Underground Wonder

Day 4: Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

We arrived at PPC at around 11 in the evening. We were very much excited because tonight we're going to try couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is a thing that travelers do in which you stay at a host's house for free so as to give an opportunity to share your life, culture, etc, with each other. People have been doing it since 2004. All you have to do is sign up at their website and look for a host based on your destination. To know more about this awesome traveling adventure, check out Couchsurfing.org.

Couchsurfing

We took a tricycle towards our host's house and we were greeted with all smiles by our generous host. He is a member of the Philippine Navy, but is currently on leave so that he can focus on doing other things that he's interested at, such as being a diving instructor. His guesthouse was really spacious with lots of rooms and common areas, where I imagine various travelers are able to share their stories. One traveler we met there told us that she's been couchsurfing for about a year now and that the one we were staying at in PPC was probably the most comfortable she's had because in other hosts, she told us that she just slept on the floor or on the couch. We settled in for the night and braced ourselves for one of the world's 7 wonders the morning after.

Common Area

Our Nipa Room

View from the top of stairs

Our couchsurfing host was the one who arranged our Underground River Tour, which was worth 1500 pesos inclusive of van and boat transfers, environmental fee, tour fee, and buffet lunch. We were fetched by the van at around 9 am, and had our 1 1/2 hour ride to the port located at Sabang Town, which is 80 km north from PPC. There is a stopover about an hour into the ride, and before arriving at Sabang Town, we stopped for a short photo ops in front of the Karst Mountain, one of the legs of the Philippine version of the Amazing Race.

Karst Mountain

Sabang Port

Sabang got its name by combining Tagalog words which mean "fresh water" and "salt water." You can choose to hike to the entrance or take a ~15 minute boat ride. Upon arrival at the port, the tour guide arranged for the boat, and we were transferred from port to the entrance of the Underground River.

At the Entrance

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected national park located in the St. Paul Mountain Range, bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and Babuyan River to the east. The Cabayugan River runs for 8.2 km inside the 24 km long cave before it joins the West Philippine Sea, with only about 4.3 km of the river being navigable by boat. It became part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature last November 11, 2011.

Boat Groufie before entering the PPUR

At the mouth of PPUR

Upon entry, I was not really expecting anything since I am not really interested in caving or related activities. But I was really in awe with everything inside the cave. It is a beauty that you should see at least once in your lifetime, and in person! The tour guide was also very interactive and fun to listen to. Although you may stink of bat droppings and sweat once you leave, it is truly a great wonder of nature. All you need to bring is your brilliant imagination. Beware of using your mobile phones or other gadgets, and food is not allowed inside the cave because of the monkeys.

Entrance to PPUR

Inside one of the 7 Wonders of Nature

After what felt like a 15 minute tour or more, we headed back to the port at Sabang where we had our buffet lunch at one of the beach resorts there. Then we headed back to PPC where we asked the tour guide to drop us off at the souvenir hub.

Lunch

We bought souvenirs and then headed back to our host's house. After packing our stuff, we decided to indulge in couchsurfing. We talked to other couchsurfers staying there, and with our generous host as well. It made us regret the decision that we only stayed there for only one night because it was a really nice experience to be able to exchange stories with fellow travelers, and to make friends with all of them. I made a vow I'd go back, or would at least try couchsurfing again in my future travels.

Around 45 minutes before our flight, we headed back to the airport, and with heavy hearts, left for home.

Palawan is truly a beauty of nature, that gives you that "I-could-get-used-to-this" feeling. My experience there made me want to have a sabbatical there for around 1 month, just to find myself or as a form of spiritual retreat. The place is truly relaxing, and peaceful. I'll definitely go back for more.

Thanks for reading, and see you on my next Sun-Kissed Journeys! :)

-xo