We took a few days off work and decided to relax this weekend. I've been looking forward to this vacation for weeks because it's said to be one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. So on Thursday morning, after we left work, Dave, Ryan, Byrant and myself hopped in a couple cabs and headed to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 4 for domestic travelers) to embark on a trip to El Nido.
We landed in Palawan and were greeted with a welcome sign and our lovely rental vehicle for the weekend and off we went on our 6 hour journey to El Nido.
Now, if ever you are planning a trip to El Nido and you think, "Hey! Le'ts rent a car and drive it!" Please review this post and think twice.
The first three hours are great! The last 2 are not. The sign says National Road....one would think this is a good sign and you will have smooth sailing the rest of the trip. Think again. See that clay road to the right? THAT is the National Road. The picture just above this is a portion of the construction. Instead of paving all the road at once, they leave huge strips of one side with no way to pass another vehicle. The rest is wet clay and pot holes. I was EXTREMELY exited to see El Nido several hours later.
It was sooooo worth it when we finally arrived and were greeted by this:
After working 9 hours, traveling for 8 and being up for a grand total of 26 hours, I was ready for bed!
We checked into our hotels and passed out so we could wake up early the next morning for the highly recommended "Tour A."
Unfortunately, we awoke to this:
BUT NEVER FEAR!!!!! The rain here is just like Florida. It rains and then stops. It ended up being an absolutely perfect day for "Tour A."
"Just sit right back and you'll a tale, a tale of a fateful (amazing) trip,
that started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship"
The Big Lagoon
The most beautiful, clear water I've eve seen. These pictures don't do it justice.
We went snorkeling! And coming from a person that can't swim, this was an absolutely incredible and empowering experience. I swear, you get in that water and you could see 15 feet straight to the bottom. David described the angel fish, just as the sun hit them. He said they illuminated and were almost translucent. I didn't know colors like what I saw even existed in real life.
"The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle"
"The first mate and the skipper too, will do their very best, to make the others comfortable, in the tropic island nest."
and the boat's crew made us and incredible lunch while we explored the island.
After lunch, we set sail again into the small lagoon where we kayaked into the most unbelievably gorgeous place I've ever seen. There are not words to describe this place. I couldn't take pictures, but if I did they would capture crystal clear waters surrounding rocks that formed 1000s upon 1000s of years ago. The water is so clear that you didn't need to snorkel to see 15 feet to the bottom. All you had to do was look down and it was rock and coral as far as the eye could see. The rocks were covered in exotic flowers and trees growing 50 feet above your head with roots cascading downward. It was so secluded that Bryant and I had to lay down in our kayak to even enter through the little opening. I actually just paused writing so I could google an image. This is what I found and it still doesn't do it justice.
After an exceptionally exhausting day full of amazing experiences, it started to rain again and the four of us, in all our soaking wet glory, went back to our hotel rooms...
No phones, no lights, no motor cars,
not a single luxury,
like Robinson Crusoe,
as primitive as can be
Oh, and Bryant and I kind of when zip lining and it was kind of amazing!!!!!!!
The hike up the mountain that I was totally and completely unprepared for however, was NOT.
I am out of shape.
