Your TRAVEL GUIDE in PALAWAN!
The Palaweña Explorer is a travel blog which features real adventures, travel getaways, and a peek on the life of a curious traveler! :)
By traveling to the different places here in the Philippines, i'll be able to show the readers the places that they either won’t get the chance to go to on their own or that will spur their curiosity.
A new accommodation option in an emerging tourist destination up north started its operations just last year, December 2016.
Casa Bienve Nida
They're located just a block away from the beach. You can find them along Rizal Street just behind a beachfront accommodation called Villa Marguerita.
Casa Bienve Nida is a two-storey lodging house which has a total of six (6) rooms accommodation.
Casa Bienve Nida, 2017
They have clean and affordable rooms which are good for two, three and for four.
The structure was built with light materials giving each room a fresh and cool feel in the inside.
Casa Bienve Nida ----(Room for 2-3)
Each room also has windows which give each room a good ventilation.
Casa Bienve Nida---- (Room for 4)
Each room has its own private bath. The bathrooms are also clean and the water supply is good.
Aside from nice rooms, they also have very accommodating staffs.
Casa Bienve Nida ----Bathroom
The town still doesn't have a 24-hour electricity supply. But don't worry because Casa Bienve Nida has a solar electric supply which can be put in use whenever their guests need it.
Their location is also very accessible. Just upfront the accommodation is a convenience store and a souvenir shop. Also just a few meters away from here is a nice and affordable restaurant. The beach is also just walking distance if you feel like you need to take a dip or just take a stroll along the beach.
Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines
If you're looking for a nice place to stay in at Port Barton, you can definitely book a room here at Casa Bienve Nida. For reservations and bookings you can contact them at the following contact numbers: +63 999 880 2403 / +63909 578 0770
Casa BienveNida Rizal Street, Purok Pag-asa, Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines.
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ADIOS!
The Palaweña Explorer
I will never forget how broken I was during my first visit in this paradise. This place even became my "Where do broken hearts go?" destination. But, I was so glad that this was where my feet brought me during those trying times.
The beauty of this place is therapeutic, specially to those pains which are felt on the inside.
Sunset watching at Inaladelan
For me, this is a place which makes you forget (even just for a little while) the troubles of your heart.
Port Barton is such a peaceful place that's perfect to just unwind and be at peace with nature.
Chilling spot @ Inaladelan Island
Finally, after two long years, I was able to go back to this beautiful destination. And as me and my travel bud promised to ourselves, I went back to this paradise with a whole and happy heart.
During this trip, what changed was who I was with and what status my heart was in.
What makes a place even more special, are the people who you share your travel experiences with. This time, I visited this place with my constants, my girlfriends Dana, Cherry and L.A.
L.A., Cherry, Dana & I
We planned this whole trip with some other friends who weren't able to make it to this trip for various reasons. And that's why there was only the four of us.
On our way to Inaladelan
We booked a camping trip at Inaladelan Island (camp sawi style hehe).
We originally planned to go to Palawan Camping, but unfortunately the beach was fully booked. So here we are at Inaladelan Island.
Our home for the night
It was also a blessing in disguise that Palawan Camping was fully booked. Because if it's not, we would've not experience a nice camping adventure at Inaladelan.
DAY 1
In the morning of the 7th day of January year 2017, we traveled from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. Me and my friends met at the San Jose terminal and rode a chartered van to get to barton. We left the terminal at around 7:30AM and we arrived in Port Barton at around 10:30AM.
Walking from the tourism office to the beach
Upon arrival in Port Barton we were led to the tourism office of the town to register our arrival. It was a new ordinance in town where all the tourist guests (only those who will go to the islands) will have to register in the tourism office and pay an environmental fee of 50 pesos per person which is valid for 10 days.
Port Barton's Eco-Tourism Card
After the registration, we met up with our guide from Inaladelan. Our service boat going to the island was already there when we arrived. We decided to have our lunch first in the town before we proceed to the island.
Where we had our lunch -----Barton Bistro
We had lunch at Barton Bistro, a beachfront restaurant and accommodation.
Our lunch! (Rice with Chicken fingers, calamares and a whole pizza)
The food was good. Everything that we ordered was cooked perfectly and they're delicious. The items were just a little bit pricey though. I guess it's because they're tourist price. Not recommendable for budget travelers. But if you really want good food, this is the place to go.
Delicious pizza!
After having lunch, we went on our way to Inaladelan.
Approaching Inaladelan Island
After more or less than 30 minutes, we arrived at our destination.
Welcome to Inaladelan Island!
Inaladelan, January 2017
You can read about our Inaladelan Camping Experience in this link (sorry it's still being written).
Welcome to Inaladelan!
We spent the entire afternoon swimming and just relaxing at the beach.
Chill spots.
Inaladelan 2017
Our "SNACKS" at the beach ;) It was my first time to drink San Mig Light. Sayang hindi malamig yung beer.
After swimming and chilling at the beach. We enjoyed watching the sunset and then afterwards had our dinner.
Sunset Watching Inaladelan Style
After having dinner, the four of us had a bonfire party!
The night was filled with a lot of fun as well as reminiscing and interesting stories. After "they" finished the bottle of tequilla, we already called it a night. The adventure awaiting for us for the next day made us all giddily excited. YAY TO SEA TURTLES and WATERFALLS!!!
DAY 2
Our Good Morning View :)
My tent buddy, Dana Girl.
The next day was filled with so much adventures. I felt super excited to finally cross out an entry in my bucket list---- SWIM W/THE SEA TURTLES!
Inaladelan Island is a nesting ground for sea turles or "pawikan".
The next morning, our guide in the island, Kuya Jun, took us off shore to see the sea turles.
Just a few meters from the shore of the island, we saw a super huge sea turtle! I was ecstatic to finally be able to swim with one!
Super excited to swim with the sea turtles!!!
After swimming with the sea turtles, we went to the neighboring island called double island (a.k.a. Malendeg Island). After touring the island we went back to Inaladelan to have breakfast. We need to load up a bit for our next adventure.
After the adventure with the sea turtles, we went on chasing waterfalls.
Welcome to Bigaho Falls!
WELCOME TO BIGAHO FALLS!
Located in sitio Bigaho is a refreshing waterfalls named after the place where it's located at.
Bigaho Falls, 2017
You have two options on how to get there. Since the falls is located in the mainland, you can ride a vehicle from the town proper going here or if you came from another island (like us) you can travel via boat.
Freezing cold waters of Bigaho.
Read more about Bigaho Falls here.
Circle of Friends enjoying the refreshing water of Bigaho Waterfalls.
After chasing waterfalls, we went back to the town proper to change clothes and eat lunch.
We didn't see it coming that our adventure was not yet finished. Upon arrival at the mainland, we had a hard time finding a place where we can just take a shower and change clothes.
Big thanks to my travel bud pixie for her connections! haha! and of course, big thanks to Ate Nida (the owner of a new accommodation in Port Barton, Casa Bienve Nida) for being so generous in allowing us to take a shower and change clothes in one of her rooms.
After a refreshing shower we decided to have lunch before we bid Port Barton another good bye.
Kusinero del Barrio, Lunch stop over spot
This restaurant has a wide selection of menu. The serving of their food also come in large sizes. It's a recommendable place to dine in at Port Barton.
What's we had for lunch.
This is where our adventure ends, we were picked up here by our transportation service going back to Puerto.
Until next time, Port Barton. I will surely be coming back for more. There's still a lot of places to explore and to visit here. And I am already super excited to go back.
From the town proper of Puerto Princesa, you can ride a multi cab going to the San Jose Terminal. Travel time is around 10 minutes and fare is 13 pesos.
From the San Jose Terminal there are already chartered trips of shuttles and buses which travels from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton daily.
Chartered Shuttle Vans travel daily from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. Earliest trip is at 7am and the last trip is at 2pm. Fare is P250.00 per person (for the locals).
There is also a bus which travels here daily. San Isidro Express (a non-air conditioned bus) leaves the terminal at around 9 am and the same bus goes back to Puerto Princesa at around 2pm. Fare is 200 pesos per person and travel time is around 4 hours.
Other options if you miss the said trips above:
Ride any bus/van going to the northern part of Palawan like Roxas, San Vicente, Taytay or El Nido bound buses and you can get of the van/bus before it reaches Roxas, specifically at the National Road-San Jose intersection where you could hire a tricycle/habal-habal going to Port Barton. Travel time from Puerto Princesa to National Road-San Jose Intersection is about 1 hour and 45 minutes and fare is P140. The travel time for tricycle/habal-habal ride is about one hour and fare/hire is usually P500. A tricycle can only accommodate up to 2 persons while for a habal-habal single passenger only.
2. If you're coming from Roxas, Palawan:
Go to the Public Transportation Terminal of Roxas and ride the jeepney going to Port Barton. Their daily trip schedule is 11 am and travel time is about 2 hours. Fare is 100 pesos for locals and 150 for tourists.
3. If you're coming from San Vicente, Taytay or El Nido, Palawan:
a. Ride any bus/van going to Roxas. Then refer to number 2 above.
b. Ride any bus/van going to Puerto Princesa and tell them that you ought to get of the van/bus at the National Road-San Jose intersection where you could hire a tricycle/habal-habal going to Port Barton. Travel time from Puerto Princesa to National Road-San Jose Intersection is about 1 hour and 45 minutes and fare is P140. The travel time for tricycle/habal-habal ride is about one hour and fare/hire is usually P500. A tricycle can only accommodate up to 2 persons while for a habal-habal single passenger only.
c. There are also private boats for hire.
For Port Barton tours, you can contact a local tour guide friend of mine Dave Cabungan at 09479688904 or send him an email at davzred008@gmail.com :)
There's so much more that I wanted to see in this island which I wasn't able to see during my first visit. That is why, I was filled with so much excitement when I learned that the next stop of our island hopping tour will be in the island of Matinloc.
View from the view deck
Just to correct the information that I've written two years ago about the origin of this island's name, the word Matinloc is eventually not from the native Cuyunon word "matinlo" which means maganda in Filipino or beautiful in English.
Marble figurines, chairs and tiles
Last June 2015 as I was going thru that of which was left from the mini museum's displays, I was able to discover that the word Matinloc actually came from it's root word "Matins" which means divine office morning prayer and not from the said Cuyunon word where I thought it came from.
Some of the life size angel figurines in the chapel
I was very sad to see how the old mini museum looks like now. It's as if it was ransacked by some vulgar visitors or some people we don't know. Most of the displayed photos there before are no longer there. And some of them, if not ruined are not very appealing to the eyes. The small museum is now dirty and not really well maintained, if I may say so.
Some of what's left in the museum.
Going back to the history of the island, this island was once used as a venue for religious activities such as retreats and the like; And according to my sources it also served as a home for the nuns and some other religious people.
Angel structures
Some people say that this place is haunted. It may look like one but we really don't know if it really is such.
A small chapel dome
According to my sources, during the old times there were a lot of nuns and other religious people who live in the mansion. While residing in the island some of them caught illness and because of the remoteness of the island, food and medicine supply become scarce and when they got ill, some of them just died in the island due to lack of medicine and other needs. They also do not have any means of transportation to get themselves back to the town when the need arises. They were said to be visited only once a month for their supplies and other needs.
The Famous Shrine
From what I heard, there was a lot of people who died in this island, and maybe that's the reason why they say that this place is haunted.
Matinloc Shrine
Aside from being home to some religious people before and being the venue of some religious events, this island is also popularly known for having a Shrine and an old abandoned mansion. Aside from that, it also has a very nice viewing deck with an amazing view of the ocean and its neighboring islands as well.
At the left side of the shrine, you will find this small prayer cave. Inside it, you will see a small statue of the Sto. Niño, I think.
A prayer cave
From the platform, you will see this carved limestone staircases which will lead you to the viewing deck.
Limestone staircase
The stairs are quite steep so you need to be very careful climbing up and down it.
Simplicio Family
Don't worry or hesitate going up the view deck as the view in there is really awesome. It may be a bit of a hassle though if you go there with a lot of tour groups with you, as the small viewing deck may become a little bit overcrowded. So make sure that the other groups already went down before you climb that up.
Going down from the viewing deck
Aside from the amazing view from the viewing deck, you will also be mesmerized with the beauty of the place by going on the roof top of the old abandoned mansion.
View from the top of the mansion
From there you will get to see the beauty of the courtyard, the shrine and the limestone mountains.
View from the third floor
First time to see this view
The first time I visited the island, I wasn't able to visit the mansion. This was my first time to see what's inside the old abandoned mansion.
Seeing all the scraps and the interior of the property, I was really so disappointed on how it looked like. They just wasted all their money for what? I don't know. This place is really something. It will really pinch your curiosity, for real.
Inside the abandoned mansion
It was also then that I discovered that the mansion used to have an elevator installed in it. My goodness, what a luxurious house this is. Why did they just abandoned this?
There were still some double deck bed frames left in one of the big rooms, I think there was a total of 3 double deck bed frames in there. I wasn't able to visit each and every room and all the area in the mansion because there was a lot of mosquitoes in there specially at the third floor, which made touring inside the mansion very uncomfortable.
The elevator in the mansion is not there anymore, what's left in there is only the hole/space where it was used to be installed into.
The mansion has a total of three (3) floors and it's really big. The rooms are very spacious with a nice view of the forest at the back. Uuuuugh, the place is really really sayang!
One of the interesting spots in the whole Fernandez' property is this fence! At the side of the mansion is a cemented fence. It's an optical illusion where you will think that the fence is closed but in reality it's not.
Optical illusion
You will need to walk a little bit more towards it to see the opening. You will not see it at first glance.
The entrance
I was really amazed with this. I even thought it was made for a reason. And that reason, again, we don't know. This place is really super duper interesting!
From the other side of the property
Not only is this property interesting, it's also annoying at the same time because you will have a lot of unanswered questions running through your mind. Why is this here? What's that for? All the why's and what's will run on your mind all throughout your stay in this island.
An addition to my been here travel photo collection
They also even constructed in there a mini chapel (a replica of the shrine) before, which they used to call "Sacred Heart of Mary, Shrine of the New Jerusalem".
The replica was eventually destroyed by some people and they discovered a huge pipe under the statue.
Again, the purpose of that, we don't know.
Another collection
Aside from all the interesting stuff in this island, what will make it more amazing, is it's naturally beautiful underwater seascape.
The island is blessed with a rich marine life with an amazing array of beautiful corals. The fishes are also abundantly living in there.
We even saw a big blue starfish, sea snake, a lot of different fishes and some other marine life.
One of our boatmen touring us underwater
The first time I visited the island, we weren't able to swim in its waters and I really regretted not doing so. The underwater view is really nice in here.
Blue Starfish!!
There was really a lot of fishes and you may go fish feeding here to attract more fishes to go near you.
You can go fish feeding in here too!
It's an amazing experience to go snorkeling in Mantiloc Island's waters. Don't miss it.
Lots of fishes!!
This time during my second visit in the island, there was a lot more that I discovered. The islands of El Nido never fail to amaze me even though I've already visited it once.
Add caption
These two stray dogs bid us good bye as we leave the island of Matinloc. By the way, I don't know how they got there, there's no one residing in this island, not even a caretaker or something.
Make sure to visit this destination on your next El Nido island hopping tour.
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