I know not of a place like this, so alluring you’re forever swept away. But that’s getting ahead of this breathtaking story.
It all began when Air Philippines decided to embark on an escapade of a lifetime. And when I embarked on this maiden voyage to Palawan, I knew it was going to be a trip of many firsts.
Yes, Air Philippines has not stopped adding to its ever-growing destinations. This time, it can now whisk away its passengers from Cebu to Puerto Princesa and Cebu to Zamboanga four times a week and three time became one of the fortunate few to experience a flying first from Cebu to Puerto Princesa. We marked this moment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Cebu Airport, which was graced by Air Philippines vice president for sales Erlinda T. Santiago and DOT regional director Dawnie Roa.
From the moment we landed, we felt the warmth of the people of Palawan. We walked into a modest airport as a band played joyously by the entrance while a small group hung adorable capiz and bead necklaces around our necks. Then we boarded a bus for the Legend Hotel Palawan, our home away from home.
It didn’t take long before the Legend Hotel Palawan felt really like home. It is unmistakably Filipino-styled, reflecting how much this hotel prides itself on being part of a 100-percent Filipino-owned hotel group that never fails to showcase our famed warmth and hospitality in every single one of its properties.
Inside, you get a comforting sense of coming home as you see big native couch-like chairs filling the expanse of the lobby. Earthy tones of brown adorn this area. And as you look up, you’ll see an amusing cloud-like ceiling. The rooms are just as cozy with sizable beds and deep brown wooden floor. But then again, this isn’t all that Legend Hotel Palawan has to offer.
If dining is your thing and seafood is your flavor, then let the hotel’s Tanglaw Restaurant delight you with its many seafood creations, including its specialty, seafood kare-kare. For dessert, chef Ed recommends a tantalizing slice of Brazo de Violeta, quite similar to the Brazo de Mercedes except that the center is filled with a creamy ube filling. And once you’re stuffed, you might want to check out the poolside bar or get work-updated via the 24-hour business center. Better still, why don’t you let them show you around Palawan with Legend Hotel’s "Palawan Nature Experience" (PAX).
PAX is Legend Hotel’s own tour package, designed to ensure that hotel guests will have only the fondest memories of Palawan for years to come. More, these tours come with quite extensive itineraries as you are shown around by knowledgeable (and entertaining) tour guides.
Our first day took us around the impressive Puerto Princesa City. This is reportedly the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area, estimated at 253,982 hectares, making it 300,000 hectares bigger than Davao. Puerto Princesa is also the only city in the Philippines whose educational offerings include Petroleum Engineering, which one can take up at the Palawan State University. That afternoon, we were determined to see Puerto Princesa with the help of our tour guide Mike. And so it was that our tour began with a bunch of reptiles and their wildlife friends.
Formerly the Crocodile Farming Institute, the name was changed to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) last June 2000 as the center not only began to house both fresh-water and (bigger) salt water crocodiles, but also a host of Palawan’s unique wildlife. Nonetheless, the crocodiles are still a key attraction. In fact, one can see baby crocodiles up close and even encounter the large crocodiles while feeding them with big whole chickens. Nestled inside the center is a lush nature park where one can see the Palawan wildlife, including the Palawan indigenous blue peacock, bear cat, and eagle.
Our next stop was Mitra’s Ranch, which is now home to Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra. The strategic location of this ranch treats one to a spectacular view of Puerto Princessa, stretching all the way to Honda Bay. After some marvelous sights, it was time to do a little shopping and first up was the Binutuan Weaving where one can find beautiful handicrafts, including bags, placemats, table runners, coasters, and other home accessories. Another place for good finds is the Phamati Souvenir Shop and Park, an enclosed space that houses a row of stores selling a lot of things that remind you of Palawan, including anito statues, wooden boat carvings, rain makers, music instruments, shell decor, and so much more.
For art lovers, the Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri may well be your shop of choice. Situated in the middle of a "forest," this native cottage-like place offers a wide variety of paintings done by Palawan artists as well as carvings. While here, you might also want to have an aromatic sip of their brewed coffee, which goes well with their smoked fish sandwich. All in all, this city tour of Puerto Princesa is informingly splendid. It’s the kind of tour that’s set at a relaxed pace, a perfect way to wind down on your first of a number of afternoons in beautiful Palawan.
The next day began quite early for us as we prepared to journey two hours from the hotel for a tour of the infamous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Among the five UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Philippines, this underground river park is a true Palawan pride, along with Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, which has also made it to UNESCO’s list. The expanse of the Subterranean River National Park is undeniably remarkable, featuring an 8.2 km underground river that flows right out into the South China Sea.
Arriving at the Sabang Wharf, we boarded a boat as we sailed quite quickly on the open waters of the South China Sea and right to the park. Bringing the boats by the shore, we walked on the sand as we headed to the park’s entrance, where we followed a wooden plank trail that led right to the registration area.
Putting on a life vest and a hard hat, we proceeded to board the small paddle boats where a guide awaited. Armed with a big flashlight, we were all set to go inside the park’s mystic cave for an approximately 45-minute boat tour that would take us through 1.5 km of the park. A cool, crisp air welcomed us inside the cave. Interesting limestone formations can be found everywhere inside. It only takes a bit of imagination to recognize some of the things these natural limestone creations resemble: animals, fruits, vegetables, other objects and, yes, humans. One of the most fascinating parts of this cave is a part that people call the "cathedral." Here, there are limestone formations resembling the Holy Family and a giant candle. Paddle a bit more and you get a glimpse of Saint Roque and cave’s largest chambers, with a width of 120 meters and a height of 60 meters. Also, a visit inside this underground river park wouldn’t be complete without an encounter with the bats living inside.
Going through such a tour can work up an appetite and a picnic lunch at Taraw was exactly what we needed. We heartily ate as our eyes feasted on the alluring enigma of the sea. After an enjoyable lunch, we boarded yet another paddle boat for a mangrove tour along the river. At first, we were greeted by so much lushness as we eventually sailed our way towards the part where the mangrove’s uniquely thin stems bow down towards the water. They stand side by side each other and one canít help but notice how nature can arrange things together so interestingly.
At the end of our mangrove tour, we made a stop at the Vietnamese Village. This modest village features a church situated right across a souvenir shop, where one can find Vietnamese figurines, wall displays, jars, pure green honey, T-shirts, and Vietnamese jackfruit chips. Then there’s the Viet Ville restaurant, which serves chicken spring rolls, beef stew and its signature French bread, which is crusty on the outside but incredibly chewy and moist on the inside. You might want to order some for only P6 a piece to take home with you.
For dinner, we headed to Kalui Restaurant, one of the finest dining establishments in Palawan. Our dinner started off with a salabat soup with clams that definitely left us all with a refreshing sensation. Then, we were served some kangkong with squid, fried crabs, seafood sisig with mayonnaise and grilled tuna tail served with some banana fritters. The dessert was equally delicious as we shared a melange of sliced fresh fruits served inside half a coconut mixed in light syrup and sprinkled with panutcha sugar. There was no better way to put an end to this tantalizing evening than a little chat with Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn.
Mayor Hagedorn talked dearly about his beloved Palawan between sips of brewed coffee – its 117 Center, which is similar to how the 911 Center operates in the US, its cleanliness and lushness. The Asian Development Bank has recently approved a USD 200,000 funding, which is enough for Palawan to launch its Clean Air Act.
A 20-minute drive to Sta. Lourdes Wharf kicked off our islet-hopping tour. First stop was the Snake Island named after how its fine white sand forms like a snake. Next was Senorita island, which is as much a breeding site for lapu-lapu fish as it is a fish-feeding site for groupers. Then we were off to the Dos Palmas Resort. Also known as the Arreceffi Island, this resort covers a total land area of 20 hectares located at the northeastern part of Puerto Princesa as it lies out on the open sea. Since the incident of 2001, Dos Palmas guest officer Jowel Abrio said they have taken better security precautions by adding new equipment such as a fence surrounding the island, radar, search lights, and two military security roaming on 24-hour duty.
We took a first peek of Pandan Island, a privately owned island that’s recently been leased by the Legend Hotels International Corporation as they hope to turn it into a full resort by next year.
So go ahead, shop well and fly home happy. I certainly did!