This is
a dream destination for many people. There are 2 ways to get here, travel in
style via chartered flight (Manila to El Nido) and stay in a luxurious resort or go for a budget
travel via 6-hour land trip from Puerto Princesa and stay in a budget hotel.
Day 1
We took the long way, the tiring yet very economic way of reaching El Nido. Our CebuPac flight from Manila was delayed by almost 30 mins, thank God because Feb 25 had the worst traffic in Metro Manila. From the Puerto Princesa Airport we hopped in the van. The first hour in the van was spent exchanging “chika” or updates since we came from different projects, we are a bunch of travelling IT Consultants taking a break after long hours of work and day in/day out meetings with clients. This trip is a breather, because when we go back to our respective projects we will have longer hours of work and lesser hours of sleep. We reached El Nido town proper past midnight, we stayed at Residencia Katrina.
We took the long way, the tiring yet very economic way of reaching El Nido. Our CebuPac flight from Manila was delayed by almost 30 mins, thank God because Feb 25 had the worst traffic in Metro Manila. From the Puerto Princesa Airport we hopped in the van. The first hour in the van was spent exchanging “chika” or updates since we came from different projects, we are a bunch of travelling IT Consultants taking a break after long hours of work and day in/day out meetings with clients. This trip is a breather, because when we go back to our respective projects we will have longer hours of work and lesser hours of sleep. We reached El Nido town proper past midnight, we stayed at Residencia Katrina.
Day2
We got up early to take our plated breakfast and prepared our things for an exciting Island hopping. There are many tours (A, B, C, and D) available, ours was a combination of tours A & C, skipping the so-so islands and concentrating on the exciting ones. First stop was Cadlao Island, then Hidden Beach. Our sumptuous lunch was served in the boat, a feast of seafood, pork and fresh fruits. After lunch, we headed off to the Secret beach, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. We ended the tiring day with a New York style breakfast (bagel and pasta) for dinner. I went to bed tired (from paddling) but happy.
We got up early to take our plated breakfast and prepared our things for an exciting Island hopping. There are many tours (A, B, C, and D) available, ours was a combination of tours A & C, skipping the so-so islands and concentrating on the exciting ones. First stop was Cadlao Island, then Hidden Beach. Our sumptuous lunch was served in the boat, a feast of seafood, pork and fresh fruits. After lunch, we headed off to the Secret beach, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. We ended the tiring day with a New York style breakfast (bagel and pasta) for dinner. I went to bed tired (from paddling) but happy.
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| Cadlao Island, best for snorkling and kayaking |
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| There's a hidden beach behind these limestone formations |
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| Our feast for the day |
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| Big Lagoon |
Day3
After breakfast we left for Nagkalit-kalit Falls, it was quite a long trek unfortunately there’s not much water flowing because of the sunny weather. Next stop is Nacpan Beach, a 4-Km stretch of cream sand beach, with crystal clear waters and lined with coconut trees. Tourists are only allowed to swim in waist deep water because of the strong current. We had another seafood feast for lunch. We climbed a small hill where one can view the twin beaches of Nacpan and Calintang. It was an awesome view. Before going back to our hotel, we decided to watch the sunset at Las Cabanas Beach Resort. It was another tiring yet fun day for the group.
After breakfast we left for Nagkalit-kalit Falls, it was quite a long trek unfortunately there’s not much water flowing because of the sunny weather. Next stop is Nacpan Beach, a 4-Km stretch of cream sand beach, with crystal clear waters and lined with coconut trees. Tourists are only allowed to swim in waist deep water because of the strong current. We had another seafood feast for lunch. We climbed a small hill where one can view the twin beaches of Nacpan and Calintang. It was an awesome view. Before going back to our hotel, we decided to watch the sunset at Las Cabanas Beach Resort. It was another tiring yet fun day for the group.
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| Nacpan Beach |
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| Twin beaches of Nacpan and Calintang |
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| The stunning sunset at Las Cabanas Beach Resort |
Day4
It’s time to leave this paradise called El Nido. It’s time to say goodbye to the turquoise sea, cream colored sand, blue skies, amazing limestone formations, hidden beaches and lagoons, awesome sunset, nice people and very accommodating tour guides. El Nido is so enchanting, making me want to stay longer or go back for more adventures. A van drove us back to Puerto Princesa for our flight back to Manila, back to our busy schedules, wicked traffic, and challenging projects.
