Well well well, what do you know
Guess who got lucky?
Yoga Dance Palawan!
Yoga Dance anyone??!
Looks what the wifey and a few friends have got cooking (pun intended)
This event is sure to put you back on the right track, flowin and glowin’
Cheers
Microtel, Puerto Princesa Palawan
This digs is the best beach front hotel, with a pool, and good food that is still within the town proper of Puerto Princesa.
Beach front at the Microtel
Just as with any beach in Palawan, make sure to apply your insect repellent before hitting the beach :O
Fancy the pool perhaps instead of the beach?
The rooms at the hotel are very conducive to relaxing. Aside from the sleep inducing chiropratic beds, the clean wall finish that contrasts with the dark wood finish of the cabinetry add to the relacks factor. Overall, it gives a Mediterranean impression.
Comfy rooms
LCD tube is welcome too!
The hotel also boasts of a coffee shop that has an excellent line up of coffee and sweets, and liquor too!
Coffee anyone?
Top-notch this side of town.
Port Barton, Palawan
Port Barton is one of those off the beaten path beach destinations in Palawan. It hasn’t really gone mainstream and to this date is confined to guests of the backpacker nature. The beach is really nice, golden and fine sand, decent sized cove. The best part of it is this place does not have the crowds now associated with a vacay to El Nido.
One of the reasons why this place is San Vicente has not really taken off is because the roads to get here is not that great. But believe me, its current state is like 100x better than how it was a few years ago. From the highway turn-off, its about a 22km (more or less) drive that takes about an hour to get to Port Barton town. Now you can imagine the road condition based on travel time!
The road to Port Barton
Fantastic Vistas
One is rewarded at the end of the long, winding and bumpy road with a nice beach in a decent sized cove bathed in fine golden sand that has that same texture as the sands in Boracay.
The beach at Port Barton
There are a number of places to stay in Port Barton but these are in the inn type of accommodations. Spartan and functional. Period. If you are Mr or Mrs Classy, this place is not for you! We opted to stay in a quieter side of the cove in a place called Deep Gold Resort. Here the beach is longer, and there are less people and boats. I’d have to skip on commenting on the food as this blog is not about reviewing and certainly bashing places.
Former Swissippini, 360 Palawan, and now Deep Gold Resort
Some places, that we’d tell you to check out for dining options are the following:
A good place to have breakfast, and then maybe a meal 
El Busero Restaurant and Inn, Pizza place
On that note, here is a quote from one of the many at Jambalaya that struck a familiar chord in me. CheerS!
What you need
Ikaw Kag Ako
Located just about five minute walk from the airport along Rizal Avenue, is a down-to-earth restaurant and souvenir shop. Aptly called Ikaw Kag Ako, this place surely takes into consideration one’s pocket, yet delivers yummy food via toppings placed over rice or lugaw. The setting is a very simple, homey and artsy affair. The decor have been mostly made by the owners themselves.
Ikaw Kag Ako Facade
The offerings
The food pricing is very reasonable with meals you can have for P50. Can you believe that? Yes! P50. The clincher is that it does not disapoint. It is very good in fact. Heck, we keep on coming back for more!
Adobo over Rice
Yummy Lugaw
Suman!
Be sure to try this yummy shake combo of buko-pandan-lemon grass.
Things for sale at the souvenier shop are different kinds of handicrafts, jewellery and accessories, and even all-natural body and health products.
Shopping to Boot!
Taguykoy
Taaguykoy crab
Look what I found in El Nido?!
Casa Linda Inn
One of the first inns operating out of Puerto Princesa, Casa Linda Inn is aptly named and translates to “Beautiful House” in Spanish – The Inn started off as a Four-room inn way back in 1962. Its rooms were rented out to guests who were mostly oil co. pilots, US Peace Corps Volunteers. To this date, it still stands.
Casa Linda Inn Facade
View from the coffee shop
The central feature of the inn is the garden with the thatched roof gazebo flanked by the rooms on either side. The materials are mostly indigenous and are made up of sawali walls, sakot columns and the spotless ipil –hardwood floors.
The garden of local flora including two dwarf coconut trees, enhances the Filipino feel of the place. If you are really early and quiet, squirrels and different birds flit around the property from the surrounding acacia trees.
Coffee shop / Restaurant
The Inn’s restaurant has 6 tables and a bar area. You may also take your meals in the Gazebo. A number of guests have raved about the restaurants’ pancakes and omelettes.
The restaurants breakfast menu is complete including Continental, American and Filipino Breakfasts, at very reasonable prices. The Kitchen opens at 6a.m. and closes at 9p.m. The Staff also accommodates special meal requests and they also allow guests to cook in the kitchen for a minimum charge.
Other amenities include laundry, safety deposit, tour information and assistance, transportation hiring assistance, fax services and long distance calls.
A small book stand is also located at the foyer, here guests can borrow or exchange books. There is also a small souvenir shop with Filipino handicrafts and t-shirts available for sale.
Double Room
To preserve the relaxing atmosphere in the rooms there are no televisions. However, a Television is located at the lobby.
Daluyon Hotel, Sabang, Underground River
If living in the lap of luxury is your thing, then Daluyon is the place for you to stay while in Sabang. This mid-size resort is the ultimate service oriented, oozing with class, all oooomphs, you won’t regret it joint. Located on the opposite side of the pier, this resort boasts of a spectacular beachfront far from the crowds that sometimes converge at Sabang.
Daluyon Lobby
This hotel blends well with the natural environment
Heading to the quartz lined pool (like a natural heater)
The overall concept of the resort is modern tropical. Cogon roofing is a standout feature, while louvered windows and swing-out doors can either connect or isolate you to the outside world. The rooms here define fineness. Noteworthy of mention are the spectacular sea views from the rooms. Strategic placing of the beds make for an enjoyable experience. The interiors of the rooms leave nothing short of spectacular. Modern furniture and art works of local artists deck out the rooms. Fine high thread count linens are used, satellite tv, mini bar, and room accents complement the already first-rate offering.
Fantastic views
Sarap to sleep in this bed, man!
Bells and whistles
The food is another strong point of Daluyon. They have varied cuisine ranging from Italian, Continental, and of course Filipino. All make for an excellent dining experience. The desserts are also fabulous!
These guys also seem to harp on superior customer service, all attendants are tuned into the guests. They go the extra mile for the guests down here. Short of saying, your wish is my command.
Connecting with nature and harmonizing seems to be the overall objectives of the owner of this resort, kudos to you, we shall keep coming back.
Dabdab, Sabang, Underground River Inn
Most people shrug off Sabang as a mere day trip destination. Underground River. Period. I beg to disagree. There is so much more to Sabang than just the Underground River. You’ve got activities such as a mangrove paddle boat tour, jungle trek, monkey trail, a waterfall hike, heck even beach exploration can be had in this sleepy little town. A day is not enough to cover this sleepy rural town.
An overnight or two is a must, if you are sold on Sabang. The best deal for accommodations, value over price is DabDab Cottages. The place is located on the left side of the cove if you are facing the beach. About 200 meters from the pier. The place is technically beach front, albeit a rocky one. This does not bother me though.
The view from Dabdab
Entrance to Dabdab
The setting is a lush landscaped garden with various features, and the structures itself are artistic in nature with varying implementations of native material usage. Cottages are well spaced out and privacy comes as a natural consequence of good spacing and landscaping.
Cottage Facade
Another cottage
Dining Pavilion
The icing on the cake really is the excellent food served by the restaurant. Man, one of the best Crabs in coconut milk that I have ever tried was in this pavilion. They got weekly specials and all time favourites in their menu board. Everything is a must-try.
For bookings, you can reach them at +63908 4522215; +63906 7538440. Room rates start at P700 and above.
