Honda Bay DIY Trip: Two Islands in Two Hours

I never thought I could go island hopping in Honda Bay during our recent vacation in Puerto Princesa. Due to our limited time and the fear of delays, I opted to cross Honda Bay out the itinerary. I wanted to save it for next time, most probably two or three years from now, until a tricycle driver said that we can do a "two islands in two hours DIY trip".

The idea sounded great! So, on our 3rd and last day in Puerto Princesa, we asked him to fetch us at the break of dawn, take us to the wharf and back for a fee of Php 600. 

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The Ultimate Adventure at Ugong Rock Adventures

A trip to Puerto Princesa Underground River is often paired with an adventure side trip. It could either be in Sabang X, the zipline by the sea made famous by Amazing Race Philippines Season 2, or in Ugong Rock Adventures, an ultimate destination for adrenaline rushing activities such as caving, spelunking and ziplining. My thrill-seeker husband yearned to visit both attractions, but since we were a part of a group tour, we only had to choose one and we picked out the latter. 

Right after our buffet lunch in Sabang, we made our way to Ugong Rock Adventures before heading back to the city. Ugong Rock is a limestone rock formation which stands 75-feet high in the middle of a rice field. Within are caves and narrow passageways leading to a viewing deck situated at the top of the stunning rock formation. It was named as such because a hollow limestone inside the cave makes an ugong or a reverberating sound when tapped.      

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KaLui: A Must-Try Native Restaurant in Palawan

A vacation in Puerto Princesa is never complete without dining in KaLui! This I have learned after a series of travel-related conversations with my friends and after reading several blog posts on Puerto Princesa. KaLui seems to be the most popular and the most recommended local restaurant in the province. I heard it is a native restaurant just like the others, but I was curious on what makes it different from the rest. 

So, on our first day in Puerto Princesa, just as soon as we dropped our bags at Marianne Home Inn, I immediately asked the receptionist about KaLui. She gladly made a call and reserved a table for four at 6:30pm. Having an early dinner wasn't really our choice, but KaLui was fully booked at 7:30pm that night and 8:30pm would be so late for us.    

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Marianne Home Inn: Budget Accommodation in Palawan

I'm not a huge fan of accommodation + guided tour packages as I always want my freedom whenever I'm on vacation, but on our recent family trip to Puerto Princesa I had no choice. Getting the Underground River entry permits on our own seemed quite a hassle and I couldn't spare an hour of our short vacation on a DIY tour mishap. So, six month prior the trip, I went Puerto Princesa tour package hunting online. 

I shortlisted three budget accommodations and sent them an email. The first reply that I got was from Marianne Home Inn. The prompt and polite reply had me. So, when a rate tad cheaper than the online price was offered, I felt I need not to look any further. I immediately booked our stay and confirmed it by paying 50% of the total package.               

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Coron: A Treasure Trove of Natural Beauty

Now that we are about to welcome the last quarter of 2013, our homecoming plan for next year is already brewing. Having a home country with 7,107 beautiful islands is also having 7,107 or more getaway options! "Which island shall we explore?" has always been the big question. Since I'm always OC and too ecstatic when it comes to 'escape plans', I am already doing some major research. 

I have been browsing the archive of Cebu Pacific's inflight magazine, and I stumbled upon a very interesting article about Coron in Smile magazine's December 2012 issue. I have always longed to visit Palawan; to travel to Puerto Princesa and see the Underground River, but the Coron's Jewels article makes me want to fly to Busuanga instead!

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