PUERTO PRINSESA TRIP DAY 4

ITINERARY: CITY TOUR ( Crocodile Park, Butterfly Garden, Mitra's Ranch & Baker's Hill)

This was going to be our last day to what is known as the Philippines "last frontier", so we have to make the best time that we have. We had our breakfast a little late compared to the first 3 days. Again, the guide arrived late...But at least now we have the whole van on our own. 

Out first stop is the Baywalk, our guide didn't ask us to go down and we didn't ask either because we saw it during our first night. Right after, we went to Plaza Cuartel. No interesting facts here except this so called "garrison" according to our tour guide during World War II there were 200 American soldiers who were burned to death and only 11 of them survived.

this is the one that i called "garisson"

Right across the plaza, Immaculate Conception Church is situated. We were lucky to hear a mass even for a short time because it was a Sunday. Thank you God for allowing this trip to happen and the more we appreciate all your beautiful creations!!

My friend, Obet, calls it the "blue church"

    

From the church, we travelled for 30 - 45 minutes to reach Crocodile Park.We thought that we wouldn't be able to see the Crocodile Park cause it was a Sunday but how lucky we were because it was open. At the entrance of the building, we were greeted by Rio's skeleton, the biggest croc found in Palawan ( that was before Lolong came, I guess). 

Rio's skeleton and its skin..

bearcat

 After a little explanation, we were led to an area where we saw different crocs by ages. Then we were left on ourselves to explore the whole place. I just noticed that the place is not well -maintained.Fortunate though that it was not raining or else the place is muddy. Though there were interesting animals like bearcat and porcupine.

 After our meet-and-greet with the crocs, we went to Mitra's Ranch. Yes, you guessed it right, this is former Sen. Ramon Mitra's ancestral house. As of this time, nobody is living there  except for a caretaker though his son sometimes visits the place. This house was turned into a museum by the way. We didn't dare to go inside because we were happy enough to see the overlooking view of Honda Bay.Mitra's house can be found on Billionaire's St..Obviously because all the houses here are for billionaires, my God all are grand houses!!There's a zipline also here, but we didn't try it..

with my honey

 Our next stop will be the very famous "Baker's Hill". When we arrived there, a lot of vans and cars are parked on both sides of the street. The shop or store where you can buy all the pasalubongs is in front so you will not get lost. But I'd rather see first what is inside so i went to the right side and straight ahead. Kids especially girls will truly enjoy this place. It is so cute, as if you enter a kids' playground because there were a lot of Disney characters. They also offer seafoods buffet lunch here. It didn't enter in my mind to have our lunch there because we were running out of time, the city tour has to take 5 hours only and its getting noon already.

Baker's Hill shop

LIKE!!!

                                         

Mansion house...

This is one of the place that I truly enjoyed because of its beauty and so relaxing ambiance. And a must - go - place where you can buy your pasalubongs. They have different varieties of hopia, lengua, tamarind candy, crinkles and a lot lot more and for me its not that expensive.I love the landscape of this place and perfect location to have a photoshoot ♥♥♥. I toured the whole placeand I want to stay a little bit longer but we are really running out of time. So we had to go!!

Our last stop is the Butterfly Garden. There is a P25.00 entrance. I was hesitant to enter the place because I can sensed that the place is small and there's not much to see but they insisted since we were there already. And true enough, my instinct was right but at least I was able to see butterflies and dragonflies of different colors and kinds. In fact one of the butterflies stayed on my leg,so happy!!After a long long time, I was able to see dragonfly AGAIN!!!wohhoooo...

                                              

signage

sorry for my legs!!hehe.

 Though we are running out of time, we still managed to passed by the "bagsakan" market for dried fish pasalubongs, thanks to ate tour guide !!

                                                                                                                                                                   A little before 1pm, we were back at the hotel. At the reception area,we were told that we will leave the hotel at 3pm. but since the check out time is 2pm, they will allow us to stay altogether in just one room while we are waiting for the time. And so we decided to just order from Jollibee for our lunch since we don't have time to still go out. We just packed our things and watched Manny Pacquiao's fight against Bradley.Probably the reason why our tour guide was in a hurry..By the way Manny lost this fight which is very questionable and made a big news about the credibility of boxing world ( sorry, can't help to include this).

The Baywalk, Immaculate Conception Church and Plaza Cuartel is within city proper so it would only take you an hour to visit these places plus picture taking. You have to travel for 30 minutes to see the Crocodile Park and another 30 minutes to see Iwahig Penal Colony.Baker's Hill and Mitra's Ranch is near each other.

We encountered a little problem again, because Jollibee delivered a wrong order or rather they lack one item so I have to call them back and asked them to deliver but since they insisted that it was the one taken by the order - taker we have to pay for the delivery charge.Here I go again, I can't really just take it because the problem was on their part. The receptionist - on - duty(his name is Cesar Bryan Velarde) dictated all our orders correctly it was them who got the order wrong and they will charge us..I was ready again to be in a warrior- mode when the receptionist offered to pay for the delivery charge. But I said no, it was not his fault.But then Rey came and told me that it's ok na and never mind na lang. So, I shrugged off my shoulders. And after a while there was a knock on the door and it was Bryan with a box of cookies on his hands, and asking for an apology for the incident. How kind and thoughtful of him!! But i said that he doesn't have to do that because it was not his fault and I don't blame him. But he insisted that we take it as a token of appreciation. Thank you again Bryan!!!

We left the place at around 4pm and  was generous enough to let us stay a little bit longer. (http://www.raqpalawan.com/).

The airport is just 10 - 15 minutes away from our place so after the hotel service dropped us off. We went out again and looked for some souvenirs shop. We went to the city proper which is I think 5 minutes away by tricycle.Then we hurriedly go back to the airport again because Rey called us already that we have to check in our bags since the line is starting to pile up.

By the way, our tour was arraned by one of my friend who has a travel agency for us to have a hassle - free trip. Since I computed that if we are going to have DIY trip it would almost cost the same.

RAQ Pensionne

Address:	361 Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Contact nos:	+63917-533-2884                    +63917-582-1999       (048) 434-1429 (048) 433-2533
Here's our estimate	expenses:

        Airfare ( P2000.00) 2 way

        Terminal Fee ( P230.00)  2 way

        Foods - dinner / 1st night   ( P250.00 ) Kinabuch

                   - dinner / 2nd nite   ( P250.00)  KaLui

                   - dinner / 3rd night  ( P250.00) Balinsasayaw

                   - lunch / 4th day     ( P100.00) Jollibee

        Fares  - every dinner    ( P60.00 ) back and forth

        Entrance butterfly garden --( P25.00)

        Rent (snorkeling gears )  --  P 275.00

         Tip ( boatman )               - P50.00

                                          = P3490 + P4700 ( 4days/3 night tour and accomodation)

           Total Expenses        = P8190.00

You might also try when in Palawan : Dos Palmas, Firefly Watching, Iwahig Penal Colony.

If you are on a tight budget, you can find some place to eat which is a little cheaper. I didn't know that my budget reached P8190.00..But money worth spent!!!

Hope guys I was able to give you ideas how and where to enjoy here in PALAWAN.. See you on my next trip....COMING SOON!!!