I am a big fan of both sunrise and sunset this is why i always look forward to it whenever i set foot on different places. I make sure to witness any or both two if there are chances. A wake up early in the morning or few minutes in the late afternoon is all worth the wait.

These two phenomenon are feast for the eyes for everyone specially for nature lovers, photographers and visualists for its great display of colors during a short span of time from the moment the first ray of sun slips in the morning and last ray of light before the night conquer the sky. The sky acts like a huge canvas and the sun paints its colors and change it every minute. From the yellow and oranges hues in the beginning it can change and combine colors from red, purple, pink and blue.

It would be great if there will be subjects underneath the sky or the horizon to add to the scenery. From usual boat and ship sailing in Manila bay to the yatchs parked on the yard of Manila Yatch Club. Silhouttes of mountains, islands and trees are another good add ons. On top of these and my favorite are human silhouttes in action.

My first encouter was in a sunset in Caramoan where a father and daugher/son carrying a sack and bundle of palm leaves on shoulders walking back home. From then on, human silhouttes on either sunrise or sunset bacame my favorite subject.

And now El Nido gave me something to remember aside from experiencing the beauty it offers - a good set of sunset photos.

This features a family consists of a mother with her little girl with the father carrying their young one and a group of children gathering Lato (seaweeds) from the seagrass and rocks since its already low tide. This might be for selling the following day or dinner for the evening. I tried what they are doing and i got excited the first time i saw it and the mother confirmed it is the right thing im pointing at. Hope you enjoy this set ;)

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In the early days before i set foot on the road, i have this connotation that travelling is expensive and i think i can't afford it especially those great destinations that i thought only those who are fortunate in life would be able experience. One of those destinations is El Nido.

I thought El Nido is just for wealthy celebrities when i heard it on TV or read it on magazines. It's dollar rate that when converted to Philippine Peso would be a ridiculous amount to spend a night on a certain place. It always amuse me whenever i heard someone i know who just came from El Nido for a vacation.

Enough of those thoughts! thank God information nowadays are just few clicks away. I was able to read different online articles and blogs and well i just confirmed that there is really this El Nido resort existing with its expensive rates named after this place also called El Nido. The same water, same view, islands and sunset to experience. And we just drove five hours northbound from Puerto Princesa City to this small paradise.

After we straighthen up from the underground river stint and changed clothes for a comfy fresh ride, we continued the adventure on the road around 6:30PM. I decided we travel in the evening to maximize our mid-day arrival and complete our itenerary for the day. We stopped at Fort Wally, a carideria for our late dinner. Nothing special on the food but its already good for a rumbling stomach. There is nothing notable on the road since its already dark except for the rough roads that would just suddenly shakes us inside the van. We each got our own corner and its just up to us how we will be able to grab a nap.

We arrived in El Nido around 11PM earlier than the estimated five-hour drive. There is already a standby cargo tryk for our bags and two passenger to bring us to our cottage. It is a 10-15 minute walk from the town to Hadefe Cottages. Its a bit dark because the way was not well lighted. TIP: Bring flashlight. Our assigned cottage at Hadefe has aircon issue so we were directed to another resort nearby which according to our guide is related to Hadefe. We have no choice but to accept the little adjustment. We got air conditioned room for five with wi-fi connection as a bonus. We are already tired from the trip so we just called it a night.

Morning came and we woke up around 5AM to witness the sunrise just to be informed that sunrise is on the other side of the mountain. Okay, we should have asked last night before snorning into the night. TIP: No sunrise so no need to wake up early.

I myself can no longer revive my sleepiness so when some light shed the area, i just enjoyed myself witnessing the calm first morning of El Nido. Some part of shores are bare with its rocky ground with sea grass evidence that it's low tide. Nearby islands are covered with thin fog but still very visible while other far islands are silhouettes above the calm sea to complete the drama of mother nature. Such a relaxing ambiance while enjoying a cup of coffee. I dont have my coffee but my camera instead. Haha!

Breakfast has been served after an hour. Toasts with butter and strawberry jam comes with two pieces of fried egg and coffee or tea. We enjoyed the hearty meal with a good morning chat of good old days when we were all together in our first company.

After few minutes we found ourselves packing our bags because we will be tranferring to our assigned cottage at Hadefe and have ourselves ready for the island hopping. There will be seven islands in store for us, we availed the Tour A+C which according to my research is the best combination for first timers like us.

We went to Hadefe just few walks away from where we stayed our first night. It is an average place with few cottages facing the beach. It is more like of a small compound for a group or related families. I find it good not only for its good view of the beachfront and islands but the provice-like ambiance. Its cottages are made of native materials resembling with our bahay kubo (nipa hut) not like the concrete accommodations nowadays.

Then we are all set to conquer the islands. As per my advise our group each brought sunblock to avoid sunburns and being roasted under the heat. We left Hadefe to ride our boat past 9AM which i think is already late. TIP: The earlier you start on island hopping the better. This would give buffer and more time to enjoy every island stop.

Another thing im looking forward on this trip is the island lunch. We did the same thing when we went in Coron so this is not new to me but this lunch surpassed the latter not only with the food and taste but with the presentation. Haha! 

I read somewhere that this is already a routine on island hopping in El Nido complete with tables with table cloth on top, chairs and full presentation of luch with garnishes.  Though Hadefe did it a bit simple compared with the one i read online, its the effort to make it a feast in the eyes and most of all- the taste!

This is added attaction with the island tour. Guests were treated very well and gave them one of a kind experience to dine by the beach. Not all resorts and tours can offer this added tender loving care. Including the effort of on the spot cooking in the island or on the boat is a just to server the meal fresh from the hot pot.

Rain poured hard in the middle of the tour. Something to cool down the weather. I was able to experience the cool rain water while the boat is moving. Its been very long time since a bathe under the rain and it made me think of my younger years. One of the simple pleasures in life.

During my research for this trip, i encounter questions about comparison between Coron (Calamian Group of Islands) and El Nido, both part of Palawan. I have been to Coron last two years, so here is my verdict---

Both have crystal clear waters and same activites when it comes to snorkeling and fish feeding but Coron boasts itself for its notable Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden and Shipwreks. On the other hand El Nido pride itself with its Secret Beach, Matinlok Shrine and Big Lagoon. They have different beauties to present to their visitors so comparison would be difficult. Each one have their own attractions so i therefore conclude its worth vising both spots.

 

We ended the day past 5PM as indicated on the itenerary. We are able to complete only six out of seven islands under the Tour A+C due to lack of time. So now you know why its better to start early to avoid this kind of this alibi. According to our guide, the last island is a bit far and just a small beach which is not a good reason for us to buy. On the positive note, good thing we ended early just in time for the sunset by the beach. A seprate entry for sunset feast of colors.

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This is the first trip of the year and a good start with the Philippine's 'Last Frontier' - Palawan. Though not a good start of the day since we have our flight delayed by one hour still we are able to complete day one adventure's itenerary highlighted by Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or locally known as Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).

We are able to get a good package tour for a hassle and worry free trip since we are a group of five with two friends snatched their vacation working from Singapore. Got our bags and looked for our travel agent from Hadefe Travel.

I already read some good feed backs for them so i decided to give them a try. Initially i opt to do a do-it-yourself trip and book with another resort in El Nido but decided to get the package tour since we have a 10-hour roundtrip Puerto Princesa City (PPC) and El Nido. It would be great to catch a good comfortable nap inside a van. Also, i can say its a good decision since some of my friends are not used on backpack style travel, we have our heavy bags to tag along during transpo interchange on commuting.

Since we have a delayed flight, we arrived at PPC past lunch time, we have to go directly to Sabang beacause its one-hour drive from the city or else we will not make it on the cut off time. There are only number of guests allowed enter the PPUR per day. This has been the system since this PPUR joined the New Seven Wonders of Nature according to our guide. Also, one should secure a permit prior the intended day of visit else entry to the cave will not be allowed.

One hour trip is a bit gruelling because we haven't take our lunch and our driver needs to race on some rough roads for us to make it on time and the result is a bit dizzy trip. We also have our permit ready for that day and we cant afford not to use it. Thank God we made it just in time but before going straight to PPUR, we had our late buffet lunch in a resort. This is the only lunch option around the area and good thing their food is deilicious. Their chicken adobo is on top.

Its just a quick late lunch and we're back on the road and few more minutes we are already at the Sabang Port. Our guide processed our permit to secure the boat to cave and we are the last one to visit for the day. Good thing there are only few visitors when we arrive. Just the right time to spent to wait for our turn. Boats are coming back and forth to pickup the batch of visitors until are turn.

Another few minutes boat ride to the entrance of the cave. It is a mini beach with a huge limestone formation on the side. We registered our names and wait for our turn. Its just a good time to explore the area. We encountered a monitor lizard just roaming around. There are also bigger ones too according to our guide. The area is also covered with trees so shades are available during the hot summer days.

Our guide showed the other way to the main entrance of the cave. Just few steps and we saw the area where the river meets the sea. Another limestone formation to complete the view. Clear greenish water coming from the river going to the sea.

Then our turn came. We had the boat solely for our group since we will be the last batch to enter the cave. Geared with life vests and hard hats and a spot light powered by a car battery to lighten up the ride. Our boatman started the boat ride with some basic do's and dont's and crack some jokes for ice breaker.

This is one of kind activity because visitors would be able to do caving on a boat ride. Not the usual caving on with hand and/or foot but riding the boat instead.

As expected there are so many bats flying inside the cave. These are insect bats according to our guide. They will all came out from the cave around 6PM everyday to hunt for food. There are also other residence inside the cave like the Balinsasayaw birds with its expensive nest used for Nido soup. We are able to spot a baby python.

There are many rock formations inside the cave, from stalactites to stalagmites  and some of it just few inches to the ceilings to form the column. Our guide showed different formations and was able to give names to it or the pattern that resembles it, from animals, fruits and vegetables, holy figures and even hotdogs. I suggest to at least have additional lights for the visitor to explore more the caves.

I can say that our guide is well trained when it comes to how to give a good story inside the cave. He is a good communicator too be it in Filipino or English and was able to entertain us. The trip lasted around 45 minutes with some good laughs since some jokes of our guide is hilarious.

 

We got our pricey photos as souvenir. You'll have different shot before entering the cave and when coming out. TIP: Be sure to look for all the shot so that you'll be able to choose the best one. We ended up buying two since the vendor showed us another sets of shots just right after buying one and have them printed it.

We went back to the port and clean ourselves and got back on the road for the five-hour evening ride to El Nido.

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