Sunday 18 May 2014

Puerto Princesa: Home to the Natural Wonders of the World

The motive here was simple. The legendary sub-terranean River. Time has named this place 1 of the 7 natural wonders of the world, despite all the wonders that nature has brought us. I suspect there must be a reason.

So we arrived at Puerto Princesa, by now the small airports don’t surprise us anymore. Funny how fast people get used to things. It was a little dreadful knowing that this would be our final stop before we head back to reality.

With a huge comfortable pickup from the airport, we arrived at the hotel and a light lunch after we unpacked. It totally feels like Phuket here, no idea why but this place gives me the same feeling, maybe because there’re more ang mos* (Caucasians) here than elsewhere.

It was really impromptu but we decided to go for a firefly tour since we have nothing on for our first night. It was the first for my boy and he really enjoyed it. The only other time I went on a firefly tour was years ago and I felt that I enjoyed this a lot more, although a little scary at first.

The entire tour comprised of a buffet dinner, which was fabulous, and a private firefly tour for groups of 2 in their small little boats. And by small, I mean small, it can only take a maximum of 4 people including the navigator, which is why it’s so scary! The width of the boat is only a little wider than my hips! Oh gawd! But the entire tour was actually amazing, we saw how fireflies will light up in sync when you shine red light at them. They light up like a Christmas tree!!! So amazing. Sadly I did not take any photos since it was too dark and I was too engrossed. But nothing can beat the first hand experience in those boats watching the amazing firefly *pun unintended*. Of course there are also little planktons in the water that light up a little when we the boatman paddled.  We already thought this was amazing enough for Mother Nature, but what comes the next morning was even more amazing at the underground river.

Before we even set foot into the underground river, we waited at the port waiting for our ride to come! As we reached the island housing the underground river, there was also another deadly attraction – Monitor Lizards, or what the locals known as Bayawak. And so the tour starts. It was like a cruise in a huge cave and the beauty will only be underrated by the use of words.










As we went back for our buffet lunch then a zipline adventure! The other people said they saw sea turtles whilst zipline. Envy max!!! 







Note: All photos are unedited.

Sunday 4 May 2014

Cebu: An Unexpected Journey

Our stay in Cebu city is a really short one. But I really need to emphasize on the hotel that we stayed in, and usually it could only meant extremely good or bad. Well, in this case, *drum roll* I find the services in the hotel I stayed in was extremely good, on top of the fact that it is situated right in the city area and the price was economical.

But it was about 40min drive from the airport and there was no transfer, we took a cab. We researched and realized most of the hotels residing at the main city area do not provide airport transfer. But Wellcome hotel is rather established since the cabbies all knew where I was referring to, so you don’t have to worry that its some ulu (singlish: secluded) hotel.

So as we reached the hotel, the first great new came in! They upgraded us to a deluxe room! Whee! They also have this small roof pool which was amazing with a sunbed overlooking the crowded city life.




As we only have a short night stay here in Cebu, we washed up and we left for our sumptuous dinner as the 2nd great news came!!As we were asking for directions to the mall, the kind receptionist offered to give us a ride there!

It was really unexpected because she was actually explaining how it only took less than 10min walk to the mall and next moment as we knew it, she was already waving to her colleague and telling them to bring us there. For this issue, I really need to comment and compliment their service. AND YOU KNOW WHAT?! They gave me a name card for me to call them to pick us up when we are done. How sweet!!!




And so after the mall, a sweet night rest and a sumptuous breakfast buffet at this very hospitable hotel, we end our journey in Cebu.