Discovering Marinduque

Captured by beautiful scenic views and natural wonders of whitesand beaches, land formations, prestine waters, blue skies by various online travel blogs and review posts... this make Marinduque interisting and worth the wait... soon decovering its magnificence, people and culture as the dock ‘n ride continues...

Wanderers Wondering in Palawan

... Dock and Ride is back, Palawan escapade and beyond...

A lot of people touts Palawan as one of the world's best tourist destinations, and I agree. For me it is heaven on earth. The Philippines is fortunate enough having this God's great masterpiece thrown at the island of Palawan. That is why, locals and tourists alike flock on this part of the country. 

You may become a stranger in your own land if you have not seen this part of the planet. Palawan being branded as one of the centers for marine biodiversity, home of flora and fauna, cited as one of the seven wonders of nature, best paradise on earth and so on. Name it and Palawan have it all, from magnificent underwater diving sites, to best islands and rock formations, to underground river with rich stalagmites and stalactites formed for over a thousands of years ago, best beaches which surely you can never resist to delve and savor the pristine blue waters and relishing powdery white sand beaches. This best place is sure to pull you back.

This magnificent island is accessible by sea and air transportation, having airports in Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Busuanga. Major seaport is in Puerto Princesa 

Commonly tourists' first stop is Puerto Princessa where numerous airline companies offer affordable airfare. 

In our case, we traveled from Manila to Puerto Princessa, Palawan via Cebu Pacific Air, one of the budget airline carriers operating in Palawan. it's just forty-five (45) minutes transit from Manila when we arrived at Puerto Princessa Airport, we went directly for a 6-hour ride by land through a pre-arranged travel and tour service (van). . Kudos to the efforts of our colleague Ariel whom we visited during his wedding day. 

    










Our first stop: 
EL NIDO, best known for white-sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and rock formations... simply, paradise within reach. It's similar to Boracay station 3 where there are numbers of hotels to stay. You can choose from low cost inns to a pricey luxurious hotel accommodation. We stayed at Rainforest Beach Hotel during our entire El NIdo visit.  


We appreciated the warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere of the owner and staff of the hotel. They prepared appetizing and delectable dishes during our stay. Rooms and other facilities were clean and well maintained. Unlimited coffee and water is provided at the lobby, truly these simple things are worthy of our appreciation and gratitude. 

It is strongly recommended to stay at this Hotel  and of course, we will be staying here again the next time around. For those who are planning to visit El Nido, pre-arrangement of hotel accommodation and service vehicle is more convinient, because of its availability considering that the this place is becoming a major tourist hub for its popularity and wide array of activities and leisure it offers to tourists both local and foreign.        

What to do in El Nido?

Well, it depends on the kind of activities you want, staying at the Hotel and savoring the pristine waters at the shoreline before sunrise is enough. But there's more... you have to discover the real El Nido much more away from the beachfront turned commercial areas. If you are good at diving, El Nido is rich in underwater scenery. Baquit Bay is one of famous area where there are plenty of dive site. Of course, you have to coordinate with Dive shops offering diving activities. 

If you prefer to just discover why El Nido is famous, then island hopping is for you. Usually, the Hotel where you are staying knows best. There are plenty of affordable bancas offering island hopping packages depending on your negotiating skills with Mr. Boatman. 

Our group paid a fee of Php 20,000.00 for twenty people in one banca. It is good for a whole day tour (our boat left at around 9 am and came back to shore at around 4 pm). This includes a tour guide (who told us the name of each island and the myth behind its name), lunch, boat transfers, environmental fees and snorkeling masks. Just bring beach essentials such as a swimsuit and your waterproof camera. Put on your sunblock, shades and your good to go.   

...and our tour begins. All day island hopping to various locations

Small Lagoon
Big Lagoon 
Secret Lagoon 
Seven Commandos Island 
Hidden Beach

Big Lagoon 

Big Lagoon scenery.   

The view of Small Lagoon where you will appreciate being away from the hustle-bustle of the metro. Boat operators offer Kayaking for Php 500.00, it is good for two to three people and enjoy the view going to Secret Lagoon  

  

A striking pose in front of the Coast Guard Station El Nido.

  

Island Hopping, a ten-minute boat ride from island to the other. 

And the bully strikes... don't forget to bring money. there are vendors selling buko, and other food stuffs at the island. there are also vendors offering Tanduay 

Cliff dive: a chance to conquer our fears and enjoy pristine blue  waters.    

Lunch time: delectable foods and drinks were served at noon. hungry tummy is happy seeing fresh grilled tuna, pork belly, fresh sea foods with chili lemon soy sauce fresh fruits  and many more  
  

NEXT STOP: One of the New Seven Wonders of Nature 
Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park 

Gusto Grill in Sabang, Puerto Princessa offers lunch buffet (all you can eat) for Php 200.00. The food is nice, worth for the penny you spent.

...and the must try, Tamilok, one of the exotic delicacies in Palawan. This singe order costs Php 100.00. It's delicious, tastes like a seaweed.

From El Nido, we traveled for almost 9 hours by land to Sofronio Espaniola, Palawan to attend our coleagues wedding day on 18 August 2018. 

The wedding was held at Sto Nino Parish. 

Wedding Reception held at the Resort Property owned by the incumbent Vice Mayor of Sofronio Espaniola. The Bride's relative
    

Sto. Nino Church in Sofronio Espaniola, Palawan 

We visited Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princessa. We came here on a week day, it was so quite that you can say your prayers earnestly. For us Catholics, it is believed that this sacred place is miraculous. Make sure that you make a wish especially if it is your first visit here.   

Up close Bacolod

ITuloy-tuloy ang pamamangka!

Discovering known places, appealing cultures, food tastes, churches are some of driving forces to pack things up and get to known places for its wonders and magnificence even spured by internet travel sites and blogs...

Bacolod, evolving as one of country's tourist destinations, branded "the city of smile", wondering  why they called it,  perhaps it's fancy smile in the mask. Really, people are friendly but not all, just like other cities I've visited (locally). Friendly and melodious (malambing) as used to portray to a native ilonggo since bacoleño is also majority ilonggos. Streets and ports are becoming busy and crowded because of its thriving commerce and trade, also passengers of sea transport going to nearby cities of Cebu and Iloilo flock to its port...

Newbie to a place purposely to privide Marsec to the delegates of 2015 APEC in Bacolod City, customarily quite intrigued on what this place has to offer to its tourists... 

Social blogs and travel sites review speak a lot of it, and to start my own discovery as recommended:

First stop: The baroque church and a bit of the Ruins

Sunday of April 26, weather is great, sunny but not too hot, we had a brief stop at the Bacolod's San Sebastian Cathedral,

 

one of the century old churches found in negros occidental. Accordingly Its century bell was brought down during its centennial cellebration presumably for safety measures.

Infront of church is central plaza and across the street is the central market

(the design and landmarks are closely similar to its neighboring cities) then we started roaming around it, we asked locals where is the famous The Ruins and our feet is on for a walk as some told us that its just a walk-away from our location. 

Passing the public market, a busy down town area and walking away far from the busy streets, we asked another and a lady tells us that we have to ride a jeepney going to libertad for about 30 minutes ride. 

Then we head on, following the instructions, ride a jeepney, then a tricycle we paid 20.00 each that brought us there. 

This is it, The ruins

Before, I was fascinated by this old unfinished elizabethan architecture, thought there is a river on it, a hotel and other establishments on its side but its plain, what you see is really what it is all about... Though some travel blog sites gave a remarkable ratings.

Of course there is an appropriate entrance fees for guests who would want to come in, that's why i opted to took photos outside and just to be prudent...

Night life

Bacolod city also offers bustling and dazzling nightlife to its tourists and locals who would want to chill in a quite rowdy in disco's more popularly the MO2 and other similar hangouts in Goldenfields you can hop with.

Mambukal hotspring and resort

Opportunity comes once, yes its true really... Since you can never be there again.

This time, i miss the time to appreciate more from this place because we came here late. Its quite rainy sunset when we decided to come here.

From Bacolod City, you will go to bus station and ride a bus going to Murcia, Mindoro Occidental, fare is P 35.00 for an hour average trip including the wait and bus stops. Its dead end is the Mambukal Hot Spring and Resort, a state run resort with affordable P 50.00 entrance fee per person. 

Here, welcomes you the breeze, the smell, fresh scent that feels like you are in the middle tropical mountains...

Nature's way of relaxation and adventure in one!

Pay for everything...

The Hot spring entrance of P 100.00 

Hot spring 50.00 per head 

Cooler than the other but still savor the natural heat... Proved that our body adjusts to temperature we are in.

The things we missed!

The beauty of nature's radiance at its best

Until the next dock n ride...

Personal account: aklan antique