Cheap Accommodation in Puerto Princesa, Palawan - DUTCHESS PENSION HOUSE

After so many searches around Puerto Princessa, I stumbled at Dutchess Pension House located along the city center. Walking distance to the city’s hippest street, RIZAL AVENUE. At P200 a night for Single, fan and shared bathroom, this is exactly the place for budget travelers.

Budget rooms sells like hotcakes so better book yourself early.Visit : http://www.duchesspensionpalawan.com/

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The Philippines Last Frontier, Palawan

Finally, after sooo much delay I can have post from my Palawan trip.

Located in the western side of the Philippines is the island of Palawan, the nations Last Frontier. The island is blessed with natural wonders like stunning beaches, lush tropical rainforests, worldclass dive spots, magestic sceneries,  and diverse fauna and flora unlike any other in the country. It is one of the Philippines largest province and one of the less populated areas. Certainly, this island province is a haven for tourist both local and foreigners alike. 

After an hour flight to Manila, I arrived at Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan. I was greeted by their old small airport. Mostly passengers of the flight were foreigners. The arrival terminal was small and they use old school in processing baggages and I said to myself that Palawan deserves a bigger airport than this.

I looked at the tours packages inside the terminal and all have the same rate for tours. Since I arrived late in the afternoon, I decided to have a walking tour of the city and do island hopping the following day. Subterranean Park and El Nido was on my mind too but with a limited time, I had to cancel one between the two. No worries coz I always have the reason to comeback in Palawan if I miss one of them. 

I booked myself island hopping to HONDA BAY one of the most visited sites in Puerto Princessa, Palawan. It costs P1000 for a whole day trip with lunch. I normally do Do-It-Yourself trips but this time I booked a packaged tour. Next thing is finding my cheap accommodation and what I’ve found after many searches was DUTCHESS PENSION HOUSE located just within the city. 

After long walks around RIZAL AVENUE, the city’s main road, I can now rest in my humble accommodation. 

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Who said Kids can only do FIELD TRIPS? Philippine Eagle Foundation, Davao City

Who said that kids can only field trips? Well, adults can have a fun, enjoyable and memorable FIELD TRIPS too.

When we were still kids like during elementary days, we often have FIELD TRIPS. They are group tours especially designed for kids with visits to museums, factory, historical sites and tourists spots. When I was 6 years old, I had field trip at Davao, I remember we went to Coca Cola Factory, Gap Farm, Crocodile Farm, Philippine Eagle and Victoria Plaza Mall. However, just recently I had a crazy idea to redo what we do as kids to visit some popular sites in Davao like the Philippine Eagle Center, it has been 20 years since I had visited that place and near the Eagle center was Malagos Garden, another must-see places to visit in Davao both are located at Calinan, Davao. 

 Our trip was immediately right after our work, meaning we have not slept yet from our tiring duty but when it comes to adventures we are revived. Our first stop was at Philippine Eagle Center, one of Davao’s most visited places, it is a sanctuary for the largest eagle in the world, the magestic Philippine Eagle. To get to the center, you can ride an airconditioned van from Bangkerohan Terminal and take another tricyle to the center. 

The Philippine Eagle is the countrys national bird, it is powerful and huge making it the largest eagle in the world. Unfortunately, despite its name, it is considered to be an endangered species but thanks to the efforts of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, these birds will not remain in our textbooks only. 

 
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Cheap thrills at The Enchanted Kingdom of Maa (Mary Rose Carnival)

In the Philippines, where there is fiesta, expect to find also a carnival.

 Carnivals is our own local version of Disneyland or Enchanted Kingdom, here one can ride attractions like ferris wheel, rollercoaster, octopus and even play different games like shooting until you get a prize or bet on money-games while some carnivals offer unique shows like mermaids, clowns, animal attractions and magics that are appealing especially to the kids and kid at hearts. 

And now here in Davao, we have our very own Enchanted Kingdom located at Maa beside NCCC Mall. Its called the MARY ROSE CARNIVAL, every twice a year, they set up a carnival here usually nearing Araw ng Dabaw and Kayadawan Festival.

And one of the few attractions they offer now is the SEA DRAGON where we are being tossed in a huge ship to almost a 90 degree angle. At first, I want to refund my ticket because I was so scared, you can just imagine how high it can get and people were screaming and laughing while being tossed from side to side.

 The ride was extremely fun, we just laughted about it after the trip, we were shouting and screaming but still it was enjoyable although I dont want to do it again for this time around. Perhaps my fear was probably on the safety, I was scared if these rides are safe or where they properly maintained. 

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Road tripping Camiguin to Butuan to Davao

Despite my upsetting trip to Camiguin, I had  a sheer of blessing on my way back to Balingoan port. While I was sitting comfortably on my seat aboard a ferry, I met some cheerful businessmen who eventually was their way to Davao and they invited me to ride their van. At first I was a bit hesitant but with my few notes left on my pocket, I could use some free ride to Davao and eventually I said Yes. 

Our route was from Balingoan to Ginoog City where they treat me for dinner at sidewalk barbeque stall. Later, the group decided to take a short nap at their resthouse at Butuan City because their driver is a bit sleepy after a heavy meal. It was 8pm by that time and I have to be in Davao before 2pm the following day for work. Thank God that we will just stay in Butuan for 5 hours. 

After we slept in Butuan, we travelled all the way to Agusan Del Norte, we passed by several towns and took our breakast at Trento, Agusan Del Sur. Again, the group treated me for a hearty breakfast, I was so embarrased that time, their hospitality is too much. 

This was my first time to step on foot to the province of Agusan Del Sur. As I prreviously posted, inspired from Ivan Henares and Estan Cabigas, my goal is to visit the whole provinces in the Philippines even if I just had to step on it, I would be extremely happy. This adds to my list of provinces that I have visited (or stepped my foot on).

Continuing our road trip, we had experienced several stops while on the way because of problems with our van, the engine seemed to be overheated and later we discovered that the water we pour in into a chamber was spilling so we encountered overheating for few hours on the road.  The long road from Butuan to Davao is called the Pan-Philippine Highway if Im not mistaken is all paved making it easy to traverse this long and winding road. 

 We stopped at Montevista, Compostela Valley to fix again our troubled van. Wow, another province on my lists. In no time, I will visit all provinces in Mindanao. Hahah. Dreaming again. 

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Not the ideal vacation at Camiguin Island

I was stucked at the Benonin Port in Camiguin for an hour because of the heavy downpour, it was very unexpected and depressing since all my plans to the island will be junked. I was planning an itirenary ahead and plan to do it the whole day since I got only 24 hours to left from my trip because by the following day I had to work again. However, I was hoping that I could still tour the island even if its raining. Good thing I got a deal from a motorcycle driver to tour me around Camiguin, stopping wherever I want for P500. 

 First stop was just beside the road to Mambajao, the capital. I was amazed how strong the waves really are as if the waves are for surfing. The rain at this time has stopped a bit. Wondering where are my bags are? It was kept by my driver using his raincoat, he placed it front while driving and I was not worried that much because my backpack was waterproof.

The next stop was at Katibawasan Falls just near Mambajao, the capital. When I went there, the waters were muddy because of the recent rains. A minimal fee of P15 is collected at the entrance. 

Unfortunately, the worst thing happened to my trip, the rain was typoon-like, the trees were swaying side by side and the waves were getting stonger but I still pursued my trip wet, really wet from top to bottom. I had to secure my DSLR so I was not able to take pictures of the beautiful sites of Camiguin. Basically, my driver and I circled the 64 KM of road stopping at every known destination for me to take a peek and claim that  I’ve been already been there (bitter and denial). Our route was from Mambajao all the way to Catarman, then Sagay and Guinsiliban. Among sites Ive been was the Old Volcano Walk, Sunken Cemetery, Sto. Nino Cold Sping. My plan to White Island and Mantigue Island was unsuccessful thanks to the uncooperative weather.  

Definetely, I will go back here at Camiguin. For the mean time, these were the scenes taken from Port of Benoni, Camiguin on my way to Butuan then back to Davao. 

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Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin via Balingoan Port

The weather was perfect when I started my journey to Camiguin Island, the sun is high and definetely no signs of storms from afar but things went wrong along the way, could the weather spoil my holiday?

There are 2 ways to go to Camiguin Island from Cagayan de Oro, one is to ride the small ferry direct to Camiguin Island while the other is a short 2 hours bus ride from Market City or Agora bus terminal and since I love traveling the cheapest, I chose the bus ride. I started on a warm sunny weather that day and at 7 am we departed on schedule.

Unfortunately, when we were an hour from our trip, an unexpected rain swept away from ideal holiday break to Camiguin and worst it lasted the whole day. I arrived at Balingoan Port at 9am and still has to wait for the 10am Fastferry trip to the island. The rains has caused a delay on our departure as huge waves pound the barge.

 The rainstorms were so heavy the waves has reached the terminal, I was so nervous and anxious if I wan to continue my trip or cancel it and find a dry destination like Butuan or Ginoog City. Gladly, the rain has minimized and off we go Camiguin. However, when we were half way, storms were beginning to take a hit on the ferry. All I could do is to pray to God and stayed calm until the rest of the cruise.

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