J2TravelGuide: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Palawan Underground River

The van ride from Puerto Princesa to the Palawan Underground River in Sabang is a 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip with several scenic views.

Limestone cliffs

The van ride ends at Sabang wharf where the tourists get their permits and the corresponding boat ride to the underground river.

Sabang wharf

*Please get your permits in advance as during peak season(e.g summer). There's usually a number of permits alloted for walk in guests, but there is a risk you won't get a permit if the daily allocation runs out.

It takes around 30 minutes to get to the actual Underground river which offers more spectacular views.

Cave entrance

Note that visitors will likely get wet during this tour as water is dripping from the cave. Plus, all visitors are required to wear life vests and hard hats as bat guano and other animal droppings may fall from the cave ceiling.

This is one reason I could not take a lot of photos while inside the cave. An water proof or underwater camera may be used but the place is also extremely dark as each boat only has one light held by the passenger in front (or the ship's bow). I took photos with my waterproof Point n Shoot instead of my DSLR, but they were not that good as the latter's flash and AutoFocus were weak. The cave is really cavernous with the camera's flash barely reaching the walls and ceilings.

The actual cave tour lasts around 45 minutes. Your tour guide and boatman may allow you to spend a few minutes observing or taking photos of the 'inhabitants' of the forest surrounding the river.

Note that these animals are not caged and roam the park freely. Though these animals are already used to seeing a lot of humans, it is still a good idea to exercise proper caution when dealing with these wild animals. (translation: don't get too close, the monkeys get aggressive thinking that the tourists have food)

Varanus monitor lizard (bayawak)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Puerto Princesa

Last month, I visited a few popular island destinations in the Philippines. This was the same month wherein some people were expecting the world to end Dec 21. So in case they were correct, at least I was able to visit and enjoy these places.

I'm still not done with the organizing and editing of all the photos, but I am posting a few photos with information that may help other travelers planning to visit during the Philippine summer (March-April-May).

Puerto Princesa, Palawan
The moment you get arrive at the Puerto Princesa airport terminal, you will see a large sign from the city and the Department of Tourism that provides some useful info for the more popular tours in or near Puerto. Note that as of January 2013, the Philippine forex rate is approximately 41 pesos to 1 US$.

For people planning to go to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, there is the RoRo bus option. To get to the bus station, just proceed to the San Jose terminal right beside the San Jose market. You can take a tricycle or multicab from Puerto Princesa town proper and it will take you around 20-30 minutes to get there.

This Roro bus does not actually "roll on/off" a ferrry, since the entire trip is via land, northbound. According to locals, the trip is around 6 hours from San Jose to El Nido.

If you need more information, you may contact the following cell phone numbers. If you are not using a Philippine carriers' cellphone, please remember to add the +63 country code prefix when calling or texting Philippine numbers.

For those taking the city tour, the Binuatan Creations shop is usually included. They sell mostly pasalubong stuff at cheap prices.

Too bad there was a power failure when we got there, so I cannot provide images of their shop and products. Anyway, if you are interested, here are Binuatan shop's address and contact info:

Hopefully I will be able to post "real travel photos" of Palawan the next few weeks.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Cebu Dec 2012

Cebu was one of the places I visited in the Philippines last month. This was right after my overnight visit to Iloilo. I flew back to Manila from Iloilo Tue afternoon, then flew to Cebu the following morning! Not that I'm trying to increase my carbon footprint or accumulate more miles. I actually thought my Cebu flight was going to be cancelled due to the impending arrival of Typhoon Pablo.

Yet the flight wasn't cancelled as the typhoone spared Cebu. When I arrived in Cebu Wednesday morning, the weather was actually pretty nice. Cool, but with a lot of sunshine.

So here are some of the photos from that trip:

Let's start off with what is probably Cebu's most famous and oldest historical site

Magellan's Cross

Since I am a lazy travel blogger, I just took a photo so I can save on precious keystrokes for the description.

The Basilica Minore de Sto Nino is right beside Magellan's Cross.

I believe this open area at the side of the basilica is where they hold some of the Sinulog festivities in January.

Fort San Pedro
A few blocks south of the Basilica is Fort San Pedro. This is supposedly the smallest Spanish garrison in the Philippines, according to the tour guide. Well, I would probably agree given that it's approximately less than a quarter of the size of Manila's Fort Santiago.

The Old and the New

Chinese Taoist Temple

This is located in the northern part of Cebu city. Its not that accessible via public transportation since its located in a private subdivision. But you can take a taxi cab going to the temple. But you would have to walk several blocks to the main streets after your visit.

Dragon fire plus smoke kuno

Shangri-La Mactan Island

Maine's Lobsters

Fresh Lobster Roll

If ever you are in the New Hampshire/Maine area, you definitely have to try the fresh lobster roll. Prices vary depending on market prices of fresh lobster, but the jumbo sized fresh lobster roll pictured below sold for about $20 two weeks ago.