El Nido: The Last Hurrah in Paradise

As promised, a second article regarding my trip to EL Nido, Palawan. This was our third day in our dreamland. We have visited various lagoons and islands during the previous day (see previous post) and we just can’t get enough of the beauty God has created. So instead of lying down on the beach and touring the downtown of El Nido, we decided to endeavor another tour. This time we chose Tour B. As usual, we woke up at 6 am since the electricity is being turned off during that time for the entire place (This is their means to conserve energy. Mother Earth is so proud!)Our tour guide and the boat man prepared the snorkeling equipment, life jackets (Very important especially for non swimmers like me!) and food. We started to board by exactly 7 am to be able to enjoy the sun longer. It was a bit gloomy that day because a storm was about to hit the north of Palawan which was where we were. Luckily Mr. Sun showered us with his presence even for only half a day.

Our first stop was a lovely island called Inabuyatan Island. It was a great place to snorkel. We were not allowed to dock on the beach though as it was being developed into a whole new resort. My first thought was “Sad that they are building concrete cabanas before we even had a chance to explore it.” But then these thoughts were taken out by once again the great view I witnessed underwater. Fishes, huge coral reefs, more fishes (of different kinds) and the ever popular jelly fishes. But luckily, I was not stung this time.

Oh! I failed to mention on my previous post that I was stung by a big fat pearly white (or transparent, I think) jelly fish or the locals call “salabay” while we were walking back to the resort after we finish our first tour. I was screaming so loud because it was a horrifying experience of great pain. My friends were like, “The jelly fish just greeted you on your birthday.” Yeah! It was my birthday! Such a luck! And that was one of the reasons why this trip was a very memorable one. It left a scar for me to remember for a lifetime. But thanks to a scar removal cream, it is barely there.

Well enough of that terrible encounter with one of the sea’s dangerous creatures. Back to tour B.

Snorkeling and Swimming at Inabuyatan Island

We then went to a site they call the Snake Island. The place got it’s name because of the long S-shaped line of sand that runs across the water connecting one island to the other. During low tide, the long sand bar is very much visible. But when the tide is high, the water rises up to waste or chest level (depending on your height.)  We were led by the tour guide on the top of the hill to see more views of the island. And behold, we appreciated how the name was derived. 

Snake Island:The S-shaped Sand bar

After we had lunch, we then started off to our next destination, the Cudugnon Cave. This was one of the highlights of our trip. Just like most caves you have to crawl in to a small hole made of sharp rocks to be able to get in. 

The way in! =)

 

The travel guide padded the entrance with life vests to avoid scratches or injuries that we might get from the jagged rocks. The opening was convenient for me as I am quite small. But it was hard from people who have large frames. When I passed the first entrance, I could smell the bats. Got me thinking, is this how Bruce Wayne smells? (Boom!)

We needed to again creep into a small entrance and that was when I was astonished with what I saw. The stones were smoother and the formation allowed you to play with your imagination, such a sight to behold. We even saw a sort-of-distorted hidden Mickey (image seen below), Mordor-like formation (not so, but just use your creative mind!) and a portion of a rock that we call the Rock Throne based from the Iron Throne (move over King’s Landing.) 

Hidden distorted Mickey, Mordor and the Iron (Rock) Throne

On the top of the cave was a small gap between the rocks that allowed light from the sun to penetrate the dark space.

Look up! And there was light!

 Apart from the wonderful view in the cave, we were also taken aback by the view of the beach. So white and powdery (the sand), so blue and cool (the water), and just sooo relaxing. The rock formations were very tempting to climbers. And this one did not let this experience pass. (see below)

Feeling the stones and making a route. That's what climbers do!

 

After about an hour of enjoying the beach, it was time for the next stop on our tour list. It was the Cathedral Cave. I suppose it was another breathtaking view but we were very unfortunate not to be able to get in. The wind was strong and a Kayak is the only means of transportation that can be used. Since we were not such experienced swimmers (or was it only me?), the tour guide advised us to skip this one instead because the waves are kind of powerful and might cause the Kayak to flip if not managed by experts. I was sad, in view of the fact that I was looking forward to seeing the rock formations hidden inside and the name was catchy, I wanna know why it was called as such. Was it because it has high ceiling just like the cathedrals? Does it look like a church inside? But then for safety purposes, we carried on to our final leg.

A view from afar, The Cathedral Cave.

Before reaching our final destination, we passed by the Lagen Island. But we did not get the chance to dock on shore since it is now one of El Nido’s prime resorts.  Oh well, next destination please!

Lagen, one of El Nido's prime resorts

 

We then departed for our last stop for the sightseeing expedition, the Malapacao Island.  It was a very good location for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Given that, I am not a swimmer (the only one in the group), I was warned by the boat man not to swim far from the shore. For the reason that, it has what they call a part that is “kantilado” which meant that the sea floor has a steep or cliff-like portion that go all the way as deep as I can imagine. The underwater view though in that part of the sea was really magnificent. But for me, that was a danger zone. 

 

Malapacao Island

We were not able to take a glimpse of a sea turtle, so we decided to make one.

 

En: "This is my paradise!"

We spent the rest of the day in the Malapacao beach making sand castles and destroying them afterwards through our own version of castle wars with our make shift sand balls as weapons. 

Sand Castle Wars

Jellyfish that was twice the size of my head!

We ended our El Nido Vacay with our last minute shopping for souvenirs as “pasalubong” to our families and friends at downtown El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe. We then had dinner at a popular beach front restaurant called “Sea Slugs”. I know the name is not at all appetizing but wait until you taste their food, they were delish! Plus the live band entertained the guests (local and foreign) with beach music and some rock ones as well. 

 

Bak and Shie in Sea Slugs Beach Restaurant

Having dinner under a blanket of stars, good food, soothing sounds, strangers all around, great friends and a bottle of booze, it was one of those times where you feel that you just had the best day of your life.