The City in the Forest (Puerto Princesa, Palawan) - Part 1
It was a gloomy Friday morning and everyone was on whims on what the outcome would be of the NBA's season finale; while for us, we were on whims for what the weather would be for this weekend.
It was a busy couple of months for me at work and I needed a well deserved vacation. We decided to book with an agency for I didn't have the time to make reservations or do the planning. Though I would've enjoyed planning myself, my workload was just keeping me away from it. And since, I was craving for a "sit-back-and-relax" moment in my life, I decided to leave it with the professionals.
I am very grateful for Ms. Vivien from APT Travels for letting me have that. I felt very well taken cared of in the duration of our trip (despite the set backs-will explain later) and I didn't have to think of everything ahead like I always do on trips. And with our paradise destination, vacay mode was so on.
They booked us at Natua's Cabin for our budget accommodation (yes, budget, to lessen the cost). Though our cabin was small, it was clean and attended to our basic needs pretty well. It kept us warm and cozy despite their damp grassland, fresh from the rain the night before.
It was pretty neat for a budget accommodation. Plus, they serve a kick-ass french toast and omelet, free of charge (for checked in guests).
Natua's is right beside the airport so you just have to walk to get there. Though, there's a bit of annoyance from the noise while planes are passing by, it's manageable. Its location was convenient as well for it's on Rizal Street and a lot of restaurants and establishments are lined up there also.
HALF-DAY CITY TOUR
It was past noon and the skies were still grey. We set out to follow what was on half day city tour itinerary. The agency picked us up at Natua's and head on to our first destination, Plaza Cortel.
This used to be a military fort during the World War 2 where the Japanese lit up their prisoners alive inside the dungeon on fire when they realized they were losing the war.
The names of the American soldiers trapped and burned were engraved on the bronze marker placed above the area where the main underground bunkers existed, of which became the cage of their misfortune.
Eleven did get out to escape and one of them came back and erased his name from the marker, deliberately. He left his artwork on this marker as well to show that he still lives; now as an artist.
We continued on our tour at their Tiannge or public market to do some souvenir shopping. A drizzle teased us as we pass by their bay where we could've enjoyed a short stroll watching the waves hit the pavement. And finally, a downpour greeted us as we were dropped off their market.
(image from www.skylighthotelpalawan.com)
There were a lot of goods, shirts, native decors and accessories on sale. It's safe to say to buy in the middle store for they have fixed prices so as not to get swindled. It is easily distinguishable as well for it was enclosed from the rest.
We moved on to the Mitra's Ranch after 30 minutes but the weather was still harsh so we didn't get off to take a picture of the supposedly breathtaking view because we might get wet.
This ranch is owned by Senator Ramon Mitra located in Santa Monica where, as we were told, only foreigners and rich people could afford to live in. Well, it was imminent for the neighboring houses were mostly mansions.
And since the weather wasn't so sightseeing-friendly, we continued on to Baker's Hill to revamp our tummies.
Baker's Hill is a pastry shop famous for their hopia but I pigged out on their tarts, oatmeal bars and crinkles instaed. I'm not sure if it's internationally known yet but they're quite popular nationwide already. So, we decided to buy packs and boxes of their goodies to take home as pasalubong.
The rain had stopped so we moved along to our next and final stop which was the Crocodile Farm. But the name's now longer so it's called Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center.
A lot (or just myself, whichever) has been misled to know that this is home to the famous Lolong. BUT, it's not. Lolong lives in Agusan River but unfortunately, he's now dead. However, this "conservation center" did display a big-ass skeleton of a sea water crocodile they caught ages ago.
Other than the crocodile, they displayed the remains of a sperm whale as well that was really huge.
Other than the usual crocodiles lounging in their pens not really moving, there was nothing more to see in this farm. It would've been much more exciting if they fed some of them so we could see some action.
Probably the only excitement we got here was eating their crocodile sisig. We asked around where these were coming from and we found out that they come as packed meat already. So no no butchery from their own breed there.
I did taste a crocodile sisig back in Cebu at Manggahan and it tastes pretty much the same. As it was Eddie's first, he would've thought it was just beef if I hadn't told him what it was.
FAMOUS DINING
We went back to the city proper after a much less boring "crocodile show" (if that's what it was called) and asked the tour guide to drop us off at Kinabuch so we can have dinner.
Kinabuch is one of the famous restaurant's in Palawan for they served really good food with reasonable prices. So we finished our night with a warm bowl of bulalo and tuna sisig with an unlikely savory tomato sauce.
With full tummies and a cold night we called it in for the rain started to pour again. We had another long day ahead of us for tomorrow so we gave up on the weather and just crossed our fingers for the coming days.
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Prior going to this travel, nagresearch na ako sa mga famous kainan sa Puerto Princesa, amongst are these: Kalui's Restaurant, Balinsasayaw and Kinabuch's Grill and Bar. First option ko talaga ung Kalui's. I even informed our hotel na magpareserve na duon since I read na lageng fully booked. However, to my surprise, nung kinonfirm nung tour guide namin, di daw pala nakapagpabook :( that's really bad as in! Kaya we chose this one, nasa listahan ko din naman tong resto nato: Kinabuch's Grill and Bar.
Sakay kalang ng tricycle papunta duon sabihen mo lang sa driver sa Kinabuch's alam na nila un. P8 lang ang pamasahe :) Na-experience pa namin sumakay sa kakaiba nilang trike haha!
Di ko nakunan ng pix ung menu nila, madame kasi but I think if you search it thru the net, merong mga blogs na nagpost ng menu ijdk kung alin duon. Eto na kame, dinner time. Sobrang gutom na kame ng sobra dahil sa dami ng pagod namin sa maghapon kaya ito na :)
Maganda ung place, open-air. Meron din silang mga kubo if you want covered ka, meron din namang tables lang. Pinili namin ung may kubo wala lang, para mas maganda lang ang dating kasi haha!
Sa area, meron silang projector for viewing, di ko lang alam kung anong pinapalabas, nagulat nga kame nasa open area haha! At first time ata ito sa mga napuntahan kong resto na merong tv outside at malake pa. Nakakakita lang ako ng ganto kapag me laban si Pacquiao haha!
Umorder na kame.
Bulalo. Ang dami niya I think good for 5-6 persons ito. Halos kalahati lang ang naubos namin. Masarap siya, masarap ung sabaw. Di ko natikman ung laman, di ako mahilig sa beef kasi.
Crispy Pata. Di siya ung typical na pata na buong i-seserve sayo kasi parang hinimay na siya or tinilad na. Meron padin namang mga knuckles kang makakaen at un ang pinagawan namain haha ;pp
Pinakbet. Di nawawala sa menu namin palage ang gulay :)
Pitcher ng Iced Tea. Di kalamansi ang nilagay nila dito, honey kaya medyo kakaiba ung lasa niya. Hehe
Busy na sa kainan. Wala na munang imikan. Gggggrrr.
Eto lang ang natira sa Crispy Pata. Haha!
Overall. Masarap ung food nila lahat. Madame lang talaga kame naorder kaya madameng nasayang. Happy tummy na naman kame :)
