EL NIDO PALAWAN 2014 - DAY 3

This is my El Nido Palawan 2014 travel blog. It was really an awesome experience to witness the beauty of this paradise and see it personally for the very first time.

DAY 3 -

Good Morning El Nido Palawan!!! It's Island Hopping day! Kuya Rodrigo made an offer for us to avail of the combination tour which is Tour A + C. Cost is Php1,500 per pax inclusive of everything (with lunch already, snorkling gears and towels). We first had our breakfast at the same carinderia we visited the night before and I ordered cornsilog. After that, we passed by the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in El Nido and thanked the Lord for our safe arrival and stay in El Nido. As we returned to Tay Miloys, Kuya Rodrigo said that the other group is already waiting for us in Bacuit Bay (they are also guests at the inn and there were 6 of them).

Tour A + C... they say that if you are a first timer
in El Nido, you must choose this first...

It didn't take too long and the boat for our Island Hopping tour arrived and we met Kuya Raffy and the rest of the guys who took great care of us on this awesome adventure. And so we headed on to the ocean and started our journey to experience the best of El Nido's Island Hopping tour. As what I mentioned, we avail the combination tour which is Tour A + C. Kuya Raffy said that because of the distance of each island that we will visit, we will first do Tour C which includes the following: Helicopter Island / Hidden Beach / Matinloc Shrine / Secret Beach and Star Beach.

We passed by Cadlao Island and it was really amazing. After that we finally arrived in Helicopter Island but I thought that the water there is somewhat deep so I just opt to take some pictures.

Cadlao Island it is! 

Helicopter Island!

Astig di bah?!

This is amazinggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 10 minutes, Kuya Raffy said that we need to move on and we then sailed toward the vast ocean onto Matinloc Island where the next stop, Hidden Beach is located. The boat ride got a bit scary as the waves grew bigger and the boatmen explained that it's because we are already in open sea and it is actually normal. We arrived at Hidden Beach and one needs to wade through the water but you need to balance yourself as the pounding waves are a bit rough. Also, make sure to wear your slippers and don't go on barefoot since you will need to walk through rocks and better be careful so as not to get wounded since these are quite sharp.

This is just wonderful... nuff said!

We entered a small cave and on the other side is a magnificent beach which is literally hidden. There are a lot of foreign and local tourist and the water is refreshing and shallow and you can see fishes swimming below. One Kuya pointed out a coral where "Nemo" dwells but suddenly I felt something bit me on my legs. Kuya laughed and said that it is just another kind of fish that is actually territorial and tends to bite on anything that goes near it's hideout. Of course we made sure to swim on this wonderful beach and take pictures and after 10 minutes or so, Kuya Raffy said that we need to go on to our next stop which is Matinloc Shrine.

Hidden Beach!

The boat docked and one can see the magnificent shrine of Matinloc. We took pictures and what I liked most is the one wherein there is a statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the beach. We also climb a staircase where you can see the scenic view and you literally need to climb up a limestone karst. Such a wonderful sight once you are on top! 

Welcome to Matinloc Shrine!

Very nice!

Thank you Lord for the blessings! =)

Climbing the limestone karst of Matinloc

I'm on top! 

After this, we moved on to our next stop which is Secret Beach, now this one is a real challenge since the boat will dock near a small cavern and you must swim to be able to get inside the Secret Beach. The waters depth is around 20 feet and you must bring your snorkel to appreciate the view of the oceans' bottom. And so upon entering the small cave entrance, you will witness a beautiful place and it is literally a "Secret" Beach. The lime stones are old and you can just imagine how it was formed millions of year ago. Sadly, we were not able to take pictures here because we do not have an underwater camera but that is fine with me. The most important thing is I was able to see and experience this awesome secret wonder.

It's already lunch time and our boatmen searched for a place where we can relax, swim and eat our lunch. Upon docking on a small beach area, the Kuya's prepared our meal while all of us snorkled our hearts out. Such beauty as we saw lots of different fish, sea creatures and corals. This is really the best part as you will appreciate nature at it's best! After that, lunch is ready and we all had a merry time afterwards.

I just love snorkeling! =)

Lunch Time with the group... =)

Yum, yum yum! =)

Soon it's time to move on with the tour and Kuya Raffy said that it's time for us to do Tour A. First stop is Secret Lagoon. Same as with Secret Beach, there is a small cave entrance but with this one, you just need to wade again but still the rocks are slippery so better be careful. As we enter the cave, there are these huge limestone walls surrounding the lagoon itself and it was really beautiful. We didn't stay too long as we still need to get on the next stop. 

Secret Lagoon!

We sailed on and we stopped at the middle of the sea with 2 big limestone cliffs in front of us. I was sure it was Shimizu Island and this is the best spot that we had for snorkeling. Lots of fish, small and big ones as well as beautiful corals can be seen beneath the ocean floor. I was so mesmerized with this and I just don't want for it to be over yet. However, Kuya Raffy said that it's time for us to go the the famous lagoons. And so we headed on to the next stop, both the Big Lagoon and the Small Lagoon.

We entered the Big Lagoon and didn't waste any time and we took pictures immediately as this is one of the most famous and popular spot and highlight of the tour. Such calm waters and beautiful rock formations. It really is a marvel. Soon we entered the small lagoon but it is just the same only that you must enter again a small entrance. Kayaking is perfect here but since we don't have enough time, we just settled in swimming around the lagoon and appreciate the beauty of this wonder of Mother Nature.

Big Lagoon!

After this, we all sailed back to the main island and our last stop is 7 Commando. Kuya Raffy provided us a lot of valuable information as to why it's called 7 Commando. Upon arrival, there are stores wherein you can buy some refreshments and then we decided to at least have a light booze before ending the tour. Such a beautiful sunset in 7 Commando! I will make sure to be back here and appreciate more things that El Nido has to offer.

7 Commando Beach! =)

Sunset at 7 Commando! =)

We then returned to Bacuit Bay and that is the end of the Island Hopping tour. Of course we gave some gratuities to our boatmen and the Kuya's as they did a good job in taking good care of us and we really appreciate it so much. The group returned to Tay Miloys and we had some chit chat before cleaning up and taking a shower. What a day it was! Such beauty of El Nido, I promised to myself that I will be back again to experience the other awesome tours and activities of this paradise.

Well, my post will end here as sad to say, unfortunate events happened that night, (I will not talk about it here). I was actually the one who created the itinerary but somehow, it was not followed because of the reason I said above. But still I will tell you of the original plan that was supposed to happen on our DAY 4 and DAY 5 of El Nido / Puerto Princesa Palawan itinerary and also the things that just happened on those days. Here they are:

DAY 4 -

Original Plan:

Climb Taraw Cliff at 5AM - 10AM

Be back at Tay Miloys and check out at 12 Noon

Van from El Nido back to PPS

Check in at Prima Residences - Puerto Princesa

Dinner and booze in Tiki Bar - Puerto Princesa

What happened?:

Woke up, breakfast in tapsilogan

I just walked around the town, bought a fruitshake and some souvenirs

Van from El Nido back to PPS

Check in at Prima Residences - Puerto Princesa

Slept

DAY 5 - 

Original Plan:

Breakfast at Prima Residences

Lunch

Half Day City Tour

Pasalubongs / Souvenirs

Dinner

PPS airport for the flight back to MNL

What happened?:

Breakfast at Prima Residences

Lunch at Razons near Junction One

Pasalubongs

Went to Robinsons Palawan

I bought a new smartphone (yeah, my old one was broken)

Dinner outside the airport

PPS airport for the flight back to MNL

And so there you go! After all, it was still a nice and memorable experience for me being able to visit El Nido for the first time. Well, who knows? Since there are still a lot of other awesome things to do in El Nido, I am sure that I'll be back again. Experience it for yourself! And for sure you will be glad if you do so. =)

- MYMOTOVIN | MARCHING ON!