Dine and wine in Puerto Princesa City

Here's a simple guide to where to eat and drink in Puerto Princesa city:

1. Kalui Restaurant - www.kaluirestaurant.com . Best to reserve before going there for it can be full at times.
                                  Rizal Avenue / (048) 433-4840
2. Kinabuchs Restaurant - 348 Rizal Avenue / (048) 434-5194

3. Balinsasayao Restaurant - Rizal Ave.

4. Jo's Inato - in front of the Cathedral

5. Haim Chicken Inato- Manalo Extension (048) 433-2261

6. Lotus Garden - near the airport, Asian Fine dining

7. Badjao Seafood Restaurant - Brgy. Bagong Sikat / (048) 433-9912

8. Tiki Bar and Restaurant - junction 1

We wanted to try TAMILOK or woodworm at Kinabuchs but unfortunately they don't have delivery from the locals that day. So after dinner at Kinabuchs we ended up going to Tiki Restobar for few bottles of beer. The interior is nice and it has a polynesian interior look . Quite out of the ordinary from the restaurants i've been to in Puerto Princesa.

The band in TIKI bar is singing reggae and everybody was having a great time.

I guess it was our lucky night because a waitress informed us that they have TAMILOK that day. Ordered it immediately. I was brave enough to eat one piece. I'm so proud of my self.

Now i can say i've conquered Palawan LOL !

Honda Bay Palawan Island Hopping

Woke up at 530am to prepare for our Honda Bay tour. I'm a little excited about this because i'm an addict to snorkeling .

Honda Bay Island Hopping is one activity in Puerto Princesa which is not to be missed. You must include it in your itinerary.

For a hassle free tour , you may get a tour package from any travel agency or you have an option to DIY (do it yourself).My suggestion is best to leave everything to the experts.

Standard Rate for Honda Bay tour - P 1,100/person inclusive of lunch, boat hire, services of a tour guide, 2way transfers hotel-honda bay wharf v.v.

Should you be on a tight budget and opt to do-it-yourself  , here are some tips:

1. Tricycles are willing to transfer you to/from Honda Bay Wharf if the price is right. Normal rate is P 400-500 per tricycle. A tricycle can carry 3-4 passengers. But remember that the Honda Bay wharf is 20-30 minutes away from the city and believe me it's not a very comfortable ride.

2. Van hire - P 1,500/van 2way transfer pick-up/drop-off from hotel. Good for 10-12 pax.

3. Best to buy your fresh fish,seafoods, rice at the wet market before proceeding to the wharf. No need to bring utensils because the locals in Pandan Island or Snake Island can provide it for a fee. There are small retail stores in Pandan and Sanke island which sells softdrinks, bread (for fish feeding), etc.

4. Bring sunblock (lots of it), shades, sarong or anything to protect you from the smoldering heat of the sun. DO NOT forget to bring your camera. Waterproof camera cases are for rent at the HOBBAI booth for P 150 each.

5. Bring your own snorkel gear (for hygienic purposes) or you may rent one for P 100.

6. Best time to go is 7am-8am ahead of the tourist pack. Less crowd at the beach and more islands you can cover.

7. Register first at the HOBBAI (Honda Bay Boatowners Association Inc) Booth. Then pay your boat hire there too.

We were assigned to a boat named Angel of the Sea. . .

First stop was Pandan Island. . .

 Most of these islands have rightful owners. That is why they have set an entrance fee everytime you go to their island. Here are the lists of the islands and their corresponding entrances:

Our second stop was Snake Island. . .

We took our lunch here in Snake Island. Cottage hire is P 50/cottage. Locals cooked our lunch for P 100.
We paid also for the coals used in broiling our seafoods P 25. Buko juice costs P 25 each.

As you can see from the above picture, the locals are busy preparing lunch for the tourists.

And here's the finished product. . . Our glorious lunch!!!!

After our lunch we headed off again for non stop snorkeling. This time the fishes are bigger and brighter. Oh i really love our waters. I hope all tourists heeds the calling of our government to keep our environment clean so that  our children may enjoy and experience the beauty of our country.

Starfish Island was our next stop after lunch. This island according to the caretaker was bought by Dos Palmas already.

We saw a pack of Korean Tourists eating lunch at the LULI Island (Lulubog-Lilitaw). There's a P 50 entrance so we decided to skip but was able to take pictures of it. It was high tide that time.

We had a great time touring Honda Bay. We will surely come back to visit Dos Palamas and other islands we were not able to set foot to.

Puerto Princesa nightlife coming up.

Vietnamese Village Puerto Princesa City Palawan

On our way to Vietnamese Village (located near the Sta Lourdes Wharf), these group of schoolkids caught our attention. This is School Service Palawan style. There must have been 20 kids or more riding the tricycle and they are more than willing to pose in front of the camera.

Twenty minutes away from the city you will find the Vietnamese village. Many years it has been home to Vietnamese asylum seekers but most of them are now relocated in the United States and only 5 people remained in the village.

There is a souvenir shop and a restaurant where they serve authentic vietnamese dishes.

And we ordered these. . .

Lapu-Lapu with black bean sauce and vermicelli (P 750/fish). Priced according to fish weight per gram. Fish was huge for 3 people sharing.! We ordered 4 plates of rice for this LOL!!

We wanted to try their shrimp spring rolls but it was quite dry. And beef pho bo (soup with flat noodles and beef). The pho bo was bland looking with its white noodles but very tasty and full of flavors on the contrary.

We did not forget to order their french bread (with tuna spread). Absolutely delicious ! (P 60/bread). You can order it plain .

As we are in the middle of our meal , the aroma of the vietnamese coffee brewing permeated the room. Can't help but order it too. (P 75/glass)

Our total damage : P 1,363 - shared by 3 people. The total bill being so because of the Steamed Lapu-Lapu otherwise we could have just paid P 500 - 600. But we're totally satiated. Had to adjust our waistbelts.

After our hearty meal we decided to try Kim's Hot Springs just walking distance to Vietville Restaurant.

Kim's Hot Spring and Restaurant is frequented by Korean tourists in Palawan. They have private pool with hot spring water being pumped into it. The hot spring water is actually not flowing like in Ardent hot spring Camiguin but instead enclosed in a pool. According to the attendants, koreans like it that way.

Their private pool rate is P 400 /pool for every 4 hours. They have bigger pool which can accomodate 16 people. Be sure to bring your towels and change of clothes. They are open till 10pm. They also have a restaurant should you go hungry .

Next day we are scheduled for Honda (Hunda - right way of pronouncing it according to locals) Bay. We're excited to snorkel.

Follow our Honda Bay adventure here. . .

Puerto Princesa City Palawan

Typhoon "Basyang" left the country a day before we leave for Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. It was a sunny morning and despite of a 2hour delay of our Air Philippine Express flight it wasn't enough to dampen our spirits.
I was raring to visit this lovely city since last year and when airphilexpress had a ticket sale i did not pass up the chance.

As soon as you step out of the airport you will notice the cleanliness of the surroundings. Warning to visitors : Littering is heavily fined. Please throw your candy wrappers, cigarette butts , plastic water bottles etc into the waste bins.

One thing good about touring this city is that they have one standard rate for tours and van hire . Travel agencies has same rates for tour packages the difference lies in the service they will provide during your tour.

Even tricycle hire for tours follow one standard rate. . .

We booked through Liberty Park Pension which is located 5mins away from the airport. I've heard good reviews about them and they did not fail me. There was prompt airport transfers provided. Their breakfast was served hot and delicious. The receptionist was kind and helpful. The room and toilet was clean . There was wifi available (though signal is better in the reception area) .But a minor glitch was their hot water which was more of cold.

Liberty Park Pension is really value for money. Their accomodation rates ranges from P 950 - P 1,600 per night depending on what room type and number people staying in one room. The pension house is walking distance to Bona's Chaolongan - a famous vietnamese carinderia type eatery.

You can easily hail a tricycle (P 8/person) in front of the pension house if you must go to the palengke (wet market) or to tiangge-tiangge to buy pasalubong and south sea pearls.

Our first day was spent touring the city and highlight of it was our visit to Vietnamese Village.

Follow my story on Vietville here.