Palawan, Paradise on Earth.

Palawan is Philippines’ Last Frontier as what Spaniards labeled the place. Palawan, the only Philippine island cited, is rated by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers as the most beautiful island in the world and is also rated by the National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world having "incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes. One of the most biodiverse (terrestrial and marine) islands in the Philippines

If you’re soul searching, wants to wander, or just simply wants to see the beauty of Palawan, I highly recommend to do research first before going there or any places you want to visit.

My first reason in going to Palawan honestly was not to explore, but to process my passport there since they have an available appointment slot at DFA Robinson’s Place almost everyday. But I found an agency here in Cebu who helped me find a slot for a passport appointment at DFA Pacific Mall. So to make the long story short, i finished my passport processing here and still went to Palawan.

Together with my friend, Joey, we let Palawan captivate our hearts. Our journey started at Puerto Prinsesa International Airport (PPIA), we arrived 30 minutes earlier than we expected, so I called the agency that we expected to pick us up from the airport, to my dismay the phone number they gave us was not working so i opt to an option to messaged them at their facebook page but sadly it took them an hour and a half to respond on my messages. While we were busy trying to reach the agency that I contacted before flying to Palawan, there were a number of tricycle (three wheeled motorcycle for public transportation) drivers who were so optimistic to take them as a ride to where we want to go. At first we were so doubtful to take them, ofcourse as precautionary measure as a tourist; though shall not trust someone right away especially on a place where you just set your foot at the first time (*wink). But because of exhaustion from the flight and a bad headache we just decided to take the offer from one of the tricycle driver. There's a plenty of them outside the airport waiting for tourist who haven't had traveling agencies that will take them around Palawan or just to take them to their desired destinations and hotels. Most of the tricycle drivers works from travelling agencies or gets commission from the agency when they can give them tourist at the agency's office. Most likely when you just want to tour around the city or towns close by these motorcycles can take you there also, but of course on their own price ranges. Taking the tricycle option than waiting for the agency that I contacted was much better option than waiting in vain. Sadly there are still tour agencies that are not reliable to their services though they are good at their adverts but still the real deal is when you get there.

(Iwahig Firefly Watching and Stargazing; photo credit to the owner)

Kuya trike driver (we forgot to ask his name and our saviour on that exhausted night) was very nice and accommodating, he oriented us about the good spots to visit in Palawan though I know that almost every part of Palawan are good spots. It was indeed a very clean and green island.We did a little chitchat while he was driving us away from the airport, even did a little orienation on the places that is sorrounded the airport, ei. the hotels, shopping area and the little convenience store if ever we want some chips and drinks before going to our hotel, if we have one, and then to our surprise he told us the agency that he will take us to can give us discounts because he was the one who brought us there, it was so generous of him and to the agency as well to offer discounts even before we decide if we want their service or not, but who does can say no to a discount, right?And then we got at the travel agency's office and its a little surprising for such offices to still be open at late hours, we got at thier office by around 8pm almost 9pm. From there we settled our tour packages for the two days stay at Palawan,first day was Honda Bay Island Hoping and at night will be the Iwahig Firefly Watching and Star Gazing and on our second day we were still unsure what to do and what tour could eat up our time while waiting for our flight and a tour that also wont let us miss our flight at the same time, so we opted to make the second day open, but on the day on our flight we decided to take the Puerto Prinsesa City Tour as it will be safe for us not to miss our flight back to Cebu. After settling for our Honda Bay Island Hopping tour the agent in the office offered us a place to stay while at Palawan since the first apartelle I called before coming came to be missing in action, it was also kinda late at night to think where to dooz off so we accepted to get a room at their apartelle. After settling everything, we were already hungry since we haven't had a very much decent dinner since the flight from Cebu so we asked the tricycle driver who took us there to drive us back to the convenience store where he showed us earlier on the way to the travelling agency's office, and with all enthusiasm he did took us there with no hesitations. We got some Korean ramen and kimbap, since it's the only place that is open to serve hot meals at that time and then we got back to the office fast since they told us we are going to leave together to go to the appartelle we are going to stay. Another reason we jumped to get their apartelle is that it only cost Php1000/night, rooms are next to the swimming pool, sorrounded nothing but only natures touch of trees and green view, and it wont mind you to be there by 30minutes because it was really a fascinating place and away from the hassle fussle city, if there's a city view or a seaview hotel then this one is a mountain view hotel, and the best part? FREE BREAKFAST... It did really saved me alot of my budget when I decided to hop on Kuya Trike's tricycle and then took me to the travelling agency where I picked, at least now i have a budget for some goodies to bring when going back to the mother land, Cebu.

(Buying souvenirs)

(Luli Island's diving station)

(Luli Island, Honda Bay)

(Source; Traveloka.com, Romy's Place, Where we stayed while in Palawan.)

If you are travelling as a pair, I recommend you to get a travel agency but if you are travelling as a big group I recommend you do a research on a freelance tour guide or explore Palawan by your own foot because it will save you up a lot of your budget and you can also enjoy your tour at your own convenient time.