Journey to El Nido

We didn’t have internet at last night’s hotel, but we have it here in El Nido, so time for a blog posting. On Saturday, the 29^th, we had the morning to walk around Manila some more before we needed to return to the hotel to leave for the airport and our flight to the island of Palawan. We walked past the American Embassy and along to other side of Roxas Boulevard from our hotel. We walked almost to the Pasig River before we turned and came back thru Intramuros. Even though it was only about 10:30 am when we got back to Rizal Park, it was hot and we were sweltering. Fortunately for us, the ice cream vendor was open, so we had another mango shake. Here it is, with a scoop of melon ice cream. Phillip didn’t want melon ice cream, so he pointed to another one that resembled vanilla with chunks. They scooped it on for him. Cheese ice cream. I didn’t get a picture of it, but I think he’ll ask next time what flavor the ice cream is before he gets it!

We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. The lines were actually tremendously shorter than when we had taken Mom for her 5 am flight. Our flight ended up leaving two hours late, so we spent over 4-1/2 hours in the airport. We did meet Daniela, a vacationing international teacher on her way to Puerto Princessa, then on to El Nido, just like us. Our hotel in Puerto Princessa had a van awaiting us (and five other guests of theirs on the same flight) as we deplaned and got our luggage. Although the hotel was very new, it is not one we will return to. It had very spare furnishings, steep stairs, and no blankets. The picture on the Internet did not show the surrounding buildings, and for good reason. They were shacks.

After breakfast the next morning, the hotel called us a taxi – a motorcycle taxi. At the bus terminal, we waited a bit and finally got all loaded for the 5 hour trip to El Nido – 8 passengers in a fifteen passenger van. That’s our luggage being tied on top of the van. We had plenty of room until the van picked up four more passengers for the last hour of the trip. That last hour was over unpaved roads about 60% of the time. They are constructing a concrete road, it just isn’t finished yet. And the van driver – let’s say that lane markings are just suggestions and the horn is the most important part on the van. I’m sure that Phillip was wondering what I’d gotten him into as the road got worse and worse and the van’s air conditioner couldn’t keep up with the extra people and afternoon sun. We finally arrived at El Nido – and a lovely room in a pension (basically a small bed and breakfast inn). We were greeted by a smiling, friendly lady with bearing bottles of cold water. And the bay… Today’s bay pictures don’t really show the beauty of the area because the sun had already dropped behind the mountains when I took them, but I’ll have some great shots in my next post.

As we walked along the beach, Daniela, drinking a San Miguel in a beachfront café, called out to us and we stopped to talk. She hadn’t booked any tours yet, so the three of us walked inland a block to the tour agency recommended in Lonely Planet and booked the same tour for tomorrow – several islands by boat with snorkeling. We parted ways with Daniela and headed back to the beach for dinner – here’s Phillip’s chicken adobo and shrimp plate, 200 pesos (less than $5). I had the fish plate, same price. And we got a free delicious fried banana appetizer. Tomorrow: island hopping!