Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 2

Part 2 was late because author was busy…. Gomen…

Crocodile Farm – Barangay Irawan, Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan

Crocodile Farm

top – Rio
middle – Mascot
bottom – Baby Crocs

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a cab ride away from Sta. Monica.

We arrived there just in time to miss the 2PM tour. So while waiting for 30minutes for the tour to start, we bought our ticket which costs 40pesos each, ate some ice cream and look around the souvenir shops. In the end, I bought lots of miniature crocodiles and stingrays for the fiends back home.

The start of the tour introduced us to Rio, a crocodile who was captured because he ate half of the spear and was injured. He was treated but sadly because of old age, was unable to adapt to the new environment and died of stress. Next were the baby crocs from the newly-weaned to the almost adult ones kept in tubs in ones, twos, threes, fours or fives. There are screens on top of tubs but there are spaces with no covers. Because of this, signs of “DANGER: Baby Crocs may jump and bite. Do not place hands on top of tubs” are placed around the holding area. Then, we went to enclosed area with a bridge on top where the adult crocs are kept. The biggest one is big all 60+ cm semi-hidden in the water but the head and jaws can be seen and the horror you will be experiencing when you fell into the pen to be his meal is beyond my imagination :D.

Crocodile Pen

After this, there is a booth where you can have a picture with a baby croc and have it printed as well for souvenir.

The animal park is a do it yourself tour, we roamed around for a bit. The 1st animal is the bearcat, when we approached he got out from his hiding place to have his picture taken. Lucky us. The 2nd one is the bearded pig, snobbish creature who kept his face hidden all the time as if telling us not to bother him in his mealtime. The next are the majestic serpent eagle, I think. They looked regal all the time sneering at us, mere mortals. Then the lonesome sea eagle who gave a plaintive cry when he was disturbed. His tail was magnificent though. Then we have the hornbills who doesn’t want their pictures taken and kept themselves to the foliage inside their cage. Next, the noisy mynahs. Then, the parrots who rarely made a sound while we were looking at them. There was also a wildcat which has no name plate, so we could not really know what it was. They also have monkeys. But the last animal we went to see is the porcupine and we think it’s dying because its pins and needles are falling off. And the skin is showing, with red pelts.

Bearcat, Eagles, Parrots

After this, we wander back to the crocos for the last time then walk back to the highway to go to the tiangge.

Tiangge-Tiangge – Barangay San Rafael, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Tiangge is a marketplace for souvenirs. We told the driver specifically to drop us off there but he thought that we are not getting off because when he looked at me I did not take that as a hint that he was asking if we were getting off. So, we had to walk back a few blocks to get back there. In there, we added a few more souvenirs. Some pearls and a shoulder bag. We also looked for croc meat for people who requested but we’ll, the souvenir meat shop is closed. So, we left the tiangge behind before we are tempted to buy more.

Kinabuch’s – Rizal Avenue, Puerto Prinsesa City

Kinabuch’s Bar & Restaurant

Kinabuch is a highly recommended place to eat in Palawan, so from the tiangge we rode a tricyle to get there for an early dinner.

We ordered the specialty of the house, crispy pata, baby back ribs, halo-halo and shake, a platter of rice as well. The serving is good for 5 persons for the pata and the back ribs for 2-3. We ate a lot but we couldn’t really finish all of it, so we had those wrapped up to be taken out. It was a very satisfying meal and the place is quiet to as there are a few other guests in the resto. We paid almost 1000pesos for that meal but we had lots of leftovers that we still ate the next day.

Puerto Prinsesa Capitol

After the meal, we bought some soap, shampoo and food for breakfast. There was a funny scene when a foreigner asking why liquor is not sold in that store when it is sold somewhere else even though its banned because of the recall election. He did not insist though.

We also passed by the Provincial Capitol but did not go in because it was already late 

Baker’s Hill – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Baker’s Hill

Before going back to WPU for the night, we decided to stop by Baker’s Hill to taste the tamilok. The driver finally dropped us off where we want to go and he said, we can walk or ride. We decided to walk, decidedly the longest walk in my life. Two almost uphill climb and stretch of land in between. Poor feet. But we arrived, passing by wagyu beef, mother of steaks advertisement and many other restos along the area. Baker’s hill is aptly named, many stores sell pastries, pizza among them. There is also a massage parlor. After resting a bit, we explored. No tamilok for us, as the resto serving is already cleaning up when we arrived. And as we are not really hungry, we just walked around the park.

Shrek Park, Cherry Blossom, Peacock Display, Flowers

It was very dark, and I think we disturbed more than one fowl creature. They had a golden pheasant, peacocks (stuffed and real), and other birds couldn’t recognize because its too dark. There are also over-sized vegetables. I am not sure if all of them are real though. Then there are swings, and see-saws for children. Shrek Park have Shrek, Puss, Donkey, Fiona and the kids and other figures as well. Then there’s the cherry blossom and flowers. After exploring, we decided to call it a day, hired a tricycle to WPU for bed and rest.

As the next day is for the Palawan Underground River adventure.

For the first day of our adventure, aside from the 7200pesos for airfare which is 2-way trip for 2 persons, we spent about 3000pesos for transportation, souvenirs, food and other miscellaneous things we bought as we go.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

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!!!