PART 3
Today was the highlight of our trip here in Puerto Princesa. A tour van was going to fetch us at Puerto Pension and bring us to Sabang beach. This is the take-off point to the famous underground river of Palawan.
It was also our last day at Puerto Pension as we were going to stay overnight at the Daluyon beach and mountain resort in Sabang.
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Puerto Princesa
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View of the bay from Cafe Tribu.
A view of the baywalk leading to the ship port.
The giant Christmas tree at the Baywalk waiting for its finishing touches. It will be lighted this December.
Orchids growing at the wayside.
Puerto Pension receptionists show their uniform for me. We posed with them for some souvenir shots.
Our tour van finally arrived just before 10 am. Other tourists were already aboard including 2 Canadians and a Brit who we engaged in friendly chatter along the way. The van was soon full (15 in all including the driver) after fetching the last of the passengers at another hotel. A tour guide was with us and he started his spiel when we got going. Some of the tour guide's anecdotes were somewhat dated and green but it still elicited laughter from some tourists. The only thorn in the trip was the poor aircon of the van.
Arriving at Sabang, this view greeted us
Breathtaking skies on a serene beach
The tour included lunch at the beach. After taking our fill, we were asked to head out to the wharf to await our ride. The weather was fickle minded between sunny and rainy.
Tourists get on board their bangkas from this port.
Waiting with our new friends.
The boat ride towards the underground river provided us with some seaside landscapes.
Limestone rocks at the beach where we docked.
May and Karisse at the welcome sign.
A brief stopover at the reception area enabled us to observe some local monkeys and monitor lizards.
Forest walkway towards the underground river
Finally, we arrived at the underground river!
After putting on hardhats, we posed for the camera before we boarded our bangka
Cave entrance
Tourists going in.
Just like in the Iwahig firefly tour, the boatman who were with us served as the tour guide. The guides gave out information about the place with a touch of humor to liven up the group. But sometimes their jokes especially the one about bat poo was repeated once too often throughout the tour. Each bangka was equipped with a spotlight and it was handled by the front passengers as directed by the boatman. Since it was dark inside, I brought my flash to illuminate the interior for my shots.
I would have gotten more shots of the cave interior if I had replaced the batteries of my flash earlier. Apparently the batteries in them were spent and took some time recharging.
The tour revealed different mineral formations, and passageways inside the underground river. Bats and their poo were also present The tour guide would usually associate a formation with a common object so that tourists would appreciate them even more. Should you want to visit the other passageways not covered by the tour, you'd need a special permit to do so.
We eventually returned to our starting point when the tour was finally over. The van brought us then to the resort where we will be staying for the night. We said our goodbyes to our new friends then they left us to return back to the city.
Daluyon beach and mountain resort boasts of 16 modern-Asian beachfront rooms with modern amenities. They are active participants of the Zero Carbon Resort (ZCR) Project. Since there is no electricity in Sabang, most of the resorts here are powered by generators. Daluyon limits the amount of fuel used by using energy-saving light bulbs. Hot water is supplied by a series of rooftop solar panels. Daluton was recently given an ASEAN Green Hotel Award. Both the Puerto Pension and Daluyon is headed by its CEO and owner - Mr. Butch Tan Jr.
At the lounge area.
Massage hut
Swimming pool. A kids pool is also available
Beachfront rooms
Our room was spacious.
Daluyon's restaurant offers Asian-Global inspired cuisine served with a Palawan twist. Our dining experience here was very pleasant and enjoyable. The staff were courteous and attentive, and the food - delightfully sumptuos and well presented.
Dining area.
Corridor going to their restaurant.
Baby backed ribs
Chicken afritada
Angel's hair putanesca
Salad
Our stay in Daluyon proved to be very relaxing -- a welcome relief just before our trip back home to Manila the following day.
This Palawan trip was a most enjoyable one especially after experiencing the firefly and the underground river tour. Even if we didn't get to see the other sites, I'd definitely recommend this beautiful place to those seeking exotic destinations.
Till the next trip!
