Mermaids

Day 2: Mermaids

When I was younger, I wasn't really much of a beach-goer. First of all, my skin easily turns shades darker after the sun, or even just the wind, touches my skin. Secondly, I grew up in Central Luzon, which has a scarcity of beaches as we all know. I also preferred swimming pools since you don't need goggles for protection when you open your eyes underwater. So I never really had a chance to experience island hopping back then.

Novies Tourist Inn Facade

Novies Entrance

On our second day in Palawan, we woke up to the sound of heavy rain thundering the roof of our room, and immediately, our hearts sank. We planned on taking Tour A for today since El Nido is pretty much famous for island hopping, among many others. Tour A was already included in the package that we afforded for El Nido from a contact person that our friend gave us. Since we didn't plan anything for El Nido, we had no choice but to get the package. Our only goal was to explore El Nido with only a good 3000 pesos to spare.

The package that we got for El Nido included the following:

> accommodations for 2D and 2N with free breakfast = 800

(We stayed at the very homey and comfy Novies Tourist Inn. During our stay, they were giving off discount rates for the rooms. So we got a huge room, which can accommodate around 4 pax, for only 400 pesos per night.)

> round trip van transfers (PPC <-> El Nido) = 1000

(You can arrange for the van to fetch you from any point in PPC and drop you anywhere in El Nido as well)

> Tour A Island Hopping = 1000

(Environmental fee, 4 destinations plus lunch, boat fee)

Dining Area

Common Area

Stairway to our room

Although the sky didn't show any signs of stopping from raining, B1 was still very optimistic that the sun would shine on our parade. For the island hopping tour, we were supposed to avail the combined Tours A and C for only 1200 per pax. But due to the weather conditions, we were only able to avail Tour A. We were fetched by a tricycle and dropped off at one island hopping tour shop in town, where we met the other participants of the tour we availed. We  then headed to the beachfront where our boat was waiting.

Off to Island Hopping

Our Tour A originally includes visiting the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Secret Beach. However, since the current was relatively strong because of the rains brought about by the passing Vongfong typhoon, we had to cancel our visit to Secret Beach for safety reasons. We then proceeded to 7 Commandos beach instead for our last stop.

The Gang

While I boarded the boat, I couldn't help but squeal with excitement. The views from the beachfront are breathtaking themselves, it made me very excited to see what the islands have in store for us. Furthermore, the rain has almost stopped, with only a few drizzles here and there, and the skies are starting to show signs of clearing its clouds, we were definitely in high spirits.

The tour guides on board are very friendly and funny. They are relatively fluent in the English language, which was very helpful for the foreigners on board with us. They gave out facts or commentaries about the tour, El Nido, and etc, as we travel from one nature's beauty to another.

Limestone Formation near Small Lagoon

The limestone formations are really something! I am not very much of a 'nature' person, but when I saw the formations, they gave me goosebumps, and made me glorify the Creator evermore for being the genius behind it all.

Limestone Formation near Big Lagoon

Our first stop was the Small Lagoon, but it was pretty crowded when we got there, so we decided to proceed to the Big Lagoon first where we stayed for a while. We swam there, and it was fun to enjoy points in the lagoon where the water is warm, but mostly, the water was really refreshingly cool. The water was pretty much deep and displayed vibrant shades of green.

Groufie with the Gang

Swimming in the deep Big Lagoon

We then headed to Shimizu Island where we were served with scrumptious seafood lunch. You can actually snorkel while you wait for the food, take pictures or just wade or swim in the beach.

Lunch is Served

The lunch included a menu that was simply cooked, but pretty satisfying and very well decorated. It was also fun to tell the foreigners about the food. And the amount were more than enough for all of us, so I wasn't able to contain myself and had to pig out.

Fooooood

Touch down at Shimizu

Shimizu Island

Rocks and a Tree at Shimizu

B1's Photo with the Rocks at Shimizu

We then headed back to check out the Small Lagoon. The fun part is that you have to swim or kayak through a narrow crevice in between limestone formations to be able to enter the lagoon. The water was clear and was significantly shallower compared to that in the Big Lagoon that you can actually see the bottom. You can snorkel here as well, but the bottom is pretty much bare of corals or fishes that there isn't much to see. However, both lagoons are elegantly built by nature that it reminds you of the lagoon in Peter Pan and make you think that you're pretty much one of the lucky mermaids who live there.

Going out of Big Lagoon

Friendship Pose at Big Lagoon

After swimming for a while in the Small Lagoon, we then headed to 7 Commandos beach. There is a bar there where you can order refreshing drinks, a beach volleyball court, a hammock to lounge on, and some cottages for chilling out. We swam for a while and then headed back to the town proper. Our tour began at around 10 in the morning, and we were back in town at around before 4 pm.

We took a tricycle to our Inn where we freshened up and rested for a while before we went to explore the nightlife in town.

Altrove Entrance

Dinner was served in Altrove, which was famous for its brick-oven baked pizza. We ordered the Margarita Pizza, and All' Arrabiatta. The pizza was really chewy, but in a good way. The crust was relatively thin, and was pretty tasty as well. Although the pasta was not remarkable, we were still able to satisfy our hunger for about 270 pesos per pax. The interiors of the restaurant was a bit dim at night, but simply and smartly furnished. You're not allowed to wear any footwear while inside the restaurant, so you'd be asked to leave your footwear at their shoe rack. Usually, the place is crowded, so you'd normally wait for around 15-30 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour before you get seated.

Reggae Band at Pukka Bar

After dinner, we walked around for a while exploring the different small but accommodating streets of El Nido. There are lots of food places to choose from; from waffles, cronuts, bagels, carinderia type, semi-fine dining, to chill places, bars, burgers, seafoods; the town explodes with such. We then headed to the beachfront for some nightlife experience. The bars are situated a few feet from the water, so in some bars, you'd actually feel the rush of the sea to your feet while you enjoy a chill night of drinks, food and reggae music. We chose to hang out at Pukka Bar, which was recommended to us by one of the travelers we met in our Inn. The place is known for great reggae music, with relatively cheap drinks and food. What's really fun is that they have a small dance floor where both locals and tourists can have fun dancing. We also noted that almost all of the tourists there seemingly know each other already.

Dance Floor at Pukka Bar

At around 2 am, we decided to hail a tricycle to go back to the Inn and call it a night; we were, after all, pretty tired from island hopping.