3 Famous Sites in a day -- Only in Puerto Princesa!
[Trip from October 2009] Our Hunda Bay tour was a whole day affair. We got picked up at the Pension house at around 7 am, and was able to reach the Hunda Bay Tourism Board at around 8 am. So after our guide registered us, we boarded on an outrigger boat with 2 other pairs.
First Stop: Pambato Reef
We got to the Pambato Reef site around 8:40 am. So as soon as we docked, we geared up and dove into the water. During our snorkeling escapade, we were able to see a lot of beautiful corals and a variety of fish. You can just imagine how amazing our morning swim went after seeing different kinds of fish.
Second Stop: Snake Island
On our way to our second site, our tour guide asked us why our second destination coined the name 'Snake Island'. The tour guide didn’t tell us the reason just yet. So we were left wandering. My first thought was that it was initially inhabited by snakes, which freaked me out a bit. And as we were nearing the island, the guide finally told us the reason behind the islands strange label. I was actually relieved when I heard that the island had the shape of a snake when seen on a birds eye view. It was just that.
Anyway, the island was also filled with a bunch of amazing fishes. One even had a good bite out of me. They also named this particular fish as the ‘Territorial Fish’. Indeed, it was.
We got to the Pambato Reef site around 8:40 am. So as soon as we docked, we geared up and dove into the water. During our snorkeling escapade, we were able to see a lot of beautiful corals and a variety of fish. You can just imagine how amazing our morning swim went after seeing different kinds of fish.
Second Stop: Snake Island
On our way to our second site, our tour guide asked us why our second destination coined the name 'Snake Island'. The tour guide didn’t tell us the reason just yet. So we were left wandering. My first thought was that it was initially inhabited by snakes, which freaked me out a bit. And as we were nearing the island, the guide finally told us the reason behind the islands strange label. I was actually relieved when I heard that the island had the shape of a snake when seen on a birds eye view. It was just that.
Anyway, the island was also filled with a bunch of amazing fishes. One even had a good bite out of me. They also named this particular fish as the ‘Territorial Fish’. Indeed, it was.
We had a good time feeding different schools of fish. We even saw a bunch of Nemo’s under water (Clown Fish). Anyway, after feeding the fish, we were called back to shore to be fed with real food. =) We had our lunch (buffet-style again) by the beach.
Now the nice thing about being on this island was that you'll be able to see so many Starfish (in varied sizes and colors). The one Starfish that I was really amazed with was the large pink and plue ones. Since those weren’t allowed to be taken out of the sea for long, we were only given a few minutes to take pictures with it. The starfish were then thrown back to the sea afterwards.
Now the nice thing about being on this island was that you'll be able to see so many Starfish (in varied sizes and colors). The one Starfish that I was really amazed with was the large pink and plue ones. Since those weren’t allowed to be taken out of the sea for long, we were only given a few minutes to take pictures with it. The starfish were then thrown back to the sea afterwards.
Third Stop: Pandan Island
After lunch and a few minutes worth of strolling and picture-taking, we were asked to board the boat again. Pandan Island was our last destination for the day.
Pandan Island had a lot of fish as well, especially smaller ones. Since we ran out of bread to feed the fish, we just decided to observe the sea creatures.
After lunch and a few minutes worth of strolling and picture-taking, we were asked to board the boat again. Pandan Island was our last destination for the day.
Pandan Island had a lot of fish as well, especially smaller ones. Since we ran out of bread to feed the fish, we just decided to observe the sea creatures.
Back in town: Puerto Princesa!
We had a great tour, all in all. We actually got back at the port by 4 PM. And since we were too tired to go elsewhere, we just decided to hit the food place nearest to us, which was Kinabuch’s Bar and Grill.
We ordered some grilled liempo, green salad mango, baked tahong, and for me --- a strawberry margarita! We ended the night with a few more beers, and then headed back to Puerto Pension to do some last minute packing. We weren’t able to hangout by the Tribu Deck anymore since we were so beat from the day trip that we had.
We had a great tour, all in all. We actually got back at the port by 4 PM. And since we were too tired to go elsewhere, we just decided to hit the food place nearest to us, which was Kinabuch’s Bar and Grill.
We ordered some grilled liempo, green salad mango, baked tahong, and for me --- a strawberry margarita! We ended the night with a few more beers, and then headed back to Puerto Pension to do some last minute packing. We weren’t able to hangout by the Tribu Deck anymore since we were so beat from the day trip that we had.
Puerto Princesa was by far, the best local place that I’ve been to in a while, and Puerto Pension made our stay even more enjoyable. So we’re definitely going back!
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
36 comments
How fun! Would love to Nemo in his natural habitat, not in an aquarium or animated film. :)) That starfish is also a star as much as Nemo cuz of its size and colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! Hope to visit there as well...
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I kind of traded this Honda Bay Tour off since I got no time when I visited here..
ReplyDeleteWill definitely catch up, I was surprise though that there is only 3 locations for this trip.
I have friends and relatives there, so one day I should make the trip before I get too old to travel.
ReplyDeleteenvious!!! for now i will just have to be content with the stories and photos posted in blogs... let me visualize snorkeling and seeing nemo! lol!
ReplyDeletePUERTO PRINCESA
ReplyDeleteis one of the beautiful places in the Philippines
that I wish to visit. My siblings had been there and
I was so envious then but, nevertheless...
I blogged about that trip and I somehow felt the joy they
had during their stay.
Alan mo I'm supposed to go to Puerto princesa Kung Wala akong urgent sa work today, until tomorrow sana ang bakasyon , Sayang... Next time nalang ulit... Love your pics! Can't wait to explore this place very soon.. ;)
ReplyDeleteI used to think that Puerto Princesa was the most beautiful place for me, then I saw Coron.:) I guess I'll never get tired visiting Palawan. :)
ReplyDeleteThat starfish on your photo is a Proteaster nodosus or horned/chocolate cheap seastar can be foudn in almost coral reefs in the country. :D Woohoo, I shall visit Palawan soon
ReplyDeleteThese are the things that make Palawan so special, the biodiversity and the very rich marine ecology :)
ReplyDelete#NoToMiningInPalawan
I love the school of fish at Hunda Bay but I love Bohol's Balicasag Island marine sanctuary more!
ReplyDeleteAww nice to see Honda Bay! I lost all my pics during my trip there in 2006, and though I've been back in Palawan a number of times, I haven't gone back yet to Hunda Bay and wanting to do it this year so thanks for the post dear!
ReplyDeleteI just don't really like it when a starfish is placed on my skin, sobrang makiliti huu
ReplyDeleteHindi namin natry ang Honda Bay Tour ng pumunta kami sa Palawan..
ReplyDeleteMay dahilan para bumalik.. hehehe..
Thanks for the link on your travel expenses (it helped a lot for frugal peeps like me) and of course, the pictures you shared as well.
ReplyDeleteHey AJ! I actually enjoyed looking at the clown fish that were swimming besides us. It was a delightful experience! =)
ReplyDeleteSurely! =)
ReplyDeleteReally?? How many locations/spots should there be for this specific tour?? =)
ReplyDeleteWow, you already have an advantage right there. You should visit Puerto Princesa real soon Ms. Maria. =)
ReplyDeletehehehe! You should try it sometime, Ms. Gemma. :) What's holding you back from planning a trip like this?
ReplyDeleteI know, Ms. Marri.. I've seen your blog post about your siblings trip to Coron. You should really take a trip with them too. :)
ReplyDeleteNaku Ms. Violy, ok lang yan.. You've gone around the world na, and Puerto Princesa is just a plane ride away na lang. It'll be easier for you to visit the province at any time. :)
ReplyDeleteI know right, Ms. Blanca? Hehe! Loved your Coron post by the way.. But I guess we should try El Nido too.. we might change our minds about Coron being on top of our list. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the sound of that name: horned/chocolate cheap seastar. Sounded delish! hehehe
ReplyDeleteI know.. grabe, no to mining talaga!!! Hey friend, free ka sa June? :)
ReplyDeleteHey Ms. Cha! I've been to Bohol twice but I haven't traveled to Balicasag yet. Do you have a blogpost on that that I can read about? :)
ReplyDeleteYEY! A Palawan trip this year, that's exciting!!!! Take new photos from your Hunda Bay Tour soon.. and make sure to keep your photos this time, Ms. Mhe-Anne! :)
ReplyDeleteReally? When I had a few on top of my legs (while taking photos), these creatures didn't even budge one bit.. hehe.
ReplyDeleteYes, another reason for you to come back! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sir Mark. Glad to help. :)
ReplyDeletepsstt. depends on my sked... inform me ahead of time... workaholic ako LOL!
ReplyDeletehahaha! PM mo naman ako sa fb ng # mo. =)
ReplyDeletei hope so...
ReplyDeletethis is one destination my husband and i are looking forward to visiting with the kids, of course.
That will definitely be a worthwhile experience -- to travel with your whole family! :)
ReplyDeletehi, thank you for all of the infos you shared, i've been trying to view your travel expense sheet for this 4d3n puerto princesa tour but its not showing. did you book all your tours with puerto pension upon check-in? thank you so much
ReplyDeleteHello dear! The excel file for the Travel Expense Sheet seems to be working fine on my end. I was able to open it right away. Would you like a copy perhaps? Just email me your address at mai.wanderluster@gmail.com -- I'll email you a copy as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for your other question, all of our tours were booked under Puerto Pension. :)