Taking it Slow in El Nido

I've always rewarded myself a birthday trip to relax and keep me sane. Most of these trips are thoroughly planned and details are written down weeks before.
But just for the heck of it, the supposedly beach camping trip to Alaminos was replaced with a spontaneous decision to head to El Nido. (Toss coin shizz.Crazy I know.LOL)
After purchasing our plane tickets,we were in for another adventure.

Heart shaped island enroute PPC

Underground River?Tabon Cave?Nacpan Beach?San Vicente?Port Barton?God knows how nerve wrecking the overnight planning challenge was. I was skimming through travel blogs and jotted down  interesting places to visit. The list went on and on.

I wanted to cover many places as much as possible but with so little time to prepare and with just 4 days 3 nights to spare I had to at least make a route. A draft. I had to come up with something.

Touchdown PPC!

We arrived at Puerto Princesa Airport past 4 pm and decided to head straight to the famous Bona's Chaolongan. The place was packed with students and professionals. With my first sip of their steamy buto buto chaolong, I understood why it was popular even for the locals. Their garlic bread was heavenly.I mean SERIOUSLY!

Waiting...waiting...waiting...

To die for chaolong @ Bona's

With our full tummies, we started to walk around town then went to the San Jose terminal and waited for the 10 pm RORO Bus bound for El Nido.

Killing time @ NCC Foodcourt :)

San Jose Terminal

I was half awake the whole time.The road was bumpy and muddy even the bus had difficulty maneuvering through it.The 6 hour journey ended at a bus terminal surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.It was magnificent and over powering.

Towering karsts near the bus Terminal @ El Nido downtown

Tay Miloy's Inn

Tricycles were abundant in that area and the ride to Tay Miloy's Inn was short and breezy.The half asleep Kuya Rodrigo welcomed us with a grin and led us to our room. Twin bed with a ceiling fan. Shared bath. Not bad for a 500 peso deal considering we were in El Nido.

Just after a few minutes we were both in deep slumber trying to rest our bodies for yet another day. The whole afternoon was uneventful and was mostly spent sleeping despite the electricity schedule just running from 3 pm to 6 am.

Cheap street food! OYE! :)

                                            

 We strolled the shores of El Nido, watching the people as they go about their routines. Devoured on their street food which was surprisingly cheap.Ate dirty ice cream while watching a basketball game held in the plaza. Slow and sweet.

People watching as usual 

So I guess I'm not the best map reader. Thought the path leads to Bacuit Bay :)

The beautiful Cadlao Island :) Rewards of getting lost in paradise :)

The following day,we embarked in a more fast paced journey towards the world renowned islands surrounding El Nido to see for ourselves what the fuss is all about.

Check out my El Nido Adventure series:

> The Twin Beaches of Nacpan and Calintang

>El Nido Island Hopping Tour A : Finding Out What the Fuss is All About

>Chasing the Golden Hour in El Nido

>Travel Guide : El Nido

>El Nido Budget