Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour
Kuya Abet, the trike driver who drove us to Aniceto's Pension House, offered to take us around the city for just Php500. The standard City Tour package costs Php600 per trike, good for 3 to 4 people. While with an agency, it's Php600 per person with a van being the mode of transportation. If we were to do a DIY City Tour, we would have to spend Php200 to Php250 each. And since there's only 2 of us doing the City Tour, it's just about the same price so we took his offer.
He agreed to pick us up at 1pm, giving us ample time to freshen ourselves, go out and have lunch. We asked around for tips on where to eat and decided to have lunch at a carinderia near the market just for the experience. We then walked around, found a supermarket where we bought the stuff we need to survive the next few days then went back to the pension house.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
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| The signage with a mini reservoir behind it |
We started off our City Tour with a visit at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, also known as the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park, with an entrance fee of Php40 each. First is a 10-minute guided tour through the main building, where a giant skeleton of a sea crocodile and its skin is being displayed. The skeleton of a Sperm whale where the remains of the sea crocodile was said to be retrieved is also being displayed on the opposite side.
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| Skin and skeleton of sea crocodile greeting guests at the main building lobby |
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| Remains of the Sperm Whale |
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| Sea crocodile with us as reference of its size |
Next is the Hatchling House where the hatchlings are being kept. The rows of white tubs containing the juvenile crocs are divided in the middle by a path where the guests can observe them. The baby crocs here are grouped according to their ages.
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| Juvenile sea crocodiles aged more than a year |
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| 2-year old saltwater crocodile alone in a tub |
Located outdoors is the concrete pen for older crocodiles. There's a metal bridge on top of the concrete pen that guests will have to cross to reach the other side.
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| Top view of an adult crocodile |
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| And there are the other crocs! |
After that, we were free to roam around Crocodile Farm and Nature Park, looking at various animals endemic to the island.
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| Bearded pig, or so the cage label says.. |
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| Where to go, where to go? |
Then, we went out of the wildlife park to personally interact and have our pictures taken with a baby crocodile and a bearcat for minimal fees. This part of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center tour is what's most exciting for me as I consider this as truly one of those rare, one-of-a-kind experience. It's not everyday that one gets to hold a baby croc and let a bearcat ride your back afterall, and it would take some time (like years) before we can actually go back here (hopefully, with the kids next time).
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| Under the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park signage |
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With the Palawan bearcat or binturong
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| Behind the scenes prep for the souvenir pic |
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| Wondering how delicious (or not) this would taste.. |
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| The Kiss of the Baby Croc |
Aside from the souvenir items (some made of crocodile skin) and pictures that you can purchase after being taken, they also offer crocodile meat here.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
National Rd. Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
About a 30-minute ride from Puerto Princesa City proper by land vehicle
Next stop: Irawan Eco-Park and the rest of the City Tour
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