Day 1: Exploring Puerto Princesa City

I was agitated to take a vacation leave when I spotted the promo fare from Zest Air. The catch was, Php300  all in, offered on their website. Quickly, I informed my high school friends about it and we decided to go to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Moving forward, the day has finally came. Yella, Gilbert, Rey and RJ were my travel buddies for this tour. It was my first time to travel with them that's why we were so excited. We were very lucky that the weather was perfect for a getaway vacation when we stayed in PPS. Prior to that week, it has been days that rain was keep on pouring and we were really praying for a good weather. 

Rey, Gibo and I were first to arrive in PPS Airport. So while waiting, we had a couple of shots inside the arrival area.

With Ray

With Gilbert at the Departure Area Terminal 4

Gangnam style-ing at the Tarmac. lol

Hello Puerto Princesa!

Ray doing the plunking at the conveyor! But looks like a luggage!

Plunking! Much better! haha

Then, Yella and RJ came.

RJ and Yella

We were fetched by Casitaz de Az and checked in around 11 in the morning. We were informed that the city tour will begin around 1:30 in the afternoon so it was a perfect time to rest and eat lunch. Casitaz de Az is a pension house that is 10 minutes away from the airport. We were so blessed that that they have an on-going promo for the off-peak season. For minimum of 2 persons, you only need to pay 400 per person per night inclusive of Airport transfers and breakfast. Nice deal, eh? Not bad at all since we were in a budget travel. The place is so nice though there is an on-going construction but far away from the rooms. We were not after with the luxurious service since we just needed a place to sleep and eat. Staff were so nice and acommodating. They even gave us an idea how much the fare is. By the way, Casitaz de Az is near ABS-CBN regional office.

Casitas De Az Pension House. Feels like home

Standard Room for 2 persons. Not bad.

Room

1:30PM came, our sundo arrived. Ate Maricel was our tour guide and Kuya Rocky was our driver for the city tour. I was informed beforehand that we were 9 persons having the city tour under La Tiara Tours. We needed to pick up 4 persons and the city tour started.

Top left: Rey and Rj.
Below left: Gilbert, Me and Yella

First stop: Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center AKA Crocodile Farm. I was able to touch and see live crocodiles. It gives goosebumps everytime I imagine those creatures especially when I saw the biggest crocodile in the farm. Geez. Anyway, we had a group picture with a 3-day old crocs. I was really frightened to hold it even if the mouth was locked by a tape. I almost died inside. Lol. Aside from crocodile farm, you can navigate the forest given that it is only a self-guide nature tripping.

Solo muna shempre :)

Baby Crocs

Scaryyyyyy!

Yikes!

Second stop: Mitra's Ranch. Gov. Mitra's resthouse is located in this area.You can have horse-back riding and picnic too. Looks like Tagaytay na mainit.

Jumpshot daw. Okay sige, pagbigyan.

The View from Mitra's

Third stop: Baker's Hill. This is where the famous hopias are being sold! They sell two variety: Monggo and Ube. Hopia with Pork oil is the best seller. You know why. Hopia with vegetable oil is also good too. But of course, nothing beats Eng Bee Tin! You can also try the Bandung (Rose Syrup) Milk tea. It is really refreshing!

We've got the same interest. Hahaha!

Bandung Milk Tea, must-try!

Fourth Stop: Binuatan Creations. This is the place where you can try weaving. You can also buy native bags, slippers and other stuff in the Souvenir Shop.

Try weaving

Souvenir Shop

Fifth Stop: Tiange-Tiange. This is where you can buy your pasalubongs from tshirt to pearls to danggit to kasoys. :) We went back on the last day to buy pasalubong.

Baywalk. We were not able to drop by because we need to get to the Plaza Cuartel before 5:30pm. This is the place where the old port was.

Sixth Stop: Plaza Cuartel. This is the place where 143 American prisoners were burned alive by the Japanese soldiers during World War II. A very historic place.

Statue 

Final Stop: Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral. This is near Plaza Cuartel.

In front of the cathedral

The tour was very draining yet informative. Mostly history and the facts behind each place. I felt like I was a highschool student and needed to take notes for the surprise quiz. Lol. 

After resting up a bit, we had dinner at KaLui Restaurant. Seafood was delicious and the place is really relaxing. But you need to call them first to make a reservation because the restaurant is always full.

Next post. :)

Next: Day 2 at Underground River

Au revoir!