El Nido -  a paradise locked outside of heaven. This is what I concluded when I experienced the breathtaking El Nido. Who needs to go to Bali when we have these beauty right in our country?

The Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

From Puerto Princesa City, where we stayed and toured for 3 days, we took a Roll On Roll Off (RORO) bus to El Nido. The travel is about 6-7 hours long with two 20-minute stop over on some towns. Fare is around 490Php (11$), one way. Take note that you have to be there ahead of time as there could be a lot of passengers especially during peak season and weekends. It's also advisable to travel during the night so you won't be weary of the long hours. Wayback February when we went there, the roads were rough with some paved ones.

Where We Stay

We arrived at El Nido earlier than expected, 4:30 in the morning. My friend had a supposed reservation at a local inn but when we arrived there, her contact said that it's already occupied. The good thing though is that she has a friend who has a room for rent at her house. She even accompanied us there and we only payed 800Php per night (18US$), so cheap! The room wasn't that bad, a fan room with a common restroom and was located downtown near the beach. But I would not advise this kind of accomodation if you like to experience El Nido at its finest.

There are cheap hostels and resorts on the front beach. If there's a reservation, make sure also to inform your contact what time will you be arriving.

El Nido Tour

After resting for an hour, we made our way to the town and looked for a travel agency. As what I have noticed, almost all of them has similar offerings. One local told us that it was the government who made it standardized. There are Tours from A to E ranging from 700php to 1500php, each has a different group of islands to visit. Since we're already on a tight budget, we chose Tour A worth 700Php per pax (16US$). The islands included were Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando.

We joined a number of foreigners and we were the only Filipinos on the group.

Helicopter Island from afar - it was shaped like a helicopter thus the name

Our first stop was the Small Lagoon where went snorkeling and swimming. We had to swim our way through to enter the lagoon itself, which has vivid waters surrounded by limestone walls. It would actually nice to go kayaking here as the current was not that strong.

Felt like an appetizer for the whole El Nido experience

Snorkeling - the water was only chest deep

Small Lagoon

Next was the Big Lagoon, a diving spot located in the midst of karst limestone formations. This also serves a breeding ground for fishes and crustaceans.

Way to Big Lagoon

I am not a good swimmer so I didn't feel confident diving into the deep blue green waters. The tour guide even said that occasionally there are baby sharks around which made me feel more scared. My friends dived through, though!

Secret Lagoon was our subsequent stop. It is exactly what its name implies. We had to go through a hole to access the Secret Lagoon, you should be extra careful though, as you can bump your head if you don't bow down suitably

Entrance to the Secret Lagoon

Upon passing that narrow entrance, you would see the hidden lagoon surrounded by a massive crater-like cliffs. The water isn't too deep and clear as the other lagoons.

A crater-like Secret Lagoon surrounded by cliffs

Cliff walls around Secret Lagoon

After soaking ourself at Secret Lagoon, we proceeded to Simizu Island, where we ate our specially prepared sumptuous lunch and mostly rest.

Tourists resting at Simizu Island

Healthy, mouth watering lunch prepared by our tour guide

Fresh veggies!

Stunning Simizu Island

We were quite exhausted and tired, so we decided to just take a rest after lunch. The final destination after a long day tour was 7 Commando Island. It was named after the seven Japanese soldiers who stayed on the island after World War II. Its fine white sand and crystal clear waters made the perfect place for our last stop. The scenery itself was so inviting. There were stores where you can buy cold drinks including beer. Public toilets are also available.

It was almost sunset when we reach back El Nido downtown and we wanted to eat something sweet, so we try Sea Slugs Beach Bar & Restaurant. We learnt about this restaurant when we were preparing our itinerary and the reviews were quite ok.

Chocolate crepe

Buko milk shake

For me, the food has been just average or we could have at least tried their best sellers. What makes the place special was it is located beach front so you'll have a solitary view of El Nido. Indeed, I witnessed a golden sunset like never before.

Later that night, we wanted to try Habibi Shisha Cafe and Restaurant but it was jam packed with customers.

Electricity

When going to El Nido, one should know they have a limited power supply. The electricity is off from 6:00AM until 2:00PM. Thus, you may ought to check if the hotel you're staying has power generators. During our stay, there were even power interruptions outside the scheduled black out.

The next morning we took a van back to Puerto Princesa for our flight back to Manila. Taking a van took us only around 5-6 hours but was more expensive than the bus fare.

El Nido was a place I'd definitely fallen in love. All the inconveniences are worth the hassle. You could try Tours A to E everyday, but still won't get enough of this paradise.

A dream come true for the three of us as we were able to cross out one item from our bucket list - "See one of the Seven Wonders of Nature - the Puerto Princesa Underground River!". It really pays a tribute to see this spectacular wonder of nature that put the Philippines in the world map.

After an exhausting yet enjoyable side trip at Ugong Rock, we immediately headed to Sabang beach where we had a sumptuous buffet lunch by the beach.

A wide shot of Sabang beach exhibiting its pristine sand, clear blue waters

Before one can see the beauty of the Underground River, a permit should be secured first that must be booked days ahead because there's only a certain number of visitors allowed per day. Our arrangements were already settled by our travel agency - one advantage of acquiring a package tour. We had to wait for our turn to be assigned to a pump boat which just made our excitement haste much more.

Along the way to the National Park, the weather got a little windy and rainy so we didn't have a chance to take pictures of the ocean view. I got a bit worried because our tour guide said that the national park's committee sometimes do postpones the tour if the rain gets heavy.

In a fortunate turn of event, the rain stopped when we get there. Yay!!

Group picture by the beach

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected area of the Philippines, home to a wide range of forest, bird species and some endemic animals.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park's map

Bayawak (Monitor Lizard)

After some 7-10 minutes of walk in the park, we arrived at the staging area where we were asked to wear helmets and life vests. Water goes a little swell at times, thus the life vest.

Entrance to the river from afar

We all then docked into a small boat. The tour guides sit on the end of the boat so he can paddle our way inside. Since we were sitting in the front, I was tasked to hold a flashlight that I should point to wherever the tour guide instructs me to. I actually used this to my advantage to feed my curiosity because I also had a the full control on where to spot the light. Consider this as a tip; volunteer to hold that flashlight so you can enjoy more of the surroundings!

That verdant fresh water in the background

The enormous mouth of the Underground river, pitch dark inside!

Breathtaking view from the outside, Mother Nature and its diversity

The Underground River is 8.2 km long but the tour only covered more than a kilometer. I think another permit is needed if you want to go beyond that.

Inside the cave are distinctive rock formations, adjoining stalactites and stalagmites, and a bunch of bat caves. Hats off to our hilarious tour guide who made the tour more exciting and pleasurable. He genuinely knows where the awesome rock formations are located considering its pitch dark inside.

Here are just some pictures we manage to take. You know, they are best seen in person:

A hanging corn

A gigantic bird's head as if plunging from a dive

Mama Mary's grotto sitting atop a mountain rock

There were some writings on the wall rocks that must have been put by some ancient people and researchers

Way out of the underground river

During the tour, I was actually a little scared to fall off the boat, the water is 20feet deep they say and it was really, really dark. Thank God I held the flashlight! But that feeling was beaten by the comeliness of the river. Imagine the millions of years it took to form those enchanting rock formations, truly a wonder of nature that everyone in the world must see. I would love to go back here and I'm pretty sure I will still be as enthralled as the first time.

We headed back to Puerto Princesa city after the tour and prepared for our El Nido trip then.

From Puerto Princesa City, a 2-3 hour travel is needed to reach Sabang wharf, then another 30-45 minutes boat travel to the PPS Subterranean National Park itself. We woke up early for breakfast and preparation, then we were picked up by 7:30AM. The trip made me quite dizzy because of the zigzag road but along the way, we enjoyed Palawan's scenery - lush green forests, panoramic view of mountains, magnificent rock formation among others.

Since we were a little early for our schedule, we went on a side trip to Ugong Rock Adventures located at Brgy. Tagabinet, Northern part of Puerto Princesa.

We had to pay 450php per person where we did trekking, spelunking and zip line. Beforehand, a brief introduction was conducted by a community member but I barely remember what he said due to my excitement. :) Then for safety purposes, gloves and helmets were provided and a dedicated tour guide for our group.

Along the trek, the tour guide explained some geological information about Ugong Rock. According to him, Ugong Rock is a million-year old limestone rock formation that's taken its name from the echoing sound of the rocks produced when tapped. (Ugong in Filipino literally means buzz or hum.)

To reach the top of Ugong Rock, we had to go through narrow passages and climb up steep rocks. We even had to crawl or stoop down through the holes, under a stalactite or side step on a wall rock.

Entrance to the cave

Visiting a cave like this also means using your imagination and interpreting the rock formations - from a vulture to lion's head to a dragon. There's actually a lot that the tour guide had them memorized. What dazed me the most were the stalactites or dripstones shining and shimmering like they were wanting to be noticed. Visitors are not allowed to touch them though.

After trekking and clambering in the cave, here comes the hardest part of spelunking! We had to climb through a 12-foot vertical rock that requires rapelling and a lot of muscle efforts. Luckily, there was a harness and the community members was there to help us up.

We were all sweaty and gasping for air upon reaching the top. Good thing there were benches for us to sit down and rest. Then we had to climb a steep ladder to finally reach the peak. Ha! Finally.

Atop, we were astounded by the astonishing view of lush green scenery that made all the sweat and expenditure worth it. In addition was the cold wind that easily refreshed our worn out bodies that have not long experienced an exercise.

To go back to the starting point, one has two options - first is to do all that spelunking and trekking again OR scream at the top of your lungs while doing their zip line boasted to be the fastest in the country. Of course, we chose the latter!

I've tried quite a few zip lines and I can't distinguish if this is indeed the fastest. Nonetheless, it was so much fun and exhilarating plus they make sure that you are really safe with all that harness on.

Ugong Rock Adventures is really a must-try, exceptionally deserving of its price. Then we proceeded to Sabang wharf for our Underground River tour. More exciting events were yet to unleash!