PALAWANdering

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.

-John Lubbock

It was not summer then. 

August is normally a rainy month in the Philippines, but not the time when we were set to fly to Palawan. Thank God!  The weather was good for a travel, but the “weather within me” was dark and cloudy.  Almost every sign that could have told me not to come passed by – last minute tasks at work,  some financial constraints, other responsibilities,  and…honestly, some confusions about the person from the past.  And did I mention that the trip was scheduled 25^th to 28^th of August, the third day being my 26^th birthday?  Birthday away from home was something new to me. It was also the time when quarter-life crisis was at its peak.

“Lord,” I said, “If pursuing this trip is according to Your will, then let it happen. And let me feel that I deserve it. I’ve been too tired and sick lately."

And it did happen.  Otherwise, I would have not been able to write this blog. 

We almost missed our plane ride.  We were able to board the plane almost when it was about to take off. How was that?  The reason for this is another story.

We were deprived of sleep.  We headed to the airport right after our 4-hour overtime from our 4pm-1AM work.

But look...Hello Puerto Princesa!  

I guess that shirt was meant to be worn.  I loved the place! And I still do!

 VentureVille. 


This is the pension house where we stayed in.  The accommodation was pre-booked with the tour package.  I think it is not so-much known for travelers, but I believe the place is decent enough for a budget-friendly stay. Everything you might need is available, just with the absence of luxury.  We stayed at their apartment type rooms.  

Food Trips


The first meal we ever had in Puerto Princesa was in Balinsasayaw.  It is located along Rizal Avenue, fronting Itoy’s Coffee House.  For a place located along a highway, the ambience is good.  Each table is set up in a kubo (nipa hut).  The setup is good for small groups’ gatherings. The food is not bad at all, but it wasn’t special.  One thing unforgettable with that place was the bell which we had to shake everytime we needed assistance from the waiters and waitresses.  And that is from time to time. Ha!

Talk about ironies.  I did't have pictures of the food. :D  Then, Ka Lui.  My personal favorite. Undeniably, it’s also one of the most famous restaurants in the city. Their barefootin’ gimmick makes them unique.  The feel makes you want to think that you’re in a native nipa hut in the middle of a farm, with folk songs as the background.  They serve different specials from day to day.  So you will not end up ordering the same set of meals per day.  This is, however, the most expensive of meals that we had during our stay.

 For a three-day stay in a place far from home,  some kind of educational tour doesn't hurt.  :)

The first tour that we had was to Crocodile Farm (formally known as National Wildlife and Conservation Center.  I'd say that Politics is not very terrible in the place,  but you could find a lot of small to big crocodiles here (oh well... literally, I mean).  

Crocodile Farm / National Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

Then, off to Baker's Hill -- which I think is the most popular bakeshop in the city. It's not their food that I enjoyed but the gang's some crazy photo shoots, I guess. ^_^

Then, to Iwahig Penal Colony.  A prison without bars.  Law-offenders (even from outside of Palawan) are sent here as prisoners.  Either they plant crops,  do some handicrafts and  other activities.  I have heard of an airconditioned jail in Subic, but I guess nothing beats this.   Our tour guide told us that some of the prisoners bring their families to live them there.  With the kind of surroundings they have,  plus the free food provided to them, who would want to escape?  We even joked of trying to violate a traffic rule in the city so we could have a permanent home to stay in. Haha!

Iwahig.  The prison without bars.  Except that one in the middle picture.

Mitra's Ranch.  We had a very short stop here.  I just enjoyed the view and the feel of being a Haciendera even for a few minutes.

Mitra's Ranch.

The city has it's own Baywalk, too.  We did not have the chance to stroll around though, because it rained when we were there.  This blurry picture attempted to capture the beauty of the city lights.

Puerto Prinsesa's Baywalk.