Palawan: The Last Frontier

It has been a while, so this might be quite a struggle. I'm writing about a trip we took in 2009, so please bear with me as I write all that I remember from that adventure. There are so many highlights from this trip, so I have decided to break it down into four entries.

A young saltwater crocodile guests can hold and have photos with.

It has been a long time since our entire family has come together for a trip like this, so we tried to make the most, and the best out of it.

We took the first flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa via Cebu Pacific, a good idea if you plan to make the most out of your trip. Since a half-day city tour was included in our itinerary, we started our adventure with it to maximize the day. First on the list was the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center more popularly known as the Crocodile Farm.

Guests are welcomed by a display of the skeleton and leather from the largest crocodile they've had so far. Then, we were led into a large, but well-organized collection of crocodiles. They had young crocodiles in a separate facility, which I appreciated because rarely are these babies seen in other zoos or parks. Aside from saltwater crocodiles, they also have other wildlife in the facility like a pony, some wild birds, the Philippine serpent eagle, bearded pigs, and the Palawan binturong or bearcat - a subspecie endemic to Palawan. 

We then headed to Baker's Hill, which is, well, a "compound" of restaurants and shops selling various items such as local delicacies, handicrafts, and other souvenirs. Aside from having photos taken with the various statues and figures, and checking out the bonsai display, we weren’t too keen on eating there so we decided to head to Mitra Ranch. 

Rancho Sta. Monica as it is otherwise known is owner by former Senator Ramon Mitra, Jr., which they have opened to the public as it has a beautiful view of the ocean, including the islands that comprise Honda Bay. We didn't stay too long because we had a couple more things in our itinerary - the Iwahig Penal Farm and of course, lunch. We decided to skip the former and just spent more time on the latter.

We had lunch at KaLui in Rizal Avenue, within the city proper. In KaLui, they request guests to take off their footwear upon entering the dining area. Quite nice and interesting, but can be odd for others, too. I remember having Stingray in Coconut Cream and having their dessert in "original cut" version. We were so happy about the food and service, we decided to come back for more before leaving for Manila on our last day. Not to mention, all 9 of us were so full and satisfied, at a very affordable price of P1,800!

KaLui's "Original Cut" Dessert by request.

Tired and drained from the heat, full from our feast, we headed straight to Sabang, a town most famous for the Underground River. The road trip took about an hour and a half. Some parts of the trip at that time were still rough roads as it was several months before the Underground River was pegged as part of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It was totally fine, as we were all able to still take a nap and have our first glimpse of the St. Paul Mountain Range and some limestone formations along the way. Palawan really is the last frontier.

Daluyon's Facade

Daluyon's Pool, with a view of St. Paul Mountain Range

We stayed at Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort. I stumbled upon Daluyon when I was looking around the internet for reviews of accommodation by the beach. I also saw that it was very near the Underground River and walking distance from the mangroves - a definite plus. I then remembered that a friend of ours stayed in Daluyon the year before and found it wonderful. They may be a bit pricey compared to the homestays and other resorts nearby, but you get what you pay for. You get a view of the St. Paul Mountain from the pool, and Sabang beach which, we find very similar to Boracay. The terrain very slowly rolls deeper and the sand is also very fine. The only difference is that the sand here is beige, though it's (a lot) more peaceful and secluded. Definitely good for families or couples looking for a getaway.

Right after we checked-in, we changed into "resort wear" (versus travel and city tour wear) and absorbed the relaxed vibe. Overall, our stay in Daluyon was very, very wonderful.