Get out and Explore El Nido!
Mabuhay! It's been five months, i haven't updated the weekender since January 2013. Yes! It's about my adventure trip in El Nido with friends. One of our destination was voted by thousands of travelers as the top
25 beach in Asia this year via online travel guide TripAdvisor.com’ Travelers’
Choice 2013. What?! I’m very excited to share with you.
Our afternoon flight from Manila to Puerto Princessa got
delayed, so we have to take last shuttle van to reach El Nido. Shuttle van left Puerto Princessa at
7 PM. It took five hours to reach El Nido, Palawan. It was dark and
bumpy road. If you are leaving in the morning you will see beach and cliffs. Our
shuttle van arrived in El Nido at 1 AM in the morning. It was quite morning in El Nido. Shuttle van drop us in terminal in El Nido, in front of the market.
Our hotel reservation was in Golden Monkey El Nido. It’s in
downtown of El Nido. Threecycle dropped us in the main street then we need to
walk to Golden Monkey El Nido for fifteen minutes. We passed a cemetery at that
night, at the beginning I didn’t feel afraid at all because I feel so tired, I
need to sleep on my bed after a long trip. Something happen on our second night
in El Nido.
Golden Monkey |
I woke up with the best feeling in the world, i saw
beautiful scenery in front of my room. I would love to see it every day. One day, i will spend my life in an island. For now, let's go for an island hopping. An island hopping is a must in El Nido. It's easy to arrange your tour - island hopping in El Nido. You can book everywhere, from your hotel to tour provider. Four packages are A, B, C, D. The good news is same price everywhere. I guess there's standard price from government. We started our first day with El Nido
Tour A. Tour A is the most famous
package in El Nido.
Secret Lagoon is located in small island remiscent of the
movie “the Beach” surrounded by limestone karst cliffs. As you enter a small
hole, you will see massive caldera that once a cave which collapsed and now is
surrounded by karst cliffs. In the middle is lagoon.
paradise hidden on the wall |
Princess Sharma IX and punggawa |
Small Lagoon is located on the cove of Miniloc Island. As
you enter a small swim through a hole on board a kayak or swimming through, you
will see turquoise-green waters of Small
Lagoon of its orchid-lined limestone walls, a showcase a kaleidoscope of marine
life.
Big Lagoon - a visit
to Big Lagoon is a running tour on board the outrigger boat, approaching the
lagoon in the middle of karst limestone formations you are welcomed by water so
clear and full of marine life. Big lagoon is a breeding ground for fishes and
crustaceans.
we are coming |
Our boatman prepared our lunch in front of huge rock looks like a cave. The main course is fish but i love the dessert, fresh mango and pineapple. I would love to recommend you to bring snacks while you wait our boatman cook our lunch. It takes time to cook so you can chat with your mate while eat your snack.
lunch prep |
our new mate |
Seven Commandos Beach – The final destination after long day
on tour. Seven commandos is named after the 7 remining Japanese commandos who
lived in the island as straglers after world war II. The Island has a long
white sandy beach lined with palms trees.
Laying down while enjoying caprinha, or San Miquel - local beer is one of relaxing activity after an island hopping. Widhi and i always love to taste local beer every time when we travel. We want to embrace local culture.
a cafe |
The next day, island hopping with Tour C package. Prepare your swim wear, swim gear, uv protection, sun glasses, and the most important is mineral water. You will exhausted after snorkeling or swim in the sea. It would be great if you have your morning breakfast before your activity. If your captain asked you to wear live jacket, please wear it properly due to our safety.
Tapiutan Island - Further out of the bay facing the
South China Sea, Tapiutan's rich marine life provides opportunities for
scuba diving and snorkelling. One of the most striking islands in El
Nido because of its shape and sheer limestone walls. It is possible to
have picnic lunch at the beach area on the southeastern side of the
island.
Young, and wild, and free |
power nap by the beach |
Matinloc Shrine - Hidden among the lush forested island is the Matinloc Shrine (also known as Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc and Shrine of the Blessed Virgin) a sacred monument built in 1982 to honor the blessed virgin mary.
There
is one place that caught our
attention on the islands of
El Nido, namely
Matinloc Island. From
a distance it looks like a
private resort. The captain took us to the island after
lunch, and it turns out that the building is
an old church.
Church renovated into a hotel - a combination church and hotel.
It visited during the celebration
of that time. It was said Church is abandoned by the owner due to a
ghost. Sometime in the early
2000s there was a
ghost of a beautiful woman as
a fairy that annoys workers and hotel
guests. The captain
of our boat is a living witness
who had seen the
ghost according his confession.
![]() |
over there |
Apart from that, The
view from the top of the cliff were breathtaking, we can see sea
with blue and
green color degradation
in front of you. The view is absolutely
beautiful. I feel like I’m in Raja Ampat,
Indonesia.
After returning from Matinloc
Island we were
discussing about the urban legend in
Matinloc. It was cold and humid after
rainfall, we need to pass the cemetery for the third time. Everyone
looks fine after talking about mystical in
Mantinloc, enjoying the way back to the cottages. We heard something
fall from the garden
next to the cemetery. Tatha asked me
go before our friends. As a result, we’re all run
together. Towards the end of the cemetery, we heard dogs howled so loud and barking at us. The
dog never barked
to us before. The poodle – cottages guardian directly
barking into back towards us as extrude something.
Since that incident some of us couldn’t sleep all
night, some of us feel anxiety,
fear and hear something
outside. It’s like in horror film.
Dilumacad and Helicopter Island - This island has a
beautiful white sand beach stretching to some 300 meters that is ideal
for picnic lunches during island-hopping trips. There is an underwater
tunnel at its northern side and a fringing reef on its southern end. The
island is also called Helicopter Island because its limestone cliffs resemble that of a helicopter when it is viewed from a considerable distance.
look what we've found |
under the water |
yellow coral reef |
green coral reef |
Pinagbuyutan Island has soft powdery white sand
comparable to the world's best beaches. The water is shallow for about a
couple of meters from the shore and then a few meters away you will see
a snorkeling area full of fishes. Get captivated by the emerald green
color of the water and the phenomenal seascape fronting this island.
we are looking @acewidhi |
clear water |
Cadugnon Point and Cave - It is an important anthropological site, where jewelry and pottery dating back to the Sung Dynasty (960-1279
BC) were yielded. The anthropologists believe that the cave dwellers
were from Borneo, and travelled across the ancient land bridge that
connected Palawan from Borneo.
A small opening hidden among the rocks near the beach reveals a
cathedral like cave inhabited by sea sparrows. Inside you’ll see
spectacular rock formations and a way to climb a small limestone hill. A
truly wonderful experience.
inside the cave |
Pinasil Island and Cathedral Cave - The island has a
cathedral-like cavern accessible by dinghy and kayak. Its cool interior
is lit at certain times of the day by sunlight coming through an opening
at its peak. This one of important sites for the busyadors or the birds' nest gatherers.
the door |
victory moment |
totally fun |
under my boat |
contemplation time |
Vigan and Snake Island - Located near Pangulasian
Island, it is also referred to as, "Snake Island," because of the fine
natural sandspit (s-shaped sandbar) that "snakes" off it shores. The
sandspit is clearly visible only when the tide is low. On both sides of
the sandspit are shallow swimming areas. Climbing the hill of the nearby
island provide a glimpse of an awe inspiring seascape and a bird's eye
view of Bacuit Bay while the boat crew prepare a sumptuous meal.
Snake island |
It was worth climbing, stunning view |
I am pleasure seeker, i am seeking pleasure. I tell the truth that i had great time in El Nido. My eyes can not handle the beauty of El Nido. If you ask me why i'm going to El Nido, since i came from a country where beautiful beaches lies, my reason is i want to enjoy the beauty of nature. Nature's gift to adore. One day, i will not regret that i live my life to the fullest.
"Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." - Gustave Frank Herbert
Thanks to www.gopawalawan.travel/ for content.
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