Traveling to El Nido, Palawan.

Dear travelers,

The airport in PPS or Puerto Prinsesa is not a major airport unlike Manila International Airport (MIA) and Mactan International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (another MIA).

Arriving at PPS Airport was a shock because there was a heavy downpour considering June as a commencement to the umbrella season in a tropical country. Take note, Summer months start in April and usually end in May. The month started off with countless rains and the photo below narrates the fright of how our El Nido trip will be.

Cebu Pacific (CEBU PAC) provided us otherwise with cute yellow umbrellas to safeguard our belongings from the downpour.

Upon getting in, I got surmised at how little the space was. I've been to Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Manila and Cebu airports and it is to my dismay. Honestly speaking.

The restrooms were neat in a way and were well-maintained. Upon going out, the rain was hardheaded. It didn't stop and we had no choice but to look for the man carrying sheets of paper with our names on it. (Make sure you check this way ahead of time so you don't end up expectant).

Cutting to the chase, we were in the van (Grandia) with three other people. My gut tells me they got the van service on the spot (which is a normal way of living in Palawan).

We knew right from the start. Six (6) hours is a grueling travel time just for one location. My last memory traveling that long was a tracking (literally circumnavigating) trip around Negros Island less than two decades ago.

Getting enough information from friends tells me the normal rate. It is 500 pesos per head not unless you have more colleagues with you then you can try haggling for better rates.

Suggestion: Riding the bus can be an option BUT having limited time to stroll around the place is a primary parameter. It may take you longer than 6 hours with bus stops every other spot in its aisle of travel.

I want you to worry less for this. Just make sure you are not well-rested so you can have ample time to nap while inside the van; contrary to what happened to me since we arrived around 3PM and the night came eloquently with my eyes wide awake the entire trip.

You can: 

• Listen to an e-book. 
• Have the best playlist while on the road. Listen to it of course. 
• Watch a movie. Download movies in your iPAD or iPHONE and it will kill time. (better have your powerbanks charged) 

The road to El Nido is spic and span. No road cracks (unlike other areas) and the roads are far from edges and cliffs (unlike traveling to Baguio or going to Danasan Eco Park).

While you may be sitting inside with your music turned on, three hours would be swift before landing at a midpoint eatery and the rates were pretty elusive. Good business up ahead and just prepare enough bucks. Seafood meals were way expensive in Cebu and the meals were served in a glorious way (cheaper, actually). It was pretty dark outside but undoubtedly, you feel the ambiance beyond those territories.

I forgot the name and we all guessed the owner to be an Islam follower with all tarpaulins about Islam. It was really perfect since they label their meals well for Muslims. A friend of mine doesn't eat pork and it was pretty convenient for her.

The comfort rooms had donation boxes and is not something new for travelers. The rates you pay are not enough to cover for their maintenance costs. Delving to the sublayers of the costs, delivery from A to B can be really hefty. Well, tourism is an edge of Palawan nonetheless.

The rest of the pack waited for us while we gnawed our food. The empty stomach knows no more rules, even wallet considerations. The three hour ride to this midpoint eatery was too hot to handle. Everything was very palatable granting an empty stomach.

The people were in deep slumber while my eyes remained wide awake. Using some camphor or menthol applications, I used it several times in the sojourn. I had weird and random motion sickness issues. I forgot to drink my bonamine tablet (an hour earlier) and good thing the white flower oil was perfect to ease out motion anxieties.

It was totally dark. Really dark that the modern sceneries are too flashy compared to the silence of the natural forests. What I just noticed were other vans transporting other tourists from the airport.

A total of six hours was the length we had to travel. Signals were too shaky to capture data and even to check my MAP. The driver remained focused and forgot to at least label each boundary we got into. Nevertheless, we see on a larger the scale the entire map which has larger areas per municipality.

The over-all experience was satisfactory and highly safe. The van drivers were very hospitable and the night time urged him to deliver us safely to Tay Miloy's inn. We paid 100 pesos for the terminal; he explained how angry the tricycle drivers are if they directly deliver the tourists to each of their inns and hotels.

If you got questions, let me know. I'll be really happy to help.