El Nido (Tour D)

Tour D is the least chosen tours in El Nido which in fact it is the nearest. Hehehe But this is definitely one of my favorites in their tours.  So, since this is not often chosen by tourists, expect that you might be in a private tour. If you're alone or just having one company, you might be lucky if there's another group that would welcome you in the group.😁 Like, us (my friends (couple) and I) when we had this tour, we only joined in the big family that was supposed to have the tour in private. In short, mga sampid lang kaming tatlo sa bangka. Hahaha

Well, here's what Tour D looks like. :) 

#1 Small Lagoon 

This lagoon is just pretty close to Big Lagoon, but as I'd mentioned in my previous blog, you can't visit anymore the two lagoons at the same time for "carrying capacity" purposes particularly when there are so many tourists.

My favorite part of the lagoon. 👇 Hehehe 

It was low tide when we got there. So the water wasn't really deep. 

#2 Helicopter Island

As I had also mentioned in my previous blog, this is included in Tour C.

Right at the tip of the island is the tunnel that connects to Cadlao Island where you can also enjoy many beaches and my favorite Cadlao Lagoon.

#3 Pasandigan Beach

We didn't go for a swim here. We just relaxed and enjoyed the food (lunch) before heading Cadlao Lagoon. 😋

#4 Cadlao Lagoon

My favorite! 😍😎

This is the lagoon where we enjoyed a lot. As you can observe, there's a part where the sea ground is visible and it's sandy. 

Look how clear the water is and how pretty the rocks are ! 😍 Walling photo is perfect here, but I didn't try, I'm not good at that.😂 

#5 Paradise Beach

It's also a fine-white-sand beach where swimming and sunbathing are perfect. But I was pretty tired when we got here, so I just tried to go up a bit on the wooden steps made for everyone to see a better view of the surrounding areas. 

P. S. 

There are still so many beautiful places in El Nido especially the islands and I'm glad I have had the chance to see some of them. Definitely, I love them! But I totally DISLIKE the town proper. It's super crowded. Parang, masyadong siniseryoso nila dun ang build build program .😆😔 The view of the area is totally an eyesore. Sobrang dikit ang mga structures; accommodations, shops, banks, etc. Ang sakit sa ulo! The worst is, there's even a cemetery very close to the beach. 😆😁  I asked if it is still used, and it is, since there are skulls and bones and whatsoever that aren't transferred yet. Huhu I hope, the local government of El Nido shall do something better to keep the town proper a safer and a healthier place to live in and to visit to. 🙂

Until then...stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️ 

E Nido (Tour C)

This tour is very popular, and it is the most expensive one among the four tours because of the destinations' distances. It costs PHP1,400/pax. 

But sad to say, I wasn't able to enjoy Tour C completely, since our group had an accident; our boat capsized under a scorching heat of the sun. It was very sunny, but we were accidentally hit by a sudden strong wind. I am not very sure if it was a squall, but it seemed like it. So, obviously the tour wasn't completed, we were not able to visit all the destinations in that tour. However, despite the bad thing that happened to us that day, I'm still grateful for no one died in that accident. 🙏

Well, here are Tour C's destinations! 

#1 Dilumacad Island or Helicopter Island

This island could be included in Tour D that's why I've been to this place twice since I've got to tour Tour D, too, which will be featured in my next content. 

This area is better for snorkeling compared to that one nearby Shimizu Island.

Oh by the way, it's called Helicopter Island for its helicopter-like limestone cliffs when viewed from a farther distance. 

#2 Miniloc Island 

This island has its own pride such as the Miniloc Shrine, a desserted shrine of Virgin Mary tucked between the beach and the cliffs, which was built in 1982.  Majority of the guests (on the boat-our boat) weren't that interested to drop by this site so, we directly went for snorkeling just also nearby the shrine. 🙄 Ayyy, I was the only one who was interested in that site. But majority won!🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

#3 Tapiutan Island 

One of the beaches I've seen with stunning views is the island's Talisay Beach! 

#3.1. Talisay Beach

Its sand is white and it has very clear water, and again, the view around the beach (the picturesque Tapiutan Strait, Tapiutan Island, Miniloc Island, and of course the towering limestone cliffs) is enough for me to stay there the whole day. 😊😍 

Note: Our lunch was served very late. I got headache while waiting for the food. Hehe

#3.2

This island has Star Beach which is a good spot for snorkeling. 

I tried to climb a bit. I could have gone higher if my suit permitted. Hehehe Sakit sa tiil!😎 

#4 Secret Beach

This beach was supposed to be our destination when the "squall" hit us.😞 So I cannot show you a photo of the site. Just check google. Hehehe

After having Tour C, I promised to myself not to go island hopping in El Nido in December. Hahaha But I broke my promise for my next island hopping was still December, and guess what?! I experienced again (together with my friends and other passengers) a very strong wind while on the way back to the mainland. 🥴  

It was pretty intense for a minute or more and it calmed down again. So weird! That's why I searched and asked people why it was like that. In short, I wanted to understand the weather there in Bacuit Bay. Hehe Maritesss... 😂 

Bitaw, I hope this helps you a bit for your next trip. Until then... Stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️ 

El Nido (Tour B)

Of course, if there's a Tour A then, there's Tour B. Lol 

After I shared the Tour A few days ago, here's Tour B for you to check out.

Actually, this tour is quite underrated. Most travelers flock to Tours A and C, thus, B and D are somewhat left behind. hehe But, these two tours are definitely my favorites. 😍 

I'll show you why.😉 By the way, Tour B is also called Cave Tour since there are caves to be explored in this tour.

This costs PHP 1,300/pax (rate may have been changed), a bit more expensive than Tour A since the destinations are farther than Tour A's.

Lezzz gooo...!😎

#1 Entalula Island

Similar to other islands in El Nido, it has very white sand beach and clear water. Its iconic huge rock (seen on the photo above) is a bit similar to the one I saw in Koh Tapu also known as James Bond Island in the Andaman Sea. (I'll show you the photo next time.😊) 

#2 Vigan Island/Snake Island

Ssssss.....🐍 There's no snake here, trust me. It has a sandbar which is only visible during low tide, and its shape looks like an "S." That's why... Sssnake island.😀What else?! ☺️

You can trek a bit, more or less 15min. on top of the island so you can have the whole view of the sandbar and some of the islands and the mainland of El Nido. Totally awesome!

   I was enjoying the view very much and this is the only decent photo I have when I reached the peak. Haha 

We had our lunch here by the way, but just on the boat.🤤😋

#3 Cudugnon Point

This cave is said to be an important anthropological site where jewelry and pottery were yielded during the Song Dynasty. 

I'm very into anthropological sites, kaya, ganahan jud ko ani na area. :) After exploring inside the cave, you can also go for a swim nearby since it has a fine white sand beach, too. 

#4 Pinasil Island/Cathedral Cave

This island has been usually called as Cathedral Cave for its cathedral-like cavern wich is only accessible by dinghy and kayak. 

Sad to say, we didn't have a kayak with us on the boat, thus, we only stayed at the cave's entrance and we could only have a peek of the cave.😆

#5 Pinagbuyutan Island

Definitely my favorite island in El Nido! 💙

Looking at the crystal-clear water, mainland's mountains, other surrounding islands, and the white sand beach in front of you with the huge ⛰️ karst mountain behind you plus its wide green-grass field is just so perfect.😍 

I think this is the island where I was able to stay longer during island hoppings in El Nido. 

There you go mga ka CP! I'll do my best to publish the Tour C as soon as I can.:)

I hope you, who's reading this, is having a great day/night. Until then... Stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️ 

  

EL NIDO (TOUR A)

El Nido might be the most famous place in the province of Palawan not just because of its white sand beaches and wonderful lagoons, but most importantly because of its towering karst cliffs that cannot be found elsewhere  in the Philippines.

Tbh, napa "WoW" din ako when I first saw the huge limestones in El Nido, but not surprised since it wasn't my first time seeing those beautiful creations. 

Well, if it'll be your first time, then you'll be in love at first sight.🤭😍

So, let's have Tour A first... Wew! 

Note: I have toured "Tour A" twice but this specific tour has been changed recently for compliance of the carrying capacity of the destinations. 

#1Seven-Commando Beach

I love this beach!

Powdery white sand and crystal-clear water. Sunbathing here is perfect. But yeah, I am a Filipina so, sunbathing is a NO for me! 😄

#2 Big Lagoon

I have been to this lagoon twice and still fantastic. 😎 ❣️ The first time I visited this site, it was low tide. That was why I was able to walk at the side (right cliff) for few meters going to the part where you can already dive in. 

<It looked near at the "entrance" so i decided to walk barefoot. Omgeee... pagka layo paman diay and not all fine sand. Sakita sa tiil jud.😅>  

Note: Big and Small Lagoons were both in Tour A before. But this time, you have to choose between the two. Ouuch..😔 Sana dalawa ang puso.💔😁

#3 Shimizu Island 

Lunch is usually served in this island.

So, while waiting for your lunch to be served, you can chill around and enjoy the sea, but, sometimes, if it's too windy particularly in the months of November, December or January, you can just have your lunch on the boat behind the beach area of the island.😁 Yes, you can't go down from the boat just like what happened during my second time here. Hanggang tingin kana lang sa isla. Hahaha

So, i advise you to go island hopping in El Nido during summer especially Feb. - early May.

#4 Snorkeling just nearby Shimizu 

I must say, snorkeling in this area isn't recommendable. 😬 I was trying so hard to find a good spot but waley. Kaya, I don't have a photo here. Hehe <I got a big bruise on my left knee here.😆 Carelessness overload! > 

#5 Secret Lagoon

I didn't find the Secret Lagoon fantastic. Generally, it is fine, but since it was so crowded already when we got there, it made the place unexpectedly ugly.✌️

      Going inside the secret                          lagoon

       You can't take a photo             without people behind           you.😁 

However,  outside the Secret Lagoon is mesmerizing! I super love it! It is 👇

#6 Hidden Beach 

My friends and I had a great time outside the lagoon. Hhhmmm...Indeed, sometimes, the beauty is just on the outside, not in the inside.😜

There you go mga ka CP!  Check out for the next tour, Tour B. 

Until then... Stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️

P. S. 

Tour A Rate: PhP1,200.00/pax  (price may change as of this publishing) 

That 2021, this 2022!✨

TWENTY TWENTY ONE (2021) might not be the year I or you exactly hoped to be, but undeniably, it was still a good year which reminded us a lot of things; the things that we had been taken for granted. 

Personally, I also had my shares of pains, struggles and failures last year, but who am I to complain? I was, am, and will always be grateful to God for that year. Why? 

#1 

My family and I were fine and all of us had food to eat, water to drink, clothes to wear, and roof over our head. 

#2 

I had a job. 

There were so many people who were out of work  last year due to pandemic, but I was blessed enough to have one. 

#3

My family and I were safe from CoViD-19 and from the super typhoon Odette. 

Apart from Mama's plants and mango trees, my parent's very small store was also damaged, but that's okay. It can still be rebuilt. 

#4

I finally got my own domain. ❤️ That's why I am here having the chance to bother you with some of my stories. Hahaha 

And most of all..... 

#5 

"The one" came 😜☺️💙

I really thought I was going to be single forever. Hahaha 

TBH, I was not looking for a partner. After all I'd been through, it had been in my heart and mind already that my "life" (considered the 3rd one) given to me was enough. Bonus nlang pag may partner. 

But God's surprises are indeed endless.☺️

Who would have thought I could have a boyfriend turned fiancé  in times of pandemic?!? IT WAS SO SURREAL.🤭 

Kaya motoo na jud ko sa ila gina ingon nga love comes in mysterious ways. Charot! Wa ko ka sagang oi! Hahaha

Pero seryoso, even how hard life hits us, we must try to always see the good things in it for us to move on and be whole again; whole again to face and conquer the next challenge and to welcome the new year. 

Whaaaat? New year na naman? 😂 I'm feeling so old already. Lol 

Well, I started my new year by taking care of these three-week old puppies with my fiancé. Their mama was able to get out from the fence and hasn't been home anymore since the 29th of December.😢😢😢 

*I just give them water with powdered milk hoping they could survive. 🙏

By the way, I had this idea of not spending some money on January 1.😬 How about you? Do you have that thought, too? 💭🙃

Wala lang, naisip ko lang talaga not to start the year by spending some money.

And generally, I am not into doing stuffs like what many people do during new year's eve, such as wearing polka dots clothes, having 12 kinds of fruits on the table, etc.. But last night, I saw something on FB that I found it cute.🤭 So, I tried to make one on my own without knowing the details of that "pampa-swerte daw." hehehe

I don't know what to call this actually. Haha

Well, for me it's not about being lucky, but being blessed. And being blessed is not about how we start the year, it's how we choose to work day by day. 

Mga ka CP,  this year might still not be as smooth as we want it to be, but let's just keep the faith and continue to hope for a better and brighter 2022. 🙏 Kapit lang po tayo! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!❤️