Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 1

Booking a ticket several months ahead bound for Puerto Prinsesa, the Princess of Ports (because any kind of sea vessel can take rest on its bay), we finally travelled on May 8-11, 2015. These series of posts will chronicle what we did, what we saw and what we conquered on this summer escapade bound north.

Puerto Prinsesa City International Airport

Leaving Iloilo International Airport at 8:40 in the morning, we arrived Puerto Prinsesa International Airport at 9:45 am. Our accommodation was booked ahead by a friend who teaches at Western Philippines University (WPU), she gave us a recommendation to stay at the university guest house. This allows to save a few bucks as the guest house is only for 350 pesos/pax for an overnight stay. We paid 2100 Php for the 3-night stay. There are also lots of cheap hotels and apartments around the city, you can always google it up ahead or ask the tricycle drivers that are fetching passengers to and fro the airport. The drivers are honest and recommends good places to stay at.

A Different kind of tricycle

Upon our arrival, we hired a tricycle driver to chauffeur us to WPU, Pajara, Sta. Monica; since we don’t know where that is. We paid 100 Php from the airport to WPU. The driver even offered to tour us around the city when he knew that we did not get ourselves a city tour. But we did not take his offer, this is our first time in Palawan and we are planning to tour it on our own. Plus, my friend advised that Puerto is too small to get a tour for it and she gave us a list of recommended places to visit. And so, let’s tick off the list one by one. There are also agencies who offers city tour for 500 to 1000 Php for each person.

Western Philippines University
(inset)Guest House Signboard

We deposited our bags at WPU, after 30 minutes or so of waiting. We arrived at the ungodly day of recall election for Puerto Prinsesa City. It was a holiday and the caretaker was not there to greet us since she was off voting. Good thing, the student residents were helpful and helped us get in touch with the Mrs. Conching. We left our bag, took a key for the room and searched for an eatery for lunch.
After eating at a small eatery just outside of WPU, we asked the ladies how to get to Butterfly Garden, our first stop. We rode a multi-cab to Butterfly Garden and got lost because the driver forgot that we asked to be dropped specifically at the garden. So we got off and rode the tricycle to get exactly where we want to go.

Butterfly Garden

Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden houses 10 species of butterflies that are being bred in the garden and by sponsors who helps populates the garden. The entrance fee is 50pesos each person. 

Butterfly Life Cycle
(top)caterpillar (mid)pupae (bottom) butterfly

An attendant informed us that the butterflies are donated by enthusiasts who also sells butterflies to other visitors. She showed us the different stages of butterfly life cycle from caterpillar to pupae to butterfly. She also explained that different species of caterpillars prefers a different plant where to lay their eggs. So depending on what butterflies are found in the garden, they also plant the preferred plants for these butterflies to lay eggs. Then she showed us the chrysalises, most are empty but there are some that are yet to hatch.

Aside from the butterflies, the garden also have other insects and animals under their protection. Scattered around the garden are pens and glass cases that houses the following: millipedes, stag beetles, stick insects, bearcats, a gecko, giant Malay scorpions, a baby croc, a box turtle, and peacock pheasants.

the animals (clockwise) stag beetle, stick insect, gecko, scorpion, pheasant, box turtle, bearcat, crocodile

The Tribal Village is home to the Tribu Palwan when they come down from the mountains to sell their goods. They are given a place to stay here for people to learn of their culture and traditions. Tribu Palwan is believed to be the descendants of the Tabon Man and they have weaponry and knowledge handed down from their ancestors that they still use in their everyday lives. This tribe reveres the monkey as a sacred animal.

(left) Ginger around bf, the tribesmen, their instruments & tools
(right)the spear

They also have musical instruments used in rituals and songs. They allowed us to hear bits of their music but the dancing is part of their sacred rites and is only perform during ceremonies. Their weapon of choice is a bamboo blowgun where they shoot darts and poisoned arrows by blowing on it from the other end. Their accuracy is amazing. The other weapon is a spear decorated with monkey bones for luck in hunting and sort of blessing from the gods. They also have a rock used to create fire in 2 strokes and it smells like resin. They also have a torch that lasts for a month if lighted.

We have our picture taken with their pet Ginger, a 5-foot yellowish python that wrapped up the tour on the Tribal village.

After this, we spent some time with the butterflies and then leave for our next destination: The Binuatan Workshop.

Binuatan Creations – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Binuatan and how the looms are created

Binuatan Creations is a workshop where Buri, Pandan and other native fiber-y materials in Palawan are used to manufacture handloom woven products. It is located in Sta. Monica just a few blocks away from the Butterfly Garden. We rode a tricycle to get there. 

front and back view of the loom

The lady in charge of the weaving showed us how to work on the loom, how patterns are made, what type of materials are combined to create different finished products/patterns. After the materials are woven into a certain length, it is then transferred to the item creation. From this, placemats, bags, cellphone holders, purses, ipad covers and other stuffs are produced then displayed in the showroom.

Most of the workers in the shop are mothers who just need extra money or has nothing to do in the idyllic afternoons. There are also students who work there for the summer and on weekends during school time to earn some extra cash, male and female. The lady told us that they really try to accommodate all individuals who want to work there. She said that she is very happy if the youth shows interest in these things, so as to avoid bad company and other influences that may hinder education or pursuit of a brighter future.

I bought a purse from the showroom because its’ beautiful and I needed one. Also, the price is cheaper compared to buying one from the malls.

Binuatan Show Room

This has been a long post and I am not even halfway there…
We still got to the Crocodile Farm, Baker’s Hill, the Tiangge, Kinabuch, and the capitol.
Please watch out for the Part 2 of this escapade.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Rest Easy Now!

Sometimes we wonder
Sometimes we know
For most times we fear
Still, we pursue

Not everything is clear
Not everything is certain
The most we can do is be aware
Even if we are uncertain

The world is not black and white
The world is not wrong and right
Why must we always divide
Whole into parts?

We always question our existence
We always deny a higher being
If the answer does not make sense
Begin at the beginning

Who can answer me
Who knows everything
Answers surround me
But who will be checking?

I have my doubts
I have my fears
But life must go on
So we get a move on

If I am wrong today
I trust that tomorrow
Everything will be OK
I will be allowed to redo

So rest easy now
Give me self a break
Lay my head on the pillow
Until dawn breaks...

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Resto Review: Into the Rabbit Hole

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the new tambayan of yuppies and teens in Iloilo which is Smallville. I recommend you go visit a quaint little place near Atrium that will remind you of a childhood classic.

Let’s get lost together down the Rabbit Hole with the White Rabbit and your friends to attend the tea party.

Me and my friends are always on the lookout for new places to eat here in Iloilo. We heard a bit of a place called Rabbit Hole near St. Paul University but did not really know exactly where it was until I stumbled upon it by accident when I took the wrong turn when walking to Tibiao Bakeshop.

There was the small sign that said Rabbit Hole.

So me and the friends decided to try it out one Friday night.

On the door, it said Café + Bar. We hesitated for a bit before entering because none of us is much of a drinker, but decided to try the menu, if nothing else.

The café is small and one of the company said that it used to be an internet shop when he was in college. So that might explain the setup.

It has a high rise table (portion of the wall) that looks like it holds something and the cashier desk is somewhat further in with displays on shelves which now shows the menu but once upon a time displays available food.

Anyway, the place was small, about 10-11 small tables with 2 chairs per table. But it was comfy and dim lighting really creates a relaxing mood plus the music playing are the usual un-irritating top hits.

The neon lights and the art works displayed on the side does not cause loss of appetite at least. 

When we were handed the menu, I resisted a giggle because at the top it read Eat Me! for the Food Menu and Drink Me! for the Cocktails and other drink selections.

At the side, the menu is also displayed.

(That's the door to the kitchen)

So for the Food we ordered their Rice Meals: Honey Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Pork Schinitzel.

We also have 3 orders of Hot Box Burger, 1 Buffalo Wings and 1 Mozzarella Sticks.

For the Drinks, we only tried their Blue Turnate that turns the drink from Blue to Purple when Calamansi or Lemon Juice was added.

The food though was mouth-watering. Its presentation will really whet your appetite. And the taste, the taste of the food is heavenly. The honey chicken tasted sweet but you can really feel the tenderness of the chicken. 

 

Honey Chicken and Mongolian Beef

The Mongolian beef was easy to chew and the sauce in the Pork was creamy but not bland. 

Pork Shinitzel and an Exra Egg

The mozzarella was melted just right and crunchy even though it was chewy. 

Mozzarella Stick and the Hot Box Burger

I even nibbled on the Buffalo Wings even if I have a no-no rule for spicy foods. I think they added cheese in the Buffalo Wings and that added to the taste. 

Buffalo Wings

I only had problems with the Hot Box Burger because the patty was too salty for my taste but the other 3 people who ate the burger does not agree with me, they are highly recommending that you try the burger.

Hot Box Burger from the drinks

Purple Turnate

Don’t ask us about the drinks because we did not order any except for the Blue Turnate.

But I am recommending you try the place out and discover for yourself the wonders of their available cocktails.

You will get your money’s worth in terms of food quantity and quality.

That goes for drinks too, because even if we are no longer actively drinking socially, I am still aware of the price range.

So visit the Rabbit Hole, at Gen. Luna St., in an alley in-between Tibiao Bakeshop and St. Paul University, in front of Atrium.

Bring your own Alice or invite the Mad Hatter.

Youcan find them on Facebook:

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D