, so we tried the blueberry muffin (Php35) and their pan de coco (Php10/pack), I tell you…Yum! This can last up to 3days so I was able to bring some back home.
Island Tour A
Another beautiful day has come to El Nido and we are ready for Tour A.
Our first destination *SMALL LAGOON*
For me it was like a huuuggee swimming pool. It’s the best place to kayak. Sadly we weren’t able to rent one and regretted every minute of it as we watched some of the tourists happily paddling as they too, enjoy the beauty of the place (not to mention the foreign couple who is busy making out he he he). Anyway, we still had fun taking a dip in the lagoon with the help of our most precious floaters and of course our guide, Kuya Jun-Jun &co.
*BIG LAGOON*
Another wonderful place, and I’m out of words to describe it. We were not allowed to swim here and was advised to just take as many pictures as we can. We were also warned that whatever comes out of the boat, will never have a chance to be saved (katakot anu) because the water is too deep. If I remember it right, it is 27 meters deep – so I really held on tightly on my camera phone @_@
Kuya Loy also said that wedding ceremonies are being held in this place. No doubt about it. 😉
*ENTALULA ISLAND*
I finally had a chance to take pictures of our lunch. #excitedkumain #takotmagutom
Two thumbs up for the sumptuous meals that they provided during the tour!
As pushy as I am, I snorkeled not too far from our boat after lunch. And geez, it’s another spot! Our boatmen gave us some food to feed on the fishes and you know what happened next…
One of the guides borrowed our camera. He dived and when he gave it back, this is what (who) he found….
Pretty. These nemo shots looked like postcards to me. But they are real. This is my “awww” moment for that day.
Do you see the Pawikan at the center? Please excuse the photo bomber :p
*SIMIZU ISLAND*
Oh this was fun… We haven’t jump out of the water yet and we can already see a lot of fishes whirling around the boat. Good thing is that I got hold of a biscuit and the moment I opened my hand underwater, Poof! Yay!
*SEVEN COMMANDO*
This is the last island to visit. You can simply relax in this place and eat your snacks, We had halo-halo for Php100 (price is doubled of course :p)
Our group had fun playing volleyball with the locals. I really prefer to do private tours, but since these tours in El Nido are quite expensive, we had to share, and we were lucky to be a part of a cool group.
We chose Tour A and C because it was the best recommended by the locals and some other who have been in the place. As much as we want to do all four, we are days short. There are inland tours, which includes Cliff climbing, beach bumming, trekking, waterfalls and hot springs! Woohooh. Try to plan a 5-day vacation here, allot a day for the travel, and one day for Puerto Princesa. A one week vacation would be sweet!
Click on this link for the Inland Tours
https://lovegrandmadiaries.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/inland-tours-in-el-nido/
Puerto Princesa Tour
https://lovegrandmadiaries.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/puerto-princesa-palawan/
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