Palawan Adventures: El Nido
I've been to El Nido twice - the first one was when I tagged along the higher ups of the Palawan Provincial Health Office around April or May 2010. The second time though, was when I really got to go around with my doctor friends Gerome and Arnel, from September 1-4, 2010.
El Nido is breathtaking. You know when you've reached it when you're greeted by the giant limestone formation. It's gloomy and refreshing at the same time. For a place so famous, it is surprisingly quiet and not congested unlike boracay. We took a van from Puerto Princesa. It was a long and bumpy ride - we left Puerto Princesa at 6-7 am and arrived around 3-4 pm, considering that we have several stop-overs. Gerome actually thought of inviting us over since he was resigning a month after. He took care of our villa rental.
After settling down, we went to take our first meal at Sea Slugs. I don't remember everything that I ordered anymore but the shake was delicious, and the view was very refreshing. We were eating while looking at the peaceful El Nido Bay.
Soon after, we took a quick dip at the beach right in front of the villa then rested for the next day's island tour :)
The day started early. To be able to enjoy our time in each island, we decided to rent an entire boat, which included a lunch and snacks for 6 people! :) We secured permits prior to leaving the island, and we were on our way to enjoying the whole day.
Since this blog entry is almost a year too late, I've forgotten all the islands that we've visited, but a few ones were more memorable.
Small Lagoon. This is memorable because my friend, Arnel, used to work in the island where this is located. When he was still employed, they were FORBIDDEN to explore the tourist spot, and he has longed dreamed to be able to go there. When he finally saw it, there was just overwhelming joy. He said "Annie, I'm so happy!" more than 5x. :) But really, the small lagoon was a sight. We had the place to ourselves. The water was cold and clear. The area was secluded and had I not been with companions, serenity would have been converted to an eerie feeling - like some sea monster would grab you from below and no one would know. I remember being amazed at how quiet it was there.
Big Lagoon. I was not smitten as much by this as I was by the small lagoon, but it is still a beauty. We stayed there for a dip. Unlike the small lagoon where we had to pass through a narrow passage, we walked through a wider path to the swimming area.
Schimizu Island. How can I forget this island when we had 2 delicious lunches in this beautiful place? The boatman served as our cook and waiter too. He set up the tables and chairs (beneath a tree on the first day, then beneath the huge rock formation of the second day) while we snorkeled and enjoyed the colorful corals, fishes and other sea creatures. And I did mention there was food enough for 6 hungry people right? Yum.
Seven Commandos. According to the story, several American soldiers were stranded in this island, hence the name. Just a few meters away from the shore, it started to rain hard, and the experience was just like being trapped in an island because of a storm. We still swam anyway. The rain stopped just before we left. It was a cool experience.
Pangulasian Island. Our boat stopped in the middle of the sea to make us feed the fish. The island was rumored to have been bought by a popular real estate company, so soon, we may not be able to come as close.
Entalula Island. They claim this has the finest sand in El Nido. Yes, its sand is boracay-like. This is actually the beach exclusive for the guests of Lagen Island Resort, but a part of the island is open for the public. As in the other islands, we had the island to ourselves until a couple came to join us half an our later.
Snake Bar. A sand bar seen entirely from the viewing deck.
Matinloc Island. I was sorry to see this island simply because I felt like it should have been maintained. From above, this island is heart shaped. They built a chapel on it but then it is barely used. It also has a grotto and a museum. It's actually a perfect wedding setting with the beach, its seclusion and the island's heart-shape. Sayang! I hope the LGU or the department of tourism could do something about it. The place really looks like it needs to be refurbished, in a major way.
Hidden Lagoon. Thanks for this candid shot, Gerome! I think we snorkeled the longest in this island stop because we had to go around to be able to get back to the boat. The view was great! I saw really huge corals, fish in all colors and i don't know what else. :)
Cave. I forgot its name. We had to crawl through a small opening to enter and it was very challenging for not-so-slim people.
Dinner at Art Cafe. The supervisor of this place was just gracious. Food was superb, I particularly love their pizza!
Dinner at La Salangane, a french restaurant. The food was just okay, but I really loved its ambiance. We also got free rhum shots.
El Nido is breathtaking. You know when you've reached it when you're greeted by the giant limestone formation. It's gloomy and refreshing at the same time. For a place so famous, it is surprisingly quiet and not congested unlike boracay. We took a van from Puerto Princesa. It was a long and bumpy ride - we left Puerto Princesa at 6-7 am and arrived around 3-4 pm, considering that we have several stop-overs. Gerome actually thought of inviting us over since he was resigning a month after. He took care of our villa rental.
After settling down, we went to take our first meal at Sea Slugs. I don't remember everything that I ordered anymore but the shake was delicious, and the view was very refreshing. We were eating while looking at the peaceful El Nido Bay.
Soon after, we took a quick dip at the beach right in front of the villa then rested for the next day's island tour :)
The day started early. To be able to enjoy our time in each island, we decided to rent an entire boat, which included a lunch and snacks for 6 people! :) We secured permits prior to leaving the island, and we were on our way to enjoying the whole day.
Since this blog entry is almost a year too late, I've forgotten all the islands that we've visited, but a few ones were more memorable.
Small Lagoon. This is memorable because my friend, Arnel, used to work in the island where this is located. When he was still employed, they were FORBIDDEN to explore the tourist spot, and he has longed dreamed to be able to go there. When he finally saw it, there was just overwhelming joy. He said "Annie, I'm so happy!" more than 5x. :) But really, the small lagoon was a sight. We had the place to ourselves. The water was cold and clear. The area was secluded and had I not been with companions, serenity would have been converted to an eerie feeling - like some sea monster would grab you from below and no one would know. I remember being amazed at how quiet it was there.
Big Lagoon. I was not smitten as much by this as I was by the small lagoon, but it is still a beauty. We stayed there for a dip. Unlike the small lagoon where we had to pass through a narrow passage, we walked through a wider path to the swimming area.
Schimizu Island. How can I forget this island when we had 2 delicious lunches in this beautiful place? The boatman served as our cook and waiter too. He set up the tables and chairs (beneath a tree on the first day, then beneath the huge rock formation of the second day) while we snorkeled and enjoyed the colorful corals, fishes and other sea creatures. And I did mention there was food enough for 6 hungry people right? Yum.
Seven Commandos. According to the story, several American soldiers were stranded in this island, hence the name. Just a few meters away from the shore, it started to rain hard, and the experience was just like being trapped in an island because of a storm. We still swam anyway. The rain stopped just before we left. It was a cool experience.
Pangulasian Island. Our boat stopped in the middle of the sea to make us feed the fish. The island was rumored to have been bought by a popular real estate company, so soon, we may not be able to come as close.
Entalula Island. They claim this has the finest sand in El Nido. Yes, its sand is boracay-like. This is actually the beach exclusive for the guests of Lagen Island Resort, but a part of the island is open for the public. As in the other islands, we had the island to ourselves until a couple came to join us half an our later.
Snake Bar. A sand bar seen entirely from the viewing deck.
Matinloc Island. I was sorry to see this island simply because I felt like it should have been maintained. From above, this island is heart shaped. They built a chapel on it but then it is barely used. It also has a grotto and a museum. It's actually a perfect wedding setting with the beach, its seclusion and the island's heart-shape. Sayang! I hope the LGU or the department of tourism could do something about it. The place really looks like it needs to be refurbished, in a major way.
Hidden Lagoon. Thanks for this candid shot, Gerome! I think we snorkeled the longest in this island stop because we had to go around to be able to get back to the boat. The view was great! I saw really huge corals, fish in all colors and i don't know what else. :)
Cave. I forgot its name. We had to crawl through a small opening to enter and it was very challenging for not-so-slim people.
Dinner at Art Cafe. The supervisor of this place was just gracious. Food was superb, I particularly love their pizza!
Dinner at La Salangane, a french restaurant. The food was just okay, but I really loved its ambiance. We also got free rhum shots.
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