(Read Part 1 of 3)
(Read Part 2 of 3)
For the third time in three days, we attempted to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour (remember, the Philippine Coast Guard cancelled the tour the past two days due to strong waves and bad weather). Though the waves still looked like a surfer’s paradise (sort of), the tour was given the green light by the PCG. There was one catch however. Since there was no tour for two days, all the tourists booked for those days along with those booked for the present day had to be accommodated. I overheard a tour guide say that the number of guests for the tour on that day was 1, 800. I was told that on a regular busy day, there are about 600 guests on these tours.
Our guide, Richard, estimated our turn would come at around noon. He said this at 9 AM. We had three hours to burn, so he took us to a buffet restaurant that tamilok shake – a local delicacy made of tamilok, a kind of saltwater clam related to the talaba. The tamilok is blended with other ingredients to make a shake. I, unfortunately (or should I say “fortunately”?) didn’t get to taste what this tamilok shake everyone was talking about.
After an hour at the restaurant, we roamed around the wharf to buy souvenirs. Word of caution: I would suggest that you NOT buy souvenirs here, as they have a tendency to be overpriced. Wait until you get back to the city proper to buy your fair share of souvenirs.
Our day hit a snag when the coast guard temporarily cancelled the tour because the weather grew bad, but resumed it after an hour. They stopped the tour again at around 1 AM, this time for the whole day, due to strong waves. In fact, a banca carrying fish to the mainland, sank and the passengers had to be rescued by the coast guard.
Obviously, the cancellation caused everyone, especially foreign tourists, disappointment and frustration. But that is life, so filled with disappointment and frustration. Things like this should not be seen as a total disaster though. There are other things to to be happy about. And remember, the PCG is more concerned about tourists’ safety. Agan, a fishing banca already sank. Nobody wants that to happen to a tourist boat. To be fair to tourists, thought, the PCG should’ve just cancelled the whole thing at the start of the day instead of getting everyone’s hope up only to smash it to the ground.
We proceeded back to the city proper for our city tour. Our first stop was the LRC 908 Market Mall, a souvenir store complex.
LRC 908 Market Mall
LRC 908 Market Mall, located at Puerto Princesa North Rd, Puerto Princesa City, is a small complex of stores that sell souvenir items.
Like I’ve said earlier, it’s not advisable to buy all the items you’d like to bring home to friends and family at tourist spots like the Puerto Princesa Underground River or Honda Bay because they tend to be overpriced. Here at LRC, as it’s colloquially known, one can find souvenir items from various tourist spots for as low as PhP 5.00. There are many things to choose from in here – the usual like shirts, stuffed toys, keychains, decorative fridge magnets, bracelets and other accessories. One can also purchase neat items that are somewhat unique. I actually found a pair of nanchuckus (ya know, Bruce Lee in Game of Death?). I don’t know why somebody would want to buy those at a souvenir shop in Palawan, but they’re there!
We were only given a half hour to buy stuff because we were on a tight schedule. We proceeded to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Park
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Park
The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Park, formerly known as the Puerto Princesa Crocodile Farm, is where rescued wildlife is taken care of (as its name suggests). The only endemic Philippine crocodile, the Crocodylus mindorensis is bred here. Wild saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) that have killed or hurt people are housed in here as well.
One does not simply tour the facilities in anyway he/she wants. Tours are done by batches, and last for about 30 minutes. The tour starts at the lobby of the reception building. The first thing tourists get to see is Rio, or rather his bones and skin! Rio was huge saltwater crocodile who killed a little girl in Rio Tuba, Palawan in the early 90’s. He was transported to the then Palawan Crocodile Farm and Nature Park, but died a few months later due to stress.
The next stop in the tour is the nursery room. This is where juvenile Crocodylus mindorensis are kept. There’s really not much to see here except 2-foot baby crocs making loud noises.
Afterwards, the tour takes people to the adult crocodiles’ enclosure. Crocodylus mindorensis is a relatively small species, reaching an average length of about five feet. Multiple Crocodylus mindorensis grouped together in one enclosure. One croc is sure to catch everybody’s attention, however. He is Mac-Mac, a 17-foot saltwater crocodile who ate half a fisherman! With Lolong (20.4 feet) dead, Mac-mac is now the largest captive crocodile in the Philippines (Cassius of Australia holds the world record).
The last part of the tour here allows the tourist to freely roam around on his/her own at the area of the conservation park where rescued fauna, such as hornbills, monitor lizards and ultra-cuddly (don’t cuddle them, though) bear cats are housed.
Rancho Sta. Monica or Mitra’s Ranch
Our next stop was at the ranch of the late Speaker of the House, Ramon Mitra Jr. Dubbed Rancho Sta. Monica, the place is made of a wide, grassy field on top of a hill that overlooks Honda Bay. At the center of it all is Rep. Mitra’s house, made to resemble a giant cockpit arena, as the late Congressman was a huge fan of sabong. There’s not much to do here but enjoy the view – come on, what’s not panoramic about a hill overlooking the sea?
This place is great for photo shoots, especially for crazy and/or romantic pre-nup photos. Be careful of horse droppings, though, as the ranch offers horseback riding for kids and, well, let’s just say the handlers have no control of the horse’s digestive system.
Baker’s Hill
Baker’s Hill was our next destination. Located a couple hundred meters away Rancho Sta. Monica, this tourist spot was so named because in the past, a bakery that sold various pastries/delicacies stood by that part of the hill. The bakery is still there but the area around it has been converted into a lovely place that roughly resembles an amusement park (minus the rides). Beautiful ornamental plants line the pavements. A huge garden where people could hang out and relax is located at the back portion of the area. An effeminate-looking statue of Shrek stands tall at one corner of the garden. At the end of Baker’s Hill is an aviary where peacocks are raised.
Binuatan Creations
Binuatan Creations is a shop/store where handloom-woven products are manufactured. Indigenous fibers like cogon grass and buri are used to create placemats, window blinders and coasters. The coolest and probably most practical thing I’ve seen there was a bill holder – the perfect souvenir for people who always seem to misplace their phone or internet bills. No, they don’t make barong tagalogs here, due to the fact that pineapple is not abundant in this part of the Philippines.
One also gets the opportunity to operate the looms and weave whatever product he/she wants.
Boardwalk
The Puerto Princesa City government tried to recreate Manila’s Roxas Boulevard in their own waterfront area, and in a way, succeeded. Here, people can take leisurely walks, jog, ride a bike or just sit and watch the ocean. You know, things that make up the term “chill”. A giant 150-foot Christmas tree was erected but don’t expect to see that year-round.
The guide told us that the Boardwalk used to be a squatters’ area. But on a fateful day, a fire broke down and consumed every house, rendering people homeless. The city goverment gave the fire victims two choices: stay or leave. Those who chose to leave where given money to live off of until they get back on their feet somewhere else. Those who chose to say where given “units” in a small housing complex right there at the entrance of the Boardwalk.
Kinabuch’s Bar and Grill
We had our dinner at Kinabuch’s Bar and Grill in downtown Puerto Princesa. It’s no different from any other bar and grill in terms of appearance or ambience. I’m not particular fond of these kinds of places, given how much of an introvert I am. Their sizzling pork sisig is badass, though. They also have a badass-looking menu, so yeah, if you ask me to recommend a place to eat dinner in Palawan, I would say “Kinabuchs”. Weird name.
Ha, just because the title says “part 3 of 3”, you think the Kennan in Palawan series is over? Not quite.
To be continued…
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