Weekend Getaway in Puerto Princesa Part 2

Our Day 2 in Puerto Princesa Palawan started a little bit early as we will be travelling to the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).This is not the first time that I’m going to this UNESCO World Heritage site, so I am not really that excited anymore.

But before we actually went to PPUR, we dropped by the Viet Ville for a quick photo op. The Viet Ville was established as a community for Vietnamese refugees who ran away from their country during the turbulent times. It used to be a lively community complete with church restaurant, and other facilities.

But after the US Government offered them assylum and US Citizenship, most of them left Palawan for good. leaving only the happy memories they had planted on this part of thhe city. According to our guide, there are only five remaining Vietnamese in the Viet Ville.

From Viet Ville we then moved straight towards The Underground River. Travel time from the city proper to PPUR is approximately 2 hours.

The Puerto Princesa Undergrund River spans 8.2 kilometers in length but inly the first kilometer is accessible to the public. However, one may arrange with the boatmen if you wish to go up to 3 kilometers.This is the farthest one can go inside the Underground River.

It was Saturday noon when we arrived in PPUR and the entire park is crowded with a lot of tourists. All eager to get inside the river system.

I was really hungry already even before we had our tour. Nakakahilo ng ulo! And the smell of the bat urine adds more drama to what I’m feeling. Ang panghi!

Then off we went inside the cavern. Since this is already my second time, I aldready had an idea of what to expect inside, what to see, and what to SMELL!

After 45 minutes of navigating the river, we finished the tour. I felt bitin. I really had so much expectations during the tour. Or shall I just say, I enjoyed my first Underground River experience compared to today. Parang tinatamad na si kuya mag explain .

We finised our tour at 2:30PM Gutom na talaga! We then went to Taraw Vista Lodge and Restaurant for a buffet lunch. Food is great! Then Mica ordered tamilok. Tamilok is a type of mollusk that lives in mangroves. Many considers it as an aphrodisiac. I have never tasted it before, but this time I made sure to give it a try. Bahala na si Lord!

Tamilok is best served as kinilaw. You just squeeze some calamansi or dip it in vinegar, and voila! Youree good to go! I really had so much apprehensions about eating this delicacy. But I challenged myself. I HAVE to eat at least once. And so I tried. It actually tastes like oyster. Parang talaba lang sya! I think I finished two or three tamilok that day.

Durig the whole trip I did not bring my rash guard or extra shorts as I decided not to swim on that day. But the waves in Sabang beach is so big and is very inviting! Ayun, I gave in to temptation. I swam and played like a happy kid!

From Sabang we drove back to the city, but we passed by a large mound of marble. We took photos, crazy crazy photos. Iba talaga ang epekto ng nalipasan ng gutom!

From there we headed straight to our accommodation for dinner. Later that evening, we decided to go out and take a walk at the BayWalk. Puerto Princesa’s version of the popular Manila Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard.

From the Baywalk, we took a tricycle ride going to Thanh Tam for a dose of Vietnamese noodle soup known as Pho.

So off we went to Thanh Tam. Actually they call these kind of place as Chao Longan from the Vietnamese food Chao Long. I wonder why these sort of places is called chao longan, as the main food served is Pho. Pho os noodle soup while Chao long is somewhat similar to rice porridge or congee.

Thanh Tam was recommended to us by our guide. I ordered Beef Stew Noodles and pork banh mi (French bread Sandwich). Mas masarap ang foods dahil nakikinood kami ng Pilipinas Got Talent Finals!

I love the food! The beef stew noodles is superb! yummeh! The serving is large for a P45 price tag. Ang laki pala nya! And the pork French Bread Sandwich (Banh mi) is really good too! Best while it is still warm!

From Thanh Tam we took another tricycle ride back to Marianne Home Inn where we were booked. It was a very long day for us but totally fun!

Check out the first part of this adventure here

Many thanks to AirPhil Express for bring us to Puerto Princesa City and enjoy this once in a blue moon adventure!