subterranean Adventure @ Underground River

I heard many enthusiastic stories about there. Read blogs and watched documentary videos. On our way to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. One of our plans is to visit the Underground River. Early 2012, it was announced that it is part of the new seven wonders of nature, and I am one of the millions of Filipinos who voted for these wonderful place.

We availed a tour package for this event. It costs P1, 500.00 for each pax. It includes van transfer from the hotel-Sabang-hotel, buffet lunch, boat transfer, and boat paddle. According to our tour guide, it requires reservation to enter the park, at least one month reservation. Lucky we were, we had an early reservation, so it was not a problem for us to wait.

Around 7:30am, we left Ysabelle Mansion to do the Underground River Tour. We were scheduled to enter the part at around 09:30am; it would take two hours of transportation from the city to Sabang Wharf. From Sabang wharf, we have to wait for our assigned boat to the underground river. It would take 20 minutes ride. Few minutes walk to the registration office where tourists were given a hard hat and lifejacket. And there, the much awaited moment, the boat rides to the heart of the cave.  

As per the official website, it says - the Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most distinguished biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines. It is known lush old growth tropical forest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches and unspoiled natural beauty. It features spectacular limestone formation that contains an Underground River that is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the World. It is one of the few such rivers which the public can easily experience and appreciate. The cave was inscribed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s of (UNESCO) List of Natural World Heritage Sites. Inscription to the list confirms the exceptional and universal value of the Site that deserves to be protected for the benefit of all humanity.

Inside the Underground River, you would see the different rock formation. According to our boat man, it would take millions of years of forming it. The river has a depth of 40 feet, so it is advisable to wear a life jacket, and a hard helmet, because of the bat's pee that you would not know if it is a water or its pee. The boat man told us that there are two things where water dropletes came from; it is a holy water(water from the mountain) or a holy shit (bat's pee). So beware, and do not taste the river, because 10% of this are from the bats.

Exploring the cave was a lovely experience that I would be glad to do it over and over. Gladly the cave didn't stink like bat feces when we were there, for some it would be a minus point. After the bout ride, we were able to interact with a very elusive local of the Underground River, the monitor lizards. They were very shy animals but with have no qualms of hitting anyone with their tail if provoked. Unlike their Komodo dragon cousins, these giant lizards are vegetarian, good thing they are...

 

After the underground river experience, the boat brought us back to Sabang for our lunch with other people from our tour group. We love the food that was placed on the buffet table; we feel the hot ocean breeze while taking our delicious lunch at the Taraw Resort facing beautiful ocean. We also tasted the famous exotic food which they called it “tamilok” it is actually kinilaw na wood worm. It has dark specs and as I size up the dish before me the smell of tamilok is trenchant. Imagine it as white long and skinny. 

Since we were not able to experience an island hopping, we played and feel the scent of the beach there. We were also allowed by our guide in which called her “Brenda” since we forgot her name, to swim also, since the water current was not that strong. Unfortunately we did not bring our extra clothes, after an hour of beach bumming, we took a short bath, and some of our friends did not change. We went back to hotel.

Discovering the Princess of Ports: Palawan

It was my first time to visit Puerto Princessa, Palawan. I heard a beautiful stories and experiences about Palawan. So, it is time to experience it. We had an early book for a flight bound to Palawan. It was early July 2010 when we booked our flight bound to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. It was a seat sale when we bought our ticket.

After we booked and paid our air fare ticket, I looked for an accommodation in Palawan. To be honest, I do not have any idea when we are going to stay there. So, I asked my officemate, where did they stay in Palawan? She recommended to me Ysabelle Mansion.

According to the receptionist, it was a big house. And the owner, decided to convert it to an inn. The said inn has a different tour packages. We choose a 4 days and 3 night’s tour package. However, we rebooked our flight and do some necessary amendments in our tour package. Instead a 4d and 3n tour, we rebooked it to 3d and 2n, definitely we did not experienced an island hopping in Honda bay and Snake Island. It is supposed to be my first time to experience island hopping. But I’m hoping that I will return to Palawan.

It was a sunny morning when we departed NAIA terminal 3 bound to Puerto Princessa, Palawan via Airphil Express. We were 8 in the group. Some of our companions were there first time to ride in plane. It was also my first time to travel in plane by day. Most of my flights were night. Though I appreciate the day flight, but it causes me a headache.

Our flight was not delayed; we arrived in PPR at approximate 01:30pm. Our van was waiting outside the airport.

We have not take our lunch, so we feel our starving, but then, we have to push through our city tour as according to Schedule.

Using a Toyota Grandia our group stated our tour. A short visit to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk is part of our city tour itinerary. The development of the area may be still incomplete but it is a lovely place to stroll around. Our guide told us that the peacock is the symbol of Puerto Princesa City which is a part of the city’s official seal. You can see the image of the seal of Puerto Princesa in this page. The symbol was probably chosen because of the Palawan Peacock Pheasant which is an endangered specimen and is endemic to Palawan. Our next stop is Plaza Cuartel. It was once a fortress used in World War II. In this place around 150 American were burned alive by the Japanese. Some were escaped by jumping to the sea, and some were died. Today, the plaza was turned as one of the tourist spot in PPR. A memorial marker in the middle that bore the names of its survivors who swam to Iwahig. The other side of the plaza, is the Immaculate Church, we had a short reflection inside it.

We had short souvenir shopping in PPR, it was the free time for us to buy some stuff there, and the price is very affordable.

Next stop, we headed for the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm which is about 30 minutes drive from the city center. Iwahig is a very unique maximum security prison. Our guide told us that the prisoners there are color coded as orange, brown, and blue. Life in Iwahig is like any other prisons where inmates are counted every day, have no contact to their families. But the difference there, each prisoner is tasked to lean the rice fields, do handicrafts, or take care of the farms. We stop in a souvenir shop in Iwahig, my sister and I bought few souvenir items there.

Not very far from Iwahig Prison is our next destination Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, formerly the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park. When we arrived, there were a number of tourist vans on site and with about 40 or 50 tourists a park guide led us around the vicinity. We took pictures with the crocodile, after a couple of minutes we are next to take a tour inside. The main attraction of the park is of course the crocodiles and the tour started with present the skeleton and skin of the largest salt water crocodile that was captured. We were also brought to the hatchery where hundreds of baby crocodiles of different sizes are housed in basins. Then we walked over a crocodile pen, we saw Valentino, a large crocodile that was captured in Bataraza, Palawan. He is quite huge, and I was able to lay myself in the pen and took a picture. We did not saw Valentina, because this girl crocodile is in stressed and she is very harmful to tourist.

Then we drove to one of famous landmark in the city, which is Mitra’s Ranch, The Mitra Family is one of the oldest family of PPR. Mitra’s ranch is nestled at the top of the hill in which you could see the view of Honda Bay Island. We enjoyed taking our jump shots there.

And then nearby we made a stop Baker's Hill. Baker's Hill started as a shop of breads and later the owners have built a park within its premises and now it has become a local destination. Included in our city tour package is a snack. Our guide bought variance of flavors of Hopia there. And the taste is so delicious and very affordable.

We requested our driver to drop us in a restaurant so that we could have our dinner. We had our dinner in Bilao at Palayok. The place has very good ambience and we love the food, though I have a food allergy in seafoods, but I taste it in a small amount.

Whenever you are going to visit Palawan, I recommend taking a half day city tour. There are lots of things to learn about the place.

Wandering Nomad: Balatoc Mines tour: A Blast Experience

Wandering Nomad: Balatoc Mines tour: A Blast Experience: It was our last day of stay in Baguio City. As we planned, our last stop is to have a Mines Tour in Itogon, Benguet. We had a...

Balatoc Mines tour: A Blast Experience

It was our last day of stay in Baguio City. As we planned, our last stop is to have a Mines Tour in Itogon, Benguet.

We had an arrangement to a taxi driver to ride us there. We agreed to pay him Php400.00. Going to Itogon, we understand, why the transportation to Balatoc is quite expensive, it is because it is far from the city, and road going there is a combination of winding roads and bumpy rides at times. . Wide and thick greenery covering the mountainside along the snaking road going to Balatoc Mines will entertain you.

The Balatoc Mines is found in Itogon Benguet which is about an hour travel from Green Valley, Baguio City. What caught us by surprise is the path going to Balatoc Mines. A word of caution, the driver has to be fully awake and very careful while traversing the road to Balatoc Mines.

At last we reached our destination; you would not know that it has a mining tour.

We proceeded to the area where the tours are arranged. We paid Php250.00 for each adult guest. We were lucky, because we were only the first guest in the area. Since it is Monday, it is a normal day, and most people are in their work. There is a small museum where you can see stuff found inside Balatoc Mines.

Our tour guide gave us a short talk and told us a brief history and things to expect inside the Balatoc Mines. They also asked us about our expectation which was good because it showed that the tour guides were interested on our initial perception of the tour.

Finally the tour guide warned us about the Anaconda. I would like to share the story of the Anaconda but I would be spoiling the fun if I did. So I leave it up to the person reading this blog and considering Balatoc Mines as a destination to discover the story behind the Anaconda.

Technically, there are no restrooms inside the Balatoc mines so better take a leak before starting the tour. Bring a hat if you have one and wear comfortable footwear because you’d be walking along a railway which can sometimes become slippery especially inside the tunnel.

We saw different machinery used inside the mines. We saw a river where people can pan gold. We also saw the toilet car that’s why I said technically there is a restroom but I dare you if you have the guts to use it.

It was the trip inside the tunnel that we enjoyed the most - First because of the eerie feeling that you’re inside a damp dark tunnel where the temperature goes down as one walks deeper inside the hole. One can hear water droplets falling from the stalactites and the path ahead is a little muddy.

The tour guide described the parts of the tunnel and demonstrated how dynamite works. This was new information for me and I really appreciated it a lot. The anaconda was introduced to us in the most surprising way causing us to run to the nearest man-hole.

We had a taste of holding a drill and seeing the dog hole where miners had to crawl day in and day out as they go deep into the mines.

The climax of the tour is when dynamite exploded which surely got everyone’s attention. You can actually feel the intensity of the blast. It was a great learning experience indeed.

Finally, our cart arrived and we traveled the same route as we entered but this time inside a cart. Everybody was tired from the heat and walk and so the cart was a perfect way to go back.

Definitely recommend this tour to families because it’s a great bonding experience. There were lots of things to learn about the plight of the miners here in the Philippines and as to why gold is a precious metal. I now have renewed respect for all the miners in the world and what they have to endure to be able to get the gold to make the ring wrapped around my finger right now.

 ***THE END***