Today we were leaving the resort and continuing for El Nido. A drive of 4 hours or 200km was ahead of us.
The van surely was fittingly named … especially after our gin-heavy adventures up North – tthe photo below is from the actual van, we were sitting in.
En-route we had a stop in Elfredo’s restaurant in Roxas, offering all services, a traveler might need (clean toilets, quick and good drinks and food), but also showcasing some of the not so endemic Palawan species (elephant or zebra anyone?).
This gallery contains 16 photos.
Today we had a full day around the 67th heaven resort. The morning was dedicated to a hike to a Batak tribe village. The hike started after a quick transfer to the trail head (about five minutes from the resort … Continue reading
After lunch it was back to the vans to continue to the 67th heaven resort, a drive of about 1.5 hours/ 65km. En-route we had one stop for photos. I don’t recall much of the drive though … seems I (as most of the rest in the van) used the drive for a nice postprandial nap.
We had arrived in Puerto Princesa slightly delayed the evening before; we got to the hotel only after dinner – and most had called it a night right here.
Today we were heading of for one of the prime attractions of Puerto Princesa, the underground river (officially known as Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park). We left the hotel in Puerto Princesa in the morning, to engage into a drive of about 2 hours/ 75km. Goal was to be at the little port of the park in Sabang before 09:30, to ensure a not too-long wait for the transport to the entrance of the underground river.
By big boats we first made the 20 minutes trip from Sabang port to a bay around the corner and got ashore at the beach. We now had a small walk ahead of us, before arriving at yet another beach. Here we got into a much smaller boat – and were now being paddled into the entrance of the cave. We spent about 40 minutes in the cave – being paddled around and shown some impressive stone formations.
We eventually made it back to the beach, had another little walk to the other beach, to then make it back to Sabang. It was now about time for lunch, so we ended up heading for a buffet restaurant with a good options.
This gallery contains 16 photos.
After a day of rest the tour was continuing today. We were now a group of twelve and things turned out less family-style than on the previous part of the trip. My foot was doing much better as well; the … Continue reading
This first part of the tour had come to an end and here we were sitting in the (almost)-rooftop restaurant of the Bayleaf Hotel in intramuros for this first farewell dinner for this trip.
For me this was with mixed feelings. On the one hand side, there was still a second part of the trip coming – plus the relief, that my ankle was indeed just sprained (and not broken) and I – as such – was able to continue. On the other hand though, only three of us were continuing and another tour leader was waiting for us – so it felt a bit like our little family falling apart – it indeed had been a nice group, with everyone getting along with everyone and everyone looking out for everyone else …
The tour to the highlands of Luzon clearly had been up to my taste. A great combination of individual destinations with different focuses (culture and nature), yet all put together in an active way and truly Philippine – with great people and a great tour leader – – oh, and a bit of gin …
Now let’s see, how the second part scores here …so stay tuned, there is more to come here …
Well – I was still on a mountain, right? So there was still the way back ahead of me. My ankle ended up with a new bandage, I also had managed, to get a second walking stick – – so now slowly but surely got going and – one step after the other and highly concentrated – made the 5km hike back to, where the 4WDs were waiting for us. The hike down did follow the same trail as the way in yesterday – and took me just less than three hours to complete. In retrospect, I have to say, considering the circumstances, it worked out quiet well.
Obviously I was very busy on the way down (concentrating on and planning for the next couple of steps), hence no photos from that part – I only restarted taking photos, once I sat in the 4WD and we were heading back to the guesthouse, where our main luggage was stored.
After a lunch in the same coffee shop as yesterday (spaghetti and salad again – no reason, to not go for this yummy and delicious option again) we had the opportunity, to freshen up (i.e. take a shower) – and for me also to assess the damage. – – The foot was swollen considerably and there were bruises all around – clearly this had to be examined by a professional and also an x-ray was called for … a hospital visit was indeed a necessity.
With everyone freshened up, we got onto our bus and engaged into the 120km drive to Manila (with a stop at an outlet mall on the way).
My destination was the Manila Doctors Hospital, where I went through the relevant checks (including x-ray). To make a long story short, the diagnosis in the end was, that the ankle was indeed just sprained and that – with some medication and a bit of rest – I was good to proceed with the trip. So – with the prescription – I got my drugs and was then on the way to the hotel …
You can probably not imagine, how relieved I was at that point in time 🙂 . Remains the question, where I caught more radiation – during the x-ray or during my visit to Chernobyl in September?
Here we were at the viewpoint overlooking the crater lake of Mt.Pinatubo – amazing and fully rewarding after the hike.
We still had plenty of time until sunset – so most of the group made their way down to the beach of the lake (probably a vertical 50m down, reached through a set of stairs). For me however this was not an option at this stage – with a hurting and by now well swollen ankle. So I made it to our paramedic instead, who took well care of me (cooling and proper bandage). Given the overnight nature of our trip, it was an official requirement, to have a paramedic, to come along with each group … I guess, they usually don’t have too much do – – well, this one was in business.
After sunset we got together for a game of cards (UNO pocket, courtesy of REWE) – soon after which dinner was served (some real nice fried bangus, grilled chicken, a pork dish, vegetables and rice). Dessert was do-it-yourself style, with a bonfire, marshmallows and sticks provided. To wash things down, we shared a bottle of gin as well (which turned out to be my last alcohol for the next week).
Most were in bed (or should I say tent and sleeping bag) around 21:00; it had been a strenuous day and also temperatures now had dropped quiet a bit. Also chances for star-gazing were limited, with clouds going through constantly.
Over night it got quiet windy and from within the tent it sounded, as if some heavy rain was going through as well – in the morning though, there was no sign of moist all around – – it turned out, the sound of rain was indeed the sound of the trees in the wind.
Breakfast was a basic affair – but then few things beat a toast with peanut butter and a banana for breakfast, when there is a busy day ahead … and indeed the walk back to base was still ahead of us.
This gallery contains 23 photos.
We did not stay in Baguio for more than a flying visit – essentially already leaving town this morning, to make the 170km to Capas in Tarlac province (about three hours of driving). We arrived at Capas in the late … Continue reading
We made it into Baguio in the late afternoon. After some time to freshen up, the group did come together again for a walking tour around town.
With our hotel right next to Burnham Park, we passed by the same, to then immerse ourselves into the streets of the city. The main attraction here were the jeepneys all around – all of them very colorful (much more so, than anywhere else, we had been to so far – incl. Manila), often themed, many a piece of art – and always with the one or other reference to the bible.
We eventually made it to Baguio’s massive market – one of the bigger markets of the Philippines. We passed through the various departments and also got to try the one or other item. We continued to the town’s main church -the Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement, before heading for a posh dinner in what (supposedly) is the best restaurant in town.
It had been another long day, most in the group were tired – so we called it a day after dinner and a visit to the local SM supermarket.
