Octiva Family goes to the pristine paradise of Palawan!
It was month ago when our family decided to have our own vacation. Patiently, I waited for an airline ticket sale. That's why we got Php1,500 round trip ticket per head, MNL-PPS, vice versa. I personally booked our ticket through a credit card and negotiated with the resort through emails. (Be careful. Some sites may be fraud.) I paid by depositing in a bank account and received their booking confirmation.
It was month ago when our family decided to have our own vacation. Patiently, I waited for an airline ticket sale. That's why we got Php1,500 round trip ticket per head, MNL-PPS, vice versa. I personally booked our ticket through a credit card and negotiated with the resort through emails. (Be careful. Some sites may be fraud.) I paid by depositing in a bank account and received their booking confirmation.
Day 1
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| NAIA 3 |
We arrived at Puerto Princesa at around 10am. The airport is quite small, seemingly resembling of Silay Airport in Negros Occidental (as I can remember). By then, a staff from the resort picked us. The driver welcomed his passengers by greeting and reminding us of several rules in Palawan. He mentioned “not to litter”.
They have strict enforcement of rules- ones who caught littering were asked to clean a baranggay in a day. I am really amazed upon hearing this news. Though, I am an advocate of ‘responsible tourism’ and will not try to destroy a destination.
They have strict enforcement of rules- ones who caught littering were asked to clean a baranggay in a day. I am really amazed upon hearing this news. Though, I am an advocate of ‘responsible tourism’ and will not try to destroy a destination.
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| Dangkalan Resort's Pool |
I took this dramatic photo of Dangkalan Resort. The place is not really wide, but is enough for those people who want to relax and enjoy the view. Several cottages with a beach view area make up this resort. Upon staying, we have free pool access, billiards, dart and other activities. They offer good quality of service from the front desk up to room assistance. But, foods are quite expensive plus their service charge.
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Iwahig Penal Farm.
This is commonly known as ‘prison without walls’. Another thing to be amazed about Palawan is this place. It is almost a hundred hectares of land surrounded by mountains. Prisoners are classified into three groups. Coded by their t-shirts, each color signifies the gravity of their offense and how long will they stay. The shorter time they need to stay, the nearer they are in the entrance gate. I am quite surprised when we get to Iwahig and welcomed by the hand-cuffed free prisoners. Jake, our tourist guide, told us that they are selling souvenirs for them to earn extra money. Some built their own houses along the roadside and sell honey. After enduring the ‘sentence’ inside the prison, government gives them a lot (land title) to start their own living.
This is commonly known as ‘prison without walls’. Another thing to be amazed about Palawan is this place. It is almost a hundred hectares of land surrounded by mountains. Prisoners are classified into three groups. Coded by their t-shirts, each color signifies the gravity of their offense and how long will they stay. The shorter time they need to stay, the nearer they are in the entrance gate. I am quite surprised when we get to Iwahig and welcomed by the hand-cuffed free prisoners. Jake, our tourist guide, told us that they are selling souvenirs for them to earn extra money. Some built their own houses along the roadside and sell honey. After enduring the ‘sentence’ inside the prison, government gives them a lot (land title) to start their own living.
Upon hearing those stories, I just thought that I wanted to live in Iwahig. Imagine, inmates are supported by the government. It just broke my bad impression of prisons- Iwahig was heaven for them. Also, employees are provided with a land and a ‘kasambahay’ which is one of the inmates. They are asked to help the family of the employee to shorten their sentence. The feeling is really different when you get in touched with these people and listen to their stories.
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Crocodile Farm
It is home to the largest crocodiles. This is not just a place for crocodile, but a conservation site for other animals confiscated from sellers. You can see salt water and fresh water crocodiles. Our tourist guide said that some of the crocodiles here are from the waters of Palawan itself.
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Bakers hill
Famous for its mouth-watering foods like pizza and hopia. Smell of freshly baked pastries embraced our olfactory. Sadly, I haven’t tried any of those. Also, this is a very enchanting place for nature lovers as it is landscaped with lush bonsai and colorful flowers.
Life-sized replica of characters are found here. We took pictures with Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny and company, Dinosaurs, Snow White and many more. They, too, have mini-zoo where the ‘peacock’ of Palawan is.
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Immaculate Conception Church
I first saw this picture in a photography seminar-LENTE organized by UP TMS. Now, I was able to take pictures personally. It was said to be as one of the most remarkable Churches in the Philippines, resembling of San Sebastian’s Church in Legarda. Its structure is seemingly patterned in European style. That time, it was Sunday and a mass was going on.
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Plaza Cuartel
A historic place in Palawan. This plaza marks the resting place of American Army who are burned alive in a tunnel. Japanese soldiers tend to revenge for the bombing in Japan in WW II. Amazingly, two soldiers survived and able to fled. They are able to document and tell stories regarding the eerie.
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Eulalia Park
Called Baywalk of Palawan. This place was a squatters’ area, before fire destructed their houses. Presently, bikes are available to rent and retail stores are visible along the sidewalks – clear evidence that this park is well-visited by tourists.The photo was taken at around 2 in the afternoon.
Souvenir shop. It’s like visiting a tiangge in Manila. Lots of tourists buy shirts at a low price (around Php90+ per piece, adult sizes). Though Palawan do not have a specific delicacy for ‘pasalubong’ they also produce ‘kasoy’, barquiron, ube and the like.
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