4-hour day tour and more at Puerto Princesa!
[Trip from October 2009] Even before our Cam Sur trip was planned, the bf and I already had plans to go to Palawan. And since Philippine Airlines (PAL) had a promo last July 2009, he was able to buy tickets that only cost us PHP 1,800 each. The catch was that we had to wait 3 more months to be able to travel. Anyway, we really didn’t mind since it also gave us time to save up.
PALAWAN DREAMS
I’ve always wanted to go to Palawan. And for this trip, we booked a 4D/3N stay. So from July until September, I did nothing but research on nice and affordable places to stay in for our whole vacation in Puerto Princesa. Thank God for my knack at online researching, I was able to discover Puerto Pension.
I was able to contact Puerto Pension but had a tough time getting through to them. Their email responses had lapsed, and different people answered my emails. I tried calling them and texting them but failed most times too. If the photos and the amenities didn’t impress me so much, I would have looked elsewhere. But good thing I stayed patient with them. It was about September when I finally had my reservations booked with them.
I was already worried as I was texting them about our flight details, and about getting picked up at the airport (they offered free pickup/drop-offs). No one was replying. So the bf and I decided to just take a cab, and look for Puerto Pension on our own. Much to our surprise, a card with my name on it was being waved around by this man outside the airport. Another surprise came when he showed us the way to our ride. It was a big and long air-conditioned jeep that had really nice interiors. I was 100% impressed!
As soon as the jeep entered the pension, I literally felt my jaw drop. Puerto Pension was amazing! It gave out a homey feel. It looked very vintage with its wooden make interiors & exteriors. The colors were so earthy, and it really felt like being home. We felt so welcomed. The place was super fabulous and the staff was very accommodating as well. The receptionist also gave us free drinks (cold gulaman), while she asked what we wanted to do for the remainder of the day. So after settling our payments (which I chose to do already, instead of settling it for later), she asked if we wanted a city tour in the afternoon. Since we didn’t have plans yet, we obliged to a PHP 500 tour c/o of her son.
As soon as the jeep entered the pension, I literally felt my jaw drop. Puerto Pension was amazing! It gave out a homey feel. It looked very vintage with its wooden make interiors & exteriors. The colors were so earthy, and it really felt like being home. We felt so welcomed. The place was super fabulous and the staff was very accommodating as well. The receptionist also gave us free drinks (cold gulaman), while she asked what we wanted to do for the remainder of the day. So after settling our payments (which I chose to do already, instead of settling it for later), she asked if we wanted a city tour in the afternoon. Since we didn’t have plans yet, we obliged to a PHP 500 tour c/o of her son.
City Tour Destination #1: Crocodile Farm
PHP500 was well worth it for a 4-hour city tour. So right after eating lunch at the pension's top deck restaurant: Tribu-Deck (the view from the top overlooked the bay area, and it was really spectacular), we met-up with our tour guide. He first took us to the famous Crocodile Farm. The tour only took about 30 minutes.
I actually wanted it to end right away after seeing the crocodiles in the flesh. There was even this bridge that we had to cross to be able to get to the other side. The aquatic reptiles were just underneath the steel bridge, which added more tension to my body. I was scared by the thought of that bridge getting dismantled, and me being made into an instant meal. Hahaha! Nonetheless, I braved through it and got out alive! The rain was also pouring. But we still pushed on with our tour.

Our next stop was the Mitra Farm. The former senator Mitra owned the said farm. We only dropped by to wait for the heavy rain to stop. We just took some photos while waiting for the rain to stop. And as soon as the rain seized, we headed back on the road.
City Tour Destination #3: Baker's Hill
After the farm, we dropped by for snacks at Baker’s Hill. It was like a playground full of fantasy character statues. It was definitely something that kids and kids at heart will enjoy. These statues were picture ready as well.
Apart from that, Baker’s Hill also houses a small pastry shop. I was able to buy Hopia Ube, Pastillas, and Spanish Bread at a very affordable price. But before we did some pasalubong shopping, we had merienda – we had some kwek-kwek, squid balls, and gulaman! Mmmm.
City Tour Destination #3: Baker's Hill
After the farm, we dropped by for snacks at Baker’s Hill. It was like a playground full of fantasy character statues. It was definitely something that kids and kids at heart will enjoy. These statues were picture ready as well.
Apart from that, Baker’s Hill also houses a small pastry shop. I was able to buy Hopia Ube, Pastillas, and Spanish Bread at a very affordable price. But before we did some pasalubong shopping, we had merienda – we had some kwek-kwek, squid balls, and gulaman! Mmmm.
City Tour Destination #4: The Immaculate Conception Cathedral
After Baker’s Hill, we drove off to our last destination along Rizal Avenue, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The historical landmark, which had tinges of Gothic-inspired designs, was built during the Spanish colonization. Now, since it was a new church for me, I did my usual tradition of making a wish.



DINNER AT KA LUI'S
I actually forgot to mention that I had dinner reservations booked at Ka Lui when we arrived at the Pension that morning. Reservations were required since the place was always packed. Good thing we got seats for the two of us. Anyway, our dinner was booked at 6:30 PM c/o Ate Bel of Puerto Pension (our nice receptionist).
If we were a no-show, or if we were late, our table will be given to waited list guests. But being the time-freak that I am, we got in earlier than expected.
If we were a no-show, or if we were late, our table will be given to waited list guests. But being the time-freak that I am, we got in earlier than expected.
Now when we got in, there was a sign that asked for our footwear to be removed, and for it to be placed in these wooden shoe racks. After that, we went barefoot in the restaurant, just like everyone else.
The earthy ambiance and interiors were lovely. The PHP 300/person meal for the day was well worth it too. Good thing the bf brought Claritin so that I could eat some seafood that night. Also, the meal of the day was already good for two, so we shared the following dishes: Fish Steak, Fish Cordon Bleu, complimentary Seaweeds, Clam Soup (which I didn’t like), Shrimps, Seafood Vegetable, Green Mango Salad, Rice, drinks, and a Coconut Fruit Platter. It was fine-dining at its best.
The earthy ambiance and interiors were lovely. The PHP 300/person meal for the day was well worth it too. Good thing the bf brought Claritin so that I could eat some seafood that night. Also, the meal of the day was already good for two, so we shared the following dishes: Fish Steak, Fish Cordon Bleu, complimentary Seaweeds, Clam Soup (which I didn’t like), Shrimps, Seafood Vegetable, Green Mango Salad, Rice, drinks, and a Coconut Fruit Platter. It was fine-dining at its best.
I also have to commend Kah Lui’s restroom. Even while bare feet, you can still go inside the comfort room without having to set foot on any mud or trash. The place, especially the toilets and the floor were super clean. The restaurant was that serious about barefoot dining since the restroom had good upkeep as well.
COFFEE BREAK AT ITOY'S COFFEE
Anyway, since we didn’t want the day to end yet, we had a few hot drinks at this nearby coffee shop that had a Starbucks feel to it. It was actually the most famous in Puerto Pension, and it was named Itoy’s Coffee. The bf ordered a blueberry cheesecake, while I got a café mocha. And after our sweet time at Itoy’s, we then hailed a tricycle back to Puerto Pension.
BACK AT PUERTO PENSION
Okay, so back to our room in Puerto Pension. The nice thing about our accommodation was it had air conditioning, cable-ready TV, luggage storage, hot & cold shower, and a refrigerator packed with all the midnight snacks that you can get a hold of. The catch though is that you’ll need to pay for whatever it is that you consume from the ref after checking-out. The price per product wasn’t that expensive so we used up all the water and chocolate bars.
Okay, so back to our room in Puerto Pension. The nice thing about our accommodation was it had air conditioning, cable-ready TV, luggage storage, hot & cold shower, and a refrigerator packed with all the midnight snacks that you can get a hold of. The catch though is that you’ll need to pay for whatever it is that you consume from the ref after checking-out. The price per product wasn’t that expensive so we used up all the water and chocolate bars.


Anyway, I’ve got a few more days worth of Palawan stories. So do check out my expense list in my last Palawan post. Until then! =)
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
64 comments