"You should never forget your parents they are the reasons why you are here and who you are today"
Let's Prepare First...
Planning for out of town is not quite easy for those busy people like me. It's hard to find time, but if you prepared it ahead of time, you will have a great escapade. I planned this vacation with my mom for about two months. Since then, I looked and searched for good place where can I treat my mom for her birthday. Also, I considered a place where we can relax. I really love reading blogs, through that I learned from their experiences, what are the things to consider their location, weather, culture and also their hidden places.
One month before our flight, I booked plane tickets through Philippine Airlines for me and for my mom. Straight from office, I went to Philippine Airlines ticketing office at Cubao, Quezon City.
Until I finally booked tickets for the two of us. I surprised her when I got home. I informed her to ready because we had our Palawan trip from 27th of September until 30th. I saw her smile and she was very happy despite of her busy schedule. I started to look for affordable and safe accommodation. I preferred hometel instead of 3 star-hotel since I don’t want to spend too much for accommodation since we’ll have outdoor tours. Luckily, I found Prima Residence. They offer very affordable, clean rooms and also tours. Since we're just only the two of us (my mother) who’ll stay, I coordinated to their manager (Mrs. Lea Palao) who is also the owner about their quotation for 4 days and 3 nights with City, Dos Palmas and Underground River Tours. They reverted to my email with the quotation I requested. I was surprised because the total computation was only P 9,200 for the two of us. Consider we’ll stay there for about 4 days and 3 nights with daily breakfast and also airport-hotels transfers. I settled their advance payment which is P 2,000 and also adjustable to the total amount of our package.
Time flies so fast, until two days before our flight. I haven’t received the approval of my requested leave in my work. I felt frustrated that time, since I already booked and settled everything. Until I received confirmation to my manager and supervisor that my application was approved a day before our flight. When I went home, I prepared my luggage and all stuffs that we need to bring.
Time flies so fast, until two days before our flight. I haven’t received the approval of my requested leave in my work. I felt frustrated that time, since I already booked and settled everything. Until I received confirmation to my manager and supervisor that my application was approved a day before our flight. When I went home, I prepared my luggage and all stuffs that we need to bring.
The Day Came In... (September 27, 2014)
his is the day that I’ve waited for so long. Since the night before our flight I still have my work (graveyard shift) I informed my mother that the cab will fetch us around 1 pm the following day to the nearby church near our place going to NAIA Terminal 3 where Philippine Airlines bound to Palawan.
(me and my mom on our way to NAIA T-3)
At around 3:00 pm we arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 to check-in and also take some rest since I haven't slept yet. Though our flight is at 5:30 pm we arrived too early (which is ideal for domestic flight to avoid unexpected happenings) 2 hours prior our flight. The bad side of the airport was the air conditioner is not working properly. Which gives an uncomfortable feeling inside the airport. Consider also that was a hot afternoon. I understand because the airport is under renovation and also migrating some big airlines from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 which will benefit us the near future.
We landed at Puerto Princesa Airport safe and sound since we took PAL. I am very satisfied with their service ever since. It took a while before my luggage came in from the airport is not a big one and consider there was also another flight arrived prior to us. I find Palawan one of the cleanest and disciplined province.
Past 8 in the evening when we arrived at Prima Residence, we're both tired especially me since I came from work. We were surprised because they upgraded our room. From standard to bigger one. By the way guys, I decided to book at Prima Residence Prima Residence because the room is very affordable (P750.00) with daily breakfast, kitchen, AC room, hot & cold shower, cable tv, wifi and the place is very quiet and clean.
Another surprised came in, they prepared dinner for the two of us. Well actually, I was thinking where we can have dinner (another commendation for Prima for doing this). After our dinner, I and my mom decided to take a rest and not to wander around since it’s already 9 in the evening and also need to be well rested the following days since we’ll have our first tour.
Past 8 in the evening when we arrived at Prima Residence, we're both tired especially me since I came from work. We were surprised because they upgraded our room. From standard to bigger one. By the way guys, I decided to book at Prima Residence Prima Residence because the room is very affordable (P750.00) with daily breakfast, kitchen, AC room, hot & cold shower, cable tv, wifi and the place is very quiet and clean.
Another surprised came in, they prepared dinner for the two of us. Well actually, I was thinking where we can have dinner (another commendation for Prima for doing this). After our dinner, I and my mom decided to take a rest and not to wander around since it’s already 9 in the evening and also need to be well rested the following days since we’ll have our first tour.
( foods they served were very tasty; Sinigang na Hipon and Sweet & Sour Fish)
(sleeping time ...)
The following day, we woke up around 6:30 in the morning since our call time is 8. The staff prepared our breakfast at around 7 am. We need to travel for about 2 hours before we reached Sabang Warf when we can ride boat going to the Underground River. We fetched by our tour guide (Myra if I’m not mistaken) including 2 couples; Faye & Jason and also Helen and her husband. While inside the van we talked about the reasons why we decided to spend our vacation in Palawan, threw and cracked jokes.
(breakfast)
( our first stop over )
Before we proceed to Underground River, our tour guide cleared our clearance first and then headed to the buffet lunch.
( my mom while waiting for our boat )
(boat transfer going to underground river)
Finally, we reached the Underground River! After approximately 30
minutes boat ride.
It was great and unforgettable experience since Underground River is one of the New 7 Wonder of the World. It rained when we our way back to our accommodation which cause delay. But that’s fine, we didn't consider it as a bad side. Keep in mind guys, to wear comfortable clothes if you are going to the Underground River.
We arrived at Prima Residence at around 5 from our UR tour. We decided to stroll outside and give a try to buy some pasalubong and also for our dinner. We went to old market where we bought Longganisa, pasalubong (sweet casuy tart, turones, durian, danggit etc, dinner etc.
We arrived at Prima Residence at around 5 from our UR tour. We decided to stroll outside and give a try to buy some pasalubong and also for our dinner. We went to old market where we bought Longganisa, pasalubong (sweet casuy tart, turones, durian, danggit etc, dinner etc.
Dos Palmas Experience...
Our Puerto Princesa vacation is still not yet done. We still have another two days. Basically, Prima Residence only offers Honday Bay Tour, however, I requested to replace Dos Palmas which is more expensive than Honday Bay Tour. We woke up around 7 am since we will fetch by the Dos Palmas tour guide at around 8:30 am outside Robinsons Mall. We need to ride tricycle for about 10 minutes. I paid P 40.00 for the two of us.
We rode the van for about 20 minutes and headed to Dos Palmas office to register and also include our names to the manifest. It took 50 minutes vessel ride before we reached the Dos Palmas Island.
We rode the van for about 20 minutes and headed to Dos Palmas office to register and also include our names to the manifest. It took 50 minutes vessel ride before we reached the Dos Palmas Island.
( Onboard going to Dos Palmas)
We were lucky because when we arrived at Dos Palmas Island the weather was too great! It’s really effin hot and he sun shines so bright. The DP staffs welcome us and gave welcome drink (four season juice). We'll you can actually enjoy outdoor activities which are included to your Dos Palmas Day Tour such as beach volley, snorkeling, kayak, bicycle and swimming.
( I really love and enjoyed their four season juice)
( beautiful Dos Palmas ambiance )
My mother can’t wait to swim even it’s too hot. I decided to register first for the snorkeling activity. This was the first time of my mom to do this activity (lol). The snorkeling activity has schedules and the boat leaves every after 30 minutes. No reason if you left behind by your friends since you can still join the next trip. My mom really enjoyed fish feeding since we brought bread.
After that activity we decided to return to our place where we leave our things and grab our lunch. When we reached the cottages, the Dos Palmas staffs prepares our lunch. It supposed to be a buffet lunch, however, since we are only 15 persons, they served our meals by table. I was surprised because I am not expecting too much for their food.
After almost an hour and half we finally finished our lunch. My mother can’t breathe since she was full. I really love their coffee jelly since I am a coffee lover. I decided to try their Kayak while my mom decided to swim instead.
We left Dos Palmas Island that afternoon and headed to our accommodation with bag of happy memories. I can say this was one of the memorable experience with my mom.
Let's Explore Puerto Princesa Closer...
I decided to make our last day to be not stressful since our flight will be that night going back to Manila. I requested Ma’am Leah to make the City Tour at afternoon.
During our City Tour we went Baywalk, Puerto Princesa Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Baker’s Hill, Mita’s Ranch, Crocodile Farm and Butterfly Sanctuary.
During our City Tour we went Baywalk, Puerto Princesa Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Baker’s Hill, Mita’s Ranch, Crocodile Farm and Butterfly Sanctuary.
Wait There's More...
Message from the author
Basically, the main reason why we went Palawan is to treat my mom for her birthday and also to escape from my stressful job. Staying at Prima Residence was great experience. Their staffs are all accommodating most especially Ma'am Leah which is the manager/owner of it. She extended her time to check us if we are comfortable or if we need something. They gave us unforgettable stay at their province. Aside from they upgraded our room, Mrs. Leah also baked a cake for my mom as her birthday gift. This was the first time that I experienced extra miles for their guests among my escapades.
Thank you for reading our experiences in Puerto Princesa. Until my next trip.....
