Applauding Palawan: Part 1 – The City of Puerto Princesa

We recently went on a trip to Paradise, more commonly known as Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It is located in the western Philippines, an hour flight from Cebu. This is the first vacation we ever took where we really booked a tour, with tour guide and all. This is the first time that we didn’t “DIY”. For me it was a good thing because this group is a sleeper – if left to our devices we would have missed a lot of things. Expect several more posts about Palawan in the next few days, I have soooo much to tell and show.

Up in the air we can already see the lushness of the entire province. Lush green forest, we haven’t seen any evidence of logging up there and you will really see that their trees have been around for a very long time. When we landed we still saw old trees along the runway.  

 When we arrived we were picked up by our contact there. We had the van all to ourselves then we were dropped off to our temporary home. We stayed at Mabeck’s Pension House which is located at H. Mendoza St, just across Rengel Center – just a few minutes from the airport. We were given a few hours to freshen up and then we were picked up by the same driver for our City Tour. 

I personally didn’t know what was included in this tour so I had no expectations and I had no list to tick off and the “Surprise me” state of mind made the whole trip relaxing and so much more enjoyable. I totally aced the live in the moment mantra.

Baybay, Palawan’s Baywalk is our first destination. This is just like the baywalk near MOA except that it’s 100 times cleaner even if it’s very near their sea port. We went there both during night time and daytime and it is splendid both times. It’s very breezy and very spacious. 

What’s more amazing here is that, according to a local tricycle driver, all of previous residents in the area is moved t  a housing complex just very near the place. When we came back we really checked it out. Theirs is a very clean place, I initially thought those were office buildings. You won’t see any naked children running around no signs of any sinampay anywhere.

War memorial and Palawan’s old Church was our next destination. The war memorial is open to the public and there were no entrance fee. 

 Here you can also see the landmarks of all the people who were included in the massacre of Palawan during the war – something none of us recalled being taught in school. It’s actually pretty creepy for  me since there were so many names on the list.

 The church on the other hand has some sort of small town charm. I can perfectly imagine everyone knowing everyone during masses. It’s pretty much like Bantayan Island’s church.

Then we went to the Pasalubong Center we weren’t in the mood for pasalubong shopping yet so we only bought a few items. I have to say their pasalubong stuff are cheaper overall compared to the ones in Baguio, to think we were on an upscale pasalubong store in Puerto Princesa and the actual market in Baguio.

The Crocodile Park aka Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center was next. The conservation center aims to help increase the population of the country’s dying crocodile population. 

When you enter their first building where the tour starts you will be greeted by a gigantic crocodile skeleton on a glass enclosure and the pair of the largest croc skin I’ve ever seen.

This used to be Rio, he was slightly smaller than Agusan’s Lolong but equally scary. He was 60 years old when he was captured. He suffered the same fate as Lolong and died shortly due to stress. I therefore conclude that stress is really DEADLY so always destress, detox and laugh as often as you can.

We were then taken to the nursery.This is where the baby crocs are kept. 

Did you know that you can tell what kind croc they are by the patterns on their skin? Fresh water crocs have strips while salt water crocs have spots.

They have a croc here as huge as Rio and already 50 years old. He will most likely survive and wont die of stress because he was captured when he was only 6 and he is already adjusted to captivity . 

Here's a hoard of crocs resting and cramped together. The solitary croc, the one detached from the group is the dominant one. The rest that are cramped like that are the submissive ones. 

At the end of the tour they have an area where you get to hold the croc – it’s a small croc and it’s mouth is secured so you can be assured that your hand wont be snapped off. We of course joined in. It wasn't slimy and it was actually kind of smooth contrary to the rough look of the crocs. 

And of course we didn't miss any opportunity to goof off. 

The conservation park also has other animals like birds and reptiles and hedgehogs and musang. It’s scattered under the trees on a forest like setting. We wandered for a bit. When we got out we made some more shopping for souvenirs.

We were whisked away to our next destination - Mitra's Ranch it was over looking and they have horses for riding, and ziplines and a trampoline. We just went there and chilled. 

We didn’t go for any ride, their zipline dulled in comparison to Dahilayan’s (read: bragging rights of Dahilayan Zippers). We had a very nice unobstructed view of the Honda bay and we soaked it in while sitting in the grass. 

Baker’s hill was the last of our destination for the day and poor Manong Driver is already running late. This is on a hill and it is a collection of many bakers and food shops.

 What amazed me most here is the cleanliness and the effort that they undergo everyday to make sure that the place stays beautiful. They have fresh beautiful arrangement of flowers on a pot of water – take note, these are fresh flowers so they have to be change everyday. We only see these on upscale spas.

 The landscaping of the garden is also very very beautiful in an effortless way. Their viewing deck is also very unique – a perfect place to see the sun set.

Our day was capped off by our dinner at Baybay. The food was not badly priced either. Look at this - rice kisses. Soooo cute!

With everything we ate we asked them if they missed anything since our bill was so much less than we expected. We turned in early because we had to wake up early for the next day.

Here’s a list of things I learned today:

If a croc was captured old/matured from the wild then placed in captivity, they will most likely die from stress

A croc’s skin is only valuable between the age of 1 -6 years old. Any older than that and it wont be good for bag or shoe making.

Puerto Princesa is the least densely populated city in country even. The city is the second largest city, second only to Davao, geographically. 

P.S.
No matter how good I write about this amazing place, even if I acquire the skills of a NatGeo Photog, my words and my pictures will never do this place justice. You have to be there to experience it.