Since it had started raining and the waves are getting bigger, we had to wait until the tourists ahead of us were able to finish their tour before we can proceed with ours. We took this opportunity to take pictures of the place.
3B’s Tours and Travel
Day 2: Underground River Tour
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| Stalactite formations, Underground River, Palawan |
As the Baywalk is just a 5- to 10-minute walk from Aniceto's Pension House, we decided to go jogging at 6am. There, we saw a manong selling taho so we bought some. It was my first time to eat taho with condensed milk on top. It started to rain shortly after so we had to go back, have our breakfast and prepare for our Underground River (UR) tour.
We initially planned for a do-it-yourself tour, which would cost us approximately Php900 each, when Kuya Abet, the trike driver who took us around for the City Tour, offered us their UR tour. The regular cost for the UR tour is Php1,500 but we got it for only Php1,100 since we already have our Visitors Entry Permit we got from the Underground River Booking Office. Between the Php200 per head savings and the degree of comfort and security the UR tour offers, comfort and security won. We would realize later on how lucky we were that we took the offer.
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| Information Map of Puerto Pricesa Subterranian River |
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| Bus plying the Puerto Princesa City-Sabang route |
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| Sabang beach directions |
We were picked up by the van from the pension house at around 9:30am. After almost 2 hours of traveling plus a 10-minute stopover, we reached the port of Sabang where our lunch was waiting. After our not-so-special buffet lunch at Robert's Restaurant and Cottages, our boat arrived and we immediately set out for the Underground River. By the way, we registered and paid Php40 each for the Environmental fee before boarding the boat. |
| Robert's Restaurant and Cottages |
The should be 20-minute boat ride had been one of the scariest moments of my life. Since weather quickly changes in that region, not to mention Typhoon Karen approaching the Philippine area of responsibility, dark clouds were already in the horizon. We were the last boat allowed to leave from Sabang port and midway through the trip, the waters became so rough our boat almost capsized. Fortunately, our very skillful boatman killed the engine and waited until the boat was stable enough to move on. We were able to reach the jump off point for the Underground River safely.
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| Really bad weather fast approaching |
Since it had started raining and the waves are getting bigger, we had to wait until the tourists ahead of us were able to finish their tour before we can proceed with ours. We took this opportunity to take pictures of the place.
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| Underground River finally! |
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| The very picturesque Sabang bay |
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| Cottages in the waiting area |
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| Seven Wonders of Nature marker |
After we received the go signal to proceed, we walked through a small part of the Monkey Trail to reach the mouth of the Underground River where we boarded a paddle boat for the much anticipated Underground River tour.
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| Helmets and life jackets on! |
We sat at the front seat with hubby holding the high-powered lamp to illuminate and point at the amazing stalactite-stalagmite formations. The boatman sat at the back, paddling while instructing us where to point the lamp for the unusual sights to be found inside the cave.
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| So, who's going to hold the light? |
People say that your visit to Puerto Princesa is not complete if you have not taken the Underground River tour and how right that statement is! Here are some facts about Puerto Princesa Underground River. Known by various names such as Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, St. Paul Subterranean River, it can be found about 50 kilometers North of Puerto Princesa City. The park itself has limestone karst mountain landscape, which is part of the St. Paul Mountain Range in the northern coast of the island.
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| Apporaching the mouth of the cave |
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| Lots and lots of bats |
One main feature here is the cave boasting of stalagmites, stalactites and several large chambers, not to mention its very diverse flora and fauna.
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| Much like a head of a dinosaur |
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| Much likeTitanic's hull |
The 8.2-kilometer long Underground River (Cabayugan River), of which 4.3 kilometrs is navigable, winds through the cave before flowing into the South China Sea.
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| On our way out of the cave |
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| Peaceful water flowing out to South China sea |
We really felt so lucky we were able to push through with this tour inspite of a really bad weather and huge waves. I've heard of tourists whose only purpose in coming to Puerto Princesa City were to see this New7Wonders of Nature going home without having experienced it. It was such a great blessing that we took the Kuya Abet's agency offer as well. If not for that, a DIY tour in such a bad weather would not be possible.
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| Our dear boatman, many thanks! |
399 Rizal Ave. Ext., Barangay Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Telephone Numbers: (048) 433-1436 / 723-1612
Telephone Numbers: (048) 433-1436 / 723-1612
Mobile Number: +639192404041
Emails: threebstoursandtravel@yahoo.com, info@3bstoursandtravel.com
Emails: threebstoursandtravel@yahoo.com, info@3bstoursandtravel.com
Website: http://www.3bstoursandtravel.com/index.html
For my post on how to get a Visitor Entry Permit for Puerto Princesa Underground River, please click here.
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