Puerto Princesa

Four days in Puerto Pricesa was just what the doctor ordered. My TravelCom assignment began with an all-expense paid trip to Palawan. Even though the flight was delayed (as with most flights by a famous budget airline) the chaos was worth the trip.

The first day was uneventful, we had a late flight and there was not much to do at night so we just chilled and ordered room service. The following morning was an entirely different story. We woke up at 6am for breakfast as we have a 7am pick up for the island hopping trip. I was nursing a migraine so I had to take meds and it was gone by the time we reached the boat.

Honda Bay was breathtaking. One of the good things about Palawan it is not congested with tourist yet. So the beaches are clean and the islands are serene. There are no bars and hotels crowding the area, so the ambiance is laid back. The stops included Pambato Reef, Luli Island and Cowrie Island. We went snorkeling and saw an amazing array of corals and fishes (some species of which remains unnamed). Eating lunch by the sea, not to mention having an abundance of food, makes for an awesome day. My skin tone may have suffered and I’m exhausted to the bone but the day was so fascinating that I barely minded everything else.

We took things down a notch on the 3^rd day. We didn’t have such an early morning so I was able to enjoy an American style breakfast at the hotel. The day’s agenda was a tour of the city. We only passed by the Puerto Princesa Bay walk as it was too hot to go bike riding under the scorching heat. After which we stopped by Plaza Cuartel, just opposite of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. It used to be a camp that held POWs. The story behind the place and seeing the memorial statue for the POWs was a little heart wrenching. We were also able to stop by the church for some momentary reflection then it was off to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center formerly known as the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park.

It’s the 2^nd time I visited the place and nothing really changed in the past 2 years. The skin and bones of a huge sea water crocodile was showcased in the main lobby, you can see the smaller ones in different stages of growth in the Hatchling House and then move to the cages of the older, larger and meaner crocodiles on the last stop. There are also plenty of other animals in the wildlife reserve area such as ostriches, cockatoos, bearcats and more.

The Mitra Ranch was our next stopover. The main area was the house that belonged to the late Senator Ramon Mitra, he was a House of Representative Speaker. It is on a hilltop overlooking the city and is one of the must-see places when visiting Palawan. The ranch is a vast land incorporated with a few activities for tourist such as horseback riding, outdoor trampoline and even an adventure zip line.

We hit a couple of souvenir shops along the way and bought a couple of things but my favorite place and our last stop was Baker’s Hill. It’s all in the name. If you love freshly baked goods that are just mouthwateringly awesome then, like me, this is your stop. They have an abundance of Hopia, Pianono Rolls, Yema, Chocolate Crinkles, Pulvoron, and so much more. Another great thing about this place is that they make and pack their goods on the same day which guarantees that you get them fresh. Apart from the food, there are also whimsical statuettes along the road plus classic wood furniture that are perfect for photo addicts. This place is famous for a reason. Good food + good ambiance = great place.

All in all it was a fun trip. All your problems look so menial when you’re on an island vacation. But for now, it’s back to reality for me. I have articles to finish and preparations to make for my next trip. Yes, there is a next trip. See you in less than two week Pagudpud!! ^_^