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I had decided on flying back to Manila from El Nido. The air fare was 100 US$. But when one of my friends decided to get on the cargo ship that was leaving at midnight I was in a big dilemma. I thought it might be fun but I would waste two whole days. The adventurous spirit prevailed so I canceled the booking on the plane and went along.
The ship was cramped with passengers, crew and cartoons of bad smelling fish. The bunk beds were made for dwarfs and put together side by side..The first impulse was that of running away. But there was no option anymore. I relaxed and decided to enjoy whatever I could. We were surprised to see the reason for our delay . They were trying to fill up the last remaining space in the front with 20 yes! 20 big buffaloes! 20 more pigs were squeezed in a corner making a terrible noise. The buffaloes(carabao) were loaded by a crane. They were lifted up in the air and then put into the ship leaving no space between them. They tied them together so that they wouldn't be able to move an inch. I pitied them.
Later we went up on the tiny deck beside the captain seat to have a glass of the local wine we had brought along. The impact of the alcohol made us relax and enjoy the refreshing night air as the boat was sliding smoothly on the dark water. The captain, a young boy in his early twenties had all the lights off. Even the navigation panel was dark. The starry night was bright enough and the powerful lamps of the fishing boats shone like huge stars in the horizon. Only the sound of the boat's wake could be heard in the silence..It was a good feeling.
Later we had a lot of laughs as my friend tried to fit his European body in these tiny beds. When he put his head on the pillow his legs were out of the window! When he put his legs on the bed his head was in the air. He preferred the first position.
The trip took 32 hours and we had enough time to talk about everything on earth...We enjoyed wonderful sunrises and sunsets! It was a nice experience after all ! Click on the photo to see!
Updated Nov 13, 2007
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When getting around Coron, Palawan. From the YKR airport, you will be ask to board a passenger jeepney as chartered by the airlines(SeaAir or Asian Spirit). You will be charged a high rate of P150 per person on an almost 30-45 minutes rough dusty ride from the airport. Just tell the jeepney where hotel/lodge you intend to stay. Otherwise he will drop you off at the public market as its endpoint.
Getting around the town is very simple by riding a tricycle for a fee of P7 per person. Going on inter-island boat hopping is pegged at P1200 to P1500 per boat with a capacity of 8 persons to the max. So make sure you can bring a lot of friends there for you to save.
I advise you that as you land make sure to reconfirm your flight way back home at the airline office located at Coron town. Reconfirming your flight is very important so that the jeep transfer will wait for you at the meeting place or they might fetch you up on your hotel.
Failure to do so might lead you to being left out of your flight or you might be forced to "bite on the bullet" of hiring a special motorcycle enroute to the airport just like what happened to me. Cost of motorcycle hiring is P500 as compared to the P150 regular jeep fare. Riding a motorcycle exposes you to danger(no helmet) and the dust/muds since you will be travelling on rough uncemented roads. Although it offers a little thrill since you have a clear view of the route. So expect to see flying parrot, hawks and monkeys roaming along the journey.
Updated Jun 10, 2007
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I booked a flight from Dubai to Manilla to Puerto Princesa. My thought was that I would then take a bus the next morning to El Nido.
The bus trip literally took the whole day due to bad roads, frequent stops, and several flat tires. The scenery was awesome, so it definitely wasn't a bad trip.
If you want to bypass Puerto (which I found to be unremarkable), then simply take a small commuter plane directly from Manilla to El Nido. For future trips, this will be how I go there. Not sure what airlines fly into El Nido (or at least an airport nearby), but that should be easy to find out.
Incidentally, Emirates lost my luggage when I transferred planes in Dubai. First time that ever happened to me. Anyway, I ended up wearing the same clothes for 3 days waiting for my bag in Puerto Princesa. When it arrived, I was sure the camera and everything else would be gone--much to my surprise, voila! Everything was there. This photo is of the helpful guys at Puerto's airport that gave me my bag taken with my camera.
Written Dec 25, 2006
From PPS we went to San Jose Terminal going to El Nido. We took the 5am trip. Approx. travel time is 8-10 hours. The mini-bus is cramped, very small legroom and non-aircon. It pays to stand up and go outside of the bus during stop-overs. There are stop-over in Roxas & Taytay towns. We arrived at El Nido 12nn. Eulen charged 250/pax/way.
We arrived in Roxas at 9am then fr Roxas to Taytay (11am). Taytay to El Nido (12nn).
Last trip from PPS (Puerto Princesa) to El Nido is 9AM.
You can also opt to take a shuttle bus from San Jose Terminal to Roxas (less than P200) then from Roxas, take a bus going to El Nido. If you take shuttle it will only take you 2 hrs to get to Roxas.
But highly recommended to take Sweety. Eulen had more breakdowns of the buses. Because buses are older than Sweety. Also, Eulen takes in more passengers and has lots of stops than Sweety. Sweety is more expensive by P30. Fare is P280.
Written Sep 26, 2006
Phone: 63-9197162210; 63-9266998700
Website: http://www.elnidopalawan.com/info.html
This is the "how" of how are you going to get to Sabang if you are on a tight budget. A rented van will cost you PHP3000, a travel package will cost you PHP1200 per head but this ride cost us a mere PHP240/head (roundtrip)...priceless! We travelled 2 hours inside this peice of machine. Enjoyed the ride (NOT!), Enjoyed the view (NOT!) but this only proved to my self that under any circumstance, I can still fall asleep!
Updated Sep 26, 2006
We availed of their PHP1 + Fuel Surcharge & Taxes Promo last March. Yes, I've been planning this Palawan trip since March. Which was good coz it gave me time to read around and discover this helpful, inspiring, glorious...ehem..forum...and eventually meet you guys (sniff, sniff) Cebu Pacific's motto for this promo was "This time, everyone flies". I hope "this time" means every year....hehehe. Also, you might wanna read encyclopedias and geography books before flying on this airline. they have trivia games aboard...also, you might wanna bring an expired driver's license, you need this for the "bring me" game. Prize is a cebu pacific pillow, which I won! The question was: Besides the Philippines, name a country starting with the letter P! I answered, P...P...PINDONESIA! Joke. I answered Pakistan.
Updated Sep 26, 2006
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This is your bestfriend when getting around PPC. It will send you on a (half) day tour for only PHP500 (plus optional tip). It will get you to Honda Bay and back for PHP300. It will get you to Vietville for PHP60. And also from and to the Airport. PHP6 for the regular rate but PHP10 after 9pm.
Written Sep 25, 2006
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Seair's flights are not just commercial flights from PUERTO PRINCESA to EL NIDO and BUSUANGA, they are also a great way to see Palawan from a birds eyes view.
Seair 's 19-seater plane flies Tuesday, Friday and Sunday (no sunday till october) either way. Bring a camera. You may book them in Manila in Seair's ticket outlet, in Puerto Princesa at Floral Travel, in El Nido at the Artcafe, in Coron at Coron Tours.
Updated Jul 27, 2006
Phone: 048 434 5272 Puerto Princesa
Website: www.flyseair.com
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Puerto Princesa is the capital of palawan. Most if not all buses that go to the different municipalities in Palawan are found in this city. A number of them are stationed at the new public market. Buses' go to roxas, taytay, port barton, el nido, aborlan, etc.
Written Apr 5, 2006
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Upon reaching the picnic ground, a short walk along a forested trail follows. At the end of the trail is the mouth of the underground river where the paddle boats are waiting for our 45-minute river tour.
Aside from life vest, we were required to put on helmet to protect our head from bat dung, dripping water, or possible sharp objects inside the cave. Also the person seated at the boat's front-end is in charge of holding the lamp that illuminates our way.
It is advisable to have an early start to avoid the long queue of people waiting for their turn on the river tour. Based on experience, we were the second group to arrive so we were able to choose the color of our helmet, strike different poses, and take pictures. However when we returned, there were already more than 5 groups in line.
Updated Mar 24, 2006
Marina Garden Beach Resort El Nido
6 Reviews and 105 Opinions if you look for more quiet palce you should look something not in center .. You should try to get...
Mangenguey Island Hotel Coron
Amanpulo Palawan
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